Next Designer Contest: September 2011

[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!

[Min]

Wooohoo - it's "that time" again!

Welcome and good luck to you all, I can't wait to see your creations!

[mollyscraps]

YAY!!! I'm going to try again this year. I have been practicing creating ellies so I hope to do well. :0)

[lindz_e]

I want to try this, looks like fun =)

[katlen124]

I am in again!! - each year a bit better!
glad to see some "old" friends

[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.

[Littlepenguins]

Excited to give this a try.

[redplaid3]

As a spectator, I love this stuff, too! Can't wait to see all the talent!

[Nanascraps]

hmmm..sounds like fun...loved it last year...from a spectators point of view...I just finished the Design Factor also...so I may give this a whirl...if not will be happy stalking

[kcarlsen]

Definitely going to give it a shot! This will be my first stab at it so I'm sure I'll taking all the tips and advice I can get. Thanks so much for all of the kind folks here at the Studio. It has definitely been a positive thing in my life the past couple months! Better get practicing :-) !!!

[Ambowife Designs]

Great to see some familiar names and faces from last year, good luck to you all I am sure you will all have a blast

[redplaid3]

I don't think popularity should be the deciding factor either. However, I think the standards should be clear beforehand because I often have wondered in other contests what the judges were looking for. Is there a rubric for voting or is it just a popularity contest between the judges. Just curious....

[kimberkatt]

Originally Posted by redplaid3

I don't think popularity should be the deciding factor either. However, I think the standards should be clear beforehand because I often have wondered in other contests what the judges were looking for. Is there a rubric for voting or is it just a popularity contest between the judges. Just curious....

It's definitely not a popularity thing when theStudio Admin/Staff/Designers vote - we're looking for high quality w/ minimal errors (because everyone makes mistakes sometimes!), originality/creativity and how well you followed the rules of the contest... popularity is a GREAT thing to have as a designer but it doesn't necessarily determine your overall talent. Popularity is one of the determining factors, but it is not the determining factor

[Toiny]

What Kim said, LOL. There is no one rubric. Each challenge comes with it's own guidelines, posted on the first day of each challenge. Our voting will be based on that, as well as personal preference. Part of judging does come down to personal taste. Luckily we have a wide range of Designers, and Admin, at theStudio. There are many different styles and personal preferences.

I don't think, now I may be biased, it will be a popularity contest. However, of course, personality will be factored in. The winner will be our co-worker, hopefully for years to come!

Originally Posted by redplaid3

I don't think popularity should be the deciding factor either. However, I think the standards should be clear beforehand because I often have wondered in other contests what the judges were looking for. Is there a rubric for voting or is it just a popularity contest between the judges. Just curious....

[Monika]

Can't believe almost a year has gone by already!
Can't wait to see all the fun again, LOL!

[DigiliciousDesigns]

Yay, it's that time of year !! I started here as Guest Designer while the contest was running last year, and I'm STILL here ROFL This is such a fabulous place to be, and I can't wait to see all the beautiful designs that you ladies create! Good luck everyone

[ScrappyCocoa]

Excited to see all the great talent waiting to be discovered in the designer contest! Yay! And who doesn't love birthdays!

[lpoore]

i am going to try this year too

[amplantier]

I had such a fantastic time during the contest last year. I'm looking forward to being a part of it again this year. For those of you contemplating entering for the first time, the designers here were incredibly supportive; the contest was very well organized and very fair, but most of all it was great fun.