Marksman Design Award 2007-2008

In the digital age, you would expect the art of handwriting to rapidly become a thing of the past, gently making way for the ‘keyboarding’ that now dominates our working lives. But nothing could be further from the truth. Most people still use a pen or pencil daily, and pens remain the world’s most popular business gift. So the pen still has a future. Can you come up with a design that combines the proven strengths of the classic pen or pencil with new and practical functionalities? Do you know what it takes to create a pen that ‘feels right’? How would you design a pen that is stylish, exclusive and that people immediately recognize as high-quality? The Marksman Design Award 2007-2008 challenges you to do just that.

Design the perfect pen
ItÂ’s not surprising that the pen is still going strong. Most of us still find it easier to use a pen to jot down a phone number or take notes during meetings. If you want to illustrate an idea with a quick sketch, you will most likely reach for a pen and paper. Or, in the near future, for a digital pen and tablet PC. But the pen is more than a highly practical instrument. Like a wrist watch, it is an accessory that often reflects the identity of its owner. Which is a major reason why pens are still the world’s favourite business gift.

Design the new figurehead of ‘writing instruments’
The challenge set by the Marksman Design Award is to produce an innovative and original ‘writing instrument’ to spearhead the Marksman collection. That means you will have to meet high standards: our collection is characterized by exclusive aesthetic design, the use of high-quality materials and excellent ergonomics. You can design a rollerball, ballpoint or fountain pen, a pencil or a set of writing instruments. You can also opt for a package, case or accessories. Whatever your choice… make sure that you share the thinking behind your design with us! We are looking for non-traditional designs for what is seen as a traditional market. Part of the challenge is to overcome this apparent paradox.

More Information:
http://www.marksmandesignaward.com/

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