Words and images communicate thoughts, messages, ideas, whether in the printed media or on electronic screens. But, despite the ubiquitous adage that one picture is worth a thousand words, we believe that words truly convey the nucleus of a thought. And letterforms, be they typographic or calligraphic, make such thoughts visible.
Today's typography is a curious mixture of art, design, tradition, psychology and -- more than ever -- technology. And that technical realm has turned exceedingly "democratic" since the computer has taken it largely out of the craftsmen's arena.
Does typography have to be a subservient discipline? Is its sole purpose to transmit information without calling attention to itself? In the purely textural contents of books -- perhaps. In other printed and electronic media type and other letterforms can play a dynamic role for our emotions. Type surrounds us everywhere. It may inform, convince, persuade, excite, stimulate, interpret.
Whether your printed or electronic designs are traditional. modern, or avant garde -- as long as you believe they constitute an excellent usage of letterforms and an effective form of communication: submit them!
A portion of your entry fee will benefit the TDC Scholarship Fund.
Klaus SchmidtChairperson, TDC48
The Type Directors Club is an international organization founded in 1946 whose members include design professionals, typographic designers, and typophiles.
This year will be TDC's forty-eighth open Call for Entries in its international competition which recognizes excellence in the use of typography, calligraphy, handlettering and other letterforms.
All entries will be judged by a panel of distinguished designers in January 2002.
Winning works will be exhibited in six traveling shows and published in Typography 23, the hardbound, all-color competition annual designed by Allison Williams. The annual is published by Hearst Books International and sold worldwide.
Deadline for entries is extended to Monday, 7 January 2002. Entries must be in the TDC offices by then to be considered for the competition.
Judging will take place Saturday and Sunday, 19-20 January 2002 in New York.
Eligibility : Entries must have been produced or published during 2001. Submissions can be by anyone associated with the entry. Work designed for the TDC and by the Chairman and judges is ineligible.
No Identification of designer/submitter (e.g. business cards) may be attached to front or back of print entries, other than official Entry Forms.
Slides / Transparencies are unacceptable in any area or category.
Photographs : If the actual piece is unavailable/unmanageable (e.g. signage, displays, POP, large packaging, billboards) photographic prints 8x10 inches (20 x 25 cm) are acceptable. Photographs with more than one item are series entries.
Mounting of Entries : Entries in the Corporate ID category must be mounted on black illustration board (not Foamcore), not to exceed 14 x 22 inches (36 x 56 cm). Items may overlap.
The maximum of six selected, representative items for series pertains to the number of mounted items, not boards. Mounting in all other categories is optional. The maximum size of boards pertains to all areas and categories.
Experimental / Unpublished Work is ineligible in all areas and categories, except for Student Work.
Single Entry
Series / Campaign Entry : Two but not more than six typographically and conceptually related pieces in one category for the same event, product or subject matter, such as posters, ads, booklets, television commercials, packaging, etc.
If more than six items are submitted the Show Committee will select six representative pieces for judging. Unrelated items, e.g. different books by the same publisher or different productions by the same theater, must be submitted as single entries.
Entries may be submitted in three areas: Print, Electronic and Student Work. Series must not be mixes of Print and Electronic Media. Print entries and printed Student Work must not be in electronic form. Indicate area and category number on Entry Form.
Proofs, photostats, computer prints, slides or transparencies are unacceptable (see General Entry Rules), except where noted. Entries like signage, displays, exhibits, etc. need not have been produced by printing and can be submitted as photographic prints.
Print Categories are for identification purposes only. Judging will not be by separate categories. Therefore, do not submit the same item(s) in several categories or both as singles and series. Duplication will be eliminated by the Show Committee.
1. Advertisements and advertising Inserts
2. Annual Reports and other financial reports
3. Books
4. Book Jackets/Covers
5. Brochures and Direct Mail
6. Calendars
7. Catalogs
8. Corporate Identity : Always a series entry. Must be mounted (see mounting instructions). Not to exceed six selected, representative items, e.g. logos/trademarks, stationery, envelopes, folders, identity manuals, photographs of signage, but not posters or packaging.
9. Editorial : (magazine, newspaper, newsletter). An article covering several pages is considered a single entry. Spreads or entire articles submitted as single entries must be removed from the publication.
10. Exhibits / Displays / Point-of-Purchase / Signage / Architectural and Dimensional Design : Signage systems, exhibition booths, etc. are always series entries.
11. Logos / Trademarks / Symbols : Include firm or institution name and, if necessary, a one-sentence description on the front bottom of the entry (not on the Entry Form). Maximum size: 11 x 17 inches (28 x 43 cm). Photostats, computer prints or printed versions are acceptable.
12. Miscellaneous : including announcements, invitations, cards, menus, etc. Invitations may include response card and envelope. Additional pieces constitute a series entry.
13. Mixed Series : A printed series entry (no mix with electronic items) of two but not more than six typographically and conceptually related items pertaining to different print categories.
14. Packaging
15. Posters : including large announcements and calls for entries.
16. T-Shirts / Apparel
Typeface Design is not part of TDC48 and is a separate competition which is judged by a different jury but has the same deadline. For more information and a Call for Entries call the TDC office (212-983-6042) or see our web site: TDC2 2002 Call.
This includes TV commercials, music videos, video and film tiles/graphics, video presentations, multimedia, internet graphics and interactive computer graphics. Entries must be submitted as 1/2 inch NTSC/VHS (not PAL or SECAM) videotapes, CD-ROM, computer discs runnable on a Mac (not PC) OS, or computer prints. Winners will be asked to submit individual frames or screens as photographic or computer prints for the exhibition and the annual book. Each entry is to be submitted on a separate cassette or disc, except for series entries. Not acceptable in this category are internet addresses (there will be no internet access during judging).
Unpublished work produced by students in design classes may be submitted in proof form, e.g., computer prints, photostats, etc., but not slides or transparencies. Student work is acceptable as single or series entries (maximum of six items). A one-sentence description of the assignment and the name of the school and the instructor must be included on the front bottom of the entry, not the entry form. Any mounted work must not exceed 14 x 22 inches (36 x 56 cm).
Out of the accepted student entries, three will be selected. Their student designers will received monetary awards in the amount of $500, $300 and $200 respectively. Their work will be noted in the annual as prize winners.
Each Entry Form must indicate:
Official Entry and Payment Forms are printed on the Call. If additional forms are needed, please make same-size copies. Do not enlarge or reduce the form, and do not design your own entry form. Only information on the form is required at the time of submission. An entry form must be attached to the back of each entry, taped lightly only at the top of the form. Do not use gumming devices or double-face tape. Cut out Entry Forms (or copies thereof) along the dotted boxes.
A completely filled out Payment Form must be sent with each submission of entries (and not attached to each entry). Payment, payable to TDC48/Type Directors Club, must be submitted with entries in cash, check, US dollar travelers checks, or charged to American Express, Visa or MasterCard. Checks or money orders from all countries outside the U.S. must be drawn on a U.S. bank, payable in U.S. dollars. Payment in foreign currency, check, Eurocheck, or postal money order, even if drawn in U.S. dollars, on banks outside of the U.S.A. is unacceptable.
Winners will be charged a US$80 hanging fee for each single entry and US$130 for each series entry which will be included in the annual book and exhibition. Hanging fees are reduced for TDC members.
All entries, together with fees, and one Payment Form, must be delivered to TDC by the extended deadline of Monday, 7 January 2002, to:
TDC48/Type Directors Club
60 East 42 Street
Suite 721
New York, NY 10165-0799 USA
If more than one package is shipped, this must be indicated outside each package, e.g. "1 of 2." Packages must be delivered prepaid. Non-U.S. contestants should mark each package "Material for contest entry. No commercial value." No provision will be made by TDC for U.S. Customs or airport pickup. Any customs fees will be charged back to the entrant.
NO ENTRIES WILL BE RETURNED
For further information, please contact the TDC offices:
Phone: 212-983-6042
Fax: 212-983-6043
E-mail: director@tdc.org
web site: http://www.tdc.org
Only winners will be notified the week of January 21, 2002.
Entries selected by the jury will receive Certificates of Typographic Excellence. They will be exhibited in the 48th TDC Exhibition, and appear in Typography 23. The opening of TDC48 will be held at Parson School of Design New York City and will be on display during the summer of 2002. Winners will be asked to supply transparencies (4 x 5 in. or 10 x 12 cm) or slides of the winning entries for use in Typography 23.
Winners will also be asked to supply five additional copies of winning entries for use in exhibitions outside New York. These shows travel throughout North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Eastern Asia. Credits of individuals and firms that have contributed to each entry will be included in the exhibition and in Typography 23.
For further information, please contact the TDC offices:
TDC48 / Type Directors Club
60 East 42nd Street
Suite 721
New York, NY 10165-0799
USA
Phone: 212-983-6042
Fax: 212-983-6043
E-mail: director@tdc.org
web site: http://www.tdc.org
The Entry Forms are available here in PDF format :
If you want to save the PDF directly to disk without opening it in your browser, try:
Fill out the Call Request Form to receive a mailed printed copy of the TDC48 Call for Entries.