Design Against Fur 2010, the latest installment of what has become an annual design competition sponsored by the Fur Free Alliance, is now accepting submissions. While I’m ordinarily not a proponent of design competitions, I believe this event to be worthwhile and well-structured. Please note that it is open only to students, and is organized into four regions.

An excerpt from the Competition Brief:

As a compassionate designer, you can make a real difference for millions of animals, and we invite you to participate in this important design competition with a conscience.

Design a creative, compelling poster or animation that delivers the compassionate message that the wearing of fur is cruel and unnecessary. We want the modern world to celebrate all animals and not victimize them by killing them to wear their skins – and we want you to help us make that happen.

Your work will be evaluated by design and marketing experts, and potentially used in national and international campaigns to end the cruel fur trade. There are cash prizes and all winners and commended students will receive certificates for their portfolios. Winning work will be promoted on a range of national and international sites, in exhibitions and online galleries.

Related Post: Anti-Fur Posters from 2008

Design Against Fur 2008, an event held by the Fur Free Alliance, produced many excellent posters (and animated shorts). Among them is certainly the poster (below) created by Feng Chen, a student from Beijing China, winning both the Grand Prize and the International Peoples Choice Award.

The event’s other winning designs can be seen here.

The Fur Free Alliance is “an international coalition of over 35 animal protection organizations working to bring an end to the exploitation and killing of animals for their fur.”

For “inFURmation” on this year’s competition, check out Design Against Fur 2009.

I’m normally not a proponent of contests within the visual arts professions, as they are often structured and/or carried out in a manner that devalues, and sometimes even degrades, the industry and its participants. Nevertheless, when I was recently contacted by a representative from The Jed Foundation and asked if I would share some information about their upcoming video competition, I dutifully checked it out, particularly since I heartily support The Jed Foundation’s mission.

Although I’m not familiar with the nuances of the video industry, this event looks worthwhile to me, so I’m pleased to share it here…

For starters, they’ve dubbed it an “award” (vs. contest or competition), The Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Award.

The event is for “college students who have had mental health issues”, and asks them to “create a video on their experiences with mental health issues and how they are working to raise awareness and encourage their peers on the issue”. The creator of the winning video receives the award, which includes a $2,000 scholarship, a trip to NYC to our annual gala in June 2009, recognition through The Jed Foundation’s website and events and possibly appearing on MTVU.

The Jed Foundation which works nationally to reduce the rate of suicide and the prevalence of emotional distress among college and university students.

Additional information about The Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Award is available on the foundation’s website: http://jedfoundation.org/programs/student-voice-of-mental-health-award.

Good luck to all who participate!