Asking Youth First

In the past, much of our focus has gone toward the Call For Entries and judging process. As we talked about improving the third season, we realized how much we didn’t know about the youth perspective or what messages they wanted to see in the posters they received. We quickly decided that to have more impact (a fundamental goal of Season Three) we needed to incorporate the youth perspective from the very beginning of our season.

A Restructured Season

Our third season will start with an “Engaging Youth” period. We will work with teenagers/young adults to craft a theme and give them the first opportunity to share their opinions. From there, we will engage the creative community to be “collaborators” and translate youth-generated content (speeches, poems, videos, drawings, etc…) into engaging and impactful posters.

Additionally we will increase outreach to engage independent artists, design agencies and organizations to form a strong community of poster submissions. These efforts will culminate in a one-day “Poster Summit” where designers, youth from surrounding communities, and professionals working in youth services will share their views on youth issues and the future of art and design.

Adjusting our Timeline

What was formally known as our Call For Entries period will not take place in the fall. Instead, a Call for Collaborators will open in spring of 2013. With this adjusted timeline, we will make sure to announce all the important information in advance (and for those of you operating on a academic calendar, we will make sure not to conflict with your finals)!

Top 10 Finalists

Different is Good by Stephen Bramwell	Collaborate by Phil Pham
Dust by Lindsay Henry	Point of View by Dan Shin
Smile by Lisa Wallace	9 Ways by Jacob Fletcher
It Doesn’t Matter… by Matt Hunsberger	Be a Lamp or a Lifeboat… by Olivea Pearl Kelly
Destination by Joseph Alessio	Free Your Mind by Brigid Griffin

Staff Picks

As we watched entries come in, there were a few we grew to love. Although they got eliminated early in the process, we’d like to tip our hat to a few of our favorites and say good job guys!

• Home is Where the Heart Is by Silvi Naci
• Sail the Sea That’s in Between by Andrew Smith
• Not Magic by Megan Bergman
• Life is Too Short by Haley Querro
• Find Passion by Hillary Cribben

Preparation for the Poster Show began Friday evening, where Team Say Something gathered at the Fourth Wall Gallery to plan the next day’s event and frame some finalist posters. Framing was painstaking work, as we wanted to take every measure possible to ensure our finalist’s posters were displayed as best as possible.

Preparing the posters was a big job and we wrapped up a bit after midnight, tired but pleased with the fact that we wouldn’t have to see a frame again for another year (or a couple of weeks for those of us unlucky enough to have to do the job again for our LA show).

Saturday prep started bright and early, and we immediately got to work tidying up, organizing supply runs, and planning the order of events up to the start of the show at 7:25pm. This year, Joe Morris of Joem Design was kind enough to volunteer his services and create a beautiful hanging sign reminiscent of the posters we were working so hard to get up on the walls. The sign was impressive, and took a good amount of brains, time and effort to assemble and install.

Click here for the non-Flash version of our event photo gallery.

 The day was spent with volunteers running around, hanging frames, cleaning the gallery, going out on food and supply runs, and other thankless tasks. We absolutely could not have done it without them. We were completely ready when 7:25pm rolled around, with plenty of High & Mighty Beer to hand out and VitaminWater coolers set up around the gallery to keep our voters and finalists plenty hydrated.

 This year we also started a new poster category called, “Staff Picks.” This is a group of 5 posters that Team Say Something loved so much, we wanted to share them with the Say Something community despite having not made it to the Top 25. While they are no longer in the competition or eligible for the prizes, we thought they were definitely worthy to be displayed at the gallery events.

 One of the most popular features of the night was the exhibition by guest contributors, MIT Media Lab’s High-Low Tech Group. Their interactive paper-based designs delighted and surprised the crowds, and we look forward to seeing more of their engaging work at their website.

 The crowds steadily flowed in for the hours. Plenty had RSVP’d, but many had just come in off the street, attracted by the gorgeous artwork and the smell of free snacks and beer. The votes came in continuously all night, and by the time 11:25 rolled around we had collected hundreds of votes. And here we are, the moment of truth: the Boston semi-finalists.

Note that while all Top 25 semi-finalists will receive a printed copy of their poster as a prize for their hard work and skill, only the Top 10 Finalists (determined by the cumulative votes of both our Boston and LA shows) will receive the grand prize packages made up of publication subscriptions, design-related books, and stock photography sets (for more information see our Call-for-Entries).

The Boston Top “10″

And so, the Boston event votes have been tabulated. This year we had a 2-way tie for 10th place, so we have below (in no particular order) the Boston Top 11 semi-finalists:

Smile by Lisa Wallace
Grow by Gabrielle Kozera
Different is Good by Stephen Bramwell
Keep the Momentum by Chris Piascik
Dust by Lindsay Henry
Destination by Joseph Alessio
Collaboration by Phil Pham
Be a Lamp or a Lifeboat or a Ladder by Olivea Pearl Kelly
Point of View by Dan Shin
9 Ways by Jacob Fletcher
Free Your Mind by Brigid Griffin

We congratulate the Boston Top 11 and look forward to seeing which posters the voters of Los Angeles believe belong among the Season 2 Finalists.

We believe posters can make the world a better place. Here’s how:

EVENT DATES

Boston: Saturday February 25, 2012 @ Fourth Wall Gallery. 7:25pm – 11:25pm
RSVP here: http://thepostershow2012bos.eventbrite.com/

Los Angeles: Thursday March 8^th, 2012 @ Think Tank Gallery. 7:25pm – 11:25pm
RSVP here: http://thepostershow2012la.eventbrite.com/

TICKETS

Admission is FREE. RSVP is required. If you are unable to RSVP prior to the event, admission at the door is available but subject to capacity. i.e. Get there early!

GUEST EXHIBITOR: HIGH-LOW TECH GROUP, MIT MEDIA LAB

In addition to the Top 25 posters, we have invited a guest exhibiter to join our gallery show and create an installation that responds to the theme of this year’s Call-for-Entries, “This Way Forward.” MIT Media Lab’s High-Low Tech Group will share their own unique approach on communicating a positive message. 

Learn more: http://hlt.media.mit.edu/

MUSIC EXPERIENCE BY: EMUZE

To help celebrate the Top 25 posters, EMUZE has created a multi-DJ music experience. EMUZE has invited local DJs to each spin their favorite tracks for 25 minutes. Stay tuned as we announce who will make guest appearances and blaze the turntables.

Learn more: www.emuzemanagement.com

SPONSORED BY: VITAMINWATER

VitaminWater will hydrate you as you meet interesting new people and decide the Top 10 finalists for season 2. This unique experience would not be possible without the amazing support of an “out-of-the-bottle” beverage company.

Learn more: www.vitaminwater.com

Follow Your Inner Moonlight by Lauren French
Be the Change by Lou Medel
It’s in Your Hands by Hal Hinostroza
Different is Good by Stephen Bramwell
Collaborate by Phil Pham
Be Here Now by Alan Auger
Rise Above ‘Limitations’ by Justin Notke
Master Plan by Lauren Dickens
Be a Lamp or a Lifeboat or a Ladder by Olivea Pearl Kelly
Grow by Gabrielle Kozera
Destination by Joseph Alessio
Free Your Mind by Brigid Griffin
Keep the Momentum by Chris Piascik
Videolution by Jonathan Vizcuña
Everybody’s Human by Hunter Langston
Dust by Lindsay Henry
Hope Sustains Life by Adalis Martinez
Point of View by Dan Shin
Eat More Fruit by Mads Saeloen
It Doesn’t Matter How Slow You Go, As Long As You Don’t Stop by Matt Hunsberger
9 Ways Jacob Fletcher
For All the Haters by Ryan Pereira
Shape Your Ideas/Don’t Underestimate Them by Javier Fuentes
The More You Try, The More You See by Amber Vittoria
Smile by Lisa Wallace

You can also view these posters in the Top 25 Gallery.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who submitted. Your creativity and hard work is unparalleled. We tip our hats to you and say Thank You for using design to make the world a better place.

Now the fun begins! Join us at our Poster Shows for live event voting to determine the top 10 winners plus a variety of unique experiences that make our Poster Show an event like none other.

RSVP will open soon!

Save the date

Boston Poster Show
Date: Saturday February 25th, 2012
Location: Fourthwall Project Gallery

LA Poster Show
Date: Thursday March 8th, 2012
Location: Think Tank Gallery

Volunteers

We welcome volunteers and creative collaborators to help make The Poster Show an amazing experience. Please feel free to reach out to us at saysomethingposters@gmail.com and let us know your expertise and availability.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at our events!

Four esteemed judges, including representatives from the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club of Boston, came together to decide which 25 of the top 100 posters would make up our semi-finalists group and ultimately be donated to our season 2 non-profit beneficiary: The Blue Hills Boys and Girls Club of Boston.

The first pass of judging began with all 100 posters set out across 10 tables. Judges had the opportunity to vote for as many posters as they liked by dropping a marble in a cup next to each poster. Posters that received a marble remained on the table for further considerations while posters that did not receive a marble from any of the judges were eliminated.

The second pass was much more grueling. The judges were almost too ruthless with their decisions, narrowing down the chosen posters to only 15. In order to get to the magic number of 25, the chosen 15 posters were set aside while the previously eliminated posters were placed back on the table for additional review. After an hour of in-depth debate, the judges unanimously agreed upon 10 more posters which brought the total to 25 as required.

Throughout the judging day, a select group of local contestants were given the opportunity to witness the judging process. The group made up our Peanut Gallery and actively took notes and photographic accounts of the process. They documented not only what went on, but also their feelings throughout the event. We look forward to seeing what they came up with to represent their experience!

The Top 25 posters will be announced to the public on January 25.

Check out our Poster Show events below for the chance to see these posters up close and personal, and vote your favorites in to the Top 10!

Boston Poster Show
Date: Saturday February 25, 2012
Location: Fourthwall Project Gallery 

LA Poster Show
Date: Thursday March 8, 2012
Location: Think Tank Gallery

For those of you who did not make the Top 100, you still have a voice in the competition. There will be live voting at our Poster Show events to determine the Top 10 finalists. Mark your calendars!

Save the date:

Boston Poster Show
Date: Saturday February 25th, 2012
Location: Fourthwall Project Gallery

LA Poster Show
Date: Thursday March 8th, 2012
Location: Think Tank Gallery

Once again, thank you for participating and we look forward to seeing you at our events!

Top 100 Posters

1.         Believe in Something by Danny Jacobs
2.         Without Heart There Is No Hope by Kaitlin Murray
3.         Videolution by Jonathan Vizcuña
4.         Life Is Too Short by Haley Querro
5.         Everybody’s Human by Hunter Langston
6.         Knowledge and Humility by Ruben Ramen
7.         Explore by Melinda Collins
8.         For All the Haters by Ryan Pereira
9.         The Sky’s The Limit by Sarah Stephens
10.       Free Your Mind by Brigid Griffin
11.       Follow your inner moonlight by Lauren French
12.       The World is Wider Than Your View of it by Elisa Penello & Deva Pardue
13.       Home is Where the Heart Is by Silvi Naci
14.       Smile by Lisa Wallace
15.       Dust by Lindsay Henry
16.       Accept Not Except by Justin Prestash
17.       Abstract Art by Tony Tran
18.       Problem Solver by Brooke Schooles
19.       Go Forth and Set the World on Fire by John Emery
20.       Where do you want to go? by Leslie Goldstein
21.       You Have Lived by Erika K. Swift
22.       Destination by Joseph Alessio
23.       All You Need Is Love by Matt Gray
24.       Shape Your Ideas/Don’t Underestimate Them by Javier Fuentes
25.       The More You Try, The More You See by Amber Vittoria
26.       THE ONLY REASON FOR TIME by Mustafa Al-Qinneh, Brendan Lynch
27.       Be Bold. by Caroline Quan
28.       “Saying Something” by Micki C. w
29.       Your Time Will Come! by Justin Barber
30.       Cutting Loose by Kevin Ferrisi
31.       Obesity and Health Care by Drew Wohlberg
32.       Sail The Sea That’s In Between by Andrew Smith
33.       You can do anything, but not everything by Christine Jones
34.       Grow by Gabrielle Kozera
35.       Dinner by Amanda Sousa
36.       Renew Your World by Anson Frazier
37.       Hope Sustains Life by Adalis Martinez
38.       Backwards by Sophia Erskine
39.       Brainstormchase by Katie Gavenda
40.       Not Magic. by Megan Bergman
41.       We Can Control Ourselves by Serena Lisi Zhang
42.       Follow Your Own Star by Theresa Hawk
43.       GREED is taking over the world! by Cynthia Villalobos
44.       Thought Process by Chase Kunz
45.       Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish by Hea Eun Han
46.       be raw by Francisco J Hernandez
47.       Dare to Begin by FaithTowers
48.       Different is Good by Stephen Bramwell
49.       To Be a Master by Adrian Walsh
50.       Be Yourself by Olivia D’Angelo
51.       be a lamp or a lifeboat or a ladder by Olivea Pearl Kelly
52.       Grow by Elizabeth Atlas Winberg
53.       Choose Your Own Path by David Copestakes
54.       FIND PASSION. By Hillary Cribben
55.       Learn to Dance in the Rain! by Michelle McCoy
56.       Master Plan by Lauren Dickens
57.       Point of View by Dan Shin
58.       Make a Difference by Christine Cogswell
59.       Why Not Today? by Brad Woodard
60.       Dream Awake by Chase Kunz
61.       Live & Love by Nate Marsden
62.       You Only Have One Life by William Bottini
63.       Rise Above ‘Limitations’ by Justin Nottke
64.       Key to the World by Joe Filleti
65.       Make Your Mark by Patrick Gorman
66.       Focus by Jessica Wolski
67.       There are no villains… by Patrick Kim
68.       Give by Pavithra Viswanathan
69.       9 Ways by Jacob Fletcher
70.       Fragility of Adolescence by Dylan Jackie
71.       Learn Dream Create by Jeffrey Griffin
72.       Keep Smiling by Erica Adams
73.       Dreams by Linda Hamlin
74.       Strength in Numbers by Joshua Vidot
75.       If You Can Read This… by Joe Cunningham
76.       Adventure Is Where The Heart Is by Lee House
77.       We are the Music Makers by David Copestakes
78.       BE THE CHANGE by Lou Medel
79.       Be Here Now. By Alan Auger
80.       Think Big, Act Small by Phil Pham
81.       Heart Ablaze by Carol A. Gagnon
82.       Collaborate by Phil Pham
83.       Down But Not Out by Derek Spychalla
84.       dare nothing … nothing gained by Lisa Mansfield
85.       Chances and Mistakes by Anna Zaremba
86.       Eat More Fruit by Mads Saeloen
87.       End The Death Penalty by Rebecca F. Andrews
88.       After Party by William Jackson
89.       Fear is an Illusion by Charles Desper
90.       What Matters Most by Christopher Mazara
91.       It Doesn’t Matter How Slow You Go, As Long As You Don’t Stop by Matt Hunsberger
92.       Crossing the Threshold by Jessica Smith
93.       It’s In Your Hands by Hal Hinostroza
94.       Keep the Momentum by Chris Piascik
95.       Break Free From The Crowd by Stephanie Leon
96.       The Gift of Each Moment by Jesse Buller
97.       The Best Way Out is Always Through by Kelly Peragallo
98.       Yes We’re Open by neonpapervinyl
99.       Keep Art Alive by Kyle Evers
100.     Inspire People Everywhere You Go by Aimee Rosner

In case you were wondering:

Highest 5 star score: Believe in Something by Danny Jacobs
Most “Liked” and “Tweeted”: Videolution by Jonathan Vizcuña

Let us be among the first to wish you the very best for the New Year. Thank you all for your amazing work and for once again proving that design can be a powerful force in bringing people together around a common good.

Online Voting Is Now Closed

Our season 2 Call-for-Entries are now closed as well as online voting. This means the 5 star score, the number of Facebook “Likes” and number of Tweets recorded at the close of voting will be used to determine which posters move on to round 2.

The total score for each poster in the gallery will be determined by summing the 5 star rating score, the number of Facebook “Likes” and the number of Tweets.

The top 100 posters with the highest scores move on to round 2.

Round 2: Judges Panel

Our judges will review the top 100 posters from Round 1 and determine 25 semifinalists.

Round 3: Live Event Voting

The 25 semifinalists will be featured in our Poster Show events. Event attendees will be given the chance to vote for their favorite posters. The combined results from each event will determine the top 10 finalists.

Save the date:

Boston Poster Show
Date: Saturday February 25th, 2012
Location: Fourthwall Project Gallery

LA Poster Show
Date: Thursday March 8th, 2012
Location: Think Tank Gallery

Notifications

We will send an email and update the online gallery as we determine which posters make it through each round.

Only designers with a poster in the Top 25 will be contacted for the print version of their file.