Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

All of the following competition or book submission deadlines present great opportunities to showcase your design efforts, market your work on an international scale through the published books, and "toot!" your own horn to clients, peers and the media:

Logo Nest
(Logo Nest - International)
Deadline: 31 December 2010
No entry fees charged

Great Logo Designs
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline Extended: 31 December 2010
No entry fees charged

American Package Design Awards
(Graphic Design USA - USA)
Extended Deadline: 12 January 2011
Entry fees charged

TDC57 - Communication Design
(Type Directors Club - USA)
Extended Deadline: 13 January 2011
Entry fees charged

TDC2 - Typeface Design
(Type Directors Club - USA)
Extended Deadline: 13 January 2011
Entry fees charged

TDC INTRO - Movie Title Design
(Type Directors Club - USA)
Extended Deadline: 13 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Go, Stop, Slow, Eat: How Typography Influences Behavior
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline: 21 January 2011
No entry fees charged

Communication Arts Illustration Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Late Deadline: 21 January 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Creative Quarterly 23
(Creative Quarterly - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Design Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Photography Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Illustration Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Design Sphere Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Student Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

D&AD Awards 2011
(D&AD - UK)
Deadline: 31 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Wolda Logo Annual
(Eulda Books - Italy)
Deadline: 31 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Print Regional Design Annual
(Print - USA)
Deadline: 1 February 2011
Late Deadline: 1 March 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Design Journal Europe & Africa 002
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 3 February 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Interactive Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline Extended: 4 February 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Advertising Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 6 February 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Hybrid Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 6 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Graphis Logo Design 8
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline Extended: 7 February 2011 (Late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Graphis Poster Annual 2012
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline Extended: 7 February 2011 (Late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Top 100 New Creatives 50
(CMYK Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 7 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Summit Creative Awards
(Summit International Awards - USA)
Deadline: 7 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Damn, I'm Good: Top Designers Discuss Their All-Time Favorite Projects
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline: 14 February 2011
No entry fees charged • Publication fee if accepted for book

Basic Sign
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: 15 February 2011
No entry fees charged

Design Elements: Choosing and Using Type
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline: 25 February 2011
No entry fees charged

One Show Interactive Awards
(The One Club - USA)
Deadline: 28 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Humor Sells: 300 Examples of Truly Witty Designs
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline: 28 February 2011
No entry fees charged • Publication fee if accepted for book

International Design Awards
(IDA - USA)
Deadline: 28 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Graphic Design Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 28 February 2011
No entry fees charged

HOW Promotion Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2011
Entry fees charged

The Best of Business Card Design 10
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2011
No entry fees charged

Advertising Journal Americas 001
(Graphis - USA)
Extended Deadline: 7 March 2011
Entry fees charged

Photography Journal Americas 001
(Graphis - USA)
Extended Deadline: 7 March 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Photography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 25 March 2011
Late Deadline: 8 April 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Creativity 41 Media & Interactive Competition
(Creativity International - USA)
Deadline: 18 March 2011
Late Deadline: 1 April 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Letter, Word, Sentence, Paragraph
(HOW Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 March 2011
No entry fees charged

HOW In-HOWse Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 April 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Healthcare Advertising
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 29 April 2011
No entry fees charged

American Web Design Awards
(Graphic Design USA - USA)
Deadline: 30 April 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Design Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Advertising Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

UCDA Design Competition
(University & College Designer Association - USA)
Early Deadline: 17 June 2011
Final Deadline: 8 July 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Layout Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 June 2011
No entry fees charged

HOW Interactive Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 July 2011
Entry fees charged

iheartlogos
(iheartlogos.com - USA)
Season Two Deadline: 11 August 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW International Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 15 August 2011
Entry fees charged

Creativity 41 Print & Packaging Competition
(Creativity International - USA)
Deadline: 26 August 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Brochure Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 August 2011
No entry fees charged

Book of the Year, Volume 4
(Design & Design - France)
Deadline: 30 September 2011
No entry fees charged

Great Use of Color in Graphic Design
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 October 2011
No entry fees charged

PAPERWORKS Letterhead Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

PAPERWORKS Text And Cover Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

(To make sure you are reading the latest bLog-oMotives design competition update click here.)

You may want to read my article about participating in design industry competitions and calls for book submissions: A collection of design competition - and book submission request - tips, tricks and observations.

A design competition calendar is also available at Icograda. Lürzer's ARCHIVE has an impressive online list of competitions sponsored by international magazines and organizations. Dexinger posts competitions of great value to industry professionals - however designers need to be aware that some of the listings are for "spec" work as a requirement for submission. Requests for new, or speculative, work as a condition of entering a "contest" are much different than legitimate design competition "calls for entries," in which previously created works are judged for possible awards, exhibition, or publication in an annual or other book.

My own work appears in over 140 graphic design books. Many of those inclusions are the result of design competitions, or requests for submissions, like those listed above.

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

'Identity Crisis!' among 'Top Products of 2010'

The online design book, DesignCast and product resource MyDesignShop.com has listed Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands as one of its "Top Products of 2010." MyDesignShop.com is the retail branch of the magazines HOW and Print, both published by F+W Media, also the publisher of Identity Crisis!.

For a limited time, those purchasing Identity Crisis! and the other "Top Products of 2010" may save an additional 10% on their purchase. Enter the code FAV10A at checkout, until 11:59 p.m. EST on December 31, 2010, for the added savings.

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

A visual stroll through the year in my garden

Winter is here and another year in my garden has come to an end. Throughout 2010, gardening was my best and favorite therapy. When I needed a break from designing or writing, it was always great to simply step outside of my home studio and spend some time playing in the dirt.

This past week, it was a wonderful treat to have Joy Creek Nursery send a crew over to do a seasonal clean-up of our garden (above). After the visit by the gardeners, I was able to get the last 150 bulbs planted for spring. For the most part, the garden is prepared for a Portland winter - there's even a forecast of a possible dusting of snow this week. I'm a bit concerned that some older bulbs in my beds think winter has already passed, as they are already poking through the soil, compost and gravel.

Over the past 12 months, as plants have grown, come into bloom or been added to the beds, I have documented the activity with my camera. I invite you to take a visual stroll through a year in my garden by way of a Flickr gallery of my images.

Best wishes for a new year of happy gardening!

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Virtual holiday cookies for you...

A bit too busy this year to make the real things. From my "au natural" designer gingerbread cookies to yours...best wishes for the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year!

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Cowboy Jeffie's Cowpoke Scalloped Potatoes

Over the years - when it comes to any Thanksgiving, Christmas or autumn/winter dinner party - there have been more requests for me to contribute my scalloped potatoes to meals than any other recipe I have ever prepared. I'll be making Cowboy Jeffie's Cowpoke Three-Cheese Scalloped Potatoes for Christmas Day dinner this week.

I first started making scalloped potatoes as an elementary school kid. My mom felt is was important for my sister, two brothers and I to learn how took. She taught me to make her scalloped potato dish from memory - there was no recipe written down.

Cowboy Jeffie's Cowpoke Three-Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
(Yep, that's me - Cowboy Jeffie - in the photo)

My own recipe takes Mom's dish up a couple notches by adding other cheese options to her cheddar-only concoction. Still, each time I prepare the potatoes, I am taken back to the holiday feasts of my childhood.

1 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese - sharpness to personal taste (about 8 ounces)
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 2.5 ounces)
1 cup of a third cheese (crumbled blue cheese, swiss, Monterey Jack or crumbled gorgonzola - about 6 ounces)
5-6 medium-sized russet potatoes - peeled, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 medium yellow onion - sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
3/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
6 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter - crumbled or cut into about 1/4 inch cubes
3 1/2 cups milk

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly butter or cooking spray a 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.

2. Mix cheddar cheese, Parmesan and third selected cheese in small bowl.

3. Arrange third of potato slices in a prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly.

4. Arrange half of onion slices over potatoes.

5. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

6. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over ingredients.

7. Dot with a third of the butter.

8. Sprinkle a third of cheese mixture over ingredients.

9. Repeat steps 3-8

10. Top with remaining potatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, remaining butter and remaining cheese. (You may wish to add some additional grated Parmesan for a bit more of a crunch crust on top)

11. Pour milk over potatoes. Milk should fill dish half to two-thirds of depth and will not cover potatoes completely (above). (Cooking time can be shortened by heating milk in microwave or a sauce pan prior to pouring over ingredients in dish.)

Bake uncovered until potatoes are tender and cheese is deep golden brown, usually just over 1 hour. (Can be prepared several hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Cover and rewarm in 375°F oven about 20 minutes.) Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Cowboy Jeffie's Cowpoke Three-Cheese Scalloped Potatoes are always great warmed up another day - if there are any leftovers.

Enjoy!

Check out other Cowboy Jeffie recipes.

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Anatomy of a logo design

Several years ago my friend, and long-time client, Anne Kilkenny contracted me to design a logo for a grass roots community effort to oppose the inclusion of a "big box" hardware store in a new development proposed for construction on the east side of Portland's Willamette River. The site, at the end of the Burnside Bridge, was within a few blocks of numerous owner-operated smaller home improvement stores. Residential neighborhoods were nearby. The construction of a large retail store could have a tremendous negative impact on local business, the quality of life for neighbors and traffic.

I had worked with this client for years - including designing the award-winning identity for the nearly 100-year-old W.C. Winks Hardware store and the logo for her Heart of the Pearl retail development in the city's Pearl District. Kilkenny didn't need to provide much initial input on the project. It's just the way we've worked together over the years. I'd read the newspaper reports of the community issue and was familiar with the area in question. She gave me the rather clever acronym for the organization and set me to work. My one directive was to create something "that might look cool on a T-shirt."

I did a couple doodles on a piece a paper and then went directly to my PowerBook to fine-tune my one and only concept for the logo (above). Recently a friend was looking at the design and said "that's a design that would look really cool on a T-shirt, but what is it?" I gave a brief explanation of the concept behind the design and then my friend commented that it was "a really cool design."

In dissecting the design (above), I explained that the squiggly blue line (A.) represented the east bank of the Willamette River and one boundary of the area being impacted. The color blue was another representation of the water. Within the logo there are four abstract human forms (B.) representing the local community activists, the small business owners, other concerned citizens, and the public officials siding with the group. Together these four human forms created a circle (C.) signifying the unity of the various groups on this emotional community issue. Together the elements also created squares (D.) representative of Portland's grid system of small commercial and residential blocks in the area. I used upper and lower case letterforms on the AFriend element (E.), an acronym for Association for Responsible Inner Eastside Neighborhood Development, to make it seem friendlier and a little more neighborly for the group going up against the big corporations (and their lawyers) and city planners in dealing with the issue. A little last minute treatment was coloring the dot over the "i" blue to symbolically remind those involved that a single drop of water in a bucket can make a difference in the end result.

I don't know if my "cool" design had much of an impact on the outcome, but the developers of the project did end up going back to the drawing board to remove the "big box" retailers from their architectural plans.

The AFriend logo appears in The Big Book of Logos 5 and 100s Visual Logos & Letterheads (UK).

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Toot! Toot!*: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives identities deconstructed in 'Design DNA - Logos' volume

Two logo designs by Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based Jeff Fisher LogoMotives are featured in the newly released book Design DNA - Logos: 300+ International Logos Deconstructed. Written by brand consultant and designer Matthew Healey, the volume was published by HOW Books.

Design DNA - Logos analyzes over 300 exemplary designs from around the world; giving designers a clear understanding of how to target specific markets and convey brand values. Showcasing inspirational design, it is also a practical and problem-solving handbook covering general process and specific detailing. Every logo is deconstructed to show how each element works to make the design an effective one, and case studies walk the reader through the reasoning behind successful design decisions.

The Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs presented in the book include the logo for the short-lived Balaboosta Delicatessen and the identity for VanderVeer Center.

Featured in the "Food & Drink" section of the volume, the Balaboosta logo (above center) was designed to compliment the neighboring local eating establishments of Portland chef and author Lisa Schroeder. The tile design and colors of the historic restaurant setting were incorporated into the logo design, referred to as "old-fashioned and tasteful" by Design DNA - Logos. Unfortunately, after a short time in operation, Balaboosta was closed and the restaurant space was reconcepted.

The VanderVeer Center identity (above right), an element of a total rebranding of the facility providing non-surgical cosmetic procedures, is cited in the volume for the "soothing" colors used in the design. The use of "naturalistic" typography is also recognized by the author, in the "Health & Beauty" industry logo example..

Fisher, a 30+ year design industry veteran, is the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career. Other book projects are currently in the works.

The designer has received over 600 design awards and his work has been published in more than 140 books on identity design, self-promotion and the marketing of small businesses. He often travels – nationally and internationally – to present courses, seminars and workshops on design, branding, marketing and social networking. In addition, Fisher is a nationally-recognized speaker, making numerous presentations each year to design organizations, design schools, universities and business groups.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

All of the following competition or book submission deadlines present great opportunities to showcase your design efforts, market your work on an international scale through the published books, and "toot!" your own horn to clients, peers and the media:

Color in Design Competition
(Print Magazine and HOW Print - USA)
Deadline Extended: 1 December 2010
Entry fees charged

One Show Entertainment Awards
(The One Club - USA)
Deadline Extended: 3 December 2010
Entry fees charged

Selected B: Graphic Design From Europe
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: 10 December 2010
Entry fees charged

American Graphic Design and Advertising 27
(AGDA - USA)
Extended Deadline: 23 December 2010
Entry fees charged

Logo Nest
(Logo Nest - International)
Deadline: 31 December 2010
No entry fees charged

Great Logo Designs
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline Extended: 31 December 2010
Entry fees charged

Advertising Journal Americas 001
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 6 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Photography Journal Americas 001
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 6 January 2011
Entry fees charged

TDC57 - Communication Design
(Type Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 7 January 2011
Entry fees charged

TDC2 - Typeface Design
(Type Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 7 January 2011
Entry fees charged

TDC INTRO - Movie Title Design
(Type Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 7 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Illustration Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 7 January 2011
Late Deadline: 21 January 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Top 100 New Creatives 50
(CMYK Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 10 January 2011
Entry fees charged

American Package Design Awards
(Graphic Design USA - USA)
Extended Deadline: 12 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Graphis Logo Design 8
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 13 January 2011
Entry fees charged

International Design Awards
(IDA - USA)
Deadline: 15 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Go, Stop, Slow, Eat: How Typography Influences Behavior
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline: 21 January 2011
No entry fees charged

ADC Design Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 21 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Photography Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 21 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Illustration Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 21 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Design Sphere Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 21 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Creative Quarterly 23
(Creative Quarterly - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Interactive Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Student Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 28 January 2011
Entry fees charged

D&AD Awards 2011
(D&AD - UK)
Deadline: 31 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Wolda Logo Annual
(Eulda Books - Italy)
Deadline: 31 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Graphic Design Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 January 2011
Entry fees charged

Print Regional Design Annual
(Print - USA)
Deadline: 1 Febuary 2011
Late Deadline: 1 March 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Graphis Poster Design 2012
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 3 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Design Journal Europe & Africa 002
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 3 February 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Advertising Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 6 February 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Hybrid Awards
(ADC - USA)
Deadline: 6 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Summit Creative Awards
(Summit International Awards - USA)
Deadline: 7 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Basic Sign
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: 15 February 2011
No entry fees charged

One Show Interactive Awards
(The One Club - USA)
Deadline: 28 February 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Healthcare Advertising
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 28 February 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW Promotion Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Photography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 25 March 2011
Late Deadline: 8 April 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Creativity 41 Media & Interactive Competition
(Creativity International - USA)
Deadline: 18 March 2011
Late Deadline: 1 April 2011 (with late fees)
Entry fees charged

Great Layout Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 March 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW In-HOWse Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 April 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Brochure Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 29 April 2011
Entry fees charged

American Web Design Awards
(Graphic Design USA - USA)
Deadline: 30 April 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Design Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Advertising Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Use of Color in Graphic Design
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 May 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW Interactive Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 July 2011
Entry fees charged

iheartlogos
(iheartlogos.com - USA)
Season Two Deadline: 11 August 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW International Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 15 August 2011
Entry fees charged

Creativity 41 Print & Packaging Competition
(Creativity International - USA)
Deadline: 26 August 2011
Entry fees charged

Book of the Year, Volume 4
(Design & Design - France)
Deadline: 30 September 2011
No entry fees charged

PAPERWORKS Letterhead Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

PAPERWORKS Text And Cover Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

(To make sure you are reading the latest bLog-oMotives design competition update click here.)

You may want to read my article about participating in design industry competitions and calls for book submissions: A collection of design competition - and book submission request - tips, tricks and observations.

A design competition calendar is also available at Icograda. Lürzer's ARCHIVE has an impressive online list of competitions sponsored by international magazines and organizations. Dexinger posts competitions of great value to industry professionals - however designers need to be aware that some of the listings are for "spec" work as a requirement for submission. Requests for new, or speculative, work as a condition of entering a "contest" are much different than legitimate design competition "calls for entries," in which previously created works are judged for possible awards, exhibition, or publication in an annual or other book.

My own work appears in over 140 graphic design books. Many of those inclusions are the result of design competitions, or requests for submissions, like those listed above.

© 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives