Roland DG Challenge 2011

Helping the Danish Child Cancer Foundation

April 31^st marked the start of the 3rd annual Roland DG Challenge - a 24hour student competition invented as a result of Roland DG's academy cooperation with Copenhagen Technical College and Media College Aalborg.

Roland DG Challenge 2011 was held at Copenhagen Technical College with a theme that forced the students to create a campaign with both ethics and compassion. This year's beneficiary was the Danish Child Cancer Foundation, a non-governmental organization that raises funds for research in treatment methods and seeks to improve the conditions of life for children with cancer.

A total of 60 students from Copenhagen Technical College and Media College Aalborg had made it through the qualification rounds and got their chance to show their creative talents in the 24hour competition. "Roland DG Challenge has become a prestigious contest that provides unique possibilities for both personal and professional development. It gives us students a chance to show the graphic industry who we are and what we can do," says Henrik Ellersgaard, one of the winners of Roland DG Challenge 2011, about the students take on Roland DG Challenge.

This year, the obligatory assignment consisted of a full size bus streamer, a lap-top skin and the graphics for a vehicle wrap. The students were free to choose what other campaign elements they would create on the VS-640, RS-640, XC-540 and GX-500 available in the DG Academy at Copenhagen Technical College.

 

 

Creating unique and sensitive campaigns

Several campaigns surprised the judges who were genuinely impressed with the students and their ability to create unique and relevant campaigns for an organization whose sole purpose is to help children battling with cancer.  

The relevance and sensitivity of the theme came as a surprise to most students. "We knew that the assignment would be to create a graphic campaign for a charity organization. Therefore, we were prepared that it would not be easy. However, the theme and nature of the assignment came as quite a surprise and actually seemed a bit overwhelming," says Henrik Ellersgaard. "Naturally, it is always hard to create a campaign centered on illness but the fact that we had to consider and deal with children with cancer made it both sensitive and difficult."  

Despite the overwhelming nature of the theme, the students really gave it their all and designed campaigns that were both considerate, relevant and to the point. The judges were truly impressed and had a hard time deciding on the winner of the competition.

However, one group managed to make an extremely coherent campaign integrating all aspects of the assignment. Henrik Ellersgaard, Elena Mathiassen and Mads Rhode Knudsen formed the winning group and were really proud yet surprised to be announced winner of Roland DG Challenge 2011. "Working on a campaign for only 24 hours leaves room for improvement, but we are really happy with the concept," said the group. Henrik Ellersgaard continued and stated that "there was never any doubt that we wanted to create a positive campaign. Our aim was to encourage smiles, despite the sad nature of the message."

"To win Roland DG Challenge means a great deal. It has become quite prestigious and serves as a fantastic achievement and reference in my portfolio. Not to mention, that my confidence in my own competencies has increased enormously," says Henrik Ellersgaard as a note on the victory.