Next Designer Contest: September 2011

[Toiny]

Official Rules and Details

Our Annual Next Designer Contest kicks off September 1, 2011.

No need for sign ups, just post your Round 1 entry in Next Designer Contest Gallery by September 5, 2011 no later than Midnight (24:00) EST and you will automatically be listed as a competitor.


All challenges will be posted 6:00 a.m. EST and due by Midnight (24:00) EST per the scheduled dates:

• Intro's begin August here in the Forum, through Round 1
• Round 1: Challenge begins Sept. 1st, Due Sept 5th
• Round 2: Challenge begins Sept. 8th, Due Sept 12th
• Round 3: Challenge begins Sept. 15th, Due Sept 19th
• Round 4: Challenge begins Sept 22nd, Due Sept 26th
• Winner announced Sept 30th

The contest is open to anyone interested in becoming a Designer, whether you are brandnew, established or even just for fun!

Our top 10 finalists from Round 3 will all win an exclusive, brandnew, CU Grab Bag from theStudio Designers.

Our top three finalist from Round 4 will win Designer Contracts at theStudio as well as a bamboo wacom pen tablet.

[kimberkatt]

I am SO excited for this!! This is the highlight of my year!! Woohooo, let the fun begin!

[johnsonrj@q.com]

WOW! That time again already?? Can't wait to preview all the talent!

[ladyofthethorns]

Wow, that time again! Where DID the year go?!

I love these contests and although I'm still in 'recovery' from the past 6 weeks with The Design Factor , I'll probably muster up some energy to join here.

And of course Toiny, you know me... always a couple questions

1. Can you remind me (us) about the how the process of elimination works (membership votes versus theStudio admin votes)?
2. How long do we need to keep our submissions available for free?
3. For those of us hoping (longing )to win a designer contract here at the studio, where can we find more details on what that means (just the basics would be fine, such as designer requirements and time commitments)?

[Stampin Designs]

Hi this sounds interesting. I am just learning new techniques etc to be a designer. I am already on two CT's. I was wondering what I would have to do to learn and what I would have to do, as a learner, to join the contest please.
Thanks

[Toiny]

Just keep your eyes open on the first and follow the challenge carefully. The Design Team is very friendly here and we will post tips & tricks, as well as links to great tutorials. In the meantime, you can continue to familiarize yourself with your software, google for some tutorials and try to mimic some of your favorite designers. All practice helps get you ready.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Stampin Designs

Hi this sounds interesting. I am just learning new techniques etc to be a designer. I am already on two CT's. I was wondering what I would have to do to learn and what I would have to do, as a learner, to join the contest please.
Thanks

[Toiny]

Hi Rose,

I love your questions as always.

1. I'm looking at completely eliminating membership votes (input welcome). Last year it was membership votes until the final, fourth, round. The final round was voted on by theStudio Admin & Design team privately.
2. You need keep your free kits only until voting (each round) is completed. Until the 1st of October is encouraged.
3. Our contract is simple. No set-up fees, 75% monthly commission, 6 mega kit contributions per year (2-3 papers, 5-8 elements), a minimum of 2 new products per month. That's it.

Of course, the contract itself is a little more wordy than that

Originally Posted by ladyofthethorns

1. Can you remind me (us) about the how the process of elimination works (membership votes versus theStudio admin votes)?
2. How long do we need to keep our submissions available for free?
3. For those of us hoping (longing )to win a designer contract here at the studio, where can we find more details on what that means (just the basics would be fine, such as designer requirements and time commitments)?

[ladyofthethorns]

Originally Posted by Piggyscraps

Hi Rose,

I love your questions as always.

That's good... because I wouldn't want to be a pest.

Thanks for answering my questions.

[ladyofthethorns]

Originally Posted by Piggyscraps

I'm looking at completely eliminating membership votes (input welcome). Last year it was membership votes until the final, fourth, round. The final round was voted on by theStudio Admin & Design team privately.

OK, I'll input... I'm all for completely eliminating membership votes. I've always felt that having the membership vote made it more of a popularity contest instead of a designer contest. Some people are more well, people people, if you kwim; and it ends up that the ones who can get the most friends and/or family members to sign up and vote are the ones who win and those are not necessarily the same ones who have talent and skill for designing.

[kimberkatt]

Hi ladies!! {waves}

Rose, I agree. The Membership Vote is tough... most members here do actually vote for their favorite designs, but because it is a public vote, the contestants do have that option of soliciting votes from others, who are not regular members here... so, yes, it can be beneficial to have a vote, to see what potential customers are looking for, but, again, it can also be very misleading! Not to mention the complaints or accusations of "cheating" - we do not tolerate any kind of cheating during the competition, Toiny tries her hardest to make this contest as fair as possible, to give everyone an equal shot. So, by eliminating the membership vote, or reducing it's impact on the final results, we're hoping for a more enjoyable and relaxed competition w/ minimal conflicts & accusations We just want you guys to come in here, have loads of fun creating & hanging out with us, and maybe walk away with a prize or two!

[katlen124]

Part of being a designer is rallying the public and making something that will sell. I don't like it, but popularity of the designers is part of what helps the shop.
That said, Don't like the vote being the only determining factor.

Originally Posted by ladyofthethorns

OK, I'll input... I'm all for completely eliminating membership votes. I've always felt that having the membership vote made it more of a popularity contest instead of a designer contest. Some people are more well, people people, if you kwim; and it ends up that the ones who can get the most friends and/or family members to sign up and vote are the ones who win and those are not necessarily the same ones who have talent and skill for designing.

[sbc33]

Um, "no sign ups necessary" then "sign up in August". Not sure which it is, but just in case - I'm in. I had a blast last year.

[Toiny]

LOL. I guess I stuck a little too closely to the wording from last year... I changed it to "intro's". Of course Q&A as well.

So happy to see you back!

Originally Posted by sbc33

Um, "no sign ups necessary" then "sign up in August". Not sure which it is, but just in case - I'm in. I had a blast last year.

[Scrappinsass]

I'm going to give this a try! Sounds like a lot of fun!

[SandyPie]

Adding to my calendar now! 50 or 60 more tries and maybe Toiny will show me sympathy and give me an "honorary winner" prize, so I can quit torturing myself over this. But till then I'll just keep trying in spite of myself! hahaha!

[Stampin Designs]

Thank you so much. I will keep practising and keep an eye out to see what to do

[tanteva]

There's a part of me that wants to start designing again LOL
Will have to think about this

[Elaine Sharron]

What are your rules in designing for the September contest. This is my first try.
Thanks
Elaine

[Toiny]

Welcome guys! The rules will go up with the first challenge. Each challenge is a little bit different and the restrictions will be carefully spelled out. Everyone is welcome and we do try to make it easier-to-harder as the weeks go by. It's also a great crew we have here and you will be able to ask questions and pick our brains as you go!

[Heatheranne]

Originally Posted by Piggyscraps

Welcome guys! The rules will go up with the first challenge. Each challenge is a little bit different and the restrictions will be carefully spelled out. Everyone is welcome and we do try to make it easier-to-harder as the weeks go by. It's also a great crew we have here and you will be able to ask questions and pick our brains as you go!

I would love to be a designer! I've been practicing, resulting in one large kit, a mini to go with it and various little practice items. This challenge sounds perfect because I still have so much to learn.

A few questions?
Does this mean that we will be creating as we go?
Do we have to have a blog to enter?
Is there a link to last years contest, so we can have an idea of what it's about?

Thank you for your response. :-)