Got an idea?
People are inventing the future everyday.  If you’re one of them, InnovationErie Design Competition is an opportunity to take your bright idea and turn it into a reality. The competition seeks ideas that can be manufactured or created in the Erie region. Artists, inventors and thinkers are invited to submit product design or media arts concepts for a chance to win over $15,000 in cash and professional services.

Why InnovationErie.
Now in its fifth year, InnovationErie Design Competition was created to catalyze creative economic development in Northwest PA by supporting an innovative community of artists, scientists, artists, manufacturers, engineers, designers (SAM & ED).

Competition Eligibility.
Individuals, teams, and small businesses may apply. Teams and businesses must assign one point of contact for communication and administration. If you have previously participated in the Innovation Erie contest, you may participate again, but entries that were previously submitted will not be considered. Only one entry will be accepted per contestant. (Applicants do not need to reside within Northwestern Pennsylvania to apply.

Criteria & Requirements for Submissions.
PRODUCT DESIGN
MEDIA ARTS
CONTACT

Product Design

The product design must be original and conceived by the applicant or applicant’s team. The product will be evaluated on these four criteria:

• Utility/Functionaltiy. the product must have some function, usefulness;

• Aesthetic Appeal. the product should be well-designed to both look and feel "good";

• Marketability. the product must be judged by the panel to have reasonable market and manufacture viability.

Media Arts

The Media Arts concepts may include, but are not limited to, animated works, new app ideas, online publishing ideas, web and video design, unique online art sales ideas, and photographic concepts. All media arts ideas must be original and conceived by the applicant or applicant’s team. It must have a useful function that incorporates an innovative approach or technique. The concept will be evaluated on these three criteria:

• Aesthetics. the concept should be well-designed, visually and technically.

• Production at the STARTup Incubator in Edinboro, Pennsylvania is required. Applicants are encouraged to submit all ideas; the panel can determine if the proposed concept can be produced at the StARTup Incubator.

• Marketability. the concept must be judged by the panel to have reasonable market viability.

Schedule.

• Entry deadline: midnight, Friday, May 31, 2013.

• Semi-finalists’ products will be exhibited at the Erie Art Museum in July 2013.

• Other deadlines and dates are TBA. Applicants will be contacted directly as they are finalized.

Semi-finalists.

Submissions will be judged by an InnovationErie Design Competition panel of judges, utilizing criteria shown below, to select fifteen semi-finalists who will move on to the next round of competition. All semi-finalists’ entries will be exhibited for public display at the Erie Art Museum and will be asked to submit presentation quality designs for exhibition. Acceptable exhibition materials include drawings, print-outs, photographs, CAD renderings, models, prototypes, or anything that may help explain the proposed product design/media arts concept. Entrants submitting audio-visual materials for the exhibition must provide their own equipment. Semi-finalists should present their ideas in a way which will attract and interest gallery visitors. (more visual and less narrative is generally preferred). While the Erie Art Museum will do its best to accommodate submissions, the Erie Art Museum reserves the right to modify any submitted materials for space and aesthetics considerations.

Finalists.

The top four finalists will be given 10 minutes to present their ideas to InnovationErie Design Competition panel of judges and will have an additional 10 minutes for question and answer. Finalists will be contacted directly and provided specific details regarding their presentations.