Designer Wanted: EHBPC Event Designer (Print)

European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships
Event Designer (Print)

The European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships is seeking a talented and enthusiastic designer or team of designers to develop and lead the design for this exciting event. The designer(s) will be responsible for the creative concept, design and production of the entire identity scheme for the championships.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be a major part of the success of this inaugural event. Although this is an unpaid position, this is an exciting way to get involved and to give something back to the community, while producing some great portfolio work and making some amazing contacts.

Overview and background
In the summer of 2009, the London Hardcourt Bike Polo Association will host the first European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships. We are planning a two-day tournament of bike polo and events for competitors and non-competitors alike, including casual games, taster sessions, sightseeing rides, parties and a few surprises.

We want this event to be an amazing weekend that will impress competitors, spectators and sponsors. As such, we want an effective visual identity that’s beautiful, professional and cutting edge.

What we’re looking for
We need a designer or team of designers to design and produce all the design work for the championships.

This is potentially a dream design job. We want someone that can produce some incredible work for us. We’ll expect you to bring a lot of ideas and creative input to the event; we want someone who’ll take on this project and make it their own. We’ll always try to be as specific as we can about what we’re looking for, so you should be used to working to a brief, and with clients that have high standards. That said, we want the designer/s to be able to 'put their name' to this project. We want it to reflect your work and style.

We want design that will appeal to the 20-35 year old trendsetters that play bike polo, as well as the company and corporations that will sponsor this event. We want something cool and contemporary rather than scruffy and punk. It’s got to look amazing, but it’s got to work hard, too.

Key deliverables and timelines
The scale of this design job is large; do not underestimate the amount of time and energy that will be required to fulfill this brief. Below are some of the key designs that you will be expected to deliver, along with some timelines to allow you to assess the time commitments that will be required. The deliverables are divided into three main phases:

Phase one: Identity
Timeline: December 2008

• A cohesive visual identity for the tournament, including logo, fonts, graphic style and usage guidelines.
  
• Letterhead, sponsorship packs, media packs, etc.
  
  
  

Phase two: Pre-tournament
Timeline: Spring 2009

• Promotional collateral such as flyers, posters, press advertising, etc.
  
• Advance welcome pack for competitor
  
  
  

Phase three: Tournament
Timeline: Summer 2009

• On-the-day branding/wayfinding signage and banners
  
• Collateral such as programmes, spoke cards, patches, stickers, etc.
  
• Merchandise branding such as t-shirts, hoodies, beermugs, caps, saddle danglers, etc.
  
• Motion graphics for video and for live projection screen
  
  
  
  

Skills/requirements
We're welcoming applications from individuals, teams of individuals, or from design agencies. If you feel you don't have all of the skills required, pair up with someone who can offer those skills if possible. It would be easier for all if you have experience working with the team. However we are happy to look at matching up designers who can offer part of the brief with others who can complete it. Remember that we'll always give you as much support as we can. The ideal designer(s) will fit the following criteria:

• above all else, has a passion for bicycles and understands the bike polo culture
  
• is based in London, or travels here on a regular basis
  
• has a design style that fits with our aesthetic
  
• has a passion for design that’s environmentally responsible
  
• is used to working to briefs and with clients who know what they want, but can provide creative ideas to strengthen briefs
  
• can demonstrate experience in designing and implementing identity systems
  
• has existing relationships with printers, and experience in specifying print jobs
  
• has experience getting amazing results with tiny budgets
  
  
  
  

Key relationships
The chosen designer(s) will be working closely with the event’s Design Committee (currently Roxy Erickson and Ted Young-Ing). All final designs will need final approval by the event’s governing board. You will also work closely with the online designer(s), who will be producing the website, and with the AV team who will be producing the live projections and video of the event.

Budgets
Let’s be honest, this is bike polo. The LHBPA has an annual budget of £0. Everything for this event is being done as cheaply as possible, relying on volunteer labour and supplier discounts. The job doesn’t pay, but it’s a great opportunity to get involved in the event and to give something back to the community, while getting some great portfolio pieces and a lot of exposure.

To apply
If you are interested in applying for this commission or if you have any further questions, please contact Ted Young-Ing on ted@ehbpc.org, on (zer0) 7 (n9ne) 5 (se7en) 4 (thr3e) 4 1 (se7en) 4 or by pm (teddy). Please register your interest as soon as possible. We will be reviewing portfolios over the next few weeks, and hope to appoint by Saturday 6 December.

We will in the near future also be looking for an online designer or team of designers who can handle the design for the Championships' website and online presence. The job spec will be issued soon. Please get in contact if this is of interest to you.