Wow, the “winners” get $150 in gift certificates and one printed sample of their work. What a deal!

Armin, this is very cool.

This is a damn spiffy idea; sounds like fun and it's for a good cause . . . or something.

> it's for a good cause . . . or something.

The basic idea is to do something really cool. But by selecting some good quotes from Speak Up we are also "putting the word out there" about issues, thoughts or crazy theories on design. It serves a similar purpose to Stop Being Sheep in that while it is a Speak Up promotional it is all about the ideas and thoughts in it. So, yeah, go create!

Now this is really cool. Great way to help spread the word about SpeakUp and design in general. The hardest part, picking my most favorite quote of all time on the site. Oy vey.

Interesting idea, I've been saving some of my favorite DesignMAVEN quotes for a while. Now I have something productive to do with them... BUT WHICH ONE????

And, seriously, if anybody has any problems finding somebody's e-mail or getting in touch with anyone or somebody not responding, please inundate me with e-mails, it will not be an inconvenience at all. We'll make sure you can use your favorite quote.

Fantastic! At work, I have my desktop pictures (dual monitors) filled with random quotes from various professionals from the graphic design idustry, including some from Speak Up (something to glance up at for inspiration as I bang my head on my desk on some days). I really look forward to using one of the quotes in another medium such as this.

I have a technical question though: say in one of the posts another individual is quoted by someone else? For example, in one of my posts let's say I quote Robert Bringhurst... can what he said be used as a quote in the poster design by someone else?

Maybe this is in the rules I just downloaded... I suppose I should read that first, huh?

Good question Michael… as long as the author of the original quote is addressed, yes. No need to include the source (meaning, which book it came from or which essay) unless you wanted to.

Coolest. Idea. Ever.

I second that.

And thanks for being Johnny-on-the-spot with the quick reply to my question Armin. I'm all fired up about this!

Armin, you rock.

Nary bows down to the master of cool

looks around to the other awesome contributors of SpeakUp... Good luck everyone. I can't wait to see the results!

Nary goes giddily about her business

oooh...Veer, i love Veer. ooh...now i remember...Armin, you did one of those Lightboxing thingies, huh. Awesome.

Cool. I'm glad you are all excited! It should be a fun contest.

> now i remember...Armin, you did one of those Lightboxing thingies

Yeah, Veer and I go back…

cool, Armin. thanks for the link. that was fun and inspiring.

did i ever tell you that you rock?

ooo. i am so in on this.

Michael Surtees

Many thanks. I've got plenty.

I give the quote of the Century to Mark Kingley.

"Give Me a Lever and Enough Room. I Can

Make any Typeface Work".

Armin:

1. Can Designers use their own quotes ???

2. I didn't read anything in the pdf on submission limitation(s). Unless I overlooked it.

3. Can we use categories in Word it and/or Open Space???

Michael B.

Congrats on Pentagram winning two Society of Environmental Design Awards.

1. Ground Zero Viewing Wall in New York.

2. Awarded for Design of Salt Lake City Public Library.

Graphic Design USA News pg 26. July 2004

Mark Kingsley:

Principal of noted Branding Consultancy Greenberg Kingsley.

Well Designed Posters for the Central Park

Summer Stage. Graphic Design USA. Seen and Noted pg. 36 July 2004

Mark, the kerning was a little to loose on the type.

Just Breaking Balls. I love them.

Sending you a personal email to send me reproductions if possible.

Armin:

Get back to me on the queations either online

or personal email.

> 1. Can Designers use their own quotes ???

Good question… Hmmmm… I don't see why not. Although I think more interesting things will happen if you select somebody else's comment, then you are not so attached to it that you lose creativity or something. But yeah, sure.

3. Can we use categories in Word it and/or Open Space???

I would say no on that one. Open Space is a whole 'nother ballgame. And we already illustrate the words from Word It so it would seem redundant.

Pardon me for being the stickler here and please excuse my "knows-enough-to-be-dangerous" talk.

In the copyright section of the rules, it does say,

1. You grant Speak Up and Veer the right to sell the poster using your artwork without receiving any remuneration in return.

2.Your work can be reproduced in print and web-based materials for promotional purposes and resale (winning entrants only).

It does not clearly state who retains rights to the works submitted (winning or otherwise) - Veer, Speak Up... the Designer?

Also, while we - as winning designers - grant reproduction rights (as mentioned above) and while it states that 100 copies of each winning entry will be produced for sale, the wording does not clearly define that Veer/Speak Up has the right to ONLY produce and sell 100 copies, nor is there a limit on the duration of use of the designs either in print or web-based form.

Further, while the copyrights have been addressed for the designer's submission - the designer has to ask the author for permission to use their quote to design a poster for submission - but, there is no written terms granting reproduction rights of the quote. There is only vague language of the designer entering an agreement allowing the use of the quote in a design. This also fails to address the indemnification of Veer, Speak Up or the designer from action by the author if the designer's use of the quote is libelous, offensive or otherwise inappropriate.

Give me a pot and I'll stir it.

Seriously, I am very sensitive to these issues and when I feel there is something missing (including something I may have missed myself) I have to address it.

Oy, what a stickler…

Actually, thanks for raising the concern Brady. The main thing to acknowledge here is that we don't intend to rip anyone off or screw anyone over. But for the sake of clarity I will review the copyright notices and post an updated PDF as soon as I can.

Armin:

Thanks

I'll assume the same criteria apply for the contest no signature should accompany the Design. Just like Word It.

Just asking. Don't have a problem with it. Just need clarification.

Before I Pull Out My Lever.

Brady:

Good Catch !!!!!!

> I'll assume the same criteria apply for the contest no signature should accompany

Yup. No signatures please. The winners' names will be specified at the bottom of the poster along with other information about the poster (like printer, sponsor, judges, etc.).

Actually… maybe when the four winning posters are selected we will ask the winners to include their signature. But for judging purposes there shall be no signatures.

Just to be a paper stickler
I'll point out that, while I love French's Construction line of paper, it does fade very, very quickly. Bear in mind when picking colors.

can I submit an entry for each of my personalities?

but seriously, can we have something like the apple logo or somesuch if the entry involves a computer or ipod?

I impatiently wait to drool over the posters, being too shy to enter myself.

> but seriously, can we have something like the apple logo or somesuch if the entry involves a computer or ipod?

I think that logos are fair game for this kind of poster. As long as it is utterly obvious that the poster couldn't pass as an advertisement for Apple or that you would be trying to sell something.

Another question Armin.

For us procrastinators, (yes some people wait until the last minutes, such as myself) can we choose our quote/topic up until the deadline? Are there any date requirements? Such as the quote must have been posted before such and such a date. Let's say on the day before someone posts a statement that jump starts the right-side of my brain, can I do this as long as I have the permission of the quoter? Just a quick thought before I decide to enter or not. Thanks, I can't wait to get started!

Great Idea!

Diane,

> can we choose our quote/topic up until the deadline?

Yup.

> Are there any date requirements?

Nope.

> can I do this as long as I have the permission of the quoter?

Yup.

So, theoretically, according to the newly hammered out rules above, I could put in a sentence of any type into any discussion, for instance, "I like cheese," and then use that quote in my poster, since it has been commented and I can use my own comments. Correct?

On second thought… you can't use your own quotes. I can see people getting poetic — more so than I like cheese — in the next month with their posts and using them.

Sorry for the confusions.

You can use any comment up until September 10.

Even if Armin would say yes to the technical question, doesn't that defeat part of the purpose here, to take an inspiring quote and making something bigger out of it?

Sorry, not trying to be a stickler, I just want to stay focused on the goal without getting lost in all the details.

Ah, three minutes too late. Thanks for the clarification Armin.

Greg, I'd like to use "I like cheese," if it's allright with you ...

I would LOVE to see that poster. Go for it marian.

marian,

taking the easy route? who doesn't like cheese....

mmmmmmmm... cheeEEeeEse

On a more serious note, I wanted ya'll to know how excited we are to start this new venture. We have been working on it for a while now and are giddy with excitement (borrowing words from Armin here) and looking forward to the next couple of months.

Many great questions have been asked and hopefully answered, and I do imagine more will come. We will do our best to answer with wit and charm (of the same kind we hope to see in the posters).

Good luck to ya’ll!

It's times like this I wish I bought Fontographer.

Not a one on eBay for PC.

Honey, have you seen my tempra paints, india inks, designer gouache ???

While you're at it. Get my Prima Colored Pencils.

And, Ahhh Haaah, my Secret Weapon the Airbrush.

Where's my Artgraph Projector ???

Do I still have that Kroy Lettering Machine ???

And 48-60 point Press Type.

I just found the Bainbridge and Cresent Illustration Board.

I'm in a WAR.

Gotta show these Kids. I'm a Contender!!!!

Psssssssssst Armin, One last question. Can I create silhouette photos in photoshop. Transfer them into Illustrator and Rasterize them at 400 dpi ???

I know you said vector.

I'm transfering Raster images into Illustrator.

Get back to me please. Nobodies listening.

Nobodies listening.

Working a late night here, and this made me chuckle... outloud.

Thanks for the laugh Maven.

Maven,

Yeah, you can silhouette photos. It would be great if you could autotrace it in Photoshop and use as vector. But rasterized is OK.

> It's times like this I wish I bought Fontographer.

Fontographer? Maven, for what? You are going all out and customizing your own typeface for the poster?

What if we have a quote from a dead guy. Do we have to still get his signature?

I'm finding few quotes I like that don't require difficulty getting authorization...I'm thinking of forgery, Armin, it's a well respected craft.

Just Chiming In.

Thanks Michael.

Fontographer? Maven, for what? You are going all out and customizing your own typeface for the poster?

I've Got Something Up My Sleeve. Honestly, I procrastinated on Fontographer.

Should've had it among my arsenal.

Inspired by looking through some Vintage Type Books. Wanted to modify some type.

My Solution Deserves the Best Equipment I can Afford. Other than Manipulating My Computer.

Armin, I'm excited more than you think.

Many thanks for the save on the Silhouettes.

I'm mapping things out. Keeping everything within Specification.

> What if we have a quote from a dead guy.

Pesky, as far as I know — knock on wood — anybody who's left a comment on Speak Up is still alive.

> Armin, I'm excited more than you think.

Hmmm… I think I believe you : )

... DesignMaven's list of toys makes me a bit jealous. (poor me wants more artsy toys!...but I'm saving up to replace my depleted arsenal of Tria markers...one at a time). I can't wait to see the results. I wanna be like DesignMaven when I grow up. (Ignore the fact that I'm 22. I'm still a kid!). Alright, so I just want to visit everyone on the list, play with their supplies, and then return home covered in ink, paint and whatnot, and with a stomach full of caffiene and snitched food.

:)

... DesignMaven's list of toys makes me a bit jealous.

Where does he get those wonderful toys?

I have updated the copyright information to avoid as much confusion as possible. As I have said before (in this thread, and pretty much anywhere), we are not trying to rip you off, exploit you, belittle you or screw you over in any way. We are nice guys. I have also updated the templates, you don't have to download them again, just be aware that the applicable copyright is from the most updated templates.

But for general purposes I'd recommend downloanding the new PDF.

Thanks!

Hey all!

I am not from America. I am from Iceland. Can I still participate?

Of course!

Hello all,

Nice initiative. I haven't designed so many posters before, but I'll give it a serious try and select the best three.

@ DesignMaven: try Rasterbator. Yes, it sounds more corny than it is. ;-)

DesignMaven-Inquiring minds want to know- Where on earth do you find the space to keep your stuff? portable black holes?

Aww what the heck. If I can find time I might enter something. It'll probably suck mightily, but there's a first time for everything...

before i start, in no way am i accusing speak up of trying to pull a fast one. i hold this site in the highest regard. also, it's apparent to everyone that printing a first run of 150 is NOT a money making deal, although the clause "you grant su and v the right to reproduce it for promotional and resale uses in both web and print formats as long as necessary" makes me cringe. how long is 'necessary'? until the printer is paid off? [i realize su cannot be expected to eat the printing costs ...]

and shouldn't other 'considerations' be taken into account?

for instance, check out gag's guidelines -->> http://www.gag.org/resources/compet_rules.php

and an article by jeff fisher -->> http://creativelatitude.com/articles/articles_fisher_dcontest.html

all that work. by all those talented people. at the very least all entries should be shown somewhere. not just the final three.

just something to think about.

cat

project manager

creative latitude

dang, just read this "After the deadline, the judges will select three winning posters and a public online voting will determine the fourth winning poster."

when i first read it, seemed only the judges were seeing all posters.

although a clarification of "as long as necessary" would be handy ...

cat

Cat, sure thing, I'm happy to clarify.

> although a clarification of "as long as necessary" would be handy ...

For "as long as necessary" by no means means that we own your soul. We don't have the intentions or plans to print and sell more than 150 posters of each winning entry (that's a total of 600 posters in case that wasn't clear). If the demand is, like, totally overwhelming and we run out of posters we would like to print more without having to ask again and again for permission. If in ten years we decide to reprint, believe me we will let you know about but we will have the right to print 'em.

To say it once more: we are not looking to rip anybody off. This is not a plot to make money so I can take my wife and cats on fancy vacations. The money generated from this will feedback directly unto Speak Up for "as long as necessary".

> when i first read it, seemed only the judges were seeing all posters.

Yes, they will all be publicly viewable and available. They will be posted anonymously for the voting, and then we will add everybody's names.

> for instance, check out gag's guidelines -->>

That's an interesting read, thanks for the link. I'll re-read it tomorrow when I'm more lucid and see if I need to make any changes.

> and an article by jeff fisher -->>

For my own snobbish reasons I take what Mr Logomotive says with a grain of salt. And he is also speaking about other types of "design contests" (I love how he puts that in quotes). As was the case with the T-shirt competition in a similar discussion, I am very much capable of designing Speak Up T-shirts, posters, coffee mugs and fanny packs, I don't need to hold "design contests" to get some good work done. We do it, because it's fun. I think. If it's not fun, don't participate — not you personally cat, just sayin' in general.

Anyhoo, that's what I think.

armin,

no need to clarify the point about ripping anyone off. as i mentioned before "in no way am i accusing speak up of trying to pull a fast one. i hold this site in the highest regard. also, it's apparent to everyone that printing a first run of 150 is NOT a money making deal"

But Armin, what if I want my soul for some off-chance purpose? Can I rent my soul back, or get special soul visiting hours?