Each year, JANUS et Cie will designate a “champion” of the student design competition—someone who represents the best of advocacy in the given discipline for that year’s theme.

We are pleased to announce 2021’s champion: Olivia Bloomfield.

At just nine years old, Olivia is already an ambassador, a teacher, and a mentor, advocating for equity for all ranges of physical ability, which includes her activism with children’s charity Variety KC. In 2019, Olivia’s Playground was established in Salina, Kansas, providing an accessible space for Olivia to play in her motorized wheelchair among her friends and peers.

With her drive and passion for inclusivity, we are honored to name Olivia as the first esteemed Student Design Competition Champion for JANUS et Cie.

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to US and international junior- and senior-level design students (or those in their final two years of a design program). Only individual submissions will be accepted (no group or team projects). There is no fee to participate in the competition.

PRIZES

Grand Prize (1)
$3,000 awarded to the student
$3,000 awarded to the school’s design program

Finalist Prizes (3)
$1,500 awarded for each student
$1,500 awarded to each school’s design program

JURY

The 2021 competition is characterized by an international jury representing some of the most forward-thinking minds across disciplines in the design world. Throughout the course of the competition, these leaders will be conducting online master classes on various topics relevant to the competition.

KEY DATES

• December 2021: All student submissions are due by 6PM Eastern Time
• February 2022: Judges review submissions
• March 2022: Finalists are announced
• June 13, 2022: Grand prize winner is announced at NeoCon

SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

Each submission should be comprised of sketches, renderings, scenario and storyboard, and a video narration, with optional images of scale models and prototypes. Submissions should include two separate files: 1 PDF of sketches, renderings, storyboard, photos, etc. and 1 video file in MP4 format (file size not to exceed 100 MB).

COMPETITION CONTACT

Questions can be sent to Aubrey Williams at awilliams@janusetcie.com.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Sketches
• Informal sketches that explore form and function in the infancy of a concept. Crude sketches are encouraged to show the thought process. Quickly communicate thoughts through the simple line-work in Thumbnail, Rapid Visualization, or Napkin Sketch. Mind maps, notes, and annotations are strongly encouraged. Include annotations that effectively communicate features and supporting images.

Renderings
• Clearly defined proposal produced by controlled sketching with use of color and tone to convey form. Include Layout renderings, defining the product and proposals as a third angle orthographic projection with precise line and color. Can be done by hand or 3D software.

Scenario and Storyboard
• Describe interaction between product and end user in the appropriate environment. Communicate the interaction and user experience in a human-centered way. Description of a possible, imagined and projected sequence of events.

Video Narration
• Submit a recorded video explaining the thought process behind and concept of your product. This can be done using a phone or computer, and should not exceed two (2) minutes. The video should be submitted in MP4 file format, and the file size should not exceed 20 MB.

Optional: Scale Models and Prototypes
• From cardboard, clay, balsa wood, to 3D printing, scale prototypes in any medium are accepted. Please submit photographs of your scale model or prototype. Finalists may be asked to make their physical model available for judging.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Please send your submissions to Aubrey Williams at awilliams@janusetcie.com via Box, Dropbox, WeTransfer, or other file sharing service.

Submissions should include two separate files: 1 PDF of sketches, renderings, storyboard, photos, etc. and 1 video file in MP4 format (file size not to exceed 100 MB). Please include your full name, the name of your school, and your email address on all submitted documents.

Who can submit to JANUS et Cie’s 2021 student design competition?
The competition is open to US and international junior- and senior-level design students (or those in their final two years of a design program).

Can I submit a project with a team or group?
Only individual submissions will be accepted (no group or team projects).

What is the cost to submit my project?
There is no fee to participate in the competition.

When are submissions due?
All submissions are due by 6pm Eastern Time on December __, 2021. No late submissions will be accepted.

What if I have more questions?
Please email Aubrey Williams at awilliams@janusetcie.com with any additional questions.