The Design for Print Awards winner; and why awards are great for business

Title Media’s founder Sam was recently asked to be part of the judging process for the Design for Print award. Here we explore why awards are so important to businesses.

Brighton Fringe Festival leads the field when it comes to England’s arts festivals and charity events, as an internationally acclaimed open-access arts festival with a diverse and unique range of events that grows every year.

And each year, Gemini Print – which is the official print partner – partners with Brighton Fringe to support an award celebrating creative and innovative design, encouraging the kind of creativity that we have come to expect from festival.

WE LOVE BEING INVOLVED

This year, Sam Harrington-Lowe of Title Media was invited to be one of the judges, which meant working with Gemini and the Fringe Festival to assess the many (in some cases extraordinary!) entries. The awards were also put to the public vote, so it’s interesting to see how the two judging processes compare.

“I love being involved with awards,” says Sam. “Apart from the fact I’m inherently nosy and love looking at the entries, it’s an honour to help select a winner from a wide range of really diverse and creative entries.”

Hosting the Gemini Print Design for Print Awards is Gemini director Mark Tulley, ably assisted by the Gemini ‘DesignHero’!

“All the judges are consistent in looking for the criteria set – seeking designs that are eye-catching and informative with an overall impact; and encouraging people to want to see the show or event,” he explains. “The standard of entries was outstanding, and the competitive spirit increased when Gemini Print invited the public to vote for their favourite.”

CHOOSING THE WINNER

At the final vote, we judges were slightly overwhelmed by the quality of the artwork. Debates were well underway. It was a very difficult decision, but we finally voted pretty much unanimously on the Cards Against Humanity – The Shame Show design as the winner. Designed by Rob Hyde, The Shame Show was performed at Junkyard Dogs, Brighthelm Centre.

It was close, but the runner up was Witch Hunt, designed by producer Lisa Wolfe and performed at The Warren by A&E Comedy, with highly commended entries I’m Just A Little Bit OCD, designed and directed by Ria Fay Pelling performed at Caroline of Brunswick; Sary, designed and created by Jake Gilks, written, directed and produced by Sam Chittenden and performed at Sweet Venues; and finally Ensonglopaedia of British History, designed by John Hinton and Alexis Aggett, and produced by Rachel Bennett.

WHY ARE AWARDS IMPORTANT?

Aside from the fact that a win obviously gives you something to be proud of, and in this case, a hefty £500-worth of top quality printing, here’s just five benefits that come from entering – or judging – awards. And these are just off the top of our heads…

• It’s a great opportunity to use storytelling in your social media
• The events surrounding the awards are excellent opportunities for networking
• It raises your profile and gives your entry or brand greater authority
• It’s a great way to recognise the effort your staff, creatives or designers put into something
• There’s obviously press coverage to be had from the whole process

So in short, if you stumble across an awards opportunity to be involved with awards, get stuck in. Even if you don’t win it can help raise your profile and offer you an opportunity to meet new faces.

The Gemini Design for Print Award
Brighton Fringe
Title Media publishing

WINNER

Cards Against Humanity – The Shame Show, designed by Rob Hyde

RUNNER UP

Witch Hunt, designed by producer Lisa Wolfe

HIGHLY COMMENDED

I’m Just A Little Bit OCD, designed and directed by Ria Fay Pelling
Sary, designed and created by Jake Gilks
Ensonglopedia of British History, designed by John Hinton and Alexis Aggett