We're working on a small design contest that would take submissions over the summer, post them in August and then show off the winners in early September. Right now we're narrowing down the boundaries, but wanted to put it out there to our community for some feedback.
Our concept is focusing on student and independent designers with new 2009 designs. (In any field: home design, kitchen, bath, green and sustainable innovations, technology for the home, kids design...)
Our inspiration is this kind of work that we see at the trade shows like ICFF or IDS that is tucked away in the small booths. Our goal is to provide a really strong forum for new design to reach our large retail and media audience. We'd allow approval voting in order to find finalists and then let the readers vote for their favorite design. We could also employ judges... The winner would get a huge sponsored post and advertising banners on our sites...
What a fun, fabulous idea! I think it would be great to open it to both students and independents...or perhaps have a two-tiered thing? There are so many independent designers, or those just putting their toe in the water, that have so much to offer that isn't yet 'out there'...it'd be a shame not to see it.
For the judging, maybe it could be set up so that a group of diverse judges whittles the entries down to maybe five or ten per category, which are then posted online and the crowd selects its final fave(s). There might need to be some parameters put into place, though, because if people are able to rally their social network for voting, it might become more of a popularity contest rather than a design challenge. This'd be fine in the world of selling, but less appealing in the world of ideas...
I'd vote to let people submit one design per category, but a person can only win once. I don't think I'd restrict it to 2009 work - I think it would be too difficult to manage that. If there was a challenge/problem for each category that needed to be solved through design, you'd be a lot more likely to receive current/new work.
Hmmm...more valuable than money - pr. If Apartment Therapy were willing to give play to the winner, and if AT had any friends at other publications or sites that would be willing to do the same, or even a (sponsored?) spot at an appropriate design show, that would be great. An internship with an appropriate design company might be nice, especially for students. Or, if it is a product, maybe a retail shop would partner with AT (and get some play on the site for the favour), and list the winner's goods for sale in their shop(s). That whole 'teach a man to fish' thing. I'd rather the pr and/or contacts that could get my design out there rather than a bit of cash that might pay a bill or two.
Look forward to seeing how it is presented - Great opportunity, regardless!
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