Make Your Mark Competition
Call for Applications: Make Your Mark design competition
*Applications are now closed*
Students are invited to Make Their Mark on the Industry - The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office launches design competition to encourage creativity in the use of the Hallmark
The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office is launching the Make Your Mark Awards, a new design competition that aims to challenge today’s students working in precious metal.
The Awards, which will open in September, will be presented at a special event on Tuesday 1 November 2016, during Make Your Mark. This year’s benchpeg Awards will also be on display, with winners announced on the night.
“Anyone who sells precious metal jewellery or silverware in the UK is required by law to have their work hallmarked if it is over a certain weight,” explains Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden (Managing Director) of The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office. “We wanted to celebrate the 700 year old tradition of hallmarking and give newcomers to the industry the opportunity to kick-start their careers, not just with an understanding of their legal obligation, but also with an appreciation of how a hallmark can enhance and add value to their work.”
About the Make Your Mark Competition
There will be two Award categories: Jewellery and Silversmithing, and entry will be open to current students, apprentices and young, recently graduated, designers (within the last three years) of precious-metal-related jewellery and silversmithing courses. Prizes will be awarded to the most artistically convincing design, model or finished piece in which precious metal is used with prominence, and where a London hallmark is part of the design.
“Make Your Mark is the leading industry event for students on a precious-metal-related course and is fast-becoming the go-to industry event for students,” comments Robert. “The event is now in its third year and the Awards will be the perfect complement to the fantastic range of stands and inspirational talks that are such a huge attraction to those who are just entering the industry. We are delighted to be launching the Awards and look forward to seeing some exciting entries.”
Applications Are Now Open for the Make Your Mark Awards
Get your designs seen by high profile industry figures and be in with the chance of winning some fantastic prizes
Applications are now open for The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office inaugural Make Your Mark Awards.
This exciting new competition is designed to encourage entrants to explore new ground and stretch their imagination of the use of the UK hallmark in the creation of precious metal products. Prizes will be awarded for the best design of a precious metal piece incorporating a UK hallmark within the design. Both artistry and the way that the hallmark is used will be considered by the judging panel.
How to Apply
Entrants are invited to submit drawings, CAD designs, models or finished pieces with an indication of their desired placement of the hallmark. Entries can be submitted in the Silversmithing or Jewellery category. The judges will be looking for artistically convincing designs in which precious metal is used with prominence, where the hallmark is intrinsic to the design and that demonstrate one or all of the following:
- An understanding of the various components of a hallmark
- The relationship between the hallmark and the design
- Practical and commercial potential of the design
- Originality and aesthetic appeal
- Technical skill.
Judging Panel
- Eddie Davis, Graff
- Stewart Hersey, Hersey Silversmiths
- Elizabeth Hunt, Allied Gold
- Leo Onoufriou, Just Castings
- Grant Macdonald, Silversmith
- Rosemary Ransome Wallis, Art Director and Curator, The Goldsmiths’ Company
Judging Criteria
Judges will be looking for the best design of a precious metal piece incorporating a UK hallmark within the design. The spirit of the Awards is to celebrate the hallmark and challenge entrants to use creativity in its placement. Judge,
Rosemary Ransome Wallis, Art Director and Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company, is looking for “innovative design that has the marked individuality of its creator,” and advises entrants to “keep to the brief and ensure your personality and creative vitality shines through.”
The spirit of the Awards is to celebrate the hallmark and challenge entrants to use creativity in its placement. “When most hallmarks are normally hidden from view by being inside a ring or under a piece of silver, this competition will be a real challenge and bring out the true inventiveness of the designers,” comments Grant Macdonald.
Examples
Silversmiths and jewellers often use Display Marks or Feature Marks to stunning effect in their work. Take a look at a gallery of inspirational pieces here.
Prizes
Prizes have been donated by key members of the trade and include a range of mentoring sessions, advice, workshop time and making assistance from Stephen Webster, Richard Fox, Stewart Hersey, Just Castings and Ruth Faulkner, Editor of Retail Jeweller.
These exclusive experiential prizes will be tailored to the winners’ specific needs and skillsets.
Winners and runners-up will also receive a selection of vouchers from Cooksongold and HS Walsh, Argentium Silver from Allied Gold, as well as cash, an exclusive tour and hallmarking credits from the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office.
Entry Criteria
The Awards are open to students, apprentices and recent graduates of precious-metal-related courses or 3D design-led courses, specialising in precious metal products.
Deadline
The deadline for entries is Friday 21 October 2016 at 5pm.
Shortlisted entries will be exhibited at Goldsmiths’ Hall during Make Your Mark and winners will be announced at a special VIP reception on Tuesday 1 November 2016. This year’s benchpeg Awards will also be announced on the night.
