ANNUAL DESIGN COMPETITION

REGULATIONS FOR DESIGNERS/ENTRANTS

Print out Only Design Entry Form = click HERE
Fill In Design Entry Form = click HERE

Guidelines:

• Entrants must be members (Individual or Theatre) of TNT and registered participants of the Conference
• Costumes, Scenic Elements, and Promotions (graphics or media) are all displayed in the same area.
• Submissions must not have been entered in previous TNT competitions.
• Designs must be from shows produced within the past eighteen (18) months, beginning October of the previous year.
• Entrants are responsible for setting up/striking exhibits - schedule TBA by TNT Executive Director.
• Each Designer must submit a completed Entry Form and fees before the first day of the Conference.
• Display elements are the responsibility of the Entrant.

 

Entry Forms and Fees:

            Fees:               $10 per entry per category

            Entrant:         Individual                  Theatre

             Note: A Designer may enter under both designations.

            Entry = One full design or no more than three Design Items from one              production.

            Example A:      Entry #1           Costume Design for female in "SameTime, Next Year"

            Display should include: one complete outfit and examples of others in photos,                           drawings or collages.

 

            Example B:      Entry #1           Pick-a-Little Ladies hats from "The Music Man"

            Display should include: no more than 3 hats with supporting photos, drawings, etc.

Categories:  Costumes    Scenic Elements      Promotions (Graphics or Media)

             Note: An Individual or Theatre may enter in any or ALL Categories -  up to              three entries per category.

Types of entries:

The number one question is - What was the "goal" of the design?

Why did you go with a certain fabric, technique, or color? What was the problem you faced and the solutions you sought in construction or design of the items or the show?

 

On the Entry Form you are asked to provide this information in detail for each entry. This same form is used by the Judges in evaluating your work. They will also take in the narrative used in your Display.

 

DISPLAYS:     Space is limited, please confine the overall display to 40" X 40" or LESS. Electric outlets are at a premium. Please DO NOT presume you will have a nearby wall or vertical surface.

It is suggested that Entrants include the following materials in their displays:

                        Renderings/sketches                 Fabric swatches                       Plots

                        Production photos                    Ground plans and sections       Research

Each item MUST reference to a display card that includes the same information as on the Entry Form.

DISPLAY CHECKLIST:    The following items are helpful when carting displays to Conferences.

tables/stands/easels       cords & clip or pole lights        mannequins/dummies  tape/safety/straight pins & clamps                   

WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?

Judges will consider the answer to "What is the goal?" when evaluating whether or not the design (or designer) used their resources of time, budget, and technique effectively.

Judges shall

• evaluate each entry on its own merit and not against other submissions.
• consider the overall design concepts and/or individual items as noted on Entry Form
• consider the originality, effectiveness, suitability, adaptability, cost effectiveness,
• creativity, concept, layout/design, and workability of each entry.
• consider recognition on several different levels:
  • - Outstanding Achievement – excellence in every aspect
  • - Award of Distinction – highly deserving of recognition
  • - Best of . . . – unique construction, "green", most economic, etc.

    *Not all awards have a monetary attachment nor shall judges be required to dispense all awards in any or all categories.

    The Design Competition Committee (not the Judges) will award a Most Unique/Creative and Best Overall Display certificate - so look for innovative options to highlight your design work and be flexible in working around other designers needs during the Conference.

     

    SO . . . . . Do you still want to enter the Design Competition??? All this sound a little intimidating? Not a great draftsperson? Uncertain of your sketching style?

    WHO CARES!!

    We want to see the concepts that rise from the inspiration of hastily drawn figures on cocktail napkins at the local hang-out to the lush and colorful renderings that could adorn the walls as artwork in their own right.

    Did inspiration come from old photographs in a family album or the scrapbook you completed for your kid's soccer camp? Was it trial-and-error – mostly error – that led to creating an octopus-like fog delivery system and you captured every turn with photos?

    THAT'S THE CRAFT WE WANT TO SHARE!

    "My interest is designing costumes – not just stitching another's designs – began with a costume displayed at the 2000 TNT Annual Conference. The costume had a unique solution to a tear-away sleeve and seeing how both Staff and Volunteer Designers have resolved costuming concerns has been of immense value to me!"

    -Alathea Blischke, Quad I Chair

     

    "As a Props Builder/Gatherer –all of the choices made from what china to select or sofa to recover to how to create dozens of plates of Ôgreen eggs & ham' have been designs in their own right. It isn't always about envisioning a whole new world – but making the right selections that complement and complete that world."

    Tracy Alexander, MCT DPVS

    SO . . . collect up the collages of magazine clippings, rescue your sketches from the recycle bin, or ask all the designers working on a show to present the entire concept if you want some company   --
    WHO WILL YOUR DESIGNS INSPIRE?