Hi all,
I am deeply disturbed that someone like Lucien Khan is throwing around allegations that are completely unfounded and frankly, a little "off the path". So I would like to set some things on record. I understand that being outspoken may put my entry in a precarious position, but since the final round is a public decision at Sign Africa, I say "Let the public decide" and let the best man win! We may not come anywhere this year, but it was great being a part of it anyway.
So here goes the open debate:
Three years ago, one of my staff members won the Wrap to the Max 2006 competition. She is neither a client of Roland or has purchased a single thing from them, just an independent designer. Last year, we entered the competition and came second - it was a company team effort. We are also not a client of Roland's and also have never bought a thing from them. This year we submitted 2 designs, and only one made it through to the finals. Again, we have never bought a thing from them. We are just a bunch of VERY good designers, and as such, I believe our designs were chosen on merit - not on any relationship or business connection we have with Roland...clearly there is not a business relationship at all, or even a personal one - we enter every year to sharpen our design skills and to support the fund for AIDS orphans. Also, I believe healthy competition between designers country-wide is good for the industry and helps all of us improve. Mr Khan's approach is something that spoils that.
After three years of experience with this competition, I am well positioned to comment on the conduct of the organisers, judges and the entire process. Any competition has rules, and if rules are not adhered to, like sending in your photograph, then you will find yourself disqualified. As far as I am aware, the judging takes place without the judges knowing who the individual is. If Mr Khan is suggesting that his designs were not chosen because the judges need know what he looks like, then is he really accusing them of running a beauty pageant or something? Actually, the fact that the finalists designs were chosen by the Monday without Mr Khans photo being present but with his designs being present, proves that the designs were chosen on merit.
And don't the organisers have the right to judge the designs in their own good time? As long as the judging was done correctly, with sound art/design principles and using independent people, who cares how long it takes...1 day or 1 week is irrelevant. On the issue of human rights groups, et al, I find this surprising. Leave those groups to defend REAL human rights issues, like xenophobia, rape, child abuse and war-ravaged refugees. Also, as for comments surrounding the Lotto, this Wrap to the Max competition involves real merit, like design and artistic skills etc - not simply depositing money in an account as with the FNB Million-a-month where anyone can win, and one certainly can't "merit" winning a BMW, so Vodacom was out of line......is Mr Khan is suggesting that every competition that involves merit, such as the Advertising Lourie awards or event the Noble Peace price, which also comes with a good fortune, should be dissolved. Get real! The Lotto does not have sole mandate on competitions...if you think they do, then you have even missed the point of the Lotto itself!
Mr Khan, you say you have access to so many public forums/contacts etc - are you trying to rally support for what is clearly a case of sour grapes. I understand that there are more non-finalists than there are finalists, so some of them may be tempted to join your crusade. But to ALL the entrants,
I suggest trying again next year and maybe your design skills will have improved so that you can be a finalist. This is a great competition which deserves your support. I for one, welcome the competition and am thrilled that the entries were so good this year. The categories are growing and there are more prizes every year, so there is more opportunity for all. (Oh and for the record, the prizes are real and tangible.) Mr Khan, I have had a look at your designs, and have my own personal comments which I will not raise here. If you really want to grow as a designer, please feel free to contact me and I will gladly give you my comments if you are open to constructive criticism.
With kind regards, and with respect to everyone who reads this,
Sally Schiffer
I am deeply disturbed that someone like Lucien Khan is throwing around allegations that are completely unfounded and frankly, a little "off the path". So I would like to set some things on record. I understand that being outspoken may put my entry in a precarious position, but since the final round is a public decision at Sign Africa, I say "Let the public decide" and let the best man win! We may not come anywhere this year, but it was great being a part of it anyway.
So here goes the open debate:
Three years ago, one of my staff members won the Wrap to the Max 2006 competition. She is neither a client of Roland or has purchased a single thing from them, just an independent designer. Last year, we entered the competition and came second - it was a company team effort. We are also not a client of Roland's and also have never bought a thing from them. This year we submitted 2 designs, and only one made it through to the finals. Again, we have never bought a thing from them. We are just a bunch of VERY good designers, and as such, I believe our designs were chosen on merit - not on any relationship or business connection we have with Roland...clearly there is not a business relationship at all, or even a personal one - we enter every year to sharpen our design skills and to support the fund for AIDS orphans. Also, I believe healthy competition between designers country-wide is good for the industry and helps all of us improve. Mr Khan's approach is something that spoils that.
After three years of experience with this competition, I am well positioned to comment on the conduct of the organisers, judges and the entire process. Any competition has rules, and if rules are not adhered to, like sending in your photograph, then you will find yourself disqualified. As far as I am aware, the judging takes place without the judges knowing who the individual is. If Mr Khan is suggesting that his designs were not chosen because the judges need know what he looks like, then is he really accusing them of running a beauty pageant or something? Actually, the fact that the finalists designs were chosen by the Monday without Mr Khans photo being present but with his designs being present, proves that the designs were chosen on merit.
And don't the organisers have the right to judge the designs in their own good time? As long as the judging was done correctly, with sound art/design principles and using independent people, who cares how long it takes...1 day or 1 week is irrelevant. On the issue of human rights groups, et al, I find this surprising. Leave those groups to defend REAL human rights issues, like xenophobia, rape, child abuse and war-ravaged refugees. Also, as for comments surrounding the Lotto, this Wrap to the Max competition involves real merit, like design and artistic skills etc - not simply depositing money in an account as with the FNB Million-a-month where anyone can win, and one certainly can't "merit" winning a BMW, so Vodacom was out of line......is Mr Khan is suggesting that every competition that involves merit, such as the Advertising Lourie awards or event the Noble Peace price, which also comes with a good fortune, should be dissolved. Get real! The Lotto does not have sole mandate on competitions...if you think they do, then you have even missed the point of the Lotto itself!
Mr Khan, you say you have access to so many public forums/contacts etc - are you trying to rally support for what is clearly a case of sour grapes. I understand that there are more non-finalists than there are finalists, so some of them may be tempted to join your crusade. But to ALL the entrants,
I suggest trying again next year and maybe your design skills will have improved so that you can be a finalist. This is a great competition which deserves your support. I for one, welcome the competition and am thrilled that the entries were so good this year. The categories are growing and there are more prizes every year, so there is more opportunity for all. (Oh and for the record, the prizes are real and tangible.) Mr Khan, I have had a look at your designs, and have my own personal comments which I will not raise here. If you really want to grow as a designer, please feel free to contact me and I will gladly give you my comments if you are open to constructive criticism.
With kind regards, and with respect to everyone who reads this,
Sally Schiffer
