ALO - the Dawson College Graphic Design Alumni will be hosting its first annual 24 hour design marathon: Design'n'Dash. We will invite our alumni graphic designers to focus their energy, and creativity, for the benefit of local non-profit organizations. They will be providing visual communication work at no charge. In return, the event will provide designers with an opportunity to break free and stretch their creative muscles as they give back to the community.

The concept for the event originated in a Columbia design agency, RIGGS, in 1998. The event received such an overwhelming support from its community, vendors and businesses that RIGGS expanded the event nationwide inviting design firms in North America to join. To date only design agencies can take part in the RIGGS event.

Now, ALO is proud to present “DESIGN’N’DASH”, a spin-off of these events.

Date, time, location

The event will begin on Saturday June 10, 2006 at 11AM and will end Sunday, June 11, 2006 at 12PM (noon). It will be held at Dawson College, 3040 Sherbrooke West. Westmount, Quebec. H3Z 1A4.

Designers will be required to sign in at 11:00AM They will then be briefed and assigned their project(s).

The design marathon will begin at noon.

Dawson College will provide security for the duration of the event. Computers with relevant software will be available to all participants during the 24-hour event.

It is not necessary that the designers stay during the full event but they must check in the next day (June 11) at 11AM.

The work

Designers selected for the event will have diverse design styles that enable them to effectively communicate a clients’ message. Organizations can request a variety of communication tools such as:

The designers will provide the files in the requested format (including commercially ready-to-print). The designs rights will belong to the organization. All work produced during the event can be used by the designer for self promotional purposes.

No other pro bono services other than design are available during the DESIGN’N’DASH Marathon. Printing services are not available.

There will be an online exhibition of the work after the event on the DESIGN’N’DASH website. All design work created at the event can be used as sample work in the promotion of the Design N’ Dash or ALO.

Organizations

This year, the DESIGN’N’DASH Marathon is open to smaller non-profit organizations.

Organizations are invited to submit project applications. FIFTEEN (15) projects will be chosen for the Marathon. Organizations can submit more than one project, however only ONE (1) project will be chosen per organization.

Organizations are responsible for providing all necessary elements for the project:

(high resolution photos, edited copy, printing specifications, etc.).

Organizations are not obligated to use the material created. There will be a registration fee of $40.00 for chosen participants.

Deadline for organizations to apply has been extended to May 14th, 2006 at midnight. Send questions and completed application forms to designdash@gmail.com

By mail:

Design’n’Dash c/o Marjorie Griffin
3040 Sherbrooke West. Westmount,
Quebec. H3Z 1A4.

The application form will be used as the creative brief for the designer who will be developing the work.

On May 15th the selected designers and non-profit organizations will be contacted by email and posted on the website

Download the organization application form here [PDF].