NATIONAL DIGITAL DESIGN COMPETITION LAUNCHED

CUTTING edge arts and media technology is to be the business of Angus Digital Media Centre (ADMC) and the company is looking for a visual identity to match.

A national design competition has been launched to find the visual brand that will reflect the creative and technological uniqueness of ADMC, with a £1,000 cash prize for the winner.

Students, professional designers and amateurs are all invited to enter the competition, which will provide ADMC with a distinctive visual identity to launch the facility onto the market in September and increase its recognition with potential clients in the long term.

Judges for the competition have been drawn from the media, arts and design sectors and represent those working at the forefront of Scotland's creative industries.

James Holloway, the director of the National Portrait Gallery and chair of the judging panel said the creation of the visual identity of ADMC offered a challenging opportunity to those involved in media and design.

"ADMC is going to be at the cutting edge of digital arts and media. The creation of an identity that reflects this will play a large part in communicating its existence and purpose to potential clients.

"We're inviting submissions for this challenging brief from across the country, which again helps to spread the word about this exciting new facility for Scotland. Along with the other judges I am delighted to be involved with this phase of the project, and I am sure the contest will attract the highest calibre of entry."

The judging panel comprises James Holloway in the chair, Sharon Taggart of The Lighthouse in Glasgow, Professor Brent MacGregor, Head of School of Visual Communication, Edinburgh College of Art, Scott Donaldson, Scottish Screen's Education Officer and Lindsay Gordon of the Peacock Gallery in Aberdeen.

The £0.5m digital-media centre, funded by Angus Council with £165K support from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund, will be the most accessible and advanced media centre in Scotland when it opens in September and is set to be the flagship of the new Brechin Business Park.

ADMC will be open to everyone from primary age children to elite artists and commercial practitioners, providing facilities and training in all areas of digital media, including video, animation, multi-media, web design, photography, music recording, sound design, computer graphics, illustration and DTP. The centre will also host exhibitions and events.

The winning logo design will be used on letterheads, signage and advertising as well as on film credits and the Internet. Designers are therefore being asked to present their logo in a variety of ways and formats, including designs for 3D animation.

Those interested in entering the ADMC logo design competition should call 01307 473750 for an entry form and competition rules. Information and entry forms will be available online shortly at www.angus.gov.uk/admc. The closing date for entries is Friday 29 June 2001.

ENDS