SCION is a modern-thinking brand on the forefront of youth culture and innovation, known for engaging its consumers in an interactive quest for creative ideas. One of SCION’s trademarks is its support of organizations that also seek to connect with children and young adults in expressive, artistic ways.

In its mission to advocate community outreach and foster creativity in the younger generation, SCION now joins forces with Cut&Paste in the FRESHLY SQUEEZED WEB DESIGN CHALLENGE (”Contest”). The website design competition will benefit J.U.i.C.E., a non-profit weekly after-school program that allows the underprivileged youth of Los Angeles to express themselves artistically through dance, music, visual arts, and MC skills workshops.

As J.U.i.C.E. focuses its resources on programming and operations, they need your help: SCION’s new online competition, the FRESHLY SQUEEZED WEB DESIGN CHALLENGE summons all web designers, illustrators, graffiti connoisseurs, coding geniuses, hip-hop enthusiasts, and creatives all around to help J.U.i.C.E. refine their online presence with a brand new homepage design. Web designs submitted for the competition should embody J.U.i.C.E.’s urban aesthetic and youthful spirit, while adding to the site’s functionality as a user-friendly vehicle for communication.

So, help city kids, put $5K in your pocket, and get your work seen. Submit your designs for a new and improved Web site for J.U.i.C.E., a nonprofit hip-hop arts program for LA’s urban youth, and you’ll be entered to win five grand, courtesy of SCION. All entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on April 10, 2009. Visit the site to learn more.

Healthy, home-cooked meals-to-go concept product wins first prize in Electrolux Design Lab competition.

Obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. Could newly designed household appliances contribute to a healthier life style in the future? This was the challenge Electrolux put to young design students in the fourth edition of the Electrolux Design Lab. Metin Kaplan, a young student from Turkey, designed what the jury thought was the most innovative product - a product to take healthy meals on the go.

The winner of Electrolux Design Lab 2006 was announced today at the Design Lab final competition in Barcelona, Spain.

Metin Kaplan capitalized on the idea that people would take healthy meals with them if they could find a way to keep warm food warm and cold food cold. He created a mobile food carrier that keeps food at the desired temperature until it’s time to be eaten. This, figured Kaplan, would promote healthy eating and reduce the need for fast-food restaurants. Read the rest of this entry »

Mayor Thomas M. Menino recently released Boston’s proposed green building zoning article at a public meeting convened by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Mayor’s Office of Environmental and Energy Services. Boston will become the first major city in the U.S. to require adherence to the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified standard as part of the private development review process.

“High performance buildings are the future,” Mayor Menino said. “As we continue to grow our city, we will do so in a way that is even more sustainable. Green buildings are good for the environment, public health, and the bottom line.” Read the rest of this entry »

Have a little time on your hands? Meet this challenge: Design new graphics for the classic C.O. Bigelow Apothecary Jar to be sold as a limited-edition item. Final winner will receive $2500 from the Gen Art Foundation.

C.O. Bigelow and Gen Art are hosting a national design competition dubbed the “C.O. Bigelow Apothecary Jar Design Program” that offers visual artists and designers a unique opportunity to design original graphics for its classic C.O. Bigelow Apothecary Jar. Inspiration for artwork should be the brand credo: Honest. Genuine. Trustworthy. The limited edition Apothecary Jar will be sold at participating Bath and Body Works stores. C.O. Bigelow also reserves the right to feature and sell this product online. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a little new year design pastime: Use the cork, foil, cage and label from no more than two (2) Champagne bottles (use of glass not permitted) to design a Champagne Chair for the Annual DWR (Design Within Reach) Champagne Chair Competition. Don’t laugh - the prizes aren’t shabby: One Grand Prize winner will receive a $1,500 DWR merchandise certificate and be featured on DWR’s homepage.

Strict rules: You are not permitted to use any additional materials—including tape and/or paint. The chair must measure no more than 4″ x 4″ x 4″ in height and be shipped in a box measuring no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 12″. Submissions must arrive at the DWR office no later than Monday, 15 January 2007 at 5pm, PT, so hurry! Oh - and you must name your chair. Visit the site for details.

In keeping with the theme about our recent trip to New Orleans, The New Orleans Photo Alliance is pleased to announce a call for entries for a mardi gras themed juried show. But, you’re not restricted to New Orleans Mardi Gras, oh no - you can submit photos for Cajun Mardi Gras, or even carnival celebrations elsewhere. It’s all permissable under the theme of Rituals and Revelry.

Submissions are open to all photographers, from amateur to professional, working in any photographic printing process or media. Submitted images may depict any aspect of carnival, from Twelfth Night to Ash Wednesday, maskers to marching bands, debutantes to doubloons. The exhibition will be on display at the New Orleans Photo Alliance gallery at 1111 St. Mary St. from 1 February to 15 March, 2007. An opening reception will be held on Friday, 2 February 2007, from 6-9pm.

Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, 9 January 2007. See PhotoNola.org for details, including prospectus.