Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced its first-ever online design contest for the Contra 4 mobile game scheduled to be released this fall. The competition extends an open invitation to fans of the franchise to design their own Contra character in honor of Contra’s 20th anniversary. The winning designer will see their character come to life in the upcoming game.

The promotion runs through 1 October on the Konami Mobile Web site (www.konamimobile.com/contradesign), and challenges fans to develop a creative new character that demonstrates the true meaning of the classic Contra game.
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Graphex 2008 is an Icograda-endorsed national design competition that has been celebrating the best of visual communication in Canada since 1977. The primary goals of Graphex are to promote the value of design to the Canadian public and business community – Good Design Is Good Business – and to create an archive of Canadian design for future generations to reflect upon and study.

Graphex thrives on learning from and rewarding those designers who are addressing increasingly complex and diverse creative challenges. As such, the theme for Graphex 2008 positions the winning entry as not only the end result of a tournament style process of elimination but also as the catalyst for a ripple effect of influence upon the world at large. The point of this is to highlight the fact that while many designers do not often look past the moment of winning an award, there are larger issues at stake and greater possibilities for change than whatever was the design’s original intention. In doing so, we are reminded of both the importance of design’s place in society and the responsibility that designers must assume as a result.

Entries, forms and fees must be received at Kwantlen University College no later than 5pm Friday, 23 November 2007. Visit the site to learn more.

Via: Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, British Columbia Chapter

Entries into the 12th Annual Webby Awards will now be accepted. With expanded categories and incredible new judges, this is your opportunity to be crowned the best of the Web. Save money by entering before the Early Entry Deadline of 26 October 2007. Visit the site to learn more.

This is a New Media Exhibition, featuring technology-based artwork that goes beyond the static digital print. Entries may include video, time-based installation, animation, interactive design, robotics, virtual reality, and kinetic sculptural works. This exhibition is open to all artists nationally and internationally working in all areas of New Media. Review will be by digital image and DVD only. Any 35mm slides submitted will require an additional fee of $3 per slide submitted. Video and time-based installations should be both PC and Mac compatible. For more information visit the website to download the prospectus, or request one via email or send and SASE to “The Kinetic Image Prospectus,” Target Gallery, 105 North Union St. Alexandria, VA 22314. Deadline is 5 November 2007.

Via: The Art List

Download the template and go wild, you dope designer, you. Grand Prize winner will receive $2,000 in cold hard cash and $1,000 in gift certificate for use at Karmaloop.com, 5 free t-shirts printed with their winning design, and the opportunity to have their credited design sold on Karmaloop.

5 Runners-up will receive $200 in cash and $300 in gift certificates for use at Karmaloop.com, 2 free t-shirts printed with their winning design and the opportunity to have their credited design sold on Karmaloop.

All winning designs will be printed and sold on Karmaloop. Contest winners will be chosen Friday, 19 October 2007, so I guess you need to get your design in well before that date. Visit the site to learn more.

Shoes… there are so many styles. Some are practical, some are for special occasions, and some are works of art. Now is your chance to design your perfect pair, and enter a competition to be judged by a panel of designers including the internationally renowned shoe designer Professor Jimmy Choo OBE. The winners will have their design shown on the Victoria and Albert Museum Web site.

Competition closes 6 January 2008. Visit the site to learn all the detail.s

DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) is launching the Facing Us campaign to highlight the face of bipolar disorder and depression and to supply tools to those ‘facing’ the challenges of living with these illnesses. There is an intentional, multi-layered meaning to the program’s title: bringing mood disorders out of the shadows; creating a better understanding of what it’s like to live with depression or bipolar disorder, and; helping those diagnosed to create a reality where they face a better future.

This is your chance to let the world know your perspectives on:

• Facing Depression
• Facing Bipolar Disorder
• Facing Relationships
• Facing Recovery

Entrants must have the lived experience of living with a mood disorder. Deadline for video clips (no longer than 9 minutes in length) or artwork is 24 October 2007. PSAs are due on/before 1 November 2007. Visit the site to learn more.

Poor little Pumpkin Head looks about as sad as I feel tonight, as I had a lovely day until I checked into a Hampton Inn in Mississippi. I had stayed at this hotel before, and I’ve never had any trouble with the wireless connection in the rooms here (or elsewhere at any Hampton - they’re usually perfect and their pillows are to die for). But, it appears that this particular inn has had numerous problems with their wireless dude and tech support. Frankly, I’m not accustomed to working in a lobby. Nope.

Well, after two perfect flights (Delta) that were on time and smooth as all get out, and after a pleasant rental car deal, I guess I can’t complain. I did better than that. I checked out and went across the street to the competitor. It was sad, though - I had come to rely on Hampton Inns for stellar performances.

With all that said, the pickings are kind of slim tonight. But, I promise some extra news next week to catch up on anything that might have fallen between the cracks today.

Have a great weekend! You know I will - I’m visiting my brilliant and beautiful daughter.

EarthVision is a nonprofit community effort, locally organized and funded, using Community Television of Santa Cruz County (California) as its fiscal sponsor. They are seeking films for their 10th screening that instill concern for the issues they raise and instill enthusiasm for change in the audience. In addition they are considering screening the winners of Act Locally on the night of Earth Day 2008. Submission deadline is 7 December 2007, but may be extended for Act Locally. For submission details please visit the website.

Internet video upstarts and Hollywood heavyweights alike can start practicing their five-word speeches and preparing for their moment in the global Webby spotlight.

The Webby Film and Video Awards, the leading international honors for original film and video premiering on the Internet, today kicked-off its call for entries with 19 new categories including Music, Sports, Technology, and Travel, as well new technical categories recognizing excellence in editing, sound design, writing, and use of animation.

To enter work in The Webby Film & Video Awards, visit www.webbyawards.com. The early entry deadline is 26 October 2007.
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