Spare Time

The brief to 'design a challenging, interesting, exciting, awe-inspring, thought provoking visual response' wasn't exactly simple. But back in March the judging team at Cog Design in Greenwich had to whittle thousands of entries into just fifty.

The only constraint to students who entered was that their design should fit on to one piece of A sized paper and be related to the concept of recognition. College and University students from across the country entered and now the winners have been announced.

All three designs will now be printed as postcards and posted out on 'Recognition Day.'

Home Sweet Home

Julie Wilkinson who studies at Bath Spa University, will receive £500 for her entry "Home Sweet Home." Illustrator Kathryn Cook who helped pick the winners said this entry was her favourite: "Apart from the issue it is highlighting, I just think the image is quite beautiful."

Plaque of Recognition

Meanwhile Hanna Benjamin from the Chelsea College of Art & Design was awarded £500 for "Plaque of Recognition." The judging panel said this entry "captures the brief really well as they have used an ordinary, everyday scenario to produce a piece of communication that we can all relate to."

Tokens of recognition

Bradley Tapp from the University of Wales will receive £1000 for "Tokens of Recognition" His piece was described by judges as a "Great idea. We Love it."

Recognition Day

The competition is all part of Recognition Day - described by organisers as "an excuse to dispel cynicism, to reach out and say thank you." They're encouraging people to take a few minutes out of their day to tell others that they appreciate them.

Spokesperson for Cog Design says "Recognition Day gives a platform to shout a ‘well done!’, to whisper a ‘thank you’ or to tap a stranger on the shoulder and tell them they have made an impact."

This year the firm's Recognition Day will be held on Sunday 4th May 2008.