For nearly five decades, the Clio Awards has been committed to the mission of celebrating and rewarding creative excellence in advertising and design, honoring one of the most influential forms of communication and its impact on modern culture. The Clio Awards, part of Nielsen Business Media, receives more than 19 000 entries from over 60 countries in a broad range of mediums including Interactive, Television/Cinema/Digital, Content & Contact, Print, Poster, Billboard, Innovative Media, Integrated Campaign, Radio, Design and student work, and are judged by world-class juries made up of more than 100 top creatives from 65 countries. The culmination of the competition takes place each May at the annual Clio Awards Festival, in Miami’s South Beach, attended by an international who’s who of advertising and digital marketing.

Deadline for entry submissions is 15 January 2008 for all entries first appearing between 1 January 2007 - 31 December 2007. Deadline for entries that originally appeared in the first quarter of 2008 is 29 February 2008. The online entry system for the 2008 awards program is currently open at www.clioawards.com.

It’s that time of year again, when Design Within Reach puts out a call out to designers and would-be designers for Design Uncorked: The annual DWR Champagne Chair Contest.

Create an original miniature chair using only the foil, label, cage and cork from no more than two Champagne bottles. Chairs will be judged by a panel of industry experts and the winners will embark on a nation-wide tour. The winning designers will receive DWR Gift Cards. In an effort to minimize the mountains of packaging waste generated in the past, submissions can now be made digitally. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) on 7 January. Visit the link above to learn more.

Via: statesman.com

BravoTV is seeking undiscovered interior design stars for the second season of its hit competition series TOP DESIGN! They’re looking for all types of artists, interior designers - up-and-comers, established professionals and those aspiring to greatness. The winner will receive a spread in ELLE DECOR, $100,000 and lots of media coverage.

Completed applications and videotapes must be received by 15 February 2008 at 12:00PM ET to be considered; however, the earlier you send in that tape, the better. The video will become the property of the Producers and will not be returned to you, whether or not you are selected as a contestant. Visit the site to learn more.

Call for entries for the 4th annual HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) begins on Monday, 14 January 2008. Filmmakers from around the globe are encouraged to submit their short films 30 minutes and under to HollyShorts, one of the fastest growing festivals in the US and the premiere short film event in Hollywood, CA. Submissions will be accepted through Withoutabox.com. The 4th annual HollyShorts Film Festival takes place 8-10 August 2008 in Hollywood.

Visit the site to learn more.

Entries are currently being accepted for I.D. magazine’s 2008 Student Design Review. They are searching for the best work from design schools around the world in industrial, graphic, interactive and “miscellaneous” design. One Best of Show winner will get US $1,000 in cold, hard cash. Plus, all winning projects may be posted on the I.D. website (www.id-mag.com) with links to winners’ online portfolios, and will be featured in the I.D. September/October 2008 issue.

The 2008 Student Design Review is open to any student enrolled in a collegiate-level design program (undergraduate or graduate), anywhere in the world. All projects entered must be the result of a classroom/academic assignment, and must have been designed/completed during the 2006-2007 academic year. Deadline is 1 February 2008. Visit the site to learn more.

It’s difficult to see Booger’s eyes in the image at left, but he appears downright sad. It’s as though his last shred of respect for humanity has disappeared along with the polar ice caps.

But, it is that time of year, and folks will dress up their dogs, cats, and even the local squirrels if they have a chance. Materialism run rampant, I say.

Since Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year, I’m going to provide a break from the commercialism inherent in cutthroat contests for a day. I’ll be back the day after Christmas with another batch of wonderful and exciting new design competitions for you to enter.

Be joyful (if possible), be safe (if you can), and stay healthy enough to join me next week. Cheers!

Booger is visiting from Doctors Foster and Smith (If he really were visiting, he wouldn’t be wearing that silly outfit).