Participate in a Design Competition and Advance Your Career

By Sarah Clark
Sarah.clark@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist

One of the best ways to demonstrate your passion and talent for design may be to win a design contest. Having relevant design training is important too; both can help give you an edge in your graphic design career.

The AIGA offers many graphic design contests; here are a few that you might wish to enter.

"Inequality Matters" Poster Campaign

AIGA is calling on its members to submit posters for its "Inequality Matters" campaign. The campaign is designed to feature a series of posters that communicate areas of inequality among nations and people in terms of access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, education, and other areas outlined by the United Nations Development Program. Posters will be showcased in an AIGA exhibit designed to raise awareness of inequality throughout the world.

Book Design Competition

Got a winning book cover design? If so, you might consider AIGA's annual "50 books/50 covers of 2005" competition. This annual event honors the best 50 book designs each year.

AIGA Annual Design Competition

The AIGA also holds an annual design competition that showcases the best graphic design work in all categories.

These design competitions are intended for those with graphic design careers who are creating work for use in the market. Student projects, therefore, are probably not eligible for consideration. To join the competition, interested graphic designers need to submit their work by March 3, 2006. More information can be found on AIGA's website, where information on eligibility requirements is detailed.

Graphic Design Contests for Students

You might also seek out graphic design contests expressly for students. Ask the department head of your graphic design training program about student competitions. Besides building up your portfolio and adding another feather to your cap, a design competition win might also help you earn some scholarship money or cash to help finance the cost of your design program.

Put your graphic design training to the test by entering a design competition. It can serve as a way to distinguish yourself from your peers and apply principles you learned during your design program.

About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who often writes on topics related to education and career development.