Three Design education providers have joined forces to create a prestigious design competition embracing three regions.
The Universal College of Learning (UCOL), the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) have collaborated to launch the Design Distinction Awards (dDawards).
The inaugural graphic design challenge is open only to secondary school students in each of the three regions; Manawatu/Horowhenua, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson/Marlborough. There are two age group categories; Years 9 – 10 and Years 11-13.
EIT’s Head of School of Arts and Design Dr Suzette Major says, “This is such a great opportunity for our young designers to get a taste of an exciting and real design experience. Like V48Hour film festival, I imagine dDawards will become an annual fixture in the calendars of emerging designers nationwide.”
Based around the V48Hour format, entrants to the dDawards design marketing collateral for a local cause or event within a 48-hour production time limit. The aims are to promote and strengthen industry links and showcase up-and-coming talent. This year’s challenge will be a campaign for Air New Zealand’s grabaseat and will take place from 7 – 9 September.
Participating students register through the dDawards website and during the competition weekend they will have access to resources at their local Polytechnics/Institutes of Technology.
All submissions will be judged and graded, with categories in Bronze, Silver and Gold. The Gold Award winners vie for the regional top prize of an iPad and a chance to claim the Supreme Award title.
The Supreme Award winner will receive return flights to Auckland courtesy of Air New Zealand grabaseat, $250 worth of accommodation from Jasons Travel and a meet and greet with Young & Shand, a top creative agency in Auckland.
Registration is open now on the competition website www.ddawards.ac.nz
“Next year the dDawards will be developed into a national competition. It will also be expanded to include tertiary education students and their providers, with Air New Zealand playing a fundamental role in the on-going expansion of the competition,” says Suzette.