Design Bootcamp – The Final Stand Off

Well, it’s been quite a ride since the start of our “Design Bootcamp” competition! Beginning with just an idea, here we are 6 months later with great experiences behind us and a fantastic campaign that is looking to become a Friends of Design tradition.
When we started out, we were looking for 4 exciting individuals who were talented, exciting and slightly wacky with enough grit and stamina to withstand 13 weeks of tough technical training with challenges thrown in in between to keep them on their toes. And boy, did they live up to the standards! Each of the contestants gave all they could and were hungry for the win.

Above: Final Challenge – Battlefield

The FINAL Challenge
When the final challenge finally came around, the contestants were ready for action, war paint on their faces and dressed to kill. The challenge itself was a gruelling combination of brains and brawn, with 3 machines with software challenges loaded on them set up between physical tasks such as tyre jumping and jump rope skipping. Our current evening students sat back and relaxed with a drink, waiting for the show, whilst contestants’ better halves stood on the sidelines getting ready to cheer them on.

Above: Final Challenge – Contestants

The contestants were given the rundown before starting their challenge: each person must complete a Photoshop task, then jump through tyres, go on to a Illustrator task, do some skipping with the jump rope and then finally complete an InDesign challenge and run through the finish line.

And so it began; with much excitement and much nervousness, each of the contestants did their utmost to beat the allocated time of 10 minutes. Hands were shaking, music was pumping and people were cheering them on. Our very own Umpire Lucy was timing them and counting off the seconds and minutes and when they reached the finish line, it was with great relief and a sense of accomplishment all round.

Eventually all 4 completed (mere seconds apart!) and the judges adjourned to discuss places. Third place was taken by the redoubtable Christopher, Second by Ninja Duncan, and First was tied for by Marina and Benjamin. Champagne was uncorked and photos were taken, with everyone relaxed and chatting happily, the evening ended off with goodwill all around and in anticipation for the overall winner.

For this challenge was NOT the deciding factor as to who would take the title of winner and the prizes to go along with it. Oh no, this was to be determined by the point system which has accumulated since the start of the competition, with 5 points awarded for the winner of the challenge, 3 to the runner up and minus 5 for late hand ins / no hand in. The winner of the final challenge received 20 bonus points, the runner up 15 points.

Above: Final Challenge – Happy Contestants & F.O.D. Team

The Prize Giving
After adding up the points and making the arrangements, the final prizegiving in which the overall winner would be announced, was held at the trendy Blooze Bar in Kloof Street, in which we invited the contestants and their partners, as well as sponsors, students and staff.

The evening kicked off with a thanks and welcome by Eva Csernyanszky, school director, who then passed the mic to Philipp Schmid, our Marketing Manager, who gave the crowd a quick rundown of the online statistics of how Friends of Design grew during the preceding 3 months and 4 months of the competition. And boy, how we grew! Our online fanbase almost doubled in size, with over 2000 fans on Facebook, a huge increase in website traffic as well as our Twitter Stream. This is mostly due to our contestants’ enthusiasm for the competition, so massive thanks to them for promoting Design Bootcamp and for being as passionate about it as we were.

Above: Bootcamp Campaign – Success in Numbers

The fun started when we all sat back and relaxed to watch the video that was put together to show how the competition progressed from start to finish. Plenty of laughs were prompted, along with groans and even some blushing.

Prizes were then presented, with Christopher Beukman receiving 4th place, Benjamin Reisner in 3rd, Marina Greyling coming close with 2nd place and Duncan Boxshall Smith taking the trophy. Duncan showed incredible passion, perseverance and dedication right throughout the competition which was evident in the quality of his work and the votes he received from his fans and followers online.

Above: Prize Giving – The Winners & Sponsors

We are pleased to award him the title of winner, a copy of Adobe Design Premium CS5 kindly sponsored by Learning Curve and a prestigious internship from International Advertising Agency Draft FCB Cape Town.

The evening then ended off with some fun photoshoots and drinks, in which the contestants relaxed and enjoyed themselves and their achievements.
With that all said and done, Friends of Design would like to say a huge well done to ALL of our contestants who gave it their all and showed such great sportsmanship – we trust you had as much fun as we did and wish you all the very best.

Above: Prize Giving – The Winners & F.O.D. Team

Watch this space for our next exciting competition in which YOU could stand a chance to get 13 weeks of evening Desktop Publishing Training, take the title of winner and win great prizes!
Until next time, over and out!!!