Microsoft will show its latest tools and platforms for creating and delivering rich interactive content for the Web at the annual CRE8 conference in Orlando in a special keynote session on 1 May, where hundreds of Web and interactive designers will be gathered. Microsoft will be showing its Silverlight platform, which delivers interactive content across various computer platforms, including Mac, PC, and mobile devices, making it a compelling technology for CRE8 Conference attendees. Brian Goldfarb, a group product manager from Microsoft will also be showcasing Expression Studio software tools, which allow Web design professionals to create next generation Web sites, interactive content, and video for delivery to different devices, platforms, and browsers using Silverlight and .NET.

Following the keynote, Microsoft is delivering a hands-on training session for CRE8 conference attendees. The sessions will provide a guided tour of the Expression Studio software tools for creating Web sites, interactive content, and streaming video delivered using Microsoft Silverlight.

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Pete Case, creative director of digital design agency Gloo, and recently appointed jury chairperson for the Digital Category’s Judging Panel of the 2007 Loerie Awards, is calling on the top creatives in the digital industry to enter their best work for this year’s awards.

“The Digital industry has dramatically increased its profile within the marketing and advertising mix and because of this we expect a record number of entries, as well as an even higher level of creativity this year. Last year we saw a digitally based campaign win the integrated advertising Grand Prix for the first time in Loerie’s history. This has set a benchmark for others to leap over and we want the entries to reflect the highest standards of excellence in this innovative category,” says Case.

“In the Digital categories, the judges will be looking for creativity across a growing number of digital platforms, from the internet space, to CD roms, online media campaigns and pioneering work on cellphones. There’s a new category for this year which embraces digital campaigns and there are many enhancements to the judging process itself, all aimed at finding and rewarding the best work out there.”

The Loerie Awards is a non-profit event that recognises and rewards the mastery of creative excellence. Entry deadline extended to 30 May. Judging will take place in June 2007 and finalists will be announced at the end of the judging week.

Via: MarketingWeb

Photo Archive News announces the launch of the 2007 Picture Editors’ Awards. They will be accepting entries until Sunday 27th May 2007. Images can be from the period 1st January 2006 to 19th May 2007 (inclusive). As always, entry is free, there are no registration or other fees. Entries can be submitted via email and the maximum size of each image is 750Kb. Visit the site for details.

Win a $50 (approx £25) Amazon Voucher by writing a 50-100 word blog post on either your biggest graphic design bloopers (mistake/s) or the biggest/funniest design mistakes you have seen. This contest was inspired by a proof-reading post that points out why spell-check and proofreading are so important in design/advertising. Why not? Looks fun.

To enter just email competition |AT| graphicdesignblog |DOT| co |DOT| uk along with your 50 - 500 words (describing it, where you found it etc, your name, URL); if you have an image of the design blooper to go with it that’s great too. It can be your own design mistake, a colleagues or something you have seen in a book or on the web. Deadline: 21 May. Visit the site for details.

VIA has announced a global photo contest, open to any photographer. The theme is [Green computing for our beloved Earth], a topic that express how balance can be reached for technology and natural environment, eg: Technology lifestyle:(3C, information, electronics, solar power, future gadgets… etc) Environmental energy saving: (global warming, resource recycling, energy recreation… etc). Use a traditional or digital camera, B&W or color, uploaded file to be 300dpi, 2048 pixel length or above, file size 20MB or more for print quality.

Deadline: 27 May, so hurry! Visit the site for details.

Via: Epiacenter.com

The aniMOTION European Animation Festival brings to Sibiu - European Capital of Culture in 2007 - the most recent european animations, shorts and feature lengths, music videos, games and interactive narratives. They focus on storytelling. Find out why in the Why do we do it section. Then, we are focusing on creative use of new technologies and young creators. Deadline for reciving entry forms: 20th May.