A call for entry..."Virtual Host" design contest! Artists, designers, animators, cartoonists, ...this is a heads up to you. Austin.com is happy to present a two tiered design contest. The entry level of the contest is to submit your idea in a 2-d format for a "Virtual host" that will be used in an upcoming national network television series about future technologies. If your design is chosen you have a chance for national exposure (possibly international) and will win prizes from Austin.com as well as being entered in the final stage of the contest. (See further description of the final contest requirements in the following paragraphs). The winner/s at the end of the final contest, (date to be announced on Austin.com before midnight on 17th), will receive industry standard pay and credits for the work. This contest could really open doors for the winner/s interested in a national graphic arts career or for a company looking for national exposure for their work.
The producers of this series are looking for something special from this contest. The "Virtual Host" they are looking for should be something we are not used to seeing. A design "out of the box" that really feels like something from a future full of nano bots, androids and AI. The way the host coveys speech will be essential and the "Virtual Host" should have the ability to show emotion in some way. The host also needs to be able to transition seamlessly between virtual and real-world settings to interact with people in the series and the TV audience. There may be times when the host takes on some of the attributes of a stand-up comedian since humor will be an important - but not dominant - part of the character. These requirements will be an essential part of this contest in it's second phase but to get considered for the finalist positions the producers only want to see a static 2- dimensional graphic of any sort. The producers also do not want to limit this to human form however human like speech and capabilities must be present and it must be able to convey human emotions and expression.
Interested yet? Well here is how it will work:
Between September 17th and Halloween 2009, submit a 2- Dimensional rendering of your "Virtual Host" concept through email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or through snail mail at:
Austin.com Contest
P.O. Box 6824482
Austin Tx 78768-4482
These submissions will be evaluated and you will receive notice if you are a chosen finalist. Finalists are prize winners and will receive a request for your entry in the final contest. These notices will go out by November 6th 2009.
The submissions that receive requests to fill the final contest positions will then be required to produce a final "proof of concept" piece that must in some way visually display the movement of their "Virtual Host". Creativity here is again encouraged. Complete animations in 3-d to show your entry concept would be fantastic but the producers are interested in a "concept" here so if you are an artist but not an animator and have a great concept, use your imagination to figure out how to describe your entry's movement visually to the producers and all entries will be evaluated equally. The final production of the "Virtual Host" may or may not be done by a production company, so again it is the concept that will win this contest.
Prizes for receiving a position in the final contest will be awarded by Austin.com and will be announced on the site on Sept. 17th.(this will post by midnight on 17th) The final award for winning the contest will be the use of your concept in the production of the television series and the credits and industry standard payment* for your work on this national television station also to be announce on Austin.com soon. See posted contest rules and details also on Austin.com before entering the contest. This one should be fun!! Email questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thank you - Austin.com
Interested yet? Well here is how it will work:
Between September 17th and Halloween 2009, submit a 2- Dimensional rendering of your "Virtual Host" concept through email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or through snail mail at:
Austin.com Contest
P.O. Box 6824482
Austin Tx 78768-4482
These submissions will be evaluated and you will receive notice if you are a chosen finalist. Finalists are prize winners and will receive a request for your entry in the final contest. These notices will go out by November 6th 2009.
The submissions that receive requests to fill the final contest positions will then be required to produce a final "proof of concept" piece that must in some way visually display the movement of their "Virtual Host". Creativity here is again encouraged. Complete animations in 3-d to show your entry concept would be fantastic but the producers are interested in a "concept" here so if you are an artist but not an animator and have a great concept, use your imagination to figure out how to describe your entry's movement visually to the producers and all entries will be evaluated equally. The final production of the "Virtual Host" may or may not be done by a production company, so again it is the concept that will win this contest.
Prizes for receiving a position in the final contest will be awarded by Austin.com and will be announced on the site on Sept. 17th.(this will post by midnight on 17th) The final award for winning the contest will be the use of your concept in the production of the television series and the credits and industry standard payment* for your work on this national television station also to be announce on Austin.com soon. See posted contest rules and details also on Austin.com before entering the contest. This one should be fun!! Email questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thank you - Austin.com
*to be detailed on austin.com after September 17th by midnight
