@dotingsage
What kind of contests have you enjoyed most in this group?
I'm going to broaden my answer to include Interior Design Contests in general. I tend to be drawn to those that feature some kind of artist's décor collection using one item (or more) from their collection.
Another type that appeals to me personally are unusual themes using a specific type of furnishing --- not requiring everyone feature the same item, but use a type of item. There was a contest in another group called 'Burl Wood Beauty' and it opened my eyes to a new kind of wood. To me, creating Interior Sets is like shopping for something that meets the required theme and then I have to create an entire room around it. Very challenging, and I like challenges.
Any contest ideas you wish to see in this group?
In addition to the themes I mentioned above, I also like very general themes where one is asked to create either a certain kind of room or any room type, using a specific color tone, color combination, a specific style (Mid Century Modern, Shabby Chic, etc.), or a particular type of material or fabric -- not something from a collection or even a select item chosen by the moderator. Examples include: "Design a room using at least 3 items made of chrome" -- "Use Paisley" -- "Create a Hippie Bathroom" -- "Use Emerald Green and Powered Blue to Create A Space" ... stuff like that. I not only love putting on my thinking cap for those kinds of contests, but I ADORE seeing what others come up with. It's always so surprising and fun!
What makes you join in contests?
Amount of time and whether Old Sets are permitted.
Because I'm not on UrStyle as much as I would love to be these days (due to offline life filling up much of my time), I gravitate toward Contests that run longer than most, as it takes me forever to finish a Set as it is because I'm so critical of my own work and so detail-oriented. So, for me, length of a contest (lots of time) is a factor.
When a Contest excites me and I have Sets that meet the theme of it (and perhaps not enough time to create a new Set for the contest), I like when moderators allow for older Sets (with or without a limit on entries). Speaking only for myself, I work hard on my Sets. Designing them does not come naturally to me. I'm not as skilled or as fast as most here. From that perspective, to put so much time and thought into certain creations, only to have them entered/seen once and then move down in my personal Set Gallery, is sad. When members are allowed to submit older Sets in contests (regardless of group type) I often find so many Sets that others have created and that I had missed! I then have the opportunity to discover, enjoy, and appreciate their work. Yay!
Lastly -- and this comes from the playful, childlike part of my self, I love when Moderators offer an Award Set. It doesn't have to be intricate. I just enjoy collecting them. It's fun! But if an Award Set is not offered, it never stops me from entering a contest. I just consider an Award Set as a bonus to all the creative fun!
Hope that was helpful!
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