Why is it that the more prestigious the design competition, the more it costs to enter?

Prices for a single entry can be around $120. But once you are selected to either receive an award, or be published in the awards annual, which after all is part of the exercise, there will be an additional fee of $280 – $400. And that is for just one single entry.

Sure, we play along. Sometimes. As we see fit, and for projects we feel deserve to be honored. But we too draw the line.

Let’s not forget that we are an agency, we have a PR budget and cash flow. How about all the students, freelancers, micro design firms, nonprofits and other entities that may have the big, creative, genius ideas that we should all be drooling over? The ideas that really look different because they come from folks that may not have ‘corporate’ breathing down their necks, or they do it for free, out of passion and just for fun? Isn’t that often when truly great ideas happen? They will never be in any of the ‘big’ award books showcasing the best, the brightest and most amazing ideas. The books that design students get for christmas, that turn into their text books of what they ought to measure their own creativity with, are lacking to showcase just that, the unconditionally best creative endeavours. Read the rest »

Another creative idea whose target audience is the jury of international award shows rather then the client’s consumers. There is quite a difference between designing with awards in the back of your mind, or the people who would actually end up with the campaign in front of their noses. This is such a case of an agency grabbing big awards, getting great PR, but most likely having to start over on a more realistic strategy for Papa John’s Pizza.

Nevertheless, especially the idea of using the fold as the pizza box is quite a genius design solution worth sharing.

(Thanks to Kevin for sending it along, original to be found here)