Bolt of Cloth Textile Design Award Brief
COULD YOU BE NEXT?
Thank you for showing interest in our textile design competition. Entries for 2023 are now open!
The Bolt of Cloth Textile Design Award was set up in 2013 with the aim of supporting talented creatives to get their designs into the marketplace. The competition is open to all NZ residents.
The Winner for 2023 will get the opportunity to work with Bolt of Cloth to sell their designs as cushion covers. Bolt of Cloth will arrange all the elements of production, with the winner receiving a commission per item. In addition, the winner will be featured in Your Home and Garden magazine.
This year we will also be inviting up to 4 other finalists/entrants the opportunity to have a design produced and available in-store.
This year's award will be judged by Suzannah Tonascia, Owner of Bolt of Cloth and Fiona Hawtin, Editor of Your Home & Garden magazine.
There is also a People's Choice Award. All finalists are automatically entered for this, with the voting taking place on Facebook and via email from our customer base.
2023 Brief:
Bolt of Cloth is all about helping people bring colour and personality to their place so they love being home. The winning designs will be:
- Fresh and original
- Suitable for cushion covers
- Fit the Bolt of Cloth aesthetic and appeal to our customers.
Please see below instructions for applying:
- Send your designs to us in a PDF or JPEG format. Showcasing an edited collection of your own designs which would be suitable to be printed on a cushion cover. Ideally they will need to complement each other to form a collection. It is helpful to present designs in multiple colourways and think how you can vary them (e.g. playing with scale). Please present your entry clearly, in a way that is concise and well edited, such as a pdf document.
- Your design can be hand drawn and digitally scanned or created using computer software e.g. Illustrator or photoshop. This can be attached via an email or drop box if the file size is too large.
- Please give your collection a name and include a brief outline, explaining where your inspiration has come from, why you think our customers would love your designs and mentioning the process you went through to develop them.
- The competition closes 31st August 2023 at Midnight NZDT. Please email your application to Hailey online@boltofcloth.com including your full name, address & telephone number. Include a link to your website/social media if you have one.
- Once we have reviewed the designs, we will let you know if you have been shortlisted. The shortlisted designs will be shown on Facebook for voting for the People’s Choice Award.
- We will aim to announce the winner of the Textile Design Competition 2023 in early September. We will then work with you to finalise your cushion collection for production.
FAQ
Can I enter with more than one design?
Yes, but we find that a refined viewpoint is more impactful. Varying colour ways & scales of the design you most love is helpful. We recommend you keep the amount of designs you enter to no more than 12.
What is the deadline for entries?
All entries must be received by 31st August 2023 at Midnight (NZDT).
Are there any other conditions to enter?
Yes – by entering you agree to have your design posted on Facebook where the public can vote for their favourite design. The winner of the People's Choice voting will receive a $200 Bolt of Cloth Gift Voucher and the kudos of being the People's Choice. Please note this is separate from the winner of the Textile Design Competition. The winner of the overall award needs to ensure they are available to to work with us to get their design to market prior to Christmas.
Who has the rights to my designs after the competition?
You do. Bolt of Cloth requests that the winner limits the use of their design to the printed cushion collection while that is sold in store (usually one year). After that, you are free to sell/use the design for other purposes. We love seeing our winners going on to work with other production houses.
How are the entries judged?
The person who wins the 2023 Award will present designs that have something unique & will appeal to the Bolt of Cloth customer. The entries for 2023 will be shortlisted by the Bolt of Cloth team with the final winner chosen by Suzannah Tonascia, owner of Bolt of Cloth, alongside guest judge Fiona Hawtin, Editor of Your Home and Garden magazine.
Who can enter?
Any New Zealand resident can enter.
I have entered in previous years; can I enter again?
Yes you can. Previous winners are not eligible to enter again.
What’s the Prize?
The winning designer will work with Bolt of Cloth to launch a cushion collection suitable for sale in our New Zealand store & online. You will receive commission of $15 per metre of fabric printed to make the cushions. You will be featured in a Bolt of Cloth newsletter, social media and in Your Home and Garden magazine. Your designs will be in homes around New Zealand, credited to you as the designer on our website, and you will of course receive 1 of each cushion cover. You retain the rights to your design.
There will also be 1 winner of the People’s Choice Award, who will be chosen by our followers on Facebook. They will receive a Bolt of Cloth $200 NZD online Gift Voucher.
Need inspiration? Head in-store or browse our cushions online to get a feel for our current range. But remember, we are looking for something unique. We look forward to seeing your work. GOOD LUCK!