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NMoQ Open Call for Mascot Design Competition

Posted On: 29 April 2020 07:00 am Updated On: 3 November 2022 08:12 pm
Categories : Arts & Culture
NMoQ Open Call for Mascot Design Competition

Events Details

Location: Qatar
Date: 7 April 2020 - 1 July 2020
Time: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Price:
  • Registration - It's free!

The National Museum of Qatar opened its doors to the public on 28 March 2019. Since then our museum has welcomed visitors from across the globe. In celebration of our one year anniversary, the museum is hosting an open call to both local and international artists, designers, and creatives to submit a design for our museum mascot.

The museum, in collaboration with Exxon Mobil Research Qatar, is working on a special exhibition about the Dugong set to open a year from now. With this in mind, it has been decided that our mascot will be the Dugong itself. Dugongs are large, long-living, sea grass-eating marine mammals that have lived in Qatari waters for over 7,500 years. After Australia, the Arabian Gulf hosts the second largest population of dugongs in the world.

Dugongs are very shy creatures and are usually found in pairs of two, a mother and a calf. In Qatar, however, herds of 600 – 700 dugongs have been found which are the biggest herds ever recorded in the world. Dugongs are facing extinction due to fishing activities, vessel strikes and environmental pollution.

Sustainability and conservation are key aims of the museum. Our building itself has received LEED Gold certification for sustainability – the first national museum awarded this certificate! Dugongs are a symbol of sustainability. They promote environmental awareness and a sustainable lifestyle while promoting local heritage.

The winning mascot design will be part of the museum’s living identity. Our mascot will be featured in educational programs, publications, our website and social media content, as well as, featured in promotional activities outside the museum space. The name of the designer will remain attached to the design in all press releases.

The deadline for submissions is 1 July 2020.

The Dugong
Animal Characteristics

- Dugongs graze on underwater grasses day and night, rooting for them with their bristled, sensitive snouts and chomping them with their rough lips.
- Dugongs can stay underwater for six minutes before surfacing. They sometimes breathe by “standing” on their tail with their heads above water.
- Dugongs spend much of their time alone or in pairs, though they are sometimes seen gathered in large herds of a hundred animals.

Main Persona Characteristics

- Very shy but adventurous;
- Loves swimming in clean ocean waters;
- Always craving Qatari sea grass;
- Eager to protect their friends and habitat, but also, encourage others to do so as well.

Eligibility

All independent artists and designers are eligible to submit their design! This includes hobbyists, aspiring artists, and freelancers. Submissions made by companies or corporations will not be accepted.

All ages and nationalities are welcome to submit. This includes international submissions from designers outside of Qatar.

Criteria for the Winning Dugong Mascot Design

- Unique concept that is related to the National Museum of Qatar’s overall aesthetic and visual identity;
- Promotes sustainability and the importance of an eco-friendly lifestyle;
- Suitable and relatable to Qatari culture and society;
- Professionally designed with high standard of artistry, creativity, and innovation in a clean and complete manner.

Submissions should include:

*The star Indicates required submissions. However, submissions with all elements included will be judged in a more positive regard.

1. Character from all angles: front, side L, side R, back in 2D. Optional additional submission of 3D version *

2. Character’s expressions: happy, sad, confused, angry, mischievous, and tired *

3. Colored character with single shading (no shadows or highlights), colored character with shading (shadows and highlights)

4. Character in different poses interacting with but not limited to the following items:
- Dallah (coffee pot)
- Qatari traditional dress (men’s and/or women’s)
- Pearl diving tools
- Sustainability related idea
- Sea grass

5. Designed examples of how the character can be used for merchandising (plushies, stickers, pins, notebooks, etc.)

6. Description of the character including answers to questions related to their personality, unique features or elements; and/or how these relate to the Qatari culture and/or community. Up to 500 words *

Character design submissions should be in .PDF, .PNG, or .JPEG format.
Description submissions should be in .DOC or .DOCX format.
All files should be compressed into a .ZIP format and uploaded via this link.

Jury

The jury will be appointed by the NMoQ Director (consisting of museum directors, artists, and children).

Prizes

The local prize award is major media and press interviews related to the winner and their design, recognition by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and the NMoQ Director, Sheikha Amna bint Abdull Aziz bin Jassim Al Thani, a free culture pass membership and care package from NMoQ Gift Shop.

The International prize is a round-trip to Doha, in addition to the above.

Final Regulations

All participants undertake to assign all intellectual property rights in each of their mascot designs to the National Museum of Qatar and this assignment is a condition for the winning participant to receive the prize.

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