Shanghai (May 1, 2009) — 256 competitors, 16 cities, 3 competition formats, 1 unique event series. Thousands have gathered around the world this year to watch the live-action spectacle known as the Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament, where designers rack their brains, race the clock, and try not to break a sweat onstage. Pitting some of the world’s most talented designers against each other in the arenas of 2D, 3D, and Motion Design, Cut&Paste kicked off its 16-city global tour in Los Angeles on February 21 and has continued eastward through North America and Europe ever since.
And it is coming now to the Asia/Pacific region, hitting Hong Kong (May 15), Shanghai (May 23), Tokyo (May 30) and Sydney (June 6), before returning to its New York City home for the debut of its Global Championship event.
Since 2005, Cut&Paste’s Digital Design Tournament has held the world’s attention as a one-of-a-kind graphic design competition distinguished by trademark 15-minute elimination rounds and a setup that projects each competitor’s work, in real time, onto large displays, allowing audiences to observe every technical move and creative decision. For the 2009 tournament, time limits and round progression will vary by competition format, but the concept remains the same: designers jump onstage to prove their mettle under strict time constraints and in front of a watchful crowd; in each competition, only one designer (per category) emerges victorious.
"The tournament is much bigger in 2009—we have five new cities, two new competitions, and the Global Championship. It presents much more opportunity for designers to really show us what they’ve got," said John Fiorelli, founder of Cut&Paste. "It’s been exciting to showcase a fuller range of what the global design community has to offer, and the feedback and ongoing support from everywhere around the world indicates that this is our best show yet."
The Shanghai tournament will be held at the Shanghai Sculpture Space, a creative hub in west downtown Shanghai. Judges include Chinese contemporary artist Ding Yi and Jellymon creative director Sam Jacobs for 2D, Asentio Design founder David Williams and adFunture founder Eddi Yip for 3D; and W+K’s Francis Lam and new media artist Jin Jiang Bo for Motion. MC Tang King (Redstar) on the mic and DJ Kidplastik on the decks will ensure it’s a good party. But the fun won’t stop after the winners are crowned. The official afterparty – co-hosted by Free the Wax, and free for tournament attendees – sees Los Angeles musical pioneers Free the Robots, Shanghai VJ collective Localize, and special guests rocking the party til the wee hours.
EVENT FORMAT
Both the 3D and Motion Design competitions are new for the 2009 tournament, making for a more extensive program. Events begin earlier in the evening with preliminary rounds in 2D and 3D simultaneous with the ongoing single-round Motion competition. Motion results and judging take place in the latter half of the event, as do the final rounds of 2D and 3D. In each competition, judges award one winner the Grand Prize package. Winners also receive an expenses-paid trip to New York City in June 2009 for the first-ever Cut&Paste Global Championship, where they will face off against fellow champions from every city on the tour. (For detailed competition information, as well as the complete list of prizes, visit www.cutandpaste.com/tours/program/formats.)
AUDIENCE DESIGN CONTESTS
Cut&Paste is rounding out this year’s program with three Audience Design Contests—sponsored by Autodesk and 55DSL—that allow event-goers to compete against their fellow Cut&Pasters worldwide and get a taste of what global competitiveness and quick-thinking design are all about. Winners of the 2009 Audience Design Contests will be selected from out of all entries received during the course of the tournament and announced at the Global Championship in June.
THE TOUR
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
ASIA/PACIFIC
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Cut&Paste is generously supported by its sponsors and media partners each year. The 2009 Digital Design Tournament is sponsored by…
Global: Autodesk, the official Global 3D Software Sponsor; Wacom, providing pen-based displays and tablets used during onstage competitions; Pantone, the global authority on color, providing its latest design tools to aid in color exploration and specification for the competitions; 55DSL, an urban streetwear line with roots in snow, surf, and skate, providing the Global 2D Design Grand Prize. Global Media Partners include IdN Magazine, Motionographer, Flavorpill and Computer Arts Magazine.
Regional: Adobe, revolutionizing how the world engages with ideas and information; Scion, a forward-thinking car company focused on creative ideas and individualism for all. Regional Media Partners include Stash Magazine, Going, Wired Magazine, and IDSA.
Local: Free the Wax, music lovers dedicated to bringing only the frontline of musical pioneers to China; Neocha.com, the leading social networking site and event platform for the discovery of original music, art, events, and goods among Chinese creative communities; RedTown, Cut&Paste’s hosts at the Shanghai Sculpture Space venue; Source, China’s leading streetwear retailer; and Vedett, a premium Belgian beer brand with a somewhat different attitude. Local Media Partners include 1626, NewWebPick, Touchmedia, and Vision.
More information on the 2009 Digital Design Tournament Tour – as well as news and updates on judges and contestants for the Shanghai event – can be found at www.cutandpaste.com.
Please contact Panthea Lee at panthea.lee@cutandpaste.com for more information on the Shanghai tournament, interview requests, and exclusive photos.
ABOUT CUT&PASTE
Cut&Paste is a social arena for the discovery, advocacy, and elevation of design. It lives as a global movement of artists, firms, and media working to strengthen creative networks through events and local support. Born in New York City in 2005, Cut&Paste’s signature event is the Digital Design Tournament, held live throughout the world each year. The 2009 tour is taking place in 16 cities around the globe. Cut&Paste additionally powers design-driven contests and events within the industry. Learn more about Cut&Paste at www.cutandpaste.com.