News/Blog

1. Choose The Right Competition

There exist a plethora of what Leavitt scathingly referred to as “fake” competitions, otherwise known as “ideas” competitions. These can be tempting by virtue of their imaginatively framed, ambitious briefs that encourage designers to dream up a utopian vision that solves the world’s greatest socioeconomic problems. The eVolo skyscraper competition is a personal favorite of mine.

However, if you are serious about including competition participation in your firm’s business plan, you have to look at competitions that have a legitimate end product. Is the contest to win a real commission? What is the likelihood that the winning entry will get built? For competitions grounded in reality, check out government websites—there is a least some hope that the commissions there have funding in place and that your winning idea will be transformed from render to reality.

2. Do Your Homework

Once you’ve worked out which competition is right for you, begin with a forensic analysis of the brief: if the project’s location and program are specified, investigate them with the same rigor as your best “real-world” commissions. Daniel Libeskind beat out 164 other entries to win the commission for the Jewish Museum in Berlin, largely due to his intimate knowledge of the history and profound connotations of the site.

Some research into the organizers of the competition can also prove fruitful; you can often find out what they have previously commissioned and begin to understand their priorities in terms of design approach and programmatic needs. This results in an entry that’s less like a shot in the dark and more like an informed proposal for a familiar client.

3. The 30-Second Rule

The competition to design the Pompidou Centre, won by the dynamic duo Piano and Rogers, attracted a massive 681 entries, and many contests have submissions numbering in the four figures. This means the jury will have limited time to cast their critical eye over each presentation board, so instant impact is crucial.

A great way to accomplish this is with a central “killer” image that will ensure your entry jumps out from the others; my personal preference is for either a) a dramatic, wide-angle CGI perspective, or b) a beautifully detailed section drawing. If this image can communicate the overriding principles of your concept in a powerful manner, the jury will be placing it on their shortlist in no time.