Each year I am proud to be part of a fun ‘competition’. I’ve posted many instalments as I design and create my entry each year. While I definitely have a very competitive spirit and will do my very best, winning this competition isn’t my ultimate goal. I love the idea of throwing a challenge to my creative friends and see what they come up with. This little gig has inspired so many absolutely amazing pieces. Just as importantly, I get a chance to hang out with these creative folks and learn so much in the process. It is just plain fun!
It’s time to get started on the sixth year of the Sign Invitational. We would love for you to participate! And yes I meant anyone who wants to enter.
The purposes of the Sign Invitational are as follows:
To encourage creative individuals to create imaginative samples for their own showroom or studio. Creating samples of the type of work you wish to do the future is simply good business. Samples sell work of a similar nature. They also look cool hanging on our walls! When we came up with the Sign Invitational it was our goal to provide a theme and realistic deadlines which would encourage participants to meet this worthy goal.
To encourage participants to learn new techniques and experiment with new materials. Almost every participant pushes their personal boundaries as they design and create their entries. Hands-on learning is the very best without a doubt.
To have fun! Without fail each participant says that creating their entry was a whole lot of fun. While the pieces aren’t large , they are definitely challenging and happen without customers restricting their creativity.
To encourage and lift up the sign industry. It is always a whole lot of fun to hang out with other creatives, especially some of the leaders of this industry. The Sign Invitational is such an opportunity. The display space at the ISA show is a hub of activity as participants and spectators alike share ideas and stories. The energy level is contagious and a highlight of the show and often the year.
To showcase the creativity of the participants both online and in print through our partnership with the Signs of the Times Magazine. Our friends at Signs of the Times magazine really pull out the stops as they promote and host this event. They profile willing participants and showcase the creativity online, in print and at the show in a spectacular fashion. In the process they encourage and raise up the entire industry.
2021 Sign Invitational Accepting Entries
Annual signmaking competition will be a virtual contest for the second straight year.
The 2021 Sign Invitational, a competition among sign professionals pursuing the highest form of signmaking creativity, is now open and accepting applicants. Signs of the Times is proud to be the exclusive media sponsor of this sixth annual event for the third consecutive year. However, given the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 healthcare crisis, the 2021 Sign Invitational will be a virtual competition for the second year in a row.
This decision was reached by Sign Invitational co-organizers Jim Dawson of Synergy Sign (Strasburg, OH) and Dan Sawatzy of Imagination Corporation (Chilliwack, BC, Canada) in consultation with Signs of the Times.
Historically, Sign Invitational entries had been displayed in Signs of the Times’ booth during the International Sign Association’s Sign Expo, with the votes of Expo attendees determining the winner. Should the Las Vegas-based 2021 Sign Expo occur next year – whether that be during its scheduled April 7-9 slot or later in 2021 – the 2021 Sign Invitational entries will be displayed in Signs’ booth, but the competition’s winner will be determined through online voting.
The theme of this year’s Sign Invitational is “Go Fish.” Each entry must be single-sided, no larger than 2 x 2-ft. and be able to be wall-mounted. Contestants are responsible for shipping and delivering their entry to the Sign Expo. The following are important deadlines to know:
Commit to enter: January 1, 2021
Concept design: January 30, 2021 (optional)
Progress shots: February 15, 2021 (optional)
Pictures of completed piece: March 1-8, 2021
In 2021, Signs of the Times will construct an online voting portal – see last year’s for reference – and reveal the voting window for the competition after the Sign Invitational finalists have been selected. Signs of the Times will preview the 2021 Sign Invitational in its April 2021 issue.
To enter, contact Jim Dawson (jdawson@synergysign.com) or Dan Sawatzky (dan@imaginationcorporation.com). Potential entrants can also contact Signs of the Times associate editor Grant Freking (grant.freking@smartworkmedia.com).
And yes, as always, I have been busy on my entry. (started designing last night). Here’s a sneak peek of the first draft… What creative idea do you dream up when we say GO FISH??? Bring your ‘A’ game and drop me an email to let me know you want to play!
