As Justin pointed out in the last Designer Sobriety post, submitting your work to design shows can be a great way to market your company. The big question is how can you stand out in a crowd of hundreds or maybe even thousands of entries? Simple: make your entry easy to judge. Judges are reviewing tons of work and if yours is the easiest to read, review, and toss into the win pile, then you have a greater shot at winning. Below are a couple tricks from @Rule29:

1.) Follow the Rules - this is the easiest way to make sure you get in. Scour the rules and follow them to the T, double- and triple-checking your work.

2.) Envelopes Galore - Give each entry its own envelope. This will make sorting your entry easy and ensures that the corresponding forms will not get lost. Try ordering from Envelope Mall.

3.) Seal It With a Sticker or Two - Print out a label with the title of the entry and correct category, again for easy sorting. Also be sure to seal the envelope with an additional sticker. We do this not just for security but for an additional branding opportunity.

4.) Post-It Tape - Always adhere your entry forms to the back of each piece. Use an x-acto knife and nice tape for the exact measurements. Be sure to tape down every side as if you are framing your entry form. It will look nice and won’t fall off!

5.) Additional Entry Forms - Always include an envelope with a copy of all of your entry forms, receipt for payment, and business cards nicely clipped together. (We like clipiolas.)

6.) Many Business Cards - Be sure to attach a business card to your forms and toss one or two more into the box. This will help the judges get a hold of you with any questions or additional requests. Plus, you never know where your card may end up, so toss a couple in.

7.) CD Label & File Structure - If you are entering a show that requests digital files be sure you use a CD label with your contact information on it along with a list of the contents included. Additionally, make sure the files are easy to find. Perhaps they are organized by category or entry number. Also be sure to include a .TXT file with your contact information on the CD.

8.) PDF Form Detection - Even a designers’ hand writing can be tough to read! With most show entry forms being available in .PDF, you can use the Acrobat Pro auto-form detection tool. By using this, you’ll be able to type every entry form to be sure it is legible and easy to read. You can even take it one more step and use your brand’s font across all forms and labels.

Some of this may seem redundant and maybe even a little over the top, but just keep in mind those judges and the large amount of entries they have to judge. The entry process is just as important as the work you are submitting. Do not wait until the last minute and try not to rush!

Do you have any additional tips? If so, leave us a comment!

Many think that working with non-profits on their design and marketing initiatives turns out to be unprofitable because of smaller budgets, tighter deadlines, and stricter rules. On the flip side, designers & marketers are always looking for the next opportunity to be creative and really challenge themselves with new thinking for clients and their brands. Now put these two together for a surprising result: oftentimes non-profits are the types of clients that are open to challenge and innovation, allowing you to take their brands to the next level all while doing some good for the community.

As a designer, you can stay sober by finding a non-profit to work with on a regular basis. Whether it is a paid gig, a reduced rate or simply donating your time and skill, you will learn, grow and be challenged along the way. You might just discover that your new client is far more appreciative of your work and can easily see a strong return on your creative investment.

As a business, volunteering creates a great story to share with clients both current and future. Sharing your passion for a non-profit client whether it is the local dog shelter or a big national organization creates a conversation. At the same time you might just find it easier to connect with new clients who share the same passion or interest in what you’re doing. Not to mention the connections that will come through working with the non-profit and meeting other donors.

Finding a non-profit will help strike a balance with the other clients that may be restricting your creativity or out-of-the-box thinking. Choose a non-profit you are passionate about today and offer them your creative services.

A little design can go a long way, and you might find that it will be the most rewarding work in your portfolio!

June 2009 will mark the one-year anniversary I first gave “The Designer Sobriety” talk. Above is the opening video for the talk which highlights some of the spirit of this initiative. As a business owner and/or decision maker, a lot of things fly at you during the day. What do you do to manage it? How do you still try to enjoy it and just flat-out have a life outside of this crazy business that we’re in? The idea for this blog was born from wanting to share the various tips and advice we’ve learned, observed, or read about. Our posts are intended to be useful and inspirational. We’ll also share design-minded products we discover that you can implement and utilize to keep you going.

We hope you read, enjoy, share and comment. This community is only as good as its content and participation - so please be a part of it.