Experience design for PVCA

The Print & Visual Communications Association (PVCA) is the peak industry body for printers and graphic design artists. They support and promote the evolving industry to help members become more profitable and sustainable.

Each year, the PVCA holds the Printing Industry Creativity Awards (PICAs), a fully realised and iterative awards platform that truly adds value to the printers and creatives who enter. Equal to receiving an exclusive invite to the Met Gala, PVCA wanted their entrants to be excited for, and proud of their involvement in the awards.

2020 was not a great year for award shows as we knew them. They had to be postponed, pivoted and cancelled. Our mission was to create an award experience that left winners on cloud nine and attendees pre-booking next year. We achieved this through curating the 2020 awards tone and voice, designing tiered awards collateral; interactive promotional pieces, state and national event invitations, and a book set.

In the age of COVID-19 we also transcended the classic presentation to a new digital experience, ensuring the animated presentation was successfully broadcast. Ultimately the experience we created was one of a kind. Guests received golden tickets (very Charlie and the Chocolate Factory we know), and a personal state invitation. Our Brisbane brand design team was thrilled to work on the invitations which were created based on the theme ‘GOLD meets disco’. The concept took inspiration from this, and playing cards — Kings and Queens of disco. We have no doubt the 2021 Print Awards will be as highly anticipated as the Oscars, with printers and designers across the country, checking their mailboxes daily for that slither of gold.

The pudding

There was a clear increase in the number of entries, inspired by our creations and strategies. The industry had more representatives with high quality and inspirational entries. Members felt valued for the first time in a long time and hype was spread throughout the industry. When an award show is an exciting experience for all, everybody leaves a winner.