Getting your work noticed and bursting through the door of opportunity is one of the biggest challenges for student designers. With that in mind, In Search of Design is proud to announce that the Student Identity Package Design Competition has officially began.  Online entry will be available before the day is over!

In the meantime, read the entry details and check out the awesome prizes being offered. If you are in school ANYWHERE. . . you're eligible to enter. Show us your creativity!

All the information you need to enter can be found here! Good luck!

As designer's, particularly in the print world, we all know that often our job hinges on our ability to think outside the box.  To stay inspired, I'm constantly looking for creative ideas. . . . ABOUT ANYTHING!

My most recent find is a company that prides themselves on their environmental contribution. Have you ever wondered what happens to a vinyl billboard once it's taken down? Well, if your a customer of Vy and Elle (say it fast=vinyl), a Tuscon, AZ company, that prides themselves on their recycling.

For those of you who are still scurrying to get your entries finished and entered, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that the competition will be closing in 15 DAYS! Don't wait till the last minute to get your entries finished!

In case you don't remember, you can read all the details of the competition here.

To get you thinking in the right direction, here are a few more sample Identity Packages you should check out! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Happy Creating!

It's almost that time of year! The 2nd Annual In Search of Design Student Identity competition will begin accepting entries on October 1st. Let's go over the rules--if you're currently a student or recently graduated and have STUDENT work you'd like to enter then you're eligible.

Unlike many other competitions, that charge exorbitant competition entry fees, The ISOD Iddy Awards is a strictly STUDENT Competition designed to expose the best of the best Student Identity Designs. The best part is, because we understand the expenses of higher education, this competition only costs $10 per entry.

Now, the best part! Because the contest is for Identity packages, each entry must consist of a student-designed, Logo, Business Card, Letterhead and Envelope. These pieces can be actual pieces created for clients, self promotional pieces or concept pieces created for fake or imaginary clients. Entries are based on the following criteria: Awards are granted for the following categories:

Grand Prizes: 1st Place -- Overall Package 2nd Place -- Overal Package 3rd Place -- Overall Package The Overall packages are judged based on the following criteria: Clarity of Message, Piece Integration, Consistency of Design, Overall Use of Color, Overall Creativity There are also Certificates awarded for the following criteria:

Logos: judged on the following criteria: Creativity, Use of Color, Uniqueness, "WOW" Factor, Scalability and Color Conversion to BW.

Letterhead: judged on the following criteria: Creativity, Use of Color, Logo Integration, Main Letter “Area”, Contact Info. Placement, Use of Whitespace, Overall Appearance

Envelopes: judged on the following criteria: Creativity, Use of Color, Logo Integration, Address Placement, Overall Appearance

Business Cards: judged on the following criteria: Creativity, Use of Color, Logo Integration, Placement of Elements, “WOW” Factor, Overall Appearance Click here for a breakdown of rules and award information.

The Entry deadline for the 2009 Competition is January 1st, 2010, students, start your designs!

Looking for some new inspiring ideas? Want to really get your client noticed?

As a woman I should probably be offended. But as a marketer I can't help but to see the brilliance behind yet another Volkswagen ad from the 1950s. If you've followed this blog at all you probably already know that second only to Seth Godin I think the marketers, writers and designers that were behind the Volkswagen ads from the 1950s and 1960s were some of the most brilliant minds in the industry. Below I have included the full text from this ad I found on Vintage Ads.com.