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).

Well, the image above says it all, but I’ll repeat some of it here for you. Get your art showcased in one of the hottest, best, and widely respected CG portfolio books created by Ballistic Publishing. You get a hot reputation yourself if your work is selected, as your art will be seen by studios, art directors, and fellow artists.

Images can be created in any 3D or digital illustration application. Photoshop and digitally manipulated photography is also welcome. They are interested in digitally-created fine art, whether it be 2D or 3D, for commercial use, or personal satisfaction.

There is no cost or limit to enter work for inclusion in EXPOSÉ 6. Deadline for entry is Monday, 25 February 2008 at midnight GMT. Visit the site to learn more.

At left: Issue Reporting Story First Place, Paula Bronstein Getty Images.

Pictures of the Year International invites you to take an early look at the categories and guidelines for the 65th annual photojournalism competition — the world’s oldest and one of the most prestigious.

You can find complete guidelines along with a printable summary, a Spanish and a Chinese language version. Online registration and entry platform deadline is 18 January 2008. Visit the site to learn more.

In the run-up to the 21st Interieur Biennale, the Interieur Foundation organizes its biennial design competition. Previously known as Design for Europe, the competition will focus on three themes, aiming to generate new, functional, creative and contemporary prototypes.

The cultural and economic dimensions of design and the increase in leisure time have inspired the organizers to focus on the following themes: working, playing and living. It provides participants with a broad choice, while taking into account factors such as durability, simplicity, and health. Form and usage of these products should be within reach of as many consumers as possible.

Winners of the competition will walk away with 35,000 euro in prize money. Apart from the prize money and the honor involved in the nominations, this international competition is also the ideal platform for young designers on the way to commercial success. All entries will be on display during the 21st INTERIEUR Biennale, and will be seen by potential manufacturers, professional visitors as well as the general public. The 21st INTERIEUR Biennale will take place in Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium) from 17 - 26 October 2008.

The competition is open to professional as well as young designers, design studios, and design students. The registration deadline is 15 July 2008. Visit the site to learn more (click on the “EN” at top right when you enter the site to view in English).

Via: FRAME

The Pacific International Space Center for Explorations Systems (PISCES) announces its second annual Student Design Competition and invites team from universities to participate.

The PISCES design program provides an opportunity to engage students in a rich and meaningful educational experience, derived from working on design problems of current interest, on important technical and programmatic issues that are central to the settlement of space. NASA and JAXA now have serious plans for the future of humans in space, including the continued construction of the International Space Station and human and robotic lunar exploration. Students now in university design programs will be the professionals who will implement the decisions.

A total of up to six awards will be offered this year. Each award will consist of travel funds to bring two students and a faculty advisor to the PISCES annual conference to be held on the Big Island of Hawaii, 10-11 November 2008. At this conference, the university studies will be presented to the PISCES team and the student teams will be able to observe and participate in further planning of the PISCES program.

Any U. S. university may field one or more teams that are interested in the topics of lunar surface facilities,technology development such as ISRU, surface operations, and commercial activities, can participate. A brief indication of interest is requested from university teams by 31 January 2008. Visit the site to learn more about the project, the team expectations, and further deadlines up to the November conference.

To celebrate the flair, colour and creativity of their Brasilian origins, Brahma beer is launching VISTOBRAHMA, a design competition which offers up and coming creative minds the chance to get their work seen. There is a main cash prize of £5,000, as well as the chance to see your design on our packaging throughout the UK.

All types of work are welcome, whether its painting, illustration, photography, street art or anything in between, we want to see it. You can see examples of artists work for Brahma throughout the site and in the gallery.

This competition is open to all residents of the UK who are over age 18 (except employees of the Promoter and their immediate families, the Promoters advertising agency and sales promotion consultancy, and anyone else connected with the creation and administration of this promotion). The closing date for the receipt of all submissions is the 25th January 2008. Visit the site to learn more.

The Fifth Annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival (AUFF) will take place 20-24 August 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2008 AUFF will showcase every genre of independent film from across the world during this celebration of the independent artist.

AUFF is a forum where artists can thrive outside the mainstream arena. Creative artists who continuously break the boundaries of film, video, art and music are promoted through AUFF, so they too may have a voice in a market which is typically saturated with commercial entertainment designed to satisfy the audience’s expectations.

Much more than the traditional stuffy film festival, AUFF will showcase short and feature films, art, live music and plenty of late night parties. Special events during AUFF include the Animation Attack! with two nights of animated shorts, demonstrations & discussions. Entry Deadline: 1 May 2008 (postmarked date). Visit the site to learn more.

SmartDraw.com today announced the release of SmartDraw 2008.1, an updated version of its latest software. The new release now features more than 35,000 maps from around the world, as well as revamped image charts.

“Now users can search maps virtually anywhere in the world, using live data from the Internet.” said Paul Stannard, CEO of SmartDraw.com. “We’ve added provinces for countries in the European Union and Australia, as well as new maps for countries in Central America, Asia, and the Middle East. The integration with Google Earth allows users to incorporate regions and even satellite images into their illustrations.”

In addition, SmartDraw 2008.1 offers improved image charts, which enable users to create lively, eye-catching charts that use pictures and images instead of standard bars, lines and circles. Now, image charts are even easier and more intuitive, and include helpful features such as “one-click fills.”

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Two-Day Event Features An International Line-Up of Designers and Developers

February 25 + February 26, 2008 at the Felix Meritis European Centre for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Early Bird Rate for FITC Amsterdam Ends January 8, 2008

An international line-up of designers and developers from North America, Europe and The Benelux Region converge on Amsterdam, The Netherlands, for two days of panels, presentations and parties as FITC makes its European debut, February 25 + February 26, 2008 at the Felix Meritis European Centre for Arts and Sciences. This is the first time that FITC, now in its seventh year, has ventured outside North America.

“Amsterdam is the perfect place to launch FITC in Europe,” says Shawn Pucknell, Founder of FITC and Executive Producer of FITC Amsterdam. “We are looking forward to presenting a highly immersive and unique experience for attendees, one where they can learn new techniques, try new technologies, and rub elbows with the stars of the creative technology industry.”

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Climate Cartoons is looking for short, creative, humorous, inspiring films that motivate people to change their lives in small ways and encourage people to “Do Something” to help fight global warming … These “Do Something” short films are distributed without charge to all forms of media including the Internet, airlines, theaters, television and cell phones.”

Rated PG or G, with a run-time of ninety seconds or less and proving that each individual on this planet can do something to impact the future of the Earth, the call for entries leaves open stage for several animators and educators to voice their opinion. Submissions are due by 15 January 2008, with Climate Cartoons submitting the accepted animation to their clients for distribution come the following month of February.