Concept 2 Consumer Design Competition winners announced

06 Jun '12

3 min read

The winners of the 2012 Association of Textile, Apparel & Materials Professionals (AATCC) Concept 2 Consumer (C2C) Design Competition for college students have been chosen. The first place winner is Leah Becker, a junior at University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Becker was awarded US$1,000 and a copy of Pantone's Cotton Planner. She also won high marks from the judges for selection of base and accent colors and for creating a design that addresses consumer fit, comfort, and style preferences for the target audience specified in the 2012 contest criteria.

To date, AATCC has awarded over US$12,000 to promising fashion and textile program students participating in the association's annual C2C design competition.

The 2012 contest was open to both graduate and undergraduate students. AATCC received 34 entries from 13 colleges and universities. The other winners are:

2nd Place:
Minerva by Elizabeth Keebler, Stephens College, in Columbia, Missouri, U.S.A.

Honorable Mentions:

Fine Feathers by Carrie Cook, Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, U.S.A., and Madam Mallard by Wynn Farley, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

For this year's competition, the contestants were challenged with creating original active wear for a female customer, age 50-65, for her daily walking routine. The theme was “Birds of a Feather Walk Together,” and students were asked to include a combination of nine colors and incorporate a bird element in at least one design.

Becker said the contest gave her a new perspective on color and reaffirmed that she's on the right career track.

“The most important thing I learned from the contest was the use of color,” Becker said. “Prior to the competition I used more neutral color schemes for my designs. By having color requirements, I discovered my interest in combining color through designing patterns and prints.”

The Concept 2 Consumer Design Competition encourages students to design prints and products to "real-world" specifications and is open to individuals or teams of up to four. Each year students are given a design theme, and color and theme guidelines. Prizes include first place cash award of US$1,000 along with a copy of Pantone's Cotton Planner, a US$750 award for second place, and two US$100 awards for honorable mentions.

AATCC would like to extend its appreciation to this year's judging panel, which includes:

Carlos Vazquez, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), Instructor, Mentor for the Debut 3rd, Designer.

Carrie Yates, Cotton Incorporated, Manager, Product Development.

Deborah Young, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), Assistant Chair, Textile Science.

Diana Wyman, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), Product Research & Testing Analyst.

Kristie Rhodes, Cotton Incorporated, Textile Designer.

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