Competition Briefs

Blog version of the form completed in today's responsive session.

Naming a brief that interests me, a rationale for deciding to research that brief, practical skills and media that I may learn, as well as an outline of an action plan.

1. Penguin: Adult Non-Fiction Cover Award [Link]
'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote

Requirements: Front and back cover, spine, adhering to template on website, involving PENGUIN branding and barcode. (PDF digital submission, 300dpi)

I'm interested in this brief because it is research-based, it relates to publishing (and is involved with Penguin who are a well-established name), and it also involves illustration and design elements.

Action plan: Read and research text/author, produce roughs, develop, finalise

Important dates: Digital submissions open 18/01/2017
                           Closing date for entries 07/03/2017 at 12:00

2. Secret-7 [Link]
Tracks for 2017 to be announced. May just work on sleeve designs for previous tracks for the time being.

Requirements: 7" record sleeve design (front + back)

This brief was something I wanted to look into since I heard about it from the previous level 5 students. I really enjoy the format of the record sleeve, and the idea of it communicating a song without telling the readers what that is. Also it's such a broad project that is open to many different approaches. Also relates to my interest in music.

Action plan: Look at previous tracks, listen, create sketches and roughs, develop, finalise

Important dates: TBA

3. Batsford Prize 2017 [Link]
Interpreting Nature. Entries that show 'innovative and well-crafted' interpretations of nature in terms of subject or materials used. Revealing something about nature/our relationship to it.

Requirements: Entry form, up to 5 digital images of work (10mb max), supporting 500 word statement

I saw the competition poster for this brief and was intrigued since it was open to people from many different creative disciplines. I then found out that Batsford are involved in publishing, so maybe it could be something worth looking into. Also, by the sounds of it the format of the final images could be determined by me.

Action plan: Research, roughs, plan formats, develop, create, finalise, submit

Important dates: Last entry day 04/04/2017, email batsford@pavilionbooks.com subject 'BATSFORD PRIZE ENTRY'

4. UK Greetings (YCN) [Link]
To create your own collection of illustrative stationary, greetings cards and gift wrap.

Requirements: 4 x greeting cards (105x159mm, 121x184mm, or 140x140mm) consider inside of card and envelope designs
1 x boxed notecard set (size 110 x 132mm)
1x gift bag (size 267 x 330mm)
1x repeating pattern for gift wrap (show one or two swatch samples)
1 x notepad cover (A5 or A4)
Design sheet demonstrating ideas as a set

This brief could be a good challenge because of the numerous formats you would have to create, making sure they work together as a set. Also the appearance / occasion of the set is up to you.

Action plan: Research the company, select a theme or occasion, make designs, develop, create finals

Important dates: 11:59pm 23/03/2017, digital submission link available from January (submit as a single PDF)