14 Comments

Jesus - It's "ArtBeat" all over again. Well done to Abi, Laura and David for spending more than 10 mins on their witty and inventive entries - I really like the 'Bee'.

CR what were you thinking awarding the others any merit? A scanned in carpet, art-attack rip off and wiggly pencil - were you short on entries?
grafikroom
2010-03-05 14:15:57

Im sorry to say, but I totally agree with grafikroom. I hate to be negative but this 'aint too hot.
Charlie
2010-03-05 16:20:34

The wiggly pencil 'look how ironically bad I am' look is massively popular amongst illustration students. Glad most designers realise its crap.
Ben
2010-03-05 16:33:22

Disappointing
Doug Kerr
2010-03-05 16:47:10

can't believe my entry didn't make it, where the judges wearing blindfolds or playing pin the illustration, bad choices on this one guys and girls
Oliver Jeffers
2010-03-06 09:10:11

that'll be my ticket to see Oliver Jeffers express an opinion going in the bin.
david janes
2010-03-06 16:38:42

I wish I'd seen the whole set of entries, as these cannot be the best of the bunch.
I think the architectural and aerial view logos are nice ideas but not the best execution. I'm afraid to say that the 'card and carpet' does appear to be a refined concept or design. Come on Creative Review!
Zanny Mellor
2010-03-15 12:42:09

im so gutted you rejected my logo design, i thought it was sublime
leonardo davinci
2010-03-26 16:26:21

Dear Oliver Jeffers, your books are by far my daughters favourite story books, second only to the stories I make up for her. I too absolutely love your books and your illustration style. But I'm slightly agog at the arrogance you seem to be displaying by condemning the judges selection on the basis that you should have been picked. May I suggest you ask Creative Review nicely to remove your sour grapes? They really don't cast you in a positive light.

* Has second thoughts about Oliver Jeffers.
Tim Spencer
2010-03-26 18:08:49

Got to agree. These are really weak. Poorly executed indeed. How were they judged? This seems to be happening lots in illustration competitions I've seen. Only awful entries get through. What's the deal?
Jimmy
2010-04-06 15:18:46

are any of u people that are saying the work is rubbish professionals? u dont sound like it, constructive criticism is fair enough but u are just ripping the work to bits n being nasty, like school yard bullies. shame on u. i agree with tim, sour grapes!

also, would like to say to creative review that your entry fees are very expensive, would have liked to enter my work but couldnt afford to as i am out of work at the moment :o(
Leila Parker
2010-04-19 13:58:12

Leila, if you're not aware of it already OIliver Jeffers is a professional illustrator of considerable experience. The others I can't speak for, but the purpose of a forum/comments board is to express an opinion, and they've done exactly that (and, as I tell my occasional students, not in text-speak - always casts you in a bad light Leila and worth bearing in mind for future public posts!)

I happen to agree with you though that CR should not have charged for entry, or at least charged merely a token sum; for those who didn't 'get in' it's a complete and utter waste of money. Professionals willingly pay for guaranteed advertising space - for example a page in a directory - or paying to enter a competition where the fees go toward supporting a good cause - the AOI's annual competition's a good example of this. An obviously, there's a healthy martydom associated with paying to enter D&AD! Students and beginners are equally willing to spend time on an entry, either creating or preparing, but are less likely to have the cash, and some of the best work, as CR will be aware, can be lurking among those who've not yet become one of the 'usual suspects'.

I don't think it's sour grapes expressed here - I too laughed at a couple of the logos, loved others - but I'm way too long in the tooth to be bothered by non-selection. It's part of the game and besides, I don't rely on the odd competition (for that's actually what it was after all) to maintain my career - I do that, like most other professionals, through a series of shows, events, promotion etc. across a very wide range of methods. Anyone who entered thinking this would be a career-maker would be well served to be gently reminded of that.

I love the bees, but I won't rush to see who's in the annual, as I tend to find creative inspiration outside annuals and books. But I've been a judge myself, and being on the other side of the process is an extremely difficult thing to do. That 'what? my dog could do better than that and he's blind!' response is what keeps the discussion going and the world turning. What's art without controversy?
Sarah J Coleman
2010-07-05 14:08:08

You can still see the pencil lines on the squigly line drawing one.
Dan Almonds
2010-07-07 15:45:36

Maybe Jeffers should stop moaning, stop copying Sara Fannelli... and then he'll maybe win something without his Dad paying for the privilege :)
Imogen
2010-07-12 21:54:32

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