GAERF's New Student Design Competition Promotes Careers in Graphic Communications

RESTON, VA—January 13, 2009—In an effort to promote the many exciting career opportunities within the graphic communications industry, and showcase the extraordinary talent of our youth, the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) has launched a 2009 National Student Design Competition, themed “Careers in Graphic Communications…Imagine the Possibilities!”. The competition will challenge students to create and produce a marketing product designed to appeal to our industry's future workforce. Participants will be encouraged to be creative and take their design from concept to finished product.

The competition is open to all students attending secondary or post-secondary institutions and studying in a graphic communications/printing, advertising, graphic design or interactive media program. Students may enter individually or in teams of up to three members. Instructors are responsible for submitting the entry, limited to one per instructor, which will become the property of the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation.

Entries selected by GAERF will be judged by attendees at the Printing Industries of America (PIA) Summer Teachers Conference in Sewickley, PA. Winners and their instructors will be notified by August 15, 2009.
Among the total six winning entries will be: two first place awards, one at the secondary level and one at the post-secondary level; two second place awards, one at the secondary level and one at the post-secondary level; and, two third place awards, one at the secondary level and one at the post-secondary level.

First place winners and their instructors will receive a two-day all-inclusive paid trip to attend PRINT® 09 in Chicago, IL. In addition, they will receive a $2,000 award presented during PRINT 09 at Career Awareness Day, September 16, 2009. The second place winners will be awarded $1,500, and the third place winners will receive $1,000.

“GAERF is proud to continue its commitment to supporting education initiatives by encouraging creativity and self-expression in students through the art of design and production,” said GAERF President Ralph Nappi. “This competition will serve to recognize our best and brightest students, as well as the significant commitment of their instructors.”

For complete information about the competition guidelines and to download an entry form, visit: www.gaerf.org.

About GAERF
The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation was created by the National Association for Printing Leadership, NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies and the Printing Industries of America in 1983. These three national associations jointly own the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC®). GAERF was created to channel a portion of the revenues earned by GASC-managed shows into projects supporting a strong future for the industry. For additional information about the Foundation and its programs, visit the GAERF web site at: www.gaerf.org or phone toll-free: 866/381-9839.