The contest is being hosted by Gravotech Group – developers of the 3Design and 3Shaper jewellery software – and will mark the first time such a competition has been held for the Asia and Oceania regions.
The company has organised similar contests in the past for other markets.
Jewellers will be asked to design a piece of jewellery using either 3Design or 3Shaper software based on their interpretation of the theme, Home.
The competition is open to entrants in Australia and New Zealand as well as other parts of Asia including mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, with submissions to be judged in two categories – existing users of the software and new users.
Chris Hill, 3D product manager for the software’s local distributor, Laser & Sign Technology (LST), explained that jewellers currently working with the program as well as those who weren’t would be able to enter the contest.
He said new users were allowed to “borrow” a copy of 3Design for the duration of the competition, while training material and events would also be made available during the contest period.
The major prizes, to be announced soon, will include approximately US$30,000 (AU$38,000) in 3Design and 3Shaper software. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category, with five consolation prizes shared across both categories.
First place in each category will be rewarded with a one-week trip to France, including a visit to the Gravotech 3Design headquarters in Lyon.
Commenting on the value of participating, Hill said, “CAD software provides a competitive edge for any modern jewellery business. It enables businesses to maintain quality, increase speed and reduce price.
“This is a great opportunity for existing users to gain exposure in the region for their CAD skills and design abilities. It is an even greater opportunity for non-users to get their hands on a loan copy of 3Design.”
Hill added that, since being introduced to the local market in 2004, the Australian and New Zealand user base for the software had steadily increased to several hundred users ranging from independent jewellers to larger organisations.
Interested participants must register online by 15 May 2015, and the deadline for competition entries closes 20 August 2015. An official awards ceremony will be held in September this year.
Click here for more information on the 2015 Asia and Oceania 3Design CAD Jewellery Design Contest.
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