Yourself as Art
Instead of creating art you can actually be part of it. The Power of Self international contest is announcing an open call for entries for self portraits. The sponsors of the contest state:

“We cannot tell you what is or is not your self-portrait. A reflection of your own image would be an easy “yes”. But does your work fall outside those bounds? We want to see it.

“We are looking for exciting, engaging & innovative work that is an expression of your self. We are looking for your likeness as much as we are looking for your interpretation of self-portraiture.”
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What to Submit

• The contest accepts a variety of mediums such as fine art, painting, sculpting, drawing, print making, graphic design, glass, book art, performance, video art, street art, photography, illustration, and tattoo art.

• The entry fee is $10 per image. Contest entries may be submitted in the form of an online portfolio with a biography of the individual. For an example, click here.

• To view the entry form and submit your pieces click here.

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Awards

• The Grand Prize winner will be honored with an Art-Star reception in New York City, international exposure and a feature in 3rd Ward Magazine, plus the choice of free living accommodations for six months at The Edge - an upscale apartment complex in New York City or $7007 cash.

• The People’s Choice Award winner will have their entry published on dozens of networked websites plus $1,000 cash.

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Contest Deadline
The final date for entries is January 14, 2010.

Thanks!
We just wanted to wish everyone a restful and Happy Thanksgiving. We’d also like to thank you all for dropping by GraphicDesignBasics and supporting us all of these years!

Some Food for Thought ;)
Just what does our traditional main course think on this holiday? We’ve presented a few images from some very talented people in illustration to show this — the cartoonists.

Have a wonderful weekend and we’ll see everyone next week!

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The Standard Resume vs. Creative Resume
When you seek employment, one of the first things your potential employers will want from you is your resume.

People who are looking for a job in business or retail sales will use a standard resume form. It includes contact information, experience, education information, and other facts about the person.

But what if you are seeking a job as a graphic designer, illustrator, or other position in the arts or media? Does a “standard” looking resume work or should you express some of your creativity in your resume?

If you take a look at the numerous books regarding resume writing, most of them will give you a limited selection of resume styles.

But that’s for “regular” jobs, not necessarily for graphic designers or artists.

Should your resume be different and creative? This question isn’t an easy one to answer because each firm, interviewer, or human resource person is wired differently. If your resume is different or stands out, depending on who is on the other end of that resume, you may get noticed or a frown.

The Examples
We’re not sure if the following resumes landed a job for the applicants or not, but they are certainly eye-catching, and different. Look over these examples and decide if you want to try a few of the ideas.

Perhaps the best bet is to have two resumes available for passing out — one that is “standard” and the other one more “creative.” If possible, you can ask the person who is handling resumes which one is more appropriate.

Without further ado, here are the examples.

Will a resume like this be taken seriously or will it be an attention grabber? Click on the image to see the full-sized resume.
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In our next example, the graphic artist has taken the approach of formatting his resume to look like formula guide cards. Click on the image to see the full- sized resume.
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The next example is based upon an old newspaper ad section. In this case however, the graphic designer is selling himself. The idea is interesting and makes reading his resume fun. Click on the image to see the full- sized resume.

As you can see, the variations of what you can do for a creative resume can be almost limitless. But the question remains, when is it appropriate to try a resume such as the ones displayed?

Next Time
We’ll explore a few more creative resumes and talk about what a successful graphic design resume should include. We’ll also try to answer the question of when it is appropriate to use creative resumes.
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Rectangle is Out. Die-Cut Is In.
The common business card can be a cliché at times.

The ubiquitous little rectangle is passed out to clients and associates like last year’s Halloween candy–sometimes, never gaining the attention of the person it is given to.

But this can change if you enter the TwitPic Business Card Design Contest sponsored by Uprinting.com.

If you are one of three lucky winners, you’ll be showered with 2,000 die-cut business cards. No more boring rectangular ones.

How to Enter

• Design a business card on one of the supplied die-cut templates
• Upload your design to @twitpic and leave a post that links back to your entry
• Tag your photo on Twitpic with this hashtag, #uprinting
• Get your friends to comment on your design on Twitpic.com

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The Design Shapes
Below are the different die-cut forms for business card entries:
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You can log on to the twitpic.com website to see what the other contestants are doing on their designs. There is no entry fee.

If you do win, 2,000 die-cut business cards with your winning design can be a great way to introduce yourself to prospective clients as you say, “Hello, I designed this card, and I won the contest!”

Winners will be announced and contacted on November 16, 2010. For more information about this contest, click here.

If you have ever submitted any forms for scholarships, you realize how involved it can become. But the Frame My Future Scholarship Contest 2010 may be the exception to the rule.

The contest is offering $5,000 in total prize money to five lucky winners plus an additional $1,000 to the grand prize winner’s graphic design school, graphic design college or university.

How It Works
Entering this contest is simplicity itself. Submit a JPEG image that communicates the following theme of “This Is How I Frame My Future.” The idea is to demonstrate, through your design, what your plans and vision are upon graduating college.

Acceptable Original Creations
After you have decided how to express your idea of what you want to accomplish and achieve after your graduation, you may submit your work in various forms such as:

• Photography
• Painting
• Graphic Design
• Drawing
• Poem
• Collage
• A Combination of All of the Above

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Who Is Eligible?
The scholarship contest is open to all full time students attending college for the 2010-2011 academic year. Entrants must show proof of legal US residency. For the official rules and guidelines, click here.

The Awards
Awards will be given to five “success driven” students in the form of $1000 scholarships. The grand prize winner will also receive a $1,000 donation to the school’s general scholarship endowment program.

The twenty-four finalists in this contest receive a commemorative “Frame My Future” frame displaying their submitted entry.

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Other Information
If you are enrolled for the 2010-2011 school year and are selected as a winner, your graphic design college can benefit as well. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2010. Winners are based upon the highest total amount of votes received during the website’s voting period at www.diplomaframe.com.

To submit your entry, click here. To view entries already submitted, click here.

All You Wanted to Know About Sheds
Did you know that there are people deeply interested in sheds and how to build them?

Did you know that there are different types of sheds such as garden sheds, tool sheds, firewood sheds, and storage sheds?

And did you know that sheds can be big, small, made of metal, vinyl or wood? And lastly, did you know there is a Shed Design Competition for 2009?

The Contest
The folks at the secrets-of-shed-building.com website are dedicated to the construction, admiration, and knowledge of all things pertaining to sheds. This year’s contest is offering an Apple Ipod Nano mp3 player to the winner.

The Rules
You pretend you are starting your own business (or perhaps you already have) and you need a shed to store your items or use it as a small studio or work area.

What would it look like? What sorts of features would it have, and how would it fit your needs?

That’s where your ideas about your shed come in.

Would it be eco-friendly? How large would it be and what sorts of amenities would be available? After you have written a description of your “dream-shed,” the next thing to do is to submit a drawing of your idea.

Entries will be judged upon aesthetic value of the illustration, creativity, and practicality of the design. For some tips on what the contest sponsor is looking for, click here.

How the Winner Is Chosen
The finalists are selected from the top five submissions that receive the most votes on the website. From these a winner will be chosen. The winner will be notified through email.

For a complete listing of the rules, click here. The contest deadline for entries is October 31, 2009.