Grafik Design Awards 2010 Launches to Celebrate Stars of UK Graphic Design

“Awards are always rigged — the judges enter their own work and then give each other awards... they all do it. So young designers don't want to enter.” This was just one of the very forthright responses we got during 2009 when we began canvassing graphic designers for their opinions on existing UK awards schemes. We were aware that there was considerable discontent in the design community about awards but we didn’t realise quite how passionate people would be about it. Most of the designers we asked jumped at the chance to give their views and didn’t hold back — from constructive criticism to pure vitriol.

Whether our correspondents veered on the side of optimism or cynicism, however, one thing became very clear: there is a real hunger among graphic designers for a new type of awards that they feel is genuinely about rewarding the best of the industry and that truly represents the breadth of talent, skills, approaches and media.

It just so happens, then, that we might have an answer for you... Roll up, roll up, for the all-new UK Grafik Design Awards 2010 — no categories, no complicated entry process, no extortionate fee, no tacky ceremony, no judges entering their own work. We hope to answer all these negatives with a more constructive, upbeat, informed approach to awards, the structure for which has come directly from what you have told us you want. There will be ten overall winning projects that receive a Grafik Star award — projects ranging from whole identity schemes, to typefaces, to a single poster, website, animation or even invite card. You won’t have to enter work into categories, which means you don’t have to enter things twice if they span, say, book design and typography. Our judges will simply award prizes to the most outstanding work they see. The entry fee is £50 for the first item or project, then £25 for each additional item or project after that. Each individual or studio entering will get something back in the form of a free three-month subscription to Grafik, so you can keep up with news about the progress of the awards.

There will also be two separate awards: Best Newcomer and Best Studio. As well as entering your own work, all the categories are open for nominations, so if you know a shy but talented designer who doesn’t go in for chasing accolades, you can be sneaky and get them on the Grafik Design Awards radar via our online nominations system.

We hope that lots of you will enter and show us what the UK graphic design scene is made of, even if the only incentive is to get your work under the noses of some of the most respected designers and critics around. We are extremely proud of the group of individuals who have given us their backing and support by agreeing to be judges. The Best Studio Award will be judged by Wim Crouwel and the Best Newcomer Award will be judged by Peter Saville. The work submitted for Grafik Stars will be judged by our panel of experts: Phil Baines, Sara de Bondt, Emily King, Kate Moross, Ben Parker (MadeThought), Nick Roope (Poke), Eva Rucki (Troika), Marina Willler (Wolf Olins) and myself, with Caroline Roberts chairing the judging.

For more information and to enter or nominate, just visit www.awards.grafikmag.com. The deadline for entries is 31 January. We’re genuinely excited about launching this awards scheme. We can’t wait to see what you’re made of, and look forward to celebrating the winners with you in April.