How many design competitions have you entered this year?
If you are like many readers, you may have lost count at this point. Design competitions have become popular over the past few years and although they can be wonderful for your business, most of the time you are left with a stack of designs that you are not quite sure how to use.
Do you really want a portfolio filled with one-off design competition entries?
I don’t think so. Instead of quickly shoving your design into a sheet protector and moving onto the next competition, why not take the time to turn that design into a full blown professional print collection?
* A few winners from Dries Van Noten’s Spring ’13 Collection, via vogue.com
Depending on the competition terms you may not be able to sell the design, but at least you will have a well thought out, professional collection to present at your next interview.
Here’s what you need to turn your entry into a winner for your portfolio:
1. Create an inspiration board
Make a quick mood board to visually explain the design challenge. Who was the target consumer? For what season was the print intended? Where did you get your initial inspiration? Use this board to show that you are capable of designing with a specific customer in mind.
2. Add print coordinates
The next step is to create two to three print coordinates that support your main print. Your coordinates should share a consistent hand-feel, texture and color palette with your design entry.
3. Show the final product
The final step is to show how you intended the prints to be used. You can do this through sketches or product mockups, whichever option is the easiest. Did you visualize the entry being used on a tablecloth or a designer dress? How do the print coordinates now fit into the picture?
By taking these extra steps you can turn your entry into a win for your portfolio. Your time is precious so try to make the most of every design!
To learn more about creating successful print collections check out The Sellable Sketch. This course has taught hundreds of designers the elements that lead to a successful print collection.
9 Comments
October 4, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Sadly, I dislike the idea of competitions since entering the ‘Gardens for Health’ one, featured here, in Pattern Observer.
I was delighted that I had won and that my design was going to be printed on various products and sold internationally…
Nearly a year later and I haven’t been contacted at all by the organizers (GFH) and worst of all they don’t reply to my emails.
October 5, 2012 at 7:29 pm
I know, I am so sorry about all that Veronica. That was a frustrating experience for me as well and I learned a lot about partnerships..
I hope the free spot in The Sellable Sketch made up for it!
October 8, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Not your fault Michelle, I know…
And I did learnt a lot on The Sellable Sketch!
December 3, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Do you have a running list of current design competitions or know where I might find one?
December 7, 2012 at 10:39 pm
I don’t Erin, but I would be happy to post a list if anyone wants to compile one! That is a great idea ; )
March 5, 2013 at 7:13 pm
I keep an ongoing list of competitions in a group I belong to on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/513459135355354/files/
March 5, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Hello Michelle What a great post. Thanks you are always so right on with your information given. MaryJane
March 29, 2013 at 12:24 am
Thank you so much MaryJane, that means so much to me ; )
March 29, 2013 at 12:28 am
That is so cool Kelly! It looks like that is a private group, we have a pinterest board with competitions: http://pinterest.com/patternobserver/design-competitions/. Would you like to collaborate and start pinning to that board as well? I think I can invite you to be a pinner (still new to the whole thing). Email me at michelle@paternobserver.com if so…