Competitions are big at SCAD, and they always offer great exposure as well as monetary compensation. I am a fashion marketing and management student, so my experience is different from the fashion design students, but I hope these tips help you when competing.
Talk to your professors
The biggest tip I can give you is to get help from your professors. They know exactly what the judges are looking for, and they will help you figure out how to best position your project for success. Involve your professor every step of the way because they are the best resource you have.
Upload the day before
I have had servers crash many times when submitting, so always turn in your project with a lot of time remaining. It is easy to wait till the last minute, but the stress of not having your project turned in when you worked so hard is just the worst.
Set up checkpoints
I like to set up checkpoints with other people so I am held accountable to that due date. School projects always take priority for me, so this way I am moving along in my project while getting feedback on it.
Customize your layout
Hundreds of students apply for these competitions, so it is important for your project to stand out. I always like to draw out all my slide layouts before starting so I can make my deck more easily. NEVER USE TEMPLATES. No matter how tempting they are, this does not show originality and creativity.
Elements to incorporate
This is specific to marketing briefs, but these are some elements I always put in my work: competitor analysis, SWOT analysis, goals and objectives, social media mockups and customer segmentation. These elements make your argument stronger and make your project look professional.
Competing can seem daunting and takes a lot of hard work, but just remember the more you do them, the easier they get. Good luck with your next project!
