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Design the new San Francisco Public Library cards!
Design the new San Francisco Public Library cards!
The San Francisco Public Library wants YOU to help design the newest batch of library cards!
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Design the new San Francisco Public Library cards!
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For this challenge, we partnered with the San Francisco Public Library to ask San Franciscans to submit their designs for new library cards. Five winning designs were chosen from five age categories (2nd grade and under, 3rd – 5th grade, Middle School, High School, Adult). These designs will be printed on library cards in 2013!

Paper submission forms were distributed to schools and libraries throughout San Francisco, allowing residents of all ages and areas to submit their designs. We received over 3,400 submissions which our panel of judges narrowed down to ten finalists in each age category. The finalists were then put back on ImproveSF and public vote determined the winner of each age category. Here are the winners:

The winner of the 2nd grade and under category is Abigail Cheng, with her design “Imagine the Possibilities.” Abigail is a 2nd grader at the Hamlin School who loves to read all types of books. “When I read, I am able to imagine myself in the stories that have been created,” said Abigail.

Above: Abigail's design. Below: Abigail speaking about her design at the Winner’s Party, as Hydra Mendoza, Mayor’s Education Advisor, and Sirron Norris, local artist, look on.

Amelia Fortgang bested 1,474 other entries in the 3rd – 5th grade category with her entry “Penguins Love Books Too.” “I think this design should be a library card because people who like floppy penguins and like to read books will enjoy this card,” said Amelia. She also used the word “juxtaposition” during her speech at the Winner’s Party. Quite impressive for an eight year-old!

Above: The 3rd – 5th grade winning design, “Penguins Love Books Too” by Amelia Fortgang. Below: Amelia displays her Certificate of Honor from Mayor Ed Lee alongside her design.

It was hard for the public to resist the beautiful butterflies in the winning Middle School design, “Living Guide to Butterflies” by Maya Winshell of Live Oak School.

Above: The Middle School winning design, “Living Guide to Butterflies” by Maya Winshell. Below: Maya next to her design at the Winner’s Party.

The winning High School design “Ray of Sunshine,” by Lori Chinn conveys a simple concept. “Reading makes me happy,” says Lori. “Whatever I’m feeling, opening a book can make that day even better. Just like a sunny day in San Francisco.”

Above: The High School winning design, “Ray of Sunshine” by Lori Chinn. Below: Lori proudly displays her Certificate of Honor from Mayor Ed Lee next to her design.

Adult winner Jonathan Silence altered a stunning watercolor illustration he had previously created for his entry to this challenge. “Storyteller” is inspired by a close friend of Jonathan.

Thank you to the SFPL, Friends of the SFPL, SFUSD, Captricity, all of our rock star judges, and all those who entered, commented, or voted on a submission! Keep an eye out for these five designs on library cards in early 2013!

Click "More Details" below to see the Challenge Brief or scroll down to see all of the submissions. More Details »

The expert responding in this Challenge is Kirsten Finkas, Senior Digital Artist for Goodby, Silverstein and Partners.

About The Challenge

Design the new San Francisco Public Library cards!

Download the Challenge Design Form in English here, in Spanish here, and in Chinese here.


Below you will find more information about the challenge including Challenge Overview, Design Brief, About SFPL, FAQs and Meetups and Questions.






CHALLENGE OVERVIEW


There are multiple ways for you to participate.



First: Submit your design for the new San Francisco Public Library cards.


If you haven’t already, register on ImproveSF.com. Once you register, you will be able to download the design submission form. If you are under 14 years old, you can pick up the form at your local library or ask your parent or art teacher to help you submit on ImproveSF.com. The submission forms can be entered online, delivered to any neighborhood library, or mailed to: San Francisco Public Library, Public Affairs Dept., 100 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA 94102. The winners will see their original designs featured on library cards starting in 2013! For more specific details about design suggestions and requirements, see the Design Brief below.


Second: View all of the entries and vote for your favorites.


The first round of finalists will be determined by the judging panel. Those designs will then be shortlisted on ImproveSF and your votes will determine the winning designs! Those who participate in the voting can earn points for prizes.


Third: Share ImproveSF.com


Share the site and design with community members and creative friends. The more people that participate, the better!


The Prize


The five winning designs (one from each grade/age category) will be printed on new San Francisco Public Library cards!




  • Important Dates:


    • Challenge opens: September 4th

    • Challenge closes - last day for submissions and voting: October 5th

    • Judging: October 5-15th

    • Finalists Announced: October 15th

    • Final Voting: October 15-26

    • Winner’s Party + Announcement: TBD







DESIGN BRIEF


Required Design Elements


Download the Design Submission Form here


The design must be your original artwork. Use the following measurements when creating your design: 3 3/8" wide x 2 1/8" tall (3.375" x 2.125") or you may use the attached template.


You are welcome to use any medium for your artwork, but the final submitted design must be 2D so that it can be printed on the new library cards.


All images should be submitted as JPGs or PNGs. The file size should not exceed 4MB.





ABOUT SFPL


Learn more about the SFPL at http://sfpl.org.


ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE SFPL


Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is a member-supported nonprofit organization that advocates, fundraises, and provides critical support for the San Francisco Public Library and related literary and educational programs.


FAQs


For questions about how the ImproveSF platform works, visit the ImproveSF FAQ page.


Can I participate if I am under 14 years old?


Citing California law, you cannot submit a design online but you can ask a parent or guardian to create an ImproveSF account and submit on your behalf! You can also pick up a design form at your local library and return it to the librarian, or ask your school art teacher to help you!


Can I participate even if I'm not a professional designer or if I don’t have a design background?


Definitely! We believe everyone has something to contribute and are excited to have a diverse range of ideas submitted. If you don’t feel comfortable submitting an idea, you can also vote for your favorites, leave comments and share ImproveSF with friends.


You don't need expensive graphic design tools, you can use markers, crayons, paper cutouts … anything that best conveys your idea. But, the final design must be 2D so that it can be printed on the new library cards.


Can I submit an idea on behalf of a team?


Absolutely! Please choose one representative to register for the site and be the point of contact. When you submit your idea, be sure to include the names of all team members along with the description of your idea.


Can I submit an idea if I work for the city?


Yes! The goal of ImproveSF is to bring in the best ideas from all members of the San Francisco community to find the best possible solution for the challenge proposed.


What is the best way to get votes?


Submit your idea early! Early submissions will be seen by more people. And of course, share your idea with friends and family using Facebook and Twitter.


Who owns my idea?


All ideas submitted to this challenge will be under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Uported License. Please check our Terms of Use for additional information.






MEETUPS & QUESTIONS


We will be hosting meetups to answer questions you might have about the Challenge. Meetup dates and locations are TBD. To get up-to-date info on meetups, challenge annoucements and answers to your questions, follow us on:


Facebook: facebook.com/improvesf


Twitter: @ImproveSF

More Info:
Library Card Design Form in English
Library Card Design Form in Spanish
Library Card Design Form in Chinese

The Winner

This project is made possible by the City and County of San Francisco, SPUR, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services and the Department of Technology
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