Don’t stay inside the lines, draw them!
Crayons were my tool of choice. I could smudge those sticks until they were just oily stubs between my fingers. The battle to colour inside the lines was lost early, the pre-designed image turning into an abstract swirl of colour. My critics, also known as preschool teachers often put this down to a lazy attitude towards drawing. Excuse me? Lazy? What’s hard about staying inside the lines? I would hardly call colouring cartoon dinosaurs an aspiration worthy of determination. Activity, yes, inspirational no. Years and many packets of pencils later I have decided I prefer to draw the lines. Unfortunately no one is asking me to spend hours drawing at my leisure.
That brief shiny period of our lives when afternoon naps were encouraged has dissolved to reveal a vastly more competitive chase for our occupational pursuit. The word is ‘opportunity’ and seizing it seems to be a popular option in the race for success. That is why I feel the sun is shining when an opportunity is presented in an accessible form. In an industry where credibility is king and hard earned how can a design student stand out, get ahead? Win a competition!
As with any profession, competition is apparent from various angles within the design industry, from the early stages of wrestling with peers for graduate positions to the standard practice of battling rival firms for tenders. Does the metaphor ‘business suits, today’s armour’ hold more significance now? Exposure to contest and self motivation are qualities valued by employers. Winning a competition is the industry equivalent of capturing your opponent’s queen.
Sharpen your pencils and skills unanimously when the opportunity to gain experience and insight into the design industry is presented. Competitions provide a link between entrants and industry professionals, with the ability to benefit from their experience. The simple act of entering displays future employer’s initiative, and adds another piece to the portfolio.
Does the unflattering prospect of losing outweigh the possibility of winning? Criticism is an important part of the process, sure it makes us miserable, self pitying and search for a stiff drink but it is essential to receive it constructively.
An excellent example of sudden reputation through competition was Danish designer Jorn Utzon. In 1956 the then unknown architect entered a competition to design a little known building called the Sydney Opera House. I’m not suggesting that every competition should be entered with the expectation of developing a national landmark, but is a strong starting point for serious designers.
‘Create your own luck’, ’seize the day’, and ‘make hay while the sun shines’. While it is apparent the path to success is laid with clichés, the overriding message still holds true. So if you’re looking to expand your skill set or want an edge in that job interview, enter a competition, check mate.
Entries for the 2010 Qantm Desktop CREATE:Awards close this Friday.
Image from 2009 CREATE:Awards Winner, Iloura. Post-Production Category.
shanE says at: July 27, 2010 at 10:55 am
I agree – there is nothing to loose from entering any awards program. Even if you don’t win, it still shows initiative and that you are proud of your work.