Insightful, inspired and creative - coupled with enthusiasm and a healthy dose of hard work. That’s the best way to describe the Vega School of Brand Leadership entries submitted in the Graffiti charity wallpaper competition. With varied ideas and clever interpretations of the theme: “African Pride: Conservation in Action” the process of determining a winner was incredibly tough. But in the end the judge’s decision was unanimous and the top three places in the 2016 competition go to: Polo Mohlomi (1^st place), Kyla Gibbs (2^nd place) and Mpho Moshikaro and Teboho Hlatshwayo’s (3^rd place - joint submission). 

The competition – targeted at the first year students at Vega’s Randburg campus – invited the young creative minds to conceptualise and design an inspired wall paper for the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). According to GraffitiNational Retail Solutions Manager Richard Wood, the calibre of the 43 unique entries received, was surprisingly high. “Considering these students are first years and that the wall paper had to reflect the organisation’s comprehensive mandate in the artwork – we were very impressed with the quality of the submissions.”

Mohlomi receives a cash prize, the opportunity to take up an internship at Graffiti, publicity and of course it’s a significant achievement to include in his portfolio.  Perhaps the biggest accolade though is the winning design will be produced and printed by Graffiti and installed at the EWT’s head office.  Wood says that the winning design is well thought out, eye catching, and the accompanying text ‘If this feels incomplete imagine the reality…’ is thought provoking and impactful.

The second and the third prize winners also receive cash, exposure to the workings of the world of mobile and fixed branding, and publicity.

EWT graphic designer and project spokesperson, Marion Burger says, “We were thrilled to be the beneficiary of this competition and the winning wall paper will bring alive a wall in our office that has traditionally been dark and flat.Mohlomi’s design – a thought provoking interpretation of the impact of extinction of our endangered species, will provide visitors to our office with real food for thought. Clever creative!”

Adding to this, Burger explains that the EWT has a cohesive and integrated approach to the conservation of species, habitats and ecosystem processes. The non-profit organisation believes successful conservation must include protecting the habitats that support species – and human beings – and in this way entire ecosystems, communities and socio-economic structures reap the benefits.  One of the organisation’s key themes is extinction and the reversal of the decline of endangered species. With this being such a big focus for the organisation – the winning wallpaper design quickly found a niche with the EWT.

Special mention should also be given to Moshikaro and Hlatshwayo’s whose Heartbeat of Africa, which although placed third, was immediately recognised as more suited to an outdoor campaign. So it was that when the EWT was given billboard space at no cost by Ad Outpost that the artwork was made ready for the OOH space and today can be seen in various locations around Gauteng.

Mohlomi’s winning design will be digitized by Graffiti and incorporated into Graffiti’s wall paper design catalogue.  Going forward, should any other customer choose the wall paper design or a version thereof, a percentage of the sale will be donated to the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

A pilot competition – Graffiti hopes to make this an annual collaboration on its marketing calendar.  The competition was launched to mark the introduction of the company’s new wallpaper offering.

Graffiti Retail Solutions - where science, design, and ergonomics merge with intention - to produce creative that complies with corporate identity specifications.

For more visit: www.Graffiti.co.za.