MTV base calls on designers, doodlers

21 May 2009

MTV base is calling designers to enter a creative project in assembling an African Urban Dictionary using flash cards that will compile a deck. Each card will be individually designed by artists with the aim of connecting with the youth culture across Africa.

Artists, of any level, are needed to work on letters between A to Z.

During the course of the project, the cards will be first exposed via weekly email embedded artworks to media and entertainment industries, and then at the end of the 27 weeks, they will be printed and circulated worldwide.

According to the creative brief for the project, the design element of the playing card will be the only constant (i.e. the letter, and interpretation thereof); the rest is up to the designer to interpret and execute.

Brief

With the letters assigned, artists must come up with an urban dictionary style word that is unique to the African continent and design a playing card. The playing card must feature:

The letter e.g M
The word e.g Macking
The definition e.g Def: "To make a move on your desired sexual preference, with the intention of hooking it up"
A design that represents the word and definition, like the queen in the middle of conventional playing cards. It can be hand-drawn or illustrated.

Deadline and protocol

All submissions must include a visual/logo representation of the MTV base logo, and the channel (322) MTV base ('base' must be in lower case). Entrants may also create their own logo based on the template and style guide supplied. All creative concepts must be sent to or , for approval. Once participants choose two letters, they will need to revert with options within 10 days from date of receipt.

Deadline: 8 June 2009

Exposure for artists/designers

This is a pro bono exercise, but designers will be provided with exposure platforms, as a form of barter for creative expertise.

Artists are encouraged to include an icon/ signature/ url/ at the bottom of the layout. Designers will be profiled on the website for the weeks in which their work is being profiled; a photo and profile on the front page may be included.

MTV base creates lifestyle properties throughout the year, and where the fit requires a designer or artist to feature, it plans to consider the participants in the Alpha mailer to add further exposure for entrants creative works, outside of the alpha mailer. (i.e. music videos, performances / murals and inner city art displays etc.)

For more information, go to www.mtvbase.com.