The Seattle Design Jam is a design competition that is solely about doing, not sketches, not renderings, but actual physical constructions in an outdoor setting.    It is our goal to address the central themes of the Design Festival through interactive structures, exhibits and tools to ignite curiosity, encourage discussion and engage the public in the conversation about this year's festival theme, Design in Health.

Given this year's theme the Design Jam will explore our physical, mental, social and nutritional health through the creation of an urban playground. We're asking YOU to create a playground intervention on an urban space provided by the Seattle Design Festival, limited in size and height that will be displayed outdoors for the Seattle Design Festival.

Play can be interpreted as either physical or mental activity with a connection to a healthy lifestyle; winning entries will explore this connection by “doing, playing, tinkering and interacting.” Each structure should take an investigative look at issues surrounding an individual’s physical or mental health. The structure should allow the user to grasp a concept, learn about an issue, or interact with a topic of the entrants , while also showing how the design of the structure helps inform the user of the critical message.

Submissions should take the form of a physical installation, interactive display, game, furniture, or performance device.

• Max 6 people per team
• Your entry may encompass no more than 80 cu. ft.
• No installation may be more than 7ft tall or 15 ft wide/deep
• Entries may be constructed of any material, recycled or reused materials are strongly encouraged
• YOU are responsible for the safety of your design, children will be running and playing on these so exercise clear judgement.
• Only (1) entry per team.
• Contestants will be responsible for teardown and setup of their installations on Sept. 20th and Sept. 23rd.*
• Each registration comes with a 20% discount at the Seattle ReStore. (offer code provided during registration checkout)

*logistical information will be provided to entrants by Sept. 1

Grand Prize: $400 and 1 month Makerhaus Studio Membership

People's Choice Award: $100

August 15

Early Registration Closes

Sept. 15th

Registration Closes

Sept. 20th

Setup at the Design Block (near 300 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104).  Exact time TBD

Afternoon Sept. 22nd

Jury convenes and winners are announced at the Design Block. Exact time to be announced.

7pm - Sept. 22nd

Teardown and removal by entrants. Exact Time TBD

Open To:

All! Multi-disciplinary teams of designers, makers and artists are encouraged.

2013 Registration has closed. Thanks for entering!

The 2013 Design Block will be located on Occidental Ave S between Main & Jackson Streets

Jury

Ellie & Mike Kemery

Founders

Makerhaus

Robyne Kassen & Sarah Gluck

Founders

Urban Movement Design

Jennifer Wieland

Public Space Manager

Seattle Department of Transportation

Jen Kelly

Activist

Seattle Downtown Families

Evaluation:

Each structure should take an investigative look at issues surrounding an individual’s physical or mental health. The structure should allow the user to grasp a concept, learn about an issue, or interact with a topic of the entrants , while also showing how the design of the structure helps inform the user of the critical message.

Each structure should interpret the connection between Design environmental design  and the various aspects of health.  The structure shouldn’t be limited to only one type of health addressed in the Design Festival.  Entries should illustrate how a healthy mind, body, and consciousness are woven into good design.  Winning entries will engage and educate the public about the complex subject of health through an activity that’s simple, fun and interactive.

The materials, methods and systems of entries are open to interpretation. However, all entrants will be limited to a size requirement of 80 cubic feet or less, and a height limit of no more than 7 feet tall. Sizes of each entry will need to be submitted prior to the final submission to give the best possible exposure to each structure in the design block.

Each structure shall be judged based upon the connection between the topic chosen, and the resulting interpretation. We want clarity, cleverness, and an overall aim for starting a conversation between design and health that hasn’t been discussed yet!

Some other questions to consider:

• How quickly/easily can the message be interpreted? (What can you learn and do with it the moment you walk up to it?)
• Does it look fun? Is it something you would want to play with/on/in?
• Is there a repetitive nature to the structure? (Would you want to play with it again and again?)

Last updated: August 5, 2013 at 12:44 pm

What is the Design Jam?

• The Design Jam is a design/build competition.  Entries are to be physical constructions that will be displayed and judged at the Seattle Design Festival

Can I incorporate signage?

• A credit sign will be provided by the festival, if you'd like to affix a logo to your installation please keep it to 6" x 6" maximum.

Can we paint our entry?

• We prefer the look of natural materials in order to mesh with the other designs being displayed on the street.  However if you wish to paint your entry you may, if you do we suggest that you utilize one of the three official festival colors.  Purple (CMYK 80/90/10/0)  Blue (CMYK 86/4/10/0) Green (CMYK 31/5/100/5)

Is there a specific location for each design?

• No.  We will be clustering the entries towards the north end of Occidental Mall but placement of each is at the discretion of the Seattle Design Festival.

Will there be a review of entries prior to the Design Block event?

• No.  This is an open competition and our goal is to encourage everyone to participate.  The quality of entries from last year should be enough to set the bar for anyone wishing to participate this year.

Can I incorporate power into my installation?

• If needed contestants may supply their own battery power.  Generators and/or on-site power will not be allowed or provided.