I recently tackled a D&AD brief, which you can see here. This was brand new territory for me, and was something I had never really considered before. I didn't actually enter my entry into D&AD due to, as previously mentioned here, doubting my own ability and finding it difficult to share my work. Following completing my foundation degree I will have the summer to experiment with my skills and truly challenge myself.
Rather than putting my designs on hold, as I did in my previous time off, I would like to use this to explore my home study and really work on my portfolio. Whilst researching on different briefs I could follow, I came across a lot more competition briefs. I didn't realise how many design competitions there really were: it's not something that comes up regularly in class. I would like to use my time to practice with some of the past briefs and actually enter my work into some.
YCN Student Awards
Similar to the New Blood Awards, the YCN student awards are a great way of showcasing work whilst in education or being a recent graduate. Issuing two different programmes for Europe and North America in terms of brands, so they are familiar and relevant. Also similar to New Blood, YCN partners with many organisations and brands, allowing you to get your work seen by leading businesses.
Penguin Random House Design Award
Quite a well known business, this competition is only open to UK based students on a design course at degree or MA level. Whilst there isn't many categories of choice, the aim of the competition is to create a book cover design, for Adult Fiction, Children, or Adult Non-Fiction books. The award is one of the most prestigious student awards and allows you to have your work seen by a huge audience: the winner is also offered a work placement within the business itself, alongside £1,000 in prize money. As someone who has always been drawn to books by their covers (though we all know the saying, don't judge a book by it's cover, oops!) I think this is one I will most definitely be looking more into.
RSA Student Awards
The RSA Student Awards are an opportunity for students around the world to work on industry level briefs and get their work viewed within the design community. Aiming to help students get their foot in the design industry, the Awards are based in the UK, but students and graduates from all over the globe can participate. The RSA also offer £60,000 in cash prizes, alongside paid internships each year.
Whilst there are many other notable competition briefs, I think these are the most relevant for me. I think it's great practice, and could also develop into a career, whether you win or fall as a runner up. However, I'd also like to mention another competition, though not a brief. A fellow classmate brought this to my attention recently: It's Nice That, who I have followed on instagram and twitter for quite some time, are hosting a Graduate of 2015 award. The winning graduates will have their work posted on the website, alongside being invited to an industry event in July. The winners will also be invited to take part in a 12 month, one to one mentorship scheme with the It's Nice That team, featuring portfolio advice, introductions to design types in the industry and answering any questions you may have.
I do think this competition will need to be left until next year, as I still have my final year of university to focus on and the opportunity to bulk up my portfolio more so than I have managed this year. With all of these competitions, I really want to push myself and enter. Not only would it be great for my self esteem and reverting back to the post I posted recently on Women in the Industry, I lack the bold self promotion characteristic you need within such an industry: it would be a step in the right direction.
