SURTEX has announced “street inspiration” as the theme for its 28th annual International Student Design Competition, designext, honoring outstanding art and design students for exceptional surface design work.
Participating students are being asked to submit original surface designs inspired by what they think will be “street influences” in the year 2020. New this year, the competitors are given a choice of four categories to further hone in on their creativity and skills. Submissions are to include a collection of six surface designs for one of the following categories: wear, work, live and play.
The call for entries by students in their 3rd or 4th year of a surface design-related program across 150 colleges and universities is now open. Professors may register their students, or individual students can register themselves by Nov. 15 using an online submission form. All design submissions must be received in GLM’s New York headquarters by Jan. 24, 2014. Of the anticipated 100 entries, four winners will be chosen by an expert panel of judges, still to be announced, in early February.
The winners will travel to New York City for final judging to take part in SURTEX, May 18-20, 2014, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center where they can look forward to a rewarding experience that has a history of helping past participants launch their professional careers.
The winners will have the opportunity to present their designs in a booth setting, receive feedback from exhibitors and judges, meet show attendees and participate in relevant SURTEX offerings. They will be evaluated by the judges on their display, portfolio and overall presentation, culminating in the selection of one grand prize winner who will receive a cash award of $1000 and enjoy additional publicity.
“The designext competition has always encouraged students to think outside the box while projecting future demands and trends in surface design,” said Penny Sikalis, vice president, GLM, and show manager, SURTEX. “This year’s theme enforces that sentiment and continues to nurture emerging talent into the business.”
