I haven't entered many competitions in the past. I didn't see the need. But I've had a re-think of the idea over the last while.
The deadline for the Sign of the Times annual competion is nearing and I've prepped a couple of entries. The hardest part was deciding which category best fit our work, and which projects to enter.
I remember drueling over the issues of the SOTT magazine which featured the work of that competition, way back when I first started in this business over 30 years ago. I longed for the day when my work might possibly be good enough to stand a chance amongst the world class stuff I saw there. It was a lofty goal... but I think that day might just be here.
My reasoning to enter goes something like this...
Our market is not local... but rather much larger, it's long been regional, even covering much of North America at times and getting larger all the time, with a current job way over in South China.
Placing in a major competition would add creditability to our work, especially if the recognition was posted on our website. Press coverage never hurts one's reputation especially if it's favorable, for the publications are read not only by sign folks, but also designers and architects the world over. Recognition, by placing in the competition would hopefully open up some new opportunities in the future.
Entering a competition doesn't mean an automatic win by any means... but I think my chances are better by far than winning a million dollars with a lottery ticket.
Nothing ventured - nothing gained.
Here's hoping!
-grampa dan
Posted by Michael Latham (Member # 4477) on :
Just face it Dan, a new catagory will have to be created: "Dan's Creations" I have a hard time talking most customers into anything but plain stuff. I might have to redo my sign (which is a disgrace to the sign industry, and most industries as a whole) and make a "cool" sign. I lettered a refridgerated trailer with a 6' tall polar bear and named it the "Cool" rental trailer.
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Your category would be custom-dimensional Dan, but I have no doubts whatsoever that you could ace 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in any category you entered. I always assumed you knew that and stayed out of the running by pure grace, so as not to totally skew the universal order of things.
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
A SOTT is nice and it is great to get exposure, but usually only sign people will see it. There is the following awards that have a variety of larger players in the industry than just signage.
Dan - it never hurts to have "Award Winning Designs" somewhere on your promotional material. Although it may not be all that impressive to the general public you can get a lot of free publicity by submitting a news release to your local paper. Here we have a business section in the Sunday paper and they are more than willing to publish a blurb about you if you submit a SHORT piece and a photo.
Of course, your studio is more than enough to impress potential clients, but for us mere mortals, displaying the award along with a photo in the showroom makes a nice conversation piece.
Adding that award to your web site, brochures, and other promotional materials just add to general image that you want people to receive.
Tooting your own horn is valid, providing you do it in a professional manner.
Those contest outcomes are largely determined by what type judges are chosen. Sometimes they are interior decorators, "graphic artists", architects, journalists or some other professional person who is not primarily associated with signs. I've had entries that won first place in one contest and didn't get an honorable mention in others. Luck of the draw, I guess.
Posted by Dan Streicher (Member # 4515) on :
those silly stamps on our butts as I like to call them do mean quite a bit to some customers they like to know that you are noticed/approved whatever by your industry same as small towns giving out door window decals stating you are a member of their local take your 500 bucks a yr and you are now a part of the local business "community" .....
Dan the level of work you and your team produce shows you have the skills to blow the competition out of the water in whatever arena you should choose to compete it (haven't seen any electrical signage...but that doesn't seem to be where you wish to be playing any how) and hell toot your own horn whenever you feel like it BEEP BEEP....if you've earned it.....those who have earned the right to TOOT it usually don't...........
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I have found the awards we have won to be a very effective sales tool. We have landed jobs as the high bidder because of the recognition we have received from the various competitons and I have even told clients that we would be entering their sign in a national sign contest. Giving them a copy of the magazine with their project inside is also great P.R.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Just to show you don't have to hand letter to win.
Posted by Jeff Fisher (Member # 5296) on :
Industry awards play a major part in the marketing of my business. Being recognized in such competitions has resulted in my work being published in over 70 graphic design industry publications/books at this point. Most often a potential new client will initiate a conversation with "I saw your work while flipping through a design book in my local bookstore and thought I would get in touch with you..."
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