Monday, September 8, 2008

2009 Student Competition Update

The posters and entry forms are still in progress, but it's never too early to start working on your entries ... there's major money, prizes and an internship at stake here! So to get you going, here's some information and inspiration ...

As the First Place winner in last year's competition (the winning entry seen above), Paul Johnson of Montana State University not only won the $2500 Adobe Scholarship in honor of B.W. Honeycutt, but also an internship at National Geographic Adventure and the Adobe Creative Suite software. Second place, third place, and three honorable mention winners also won money, software and internships at major magazines. You could be one of them in this year's competition, so here's what you need to know to get started:

HOW TO ENTER
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1. CHOOSE: Select a project from one of the five categories listed below (tech, entertainment, outdoors, city/regional, and news).
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2. DESIGN: Create the first 4 pages of a story (two spreads) on the project you choose. Each page measures 8"w x 10"h, so a spread is 16"w x 10"h. Original photography or illustration is not required, but welcome if appropriate. You may enter more than one design in the same or different categories. SPD Student Members get their first 3 entries for free.
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3. SUBMIT: Either printed material or electronic files as follows.

Printed Material: Full-size spreads, not reduced copies. DO NOT MOUNT THE WORK TO ANY TYPE OF BOARD. Tape a copy of your completed entry form (entry forms will be available soon) to the BACK of each submission. Staple the spreads together in the upper left-hand corner. (Slides will NOT be accepted).

Electronic PDF: Burn all submissions to a CD. Entries should be full size, press quality, 300 dpi, PDF files (all fonts embedded). It is ok to put multiple entries on one CD. Place your name somewhere on each spread in 4 pt type. Include a printed copy of the entry form for each entry. Mark clearly the name of the school and student(s)'s last name(s) on CD.
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4. SEND: Mail all entries with completed entry and payment forms by March 2, 2009 to:
The Society of Publication Designers
27 Union Square West, Suite 207
New York, NY 10003
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Please read this over carefully and stay within the guidelines. SPD reserves the right to disqualify any miscategorized or incomplete entries.


PROJECT CATEGORIES
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TECH MAGAZINE
This publication deals with the ever-changing landscape of technology. From gadgets to processes, it reviews and informs an audience of men and women in their early twenties. New products are a huge part of what this magazine is and slick electronics are the candy for the reader.

• Project: Gear - choose a product
• Headline text: What makes the (product) so great?
• Subhead text: Everyone from Hollywood to Main St. USA can't/couldn't get enough of the (product). With long waits to buy it online, and every celebrity clamoring to show theirs off, is the (product) really worth it?
• Byline text: By Nicky Anastasi
• Design the first two spreads of a feature that focuses on a product, new or old. It can be anything from the newest in home theater to the resurgence of the old turntable. Think about what people would find interesting. Have they heard enough about the iPhone? Are they tired of laptops? Think outside the box. You could even create your own product. Remember, you don't actually have to write the story, but use real names if there are actual products used, for example, pointing to a photo of Canon's newest digital camera.
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ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
This new publication targets young people from college age to young professionals. A clever, sometimes sharp-tongued magazine, it focuses on music, movies and television, with reviews, investigative stories, interviews and reader polls. This magazine isn't afraid to poke fun at the subjects it profiles.

• Project: Celebrity Interview - choose an actor/actress
• Headline text: The headline should either be the subject's name or include the subject's name in it. (example: "Jack Black" or "Jack Black Still Laughing")
• Subhead text: The actor/actress finally opens up and tells how he/she plans to stay on top.
• Byline text: By Kirsten Binington
• Design the first two spreads of a feature that would appear in this magazine. There must be story text, but it does not have to begin on the first spread. Find great photos of your chosen artist, but think beyond the expected. Look for baby pictures, a great illustration, or maybe there's a way to illustrate him/her with type instead of an image. It's to your advantage not to choose your friend's band or someone too obscure. Think celebrity. Remember, you don't actually have to write the story, but use the band's real name if you have display type, for example, pointing to a photo of Weezer.
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OUTDOORS MAGAZINE:
This publication is a must-read for people obsessed with the outdoors and the lifestyle associated with it. It covers destinations, gear, activities, and people. The topics range from hiking and biking to scuba diving or mountain climbing. If it's an outside activity, chances are this magazine has covered it.

• Project: Adventures - choose an outdoor activity
• Headline text: Deep Secrets
• Subhead text: The 10 greatest out-of-the-way, off-the-beaten-path destinations to (activity here).
• Byline text: By Matthew David
• Design the first two spreads of a feature on your chosen subject. The story will focus on places to go to participate in the chosen activity. The idea behind it is to give readers information on destinations that they never heard of or have never thought about. It's really an insider's guide to the best of the best for any particular sport. Look for striking photos of a destination or person performing the activity. Or, collage your own photos to create an interesting piece of art that gives the reader a feel for the sport. The text does not have to begin on the first spread, but it certainly can. Remember, you don't actually have to write the story, but use real names of sports and participants if you have display type, for example, pointing to a photo of deep sea fishing for marlin or biking in the smoky mountains of West Virginia.
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CITY/REGIONAL MAGAZINE
This magazine is an established city/regional publication. It covers everything from food to politics to sports. If it's happening in the area, this magazine will tell you about it. The publication is known for its great use of typography, stunning photography, and creative design.

• Project: City/Regional story - choose a city/region.
• Headline text: Best of (city/region)
• Subhead text: The hottest BBQ...the strongest martini...the greasiest fries...the most beautiful people...the greenest park...
• Byline text: By the editors
• Design the first two spreads of this annual guide. You should include a short intro paragraph followed by lots of short items on all different topics, anything that would be covered in a city/regional magazine. Some general categories to consider are eating, nightlife, shopping, home services, health and spa, fun and games. Think about ways to create sidebars that would relate to these types of articles. Also feel free to include illustrations or icons where necessary. Remember, you don't actually have to write the story, but use the real names of places if you have display type, for example, pointing to a photo of Buckingham Palace.
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NEWS MAGAZINE
This edgy news magazine intended for college students has hard-hitting interviews, profiles and feature stories about current events.

• Project: Politics
• Headline text: Time For Change
• Subhead text: January signals a new era for our nation. An inside look at how this historic moment will touch each of our lives.
• Byline text: By Isabella Gardner
• Design the first two spreads of a feature on this topic: This story deals with the fact that as we head into 2009 and beyond, our country will never again be the same. For the good or the bad, we Americans have started down a new road. This article looks to the future to see what might lay ahead. The artwork could be presidential or common-man. It could be global or extremely local. Think of innovative ways to approach the story and let that help dictate what kind of art you will use. The text does not have to begin on the first spread, but it certainly can. Remember, you don't actually have to write the story, but use the real names of people/places if you have display type.
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We'll post some Frequently Asked Questions in the coming months, so if you've got any questions, let us know at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com.

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