Society of Dyers and Colourists

SDC International Design Competition 2012

The global winner will receive the SDC Colour Design Award 2012, a cash prize of £1,000 and the Veronica Bell Trophy.

COMPETITION BRIEF

Criteria

‘To demonstrate the creative, imaginative and original use of colour in either fashion or textiles’

This year's theme is 'Fashioning Colour Responsibly'

All entries should show evidence of the following:

• colour as an integral component of the design process
• development of the designs, from concept to final design product or application
• excellent presentation and clarity of ideas
• innovative or creative approach to incorporating some aspect of thinking around this year’s theme of ‘Fashioning Colour Responsibly’, within the original design and/or final design application.

The judges will assign marks for each of these four categories.

Deliverables

• For regional heats, work to be mounted on a maximum of four boards of up to A2 size (please do not include any additional artwork/portfolio or finished garments).
• A type-written statement on one A4 sheet – no more than 500 words!
• If you win your regional heat, you are encouraged to bring one extra piece of work to the grand final judging, this could be a finished article or a sample garment.

Basis of submission

• The work can be based on a fashion or textile design project produced as part of the standard course curriculum or specifically for the SDC International Design Competition.
• Content is at the discretion of the student, and can include finished roughs, design sheets, illustrations, working drawings, mood boards, photographs, fabric indicators, material swatches, etc. At least one board must outline the colour theme with the colour palette clearly indicated.
• Each submission must be uniquely titled and must be supported by a typewritten statement in English (no more than one A4 page / ~500 words) explaining the background and inspiration for the work.
• Boards: these should be A3 (297 x 420 mm) or A2 (420 x 594 mm) in size, with your artwork securely mounted on. Never submit any more than the number of boards requested.
• Only one entry may be submitted by each student.
• A maximum of three entries per college; one tutor should be identified as the contact per college and be responsible for submitting an entry form.

Judging

In most instances, the students will be invited to bring their boards and statements to the regional heats. They will meet the judges and have the opportunity to give some background on their project and their use of colour. Where this is not possible alternative arrangements will be made.

Additional information

Fashioning Colour Responsibly – what will your approach be?

This year’s theme of ‘Fashioning Colour Responsibly’ must also be included in the design and/or the written statement.

The theme highlights issues around sustainability and the challenge of producing environmentally friendly textiles and fashion. Some people consider the textile industry to be one of the most environmentally harmful in the world. (Ideas to consider can be downloaded from the full breif opposite).

HOW TO ENTER

• Download an entry form, or contact the regional co-ordinator. All entries must be endorsed by the relevant course leader.
• In most countries, tutors will need to pre-select up to three students from their college and submit their names using an entry form
• Entry forms can be submitted by email to either to the SDC head office or direct to the regional contact for your country.
• No design boards should be posted to the SDC or regional contacts; instead, in most instances, the students will be invited along to the regional heats to present their design boards in person. If this is not possible, alternative arrangements will be made.
• Specific entry criteria may vary for regional heats (in relation to the number of entries per college for example) and these will be advised by the regional contact.
• Individual entries from students will not be considered.

Timetable:

• September 2011 Competition launch. Tutors can submit entry forms for students at any time.
• Feb to July 2012 Regional heats take place and country finalists announced
• Autumn 2012 Grand Final takes place (location to be confirmed) and global winner announced

COMPETITION RULES

Background

Preliminary heats will be held around the globe. A finalist from each participating country will be chosen and all the finalists will be invited to the grand final where the global winner will be announced. The finalists will receive payment towards accommodation and travel expenses.

Who can enter?

• Undergraduate students in higher or further education following a recognised first degree or diploma course in fashion and/or textile design from the countries listed below who conform to the relevant regional criteria.
• Entries must be endorsed by the course leader and entry forms submitted by the college or university on behalf of the student to the regional contact. Individual entries will not be considered.
• Age limit: Students must be aged not less than 18 years on 1 April 2012.

Any queries?

For general enquiries, please contact the competition organiser: marketing@sdc.org.uk. For country-specific enquiries, please get in touch with the regional contact, details of which can be located in the full competition brief opposite.