The 2021 Sign Invitational, a competition among sign professionals pursuing the highest form of signmaking creativity, is now open and accepting applicants. Signs of the Times is proud to be the exclusive media sponsor of this sixth annual event for the third consecutive year. However, given the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 healthcare crisis, the 2021 Sign Invitational will be a virtual competition for the second year in a row.
This decision was reached by Sign Invitational co-organizers Jim Dawson of Synergy Sign (Strasburg, OH) and Dan Sawatzky of Imagination Corporation (Chilliwack, BC, Canada) in consultation with Signs of the Times.
Historically, Sign Invitational entries had been displayed in Signs of the Times’ booth during the International Sign Association’s Sign Expo, with the votes of Expo attendees determining the winner. 2021 Sign Invitational entries will be displayed in Signs booth at the Las Vegas-based 2021 Sign Expo, which is scheduled for April 7-9. If the Sign Expo is postponed to later in 2021, the same arrangement will hold true. Nonetheless, the competition’s winner will be determined through online voting.
The theme of this year’s Sign Invitational is “Go Fish.” Each entry must be single-sided, no larger than 2 x 2-ft. and be able to be wall-mounted. Contestants are responsible for shipping and delivering their entry to the Sign Expo. The following are important deadlines to know:
- Commit to enter: January 15, 2021
- Concept design: January 30, 2021 (optional)
- Progress shots: February 15, 2021 (optional)
- Pictures of completed piece: March 1-8, 2021
In 2021, Signs of the Times will launch an online voting portal – see last year’s for reference – and reveal the voting window for the competition after the Sign Invitational finalists have been selected. Signs of the Times will preview the 2021 Sign Invitational in its April 2021 issue.
To enter, contact Jim Dawson (jdawson@synergysign.com) or Dan Sawatzky (dan@imaginationcorporation.com). Potential entrants can also contact Signs of the Times associate editor Grant Freking (grant.freking@smartworkmedia.com).