Timetable - SHIFTED!!!
NEW Section - LINEUP!!! (See below)

Accreditation
10:00-14:00 27th November, 2009
Stanica, Zilina-Zariecie, Slovakia (cultural center)

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Trains & Buses - Departures

Beginning of the conference
14:44 27th November, 2009
Stanica, Zilina-Zariecie, Slovakia (cultural center)

End of the conference
18:00 28th November, 2009

Graphic designers (but not only) from six Central European countries meet every year at the conference aiming at group exchange of professional experiences and building of the field identity following the message of the guild, field groups, associations and traditions. These institutions protected professions in history and builded healthy working environment. On the one hand they gave correct working conditions and appropriate financial assessment for their members and on the other hand they guaranteed appropriate quality for the market. Within new conditions of contemporary life these structures exists, but they are mostly focussed on presenting and advertising the field itself and they don't solve the very specific problems of the graphic designer in reality. Our ambition is not to substitute the traditional institutions, but to build a dynamic platform for permanent discussion and consulting, higher information exchange, professionalism and working culture in our field.

From the sociological point of view, competition is a rivalry between two or more persons or groups for an object desired in common, usually resulting in a victor and a loser but not necessarily involving the destruction of the latter. (http://dictionary.reference.com/)

From the ecological point of view, it is the struggle among organisms, both of the same and of different species, for food, space, and other vital requirements. (http://dictionary.reference.com/)

Competition in economics is a term that encompasses the notion of individuals and firms striving for a greater share of a market to sell or buy goods and services (Wikipedia). Merriam-Webster defines competition in business as "the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favourable terms.

Competition in the field of visual communication is interconnected with market and runs on several levels.

On the practical level, competition is a tool, an instrument in the hands of the client or sponsor. Competition allows the client to select the best of a number of proposed solutions to his demand. For the graphical designer, competition is a developmental pathway through which he improves his professional, economic and social status. Competitiveness and rivalry in the field of graphical design are not constrained to business only. Designers often seek professional prestige, disregarding economic rewards, while the field itself is often still (relatively) unsuccessful in its competition with other arts for social and cultural recognition. What conditions of professional competition would be satisfactory for graphical design? What is the role that trade unions should play? Are competitions perceived as a developmental driver? What are contemporary preferences and trends? In which way do ‘destructive’ and ‘cooperative’ competition models manifest themselves in graphic design? To what extent do competitiveness, professional relations and private life affect graphic designers? Is it possible to define ‘healthy’ and balanced tendencies of competitiveness on the level of organizations and individuals?

Date: 27th - 28th November, 2009
Place: Stanica, Zilina-Zariecie, Slovakia (cultural center)
Conference language: English
Participant fee: Students - 10 EUR / professionals - 20 EUR (price includes two days of lectures, ticket for party)
Accommodation: Hotel - app. 25 EUR, Dorms - app. 12 EUR

 

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