Northern Futures 10

Overview

This category seeks original, creative and innovative entries by 3D and product designers. The category focuses on innovation and practical application and requires that work submitted has a defined practical purpose and constitutes a 'product'.

Entries should show an understanding of the product design process, including materials, practical application and production techniques. Submissions can be for designs not yet fully realised but clear indication of production processes should be made for any non realised work. All work should clearly illustrate the development of ideas from concept to final design including text as necessary. Entrants should be prepared to produce the work or an appropriate maquette for display at the Northern Futures exhibition if it is not already complete.

Design is the key to sustainable living, and sustainability is also the key to good design. Products which show innovation and consideration of aesthetic, technical, and environmental issues are encouraged. Candidates who demonstrate fulfillment of a definite purpose will do well. A demonstrable understanding of the use of materials and production techniques is welcomed. Consideration should be given to environmental impact of any designs particularly in relation to production processes. Entries should clearly articulate how the designer has developed their ideas from concept to final design. Submitted work should be well presented both through use of language and imagery.

Criteria

Work should be presented as a PDF file including design sketches and photographic images of final products as appropriate. PDFs should be no more than 4 sheets of up to A2 size. Submissions should be as one file with up to 4 pages.Entrants that prefer to submit JPEG image files instead of PDF's are welcome to do so as long as the images are saved in the RGB colour format (not CMYK). The JPEG files must not exceed A2 size and there can be no more than four files.

Only files that have a .jpeg or .pdf extension will be accepted for submission in this category. Students are advised that the entry system will not allow any other file types to be uploaded so work should be formatted in advance to make sure the entry criteria has been met.

Photographs of prototypes or products are welcomed as part of the presentation file(s). Entrants are reminded that any images and text should be legible once the PDF conversion process is complete or once the JPEG file has been saved so that the entry can be marked properly.

Rationale

As part of the entry process, entrants will be asked to submit a rationale (description) for their project. This should be prepared in advance and pasted in to the appropriate box during the submission process. The rationale should include details of any original brief or commission, processes used, any tools or techniques employed and any appropriate explanation of the work. This rationale is important as it will allow the judging panel to understand fully the aims and purpose of the work. Applicants are encouraged to present this information clearly and concisely in no more than 250 words.

Submission

Entrants should ensure that files are submitted in PDF or JPEG format (RGB colour only). Entries can either be one single file or multiple files, but the total entry size must not exceed 50MB. For further information and support, please visit the 'How to enter' section where you will find handy FAQs before contacting us via the 'Contact' section.