It’s time again for AIGA Hampton Roads’ SPARK — an annual juried competition and exhibition of posters exploring the challenges and benefits of our communities!
ABOUT SPARK 2023
Last year, we asked you to send us your interpretation of Graffiti and Street art in Hampton Roads. We were heartened by the response but are always hoping to feature more of our local design talents.
For this year’s competition, we’re reaching out for designs on the theme of “How to contribute to your community in a meaningful way using design.” Create a poster that makes that contribution or inspires others to contribute to improving and expanding the community. Our inspiration for the theme are the books Developing Citizen Designers by Elizabeth Resnick and Citizen Designer: Perspectives on Design Responsibility by Steven Heller.
THE DETAILS
Posters must be 11″ x 17″ portrait oriented and submitted as a PDF. One submission per person, please. Winning submissions will be selected by the AIGA HR Board. A (lightly) curated selection of submissions will be professionally printed for display. By submitting artwork for this event, you are granting permission for us to print and display digital copies of your submission.
Curated submissions will be displayed during the 8th Annual NEON Festival in downtown Norfolk Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20, 2023. These selections will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award and printed copies will be available for purchase. Remember, you can only cast a vote for the People’s Choice and purchase a curated design for your collection during our live event! Proceeds benefit AIGA Hampton Roads’ annual programming and scholarship fund.
AWARDS
We are also happy to announce the following available awards:
Best in Show: Awarded by the jury to the entrant whose poster design demonstrates excellence in concept, execution, and exploration of the competition theme.
People’s Choice: Awarded the night of the exhibition.
Emerging Designer: Awarded by the jury to a student entrant.
Honorable Mention: Awarded by the jury.
THE DEADLINE
Friday, October 13 at 11:59pm.
SUBMITTING YOUR POSTER
- Your file should be set up to 11″ x 17″ with a .125” bleed and crop marks. We made Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign templates for you to download here.
- Name your file with your first and last name. Example: Firstname-Lastname.pdf
- Have your artist statement & file ready, then go to https://hamptonroads.aiga.org/spark-2023/ to submit your work!
FAQs
Is there a submission fee?
All entrants have one (1) free submission.
Can I submit more than one design?
No. Only one submission per person will be accepted this year. Please send us your best work!
Can my submission be created in another medium?
Any media is welcome. Make sure to send us a digital file at the correct size (11″ x 17″, CMYK at 300 dpi, with .125” bleed and crop marks) and we can print it for you.
More questions?
Contact at programming@hamptonroads.aiga.org.
AIGA is an entirely volunteer-run non-profit organization. If you’re interested in being on the Board of Directors, please apply using this form. If you are interested in volunteering, please check out our Become a Volunteer page.
For more information or questions, please contact us at board@hamptonroads.aiga.org.
