Organizers of a 24-hour Web design competition held annually in France are looking for Canadians willing to pit their talents against the World’s best Web designers and developers.
Contestants in the Webdesign International Festival (WIF) to be held in the city of Limoges in Limousin, France in June next year could come home with the 35,000 euros ($55,196) grand prize of any of the remaining minors prizes totaling about 25,000 euros ($39,426).
Developers also get a chance to network, highlight their skills and form partnerships with some of the companies and organizations attending the event, according to Aude Bourliataux, project manager for WIF. Essentially, contestants are asked to create in a span of 24-hours, a Website based on a given theme or topic. The theme is revealed to contestants only on the day of the competition. Last year’s theme was “Communication via E-mail in 2020”.
“Last year’s grand prize winners from Sweden are now officially working with Google to develop a Facebook mashup,” said Bourliataux who recently visited Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver to search for event sponsors and partners that can help generate participation in Canada.
“We’re looking for Web firms, universities, design schools, media groups and professional communities that can help us hold mini-WIFs across or pre-selection rounds Canada to produce the Web design teams which will compete in Limousin,” Bourliataux said.
These qualifying competitions will be held between October 2009 and February 2010. Apart from taking part in the Canada-based pre-selections, individuals can also submit Web design entries for an online pre-selection through WIF’s Website for a fee of about $16. The online pre-selection is planned for February 2010.
The WIF covers five major events:
● A 24-hour international competition in Limoges, France
● An international market place where commercial exchanges and industrial partnerships can be created in the sectors of new interfaces, new uses and digital innovation
● An international congress: conferences and workshops, training sessions, round tables, debates on innovative themes (web 3, sensorial design, home automation interfaces, web security, accessibility, ergonomics, etc.)
● Speed-meeting sessions: an original and dynamic concept for confidential and pre-arranged meetings, this job fair will allow professionals from the sector to identify young talents, and allow students and job seekers to demonstrate their creative potential
● Events for the general public including exhibitions, discovery workshops and “mini WIF” for school children
Some 145 contestants selected form a pool of 837 Web developers and designers from 40 countries took part in WIF 2008, according to Gilles de Croix, of the economic mission at the French Consulate in Toronto.
“The event is also a great way for French businesses to establish business partnerships in Canada,” said de Croix.
Interested individuals or organizations can contact: Ms. Aude Bourliataux
WIF Project Manager at a-bourliataux@webdesign-festival.com or +33 5 87 21 21 79