Contest coming up
I hereby announce that I'm planning to host a large-scale contest for open source website templates during the next couple of months. I have been planning this for a pretty long time, but I have kept quiet in case I would get lazy and change my mind. Well, I won't, so I can tell you about it now! Here is the general idea:
In a few weeks, a new website will be launched for the contest. This site will be online for a few weeks before the actual contest starts in order to establish the rules, the different contest categories and the purpose of the contest. Entries will be accepted over a period of one month. The entries does not need to be new and unreleased. Designers can submit their most successful template, even if it is a year old - as long as it follows the submission rules that will be posted on the site. The submission rules will be very similar to those on OpenWebDesign and OSWD.org (validated designs, no scripting, no images with text and so on). One entry per designer will be accepted.
Once the deadline is reached, a number of judges will pick out the winners for each contest category. The judging will be given one week, and then the results will be presented on the site. The templates will of course also be available on the site, along with other related content such as tutorials and articles. The contest will run independently from all the template sites, but at the same time it will be held in a close co-operation with the established open source template scene since the idea behind all this is to promote the whole concept of open source web design - and the people who work hard to provide it to the world (both designers and webmasters). This means that all designers and all sites that support the contest will get a whole lot of attention back.
The contest will be a non-commercial online event, but there will of course still be great prizes (sponsored and donated) to win in the different contest categories. I will soon start looking for sponsors for the prizes, but even before I do that I can promise that the prizes will be well worth fighting for. I have $500 in the prize pot already, even before the sponsor search has begun. I will also need judges and people that can help me with the admin work, but I will let you all know when I am ready to get working with that part.
Think this will work out? I think it will be great.
Comments
Comment from Luka Cvrk
Time: March 27, 2006, 4:24 pm
Can't wait :)
Comment from Bruno
Time: March 27, 2006, 5:37 pm
This will totally rock! Can't wait to help you with something and to see the designs
Comment from arwen54
Time: March 27, 2006, 7:18 pm
Way to go, Andreas! I'm looking forward to this…
:)
Comment from Chris
Time: March 27, 2006, 8:51 pm
When you announce the winners will you include feedback on why you picked that particular design as well as giving the designers prizes?
Sometimes, feedback can be just as good as money.
Comment from Andreas
Time: March 27, 2006, 9:02 pm
There will be detailed reviews, not only of the category winners but of the top 5-or so best templates in each category. And the reviews will not only come from me, but from a number of very skilled judges. And as if that is not enough, the contest site will double-up as a template review site once the contest is over. As I said, it will be a lot of work, but it will be a good promo project for the open source template scene. =)
Comment from August
Time: March 27, 2006, 10:12 pm
I think this is a great idea. if I can help just let me know.
Comment from jim
Time: March 27, 2006, 11:58 pm
let me know if i can help with anything
Comment from Carl Galloway
Time: March 28, 2006, 12:46 am
I too would like to help you in whatever capacity you feel needs doing. There can never be enough open source templates.
Also, are designers of all capabilities able to compete. I would love to create an entry if there will be a category for amateurs.
Comment from fajar
Time: March 28, 2006, 7:02 am
wow great idea andreas, will love to see the great creations from the designer success for you andreas..keep going..
Comment from James Morris
Time: March 28, 2006, 9:07 pm
Excellent idea! If you need any assistance, I would love to help.
Keep up the great work!
James
Comment from ubik
Time: March 30, 2006, 12:13 pm
sounds good. an event to remember.. lol make some flyers.
Comment from Sadish
Time: March 27, 2006, 3:09 pm
Good.
It does not hurt having one more contest to bring out the good designs.
In case you find a shortage for judges, I am sure you know my contact information ;)
Thanks
Sadish