Student Challenge 2024

From September to December we organize the annual Student Challenge for final year MBO and first year* HBO students in media design/graphic design from the Netherlands and Belgium. Students research a theme or topic relevant to them.

“Between Quotation Marks” stimulates aspiring designers to speak out from a safe school environment. By communicating a self-chosen message to the world, students are encouraged to reflect on their role and position as designers in society.

A professional jury, consisting of leading figures from the field (names announced later), will choose up to 50 eye-catching posters from all entries. These will be exhibited for 3 months in the 3sec.gallery in Breda. An exceptional opportunity to exhibit and show work to the outside world as a young designer!

* Participate with another study year or country? Please contact us.

“It was a super fun assignment and adventure for the students. Thanks for the good care!” – Teacher, Noorderpoort Groningen

Typography is more than letters and characters. It contributes to the emotional charge and impact of a design. Letters can move, provoke, captivate, persuade, and much more. For example, a cursive letter conveys a sense of playfulness, while clean, angular shapes suggest seriousness and stability.

There are numerous (well-known) examples in which these typographic principles are played with and experimented with. The shift to digital (and variable!) typefaces, has reinforced this dynamic. With an infinite range of materials, fonts and new techniques, the designer can create just the right tone for a message.

The Student Challenge raises awareness among young designers about the importance and influence of typefaces. We challenge them to push the boundaries of the legible and explore how typography plays a role in creating a message, emotion, cultural understanding and inclusion. What message do students feel is important to communicate and what is its essence?

For each program, we organize a kick-off on location to inform, enthuse and, above all, inspire students! We also offer an online inspiration file. Here students can find relevant articles about typography, emotion and appearance, typefaces and the power of a (non)clear message. In addition, there are short teaching assignments for teachers to inspire students and get them started.

Students design a poster based on a quote or text from a self-chosen hero, with letters playing the main role. This could be a quote from a book, a phrase from a song lyric, an answer from an interview … etc. Students can work with existing digital fonts, self-created characters, calligraphy, and everything in between. In the end, it comes together in a printed A0 poster.

Teachers are free to design the guidance as they see fit. The poster may be entirely typographic, but can also be set up in combination with images. There are no restrictions on the technique to be used: digital, screen printing, typesetting … anything is possible. As long as it reinforces the message. Further explanation on submission specifications and file submission will follow after registration of participation. We count on one poster submission per participation – cooperation is allowed!

“Creating a poster for a design challenge outside of school is an encouragement to students” – Teacher, 2023

In addition to experience designing from their own perspective, students also gain knowledge. During the festive closing conference, lectures by jury members and experts form a fun and educational program. During the conference, the 50 most outstanding entries will also be announced. Immediately following, the exhibition will be opened.

3sec.gallery is the world’s only drive-by gallery. Along the driveway of the Chassé Parking in Breda you will see a new series of posters every three months. You are also welcome on foot or by bicycle. Usually there are group and solo exhibitions of work by international designers. Once a year the posters are for sale during the Poster Sale.

Sign up
Before October 1st via email

Kick-off on location
From the start of the school year until fall break.

Deadline submissions
Until November 15, 2024

Conference + opening exhibition
December 11, 2024 in pop venue MEZZ, Breda

Educational institutions in the Netherlands and Belgium can participate. Participation costs € 250 per institution plus travel expenses for 2 people from Breda.

Especially for students and teachers we create an online inspiration file, in which relevant articles, videos, podcasts and inspiring creators can be found (mostly Dutch). The sources offer information for a good basis and additional depth. In different sections the sources help students with their (visual) research, technical implementation or message.

For teachers we offer short assignments to inspire students and help them on their way.

Also take a look at our inspiration file on artificial intelligence (2023).

“Thank you for providing so many opportunities for young students. It’s really cool!” – Docent, Haute Ecole de la Province de Liège

Poster ready? Submit your file here via the online tool.

Want to register your students directly or discuss options? Send an email with your name, phone number, school and number of students. We will contact you as soon as possible!