October 1 - October 23, 2011

OCBC is proudly launching the third edition of Old City Windows.

A design-inspired window competition and event that celebrates innovative thinking and visual inspiration from students, artists, and professionals in various fields of design.

Old City Windows seeks to bridge the gap between visual design and commerce by inviting local designers to re-conceptualize storefront windows, collaborate with the business community and create an interactive environment for public participation.

As part of the larger city-wide DesignPhiladelphia celebration, the OCBC's competition attracts a wide audience.

In 2010, Windows registered over 50 business paired with designer participants, received more than 2,000 text messages for public voting, and hosted a celebratory event at Trust announcing winners selected from our panel of designer judges.

In 2011,The OCBC aims to spotlight new talent and heighten the visual experience of Old Cty Windows. We like anything from whimsical product displays, floating textiles to fine art installations. Show us your design moxie and sign up today. We are offering a grand prize of $500 for 'Best in Design' window and great prizes awarded for other design categories.

Stay tuned for our list of judges, partners, and events!

Call For Entry

Designer Entrant Form

Quick Facts for Designers

Contest Context → The contest is a collaboration between the designer and your assigned business . A retail-merchandising component must be considered. Products or services most likely will be incorporated into the window design for business promotion. The theme of the window display must be agreed upon by business owner or custodian of space provided.

Submission → Designer entrants are required to submit an early bird fee of $20 or late bird fee of $25 (see dates below). For 2011, we would love to see a preliminary concept sketch or proposal for a window to best pair entrants with a business - but hey its optional.

Note: Submissions with a concept drawing, window proposal, and/or samples (website links or attachments) to the designer’s work - will be given first priority in window pairings.

You and Your Window: After you are paired with a business, a design sketch must be provided to the business owner as part of the initial collaborative stage to provide visual communication of the design. This same sketch can be submitted as the required final drawing if there are no substantive changes to the window design from the initial sketch. Changes from the initial sketch must be agreed to by the business owner prior to window installation.

More Details → Fill out your entry form and submit fee and (optional) sketch, proposal, and work samples for a window. Once entered in the contest, you will be paired with a business by Friday, September 9th.

Note: Entrants are not guaranteed a window and the entry fee is non-refundable. For the student category, you must be a full time student at an accredited institution of higher education.

Materials and Completion → A pre-design budget of $50 has been established for a contest window but this can be exceeded. Budgets for the window are to be mutually agreed upon between the business owner and designer. Designer entrants are not prohibited from contributing toward the cost of the window if they exceed the agreed upon budget.

Artists/Designers Wanting to Display Work → If you are an artist solely looking to display your artwork without any creative constraints, please inquire about vacant spaces and associated fees. Remember, this contest is part design and retail (business focused) unless you choose to pay for a vacant space or storefront for your concept. Artists/designers who choose to rent a space for display are considered EXHIBIT WINDOWS. Only eligible for the "Best Exhibit Window' and the "Public's Favorite Window 'categories. EXHIBIT WINDOWS are not eligible for the grand prize or other awarded prizes.

Team Spirit → Working in teams of two is fine. Firms or schools may pick no more than two designers to represent them . Just remember that prizes are awarded for one winner only. So, some cash splitting or toss-of-the-coin prize wrangling may be in order for winning team applicants. For teams of more than 2 people, your window would be eligible as an exhibit window and not eligible for the contest or prizes.*

*Note» We like to mix and mingle businesses and designers to attract a diverse

crowd to Old City. Also, The OCBC likes to be fair by placing applicants WE choose for pairings versus your OWN window designer (most likely someone you know )in different categories.

Judging Process

Optional Concept Drawing

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Call For Businesses

Business Owner Entrant Form

Quick Facts for Business Owners

Please read the designer section above to familiarize yourself with the guidelines for Old City Windows 2011.

The Process → All you need to do is sign up by Thursday, August 18th. We will pair you with a designer by September 9th. Also, the OCBC will ask you to place Old City Windows promotional posters in your window before and during the contest.

You and Your Designer → You will be contacted by your designer soon after pairings are announced on September 9th. The OCBC will send you the designer's name and contact info. Please note, the OCBC expects that both you and your designer will be in contact with eachother. Please be prompt in your response to your designer's phonecalls and set up a time to meet to collaboratie on your window. At this time, both you and your designer should discuss the following: window budget, any products or services to be featured in the window, day/time for installation and any creative constraints for the design*

*Note→ The OCBC must emphasize the importance of communication with your designer.The best windows are ones that clearly express both you and your designer's ideas. If you do not hear from your designer, please, contact them. Your participation in the window display makes the event very special - incomplete windows or 'drop out' windows can affect the overall appearance of Old City Windows 2011. Please contact the OCBC immediately if you cannot make contact with your assigned window partner.

Are you a business owner who wants to design your own window or use your own designer? → The OCBC would love to pair you with a designer, however If you would like to design your own window or already have a designer for your business, then your window is considered an EXHIBIT WINDOW. Only eligible for the 'Best Exhibit Window" and the 'Public's Favorite Window' categories. EXHIBIT WINDOWS are not eligible for the grand prize or other awarded prizes**

Window Display Completion → Windows must be on display October 1st - 23rd. Businesses are encouraged to keep window displays up for the month of October. Your designer is required to submit a final drawing of the window and a photo for your window to be eligible for the exhibit and contest.

Window Display Cost → Businesses are required to pay a minimum of $50 for window materials. Since your designer is investing time to make your window look super-spiffy, they are not required to pay toward material costs. We do encourage owners to take into consideration window size and materials needed to create a special window to spotlight your business. We encourage a budget for DESIGN EXCELLENCE.

** Please make sure that if YOU or YOUR DESIGNER are designing your window that you sign up for both designer entrant and business entrant categories. You need to be signed up for both.

Deadlines and Important Dates

August 18th → Business submission deadline

September 2nd (Early Bird) → Entrant submission deadline

September 7th (Late Bird) → Entrant submission deadline.

September 12th → Pairings announced

September 12th-October 6th → Design & Installation

October 6th → Window Deadline, Sketch and Photo Submission Deadline

October 7th→ Public Voting begins on First Friday.

October 23rd → Public and Juried Voting closes at conclusion of DesignPhiladelphia

October 26th → Winners announced at Trust (3rd & Arch)

Windows from Old City Windows 2010

Last Year's Winners:

Best in Design 2010 - Winner: Tom Judd for Hymphrys Flag Company

Best Professional Artist 2010 - Winner: Candy Depew for Roche Bobois

Best Student Artist 2010 - Winner: Jennifer Gin for Miles & Generalis

Best Exhibit Window 2010 - Winner: Walter Kent and Margaux Kent for Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

Honorable Mention 2010 - Winner: Deanna Mclaughlin for Mode Moderne

Public Favorite 2010 - Winner: Jessica Cervantes for The Papery

*Selected photos below taken by Alex Difiori.