The 11th annual Japan Media Arts Festival is now open for international entries. This year the festival is launching an “Open Form,” where the public can recommend works that they believe deserve recognition. Other traditional categories include the broad subjects of “art (which includes Web works), entertainment (which also includes Web works), animation, and manga.”

One Grand Prize, four Prizes for Excellence and one Encouragement Prize are Awarded in recognition of works of outstanding artistry and creativity in each division. Based on the recommendations of the Jury, Special Achievement Prizes may also be presented to artists who have made significant contributions to the field of media arts.

Open Form’s submission deadline is 31 August, and traditional category deadline is 5 October. Visit the site to learn more.

Via: Frames Per Second

Auckland City Council is throwing down a challenge to creative members of the public and engineering and to architectural firms worldwide, to shape an enduring landmark on an outstanding New Zealand waterfront location.

A dramatic opening bridge - for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport - is proposed on Auckland’s city waterfront. The existing heritage bridge, which connects Quay St with the east side of Te Wero Island, will remain alongside the new structure.

The design competition is open to the public, artists, sculptors, student designers and established design professionals from around the world and all entries will be anonymous. Deadline for registration is 17 August. Visit the site for details.

Lark Books seeks images to feature in the gallery section of an upcoming how-to publication, The Art of Jewelry: Plastic & Resin, scheduled for release in Fall 2008. All jewelry forms - rings, bracelets, earrings, brooches, necklaces, and others - will be considered. Diverse design styles and techniques - such as laminating, cold connecting, carving, constructing, thermoforming, molding, inlaying, and textile techniques - are desired. Materials can include commercial acrylic sheet and block, plastic resin, manufactured plastic forms, post-consumer or other re-purposed plastics, and more. Fabricated metal jewelry with plastic and/or resin as a major component are also welcome.

They accept high-quality transparencies, slides, and digital images. No entry fee is required. Submissions must be postmarked by 13 August 2007. Visit the site for guidelines.

Via: Jewelry and Beading

PDN and National Geographic Traveler present World in Focus 2007: The Ultimate Travel Photography Contests. The deadline is Aug. 22, with a late deadline of Sept. 7 available for an extra $10.

1st Prize is a choice of 11-day trip for two to Arctic Norway OR 10-day trip for two to the Galapagos Islands sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions. 2nd Prize is a 7-day Photography Workshop for one in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, sponsored by Santa Fe Workshops. 3rd Prize is a 6-day cruise for two on a Maine Windjammer Schooner, sponsored by the Schooners American Eagle and Heritage.

There are six categories, including an “Open Series” that describes the experience of a place in photo essay form. Deadline is 21 August 2007. Visit the site to learn more.

The International Bicycle Design Competition (IBDC) is sponsored by the Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs, R.O.C. (DOIT, MOEA) and managed and produced by the Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center (CHC).

The competition started in 1996 to promote bicycle product design worldwide by uniting different design concepts and design cultures. Moreover, the hope is to introduce a way of life that incorporates bicycling, and make a contribution to improve environmental conditions and human health. This is the ONLY worldwide bicycle design competition!

You are cordially invited to participate in the 12th IBDC. Deadline for registration and first round submissions is 15 August 2007. Visit the site to learn more.

College Scholarships is launching is a new Website and they’re in need of a design to replace the current default WordPress layout. Any U.S. student currently attending full time post-secondary education can enter.

Simply upload your design to a web server, and put the URL in the ‘Your New Design’ space in the application form below. Please make sure the design is 100% ready to view before you submit your application. You have until midnight PST on Monday, 13 August 2007 to make a submission. Visit the contest site to learn more.