Young creatives can enter New York Festivals 2016 Torch Awards

This year, New York Festivals has partnered with the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD) for the 2016 Torch Awards. IHCD is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of people of all ages and abilities through excellence in design. IHCD aims to bring greater visibility to the concept of inclusive design and shape an international action agenda now to minimise dependence and build a world where everyone can thrive. An international NGO, it is committed to advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing experience for people of all ages and abilities through excellence in design. The non-profit's work balances expertise in legally required accessibility with promotion of best practices in human-centred or universal design.

Valerie Fletcher, executive director of IHCD, says, "The Institute is excited and grateful to be selected as the non-profit partner for the 2016 Torch Awards. Our mission is large and we need the very best talent to generate the 'aha!' moment that transforms how people think about the power of design to transform people's lives."

"New York Festivals partnered with IHCD for two reasons. First, it is a pioneer in championing the cause of 'Design that includes everyone is a human right.' Everyone, at some point in their lives, will experience a change in their abilities-whether due to illness, accident, or simply by aging. We support its mission to 'build a world where everyone can thrive.' Second, partnering with it added a new aspect to the challenge: implementing inclusive design so all can enjoy, participate in, and learn from the work-including our entrants," said Alisun Armstrong, executive director, Torch Awards. "New York Festivals' global footprint extends to 90 countries and, with prominent industry professionals serving on our juries, we are poised to support and showcase Institute's mission via the 2016 Torch Awards Challenge."

Entry requirements

Young creatives are encouraged to enter and review a brief outlining a marketing opportunity to assist the IHCD and a chance to see their campaign selected to go live.

Entrants in the Inclusive Design Challenge will present their creative concept for a digital media showcase that presents the inclusive design progress and success stories. This showcase will be used to introduce the IHCD and the urgent case for practicing inclusive design in the 21st century to a wide range of global audiences at conferences, as part of presentations to global policy makers, and through strategic partnerships. It will be a permanent fixture in the exhibit showroom at the IHCD headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts.

Five finalist teams will be invited to New York City to present their ideas. Before they head into the pitch, they will fine-tune their work during an intensive work session with their mentor-a member of the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards Executive Jury. The teams will have 10 minutes to pitch their idea to an exclusive jury panel including members of the IHCD team and members of the New York Festivals Executive Jury.

Teams of two to four people 18-27 may enter. The 2016 Torch Awards submission deadline is 15 February 2016. Finalist teams will be announced on 9 April and will convene in New York City on 18 May. The 2016 Torch Awards winning team will be announced live and will accept its trophy at the New York Show on 19 May 2016.

For more information, go to www.newyorkfestivals.com/torchawards.