Wes

I have read through all of the posts regarding this email, and in my opinion there are aspects that I agree and disagree with in Lucien's emails. The only aspect that I agree with, is that the extension of the closing date from the 11th to the 12th should not have been allowed. I do understand that there must have been a lot of people submitting their entries on the 11th, but the people who could not submit in time should have planned this deadline in advance.

With regards to the announcing of the finalists, I personally think that a week is ample time to make a final decision on less than 400 designs. It's the initial 10 to 30 seconds of viewing that should make the impression, as this is generally the time period the target audience will view a billboard or wrapped car while driving past. Your design needs to make the impact in this time period otherwise it is unsuccessful in my opinion.

With regards to Lucien having an issue with submitting a photograph, I think it's absurd. I'm not sure if he is aware of the process of the previous Wrap to the Max competition, where we were requested to submit a photograph as well and the reason behind that is it is nice to put a face to the design when all the designs are put up at Sign Africa. I personally think it's a nice touch.

I have been informed that this year the voting will be done differently from last year which I think is great. I think it's really good to get the public involved in the final voting as after all they are the people who will be viewing the adverts out there in the market. I was also informed that the competitors are allowed to be at the Roland stand at Sign Africa encouraging the public to vote for their designs. Unfortunately I strongly disagree with this. I'm not sure if the other contestants feel the same way, but this is meant to be a competition based on how good your design is and how successfully it communicates to the public, not how skilled you are at selling your design to the public. I personally feel that by allowing contestants to be present, a swaying in the public's decisions may occur. I also do not feel it is fair, as some contestants might not be able to be there as a result of travelling distances or work commitments and so forth. I welcome your opinion, but I do think the creativity should be left within the design itself and not with regards to ones selling abilities.

Please advise me on your thought regarding this matter.

Kind Regards,
Wes

Lucien

Leigh Bradfield

Thank you so much for the support. Please pass this exact email on to the wrap to the max email address as they want to know people's opinions on this. I have no proof that any finalist is a business acquaintance of Roland but judging by the slander I've received from some of the finalists its seems many of them are previous entrants. Was this a prerequisite?

And dont worry, you are not alone, many were shocked to hear that the finalists were chosen last week, some were sitting in anticipation of a phone call right until yesterday. Is'nt this wrong and cruel and degrading?

Candice Bradfield

Hi Lucien

Out of interest, which category did you enter? It's a pity they have changed the website as I would have liked to look at all the entries. Like you said, some of them were cut and paste jobs, and I would even go as far as to say that most of the entries (in the grand format prize section) did not constitute good design. The scale of this particular project makes it really amazing, there is so much you can do with the whole side of a building - yet most of the entries looked like your standard level poster. Please excuse my ranting, but I was very excited to take part in the competition.

I feel sorry for those people who were still waiting to hear the results. When Tracy (I think it was, but stand corrected) called me to ask if I was attending the Awards Party, I said that I wasn't sure and asked if the finalists were going to be notified. When she told me politely that the finalists had already been told I did feel like a bit of a tool. I don't think it was made explicitly clear that the finalists had been told in the email sent on 19/08/08. Is there anything to stop them from announcing the winners before the party? Obviously they know, and would have told their friends so it's no state secret. I will be interested to see how they respond further to the situation.

Regards
Candice

Johan Pretorius

This is crazy!!!!! bad looser looser looser oops did I repeat that!!!

Don't waste your time on this guy. His designs are horrible!!

Regards
J

Pamela Woest

I am, speachless. When I decided to enter this competition, I was really excited, I still am, and I'm looking forward to the Awards Evening, as this was my first Graphic Design Competition. I am going to enter more in the future.

When I entered, I thought to myself, it'll be great to have my own digital printer, even a Laptop for that matter. As I only have a Desktop PC out of the stone age, but it works. I did't get a monthly Laptop, I am not a Finalist, but, that's Ok. Yeah it would've been nice to win something, But, what matters the most, I enjoyed myself doing those designs, taking it from the design theme to the end design. Man, that was fun, and so rewarding. I sat up till late at night, just thinking what to do. That's the main point, having fun. And, donating the money to charity.

And about the foto, I like to put a face to a design. It's the same as putting a face to a voice you've heard over the phone. I am going to the Sign Africa with camera in hand, I am just excited to actually see my designs printed. It's the same as putting a face to a voice you've heard over the phone.

Well, just a pity, someone whould make a "lekker" competition into something so ugly.

Looking forward to the Show and rewards party.

Last Thought, I am proud to have taken part in the competition, and still like showing my designs to people.

Best Ragards

Pamela Woest

Lucien

Mattheus

From your remarks you strike me as being disrespectful of the next person's opinion so this is the last you wll hear from me. I think you are not even aware of the disrepect that was showered upon you. As for my design's your opinion means little to me. I have great pride in what I do and that is why we are here now. I'm sorry you feel so little for your work. Roland is welcome to take me to court. You are the first one though to not hold up an Aids Orphan as some talisman against me.
Good day to you.

Ryan Roberts

Hey Guys, though i don't agree with Lucien's comments and actions, I think it's pretty cool that some entrants are posting their opinions. It shows that the competition is making a difference and doing right! If there was no value/interest in this competition, nobody would bother to comment!

A Wrap to the Max Blog for 2009 would be great, it will encourage debate and greater overall interest in the competition!