Design Annuals?

[bmethe]

Worth the time entering work? Which are the best to submit to? Anyone wish to share experiences good or bad? Wondering if I should take the time and make the investment.

[Dan Black]

We submitted a ton of stuff to Print back in 2006 or 2007. We did the thing where you pay the blanket fee to just submit as much stuff as you want...we got four things in there, but I don't know if anything ever came of it aside from feeling slightly validated somehow. Nobody ever came to us being all "I saw your work in the Print Regional Design Annual" or anything, but I'm glad we sent it in nonetheless. I guess this isn't a good or bad experience story...I feel like it's probably about as neutral as it can get. Sorry if that doesn't help you out at all...

[HYNES]

I send the award certificates to my mom, in reality it seems like she's one who cares about that stuff. It hasnt really made a difference otherwise. If your parents thought you were an idiot for pursuing a career in design or cartoonery then its worth it. If not, then its a waste of money - pay-with-a-1%-chance to play.
Theres a couple of tricks to submitting but I think the annuals have outgrown their fascination with gigposters, A couple of years ago it was hot and you had a pretty good shot but based on the 2010 commarts annual I think there was only 2 gigposters represented, one of mine and i think an AA poster- Then they make you buy copies to send to your mom. Either way its pretty much a rip off but you can tell everyone who submitted an annual report that they suck and you rule.

[RichieGoodtimes]

This bullshit was pretty important before the internet, when art directors and potential clients didn't have any other way to see who was out there, but you know...there's an internet now, and anybody with a computer and the google can find a website like this one and some others and find a designer that suits their needs to attempt to pay poorly.

Waste of fucking money, unless you like paying for a false sense of validity.

[HYNES]

I'm surprised at myself, i cant believe I used cartoonery and design in the same sentence you fucking inkblotters...

[slater]

I had several pieces in Print's Design Annual for three straight years ( 2006-2008 ) and didn't get so much as a single job inquiry from it. For some reason I thought work would really start rolling in if I got into magazines like Print or CA...

I did feel some validation at the time and don't regret doing it at all... and I like looking at those magazines when I'm in a bookstore that carries them. So it's all good, didn't want to come off as sour. Just sharing my experience.

[philaarts.com]

todd pays me now to tell him his stuff is good.. im cheap 10 bux per complement.

and i have gotten todd paying gigs..

[JustinHelton]

Does that mean i have to start paying for your approval Dave?

[philaarts.com]

i take paypal

[bmethe]

i appreciate the replies. think I'll hold off.