Dear friends, the submissions for the 2019/2020 competition are now closed. We thank everyone who has taken part, and hope to see you as  contestants in our next competition. 

Eligibility

The competition is open to students from Cumulus member institutions in all disciplines in art, design and media who are pursuing either a Bachelor level or Master level program. Member institutions must have registered in the competition for students to be eligible to participate.

Students that are currently enrolled in member institutions or students who have graduated in 2018–2019 and/or are graduating in 2019–2020 are eligible to participate.

There is no limitation in the number of submissions per institution, and there is no cost to submit. Institutions are encouraged to consider having their own pre-selection system.

Entries must be comprised of work that is original; individuals and/or teams must hold the Intellectual Property for their submissions and have the right to enter and publish the submitted work.

Submission Categories

The competition encourages innovative solutions that relate to one or more of the following 3 categories:

  • Products

Projects that illustrate how artifacts (products, communications, interactions, etc.) can embody responsible production and consumption and circular economy principles.

  • Services

Projects that organize and improve the quality and interactions of human experiences in a circular economy context. Services may focus on one or more of the following: people, infrastructure, institutions and communications.

  • Systems

Projects that utilize design research and strategy to showcase multi-component elements that are interconnected and integrated solutions for the circular economy. Projects in this category may have widespread applications that rely on a wide range of formats and design disciplines.

Entry Expectations

The jury will be looking to reward submissions that represent the best work according to the following criteria:

  1. Desirable, viable and feasible design(s)

    These three lenses are critical in all good design and are often referred to as “the trifecta of innovation.”

    • Desirable: how can we create an experience that is truly human-centered and answers to the needs and aspirations of its intended audience?
    • Feasible: what do we need to do in order to make the project happen? What are the variables we must take into account for the project to become a reality?
    • Viable: how might you show that the solution is linked to a sustainable business model?
  2. Evidence of a rigorous research process informing the design solution proposed

    A well-researched submission clearly describes the problem, stakeholders, purpose and proposes a solution that is contextually grounded and well informed.

  3. Innovative/novel solutions

    Creativity is key. We want to see new ideas with the potential for true impact.

Deadline

The submissions closed at 23:59 of January 31, 2020

General Notes

  • Where might submissions come from?

Submissions can consist of curricular and non-curricular projects and may include ideas developed as part of an academic assignment or course. Submissions can also consist of a project sponsored or developed with an external partner such as a private company, NGO, non-profit organization, or community organization. Submission entries may include work conceived at a date prior to the competition.

  • Individual and Team Submissions Accepted

Students may enter as individuals or as part of a multidisciplinary team (there is no limit to the number of members in the team).

  • Mentorship and Collaboration with external institutions and/or organizations

Students and teams are encouraged to seek academic and professional mentorship/advisement. Submissions may include students from non-Cumulus organizations.