Design 21: Social Design Network

I commend Haruko Smith and the Design21 team for finding a solution that I think is the best option since the inconclusive outcome of the logo competition.

Selecting several Judges Picks was a great idea. We can't call these 'winners' in the fullest sense of the word, but these are what the judges feel are the best choices and are getting recognition from Design21.

I was pretty shocked to see my design was one of the five Judges Picks, to say the least.

I was also very pleased and humbled by this turn of events. Especially after having voiced my not-so-pleased opinions about the competition results earlier, it seems even more ironic!

I wonder if any other entrants and finalists agree that Design21 came up with the best 'consolation' fix for this competition and if that changes any attitudes about entering future Design21 competitions?

I was not sure I'd enter another competition from Design21 after the original outcome, but I think that subsequent to that, the team has handled it very diplomatically and proved to be able to bring this competition to a satisfactory outcome. I'd probably change my mind about entering future competitions and renew my trust in Design21. I think the team has proven very worthy in a difficult situation, which only boosts my opinion about Design21.

If you really respect the non-finalist designer's work, than it would be only right that the organization who benefits from this mark, to compensate the designer.

If Design21 can't ethically award this designer with the $5000 award, at least the beneficiaries should provide some financial compensation. It's unfair to use this designer's mark without any compensation besides some publicity - even if the designer agrees that would be satisfactory. That, would indeed be unethical and taking advantage of the designer.

I'd like to know if the designer will get paid, at least in the traditional sense of getting 'hired'.

Such a high-profile competition ended in an embarrassing way for those who organized and were part of the decision-making groups.

Could it be that not one of the finalists were good enough to represent the festival? I saw several that were definitely noteworthy, and the jury must have thought so, too.

Most of all, the jury which was comprised of top-level international designers, were implicitly insulted by having their finalist choices completely dismissed by the decision-making committees in favor of a non-finalist selection.

We wrote about it here: http://reubenmiller.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/12/no-winning-logo.html

Still, I'm curious about what design was so enthralling that it was chosen over all others and will be representing the event. Also, I'd like to see that the selected designer should be compensated with as much publicity and money as the competition would have provided to a true winner. After all, this designer did something that pleased the clients for this project and should be rewarded as much as any winner.