Reston, VA - In an effort to showcase the extraordinary talent of our youth, the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) is pleased to announce that it has launched a 2009 National Student Design Competition: Careers in Graphic Communications…Imagine the Possibilities! This competition will challenge students to design and produce a product that can be used to market and promote the many exciting career opportunities in the graphic communications industry. Participants will be encouraged to be creative and take their design from concept to finished product.

The competition is open to all students attending a recognized secondary or post-secondary institution and studying in a graphic communications/printing, advertising, graphic design or interactive media program. Students may enter individually or in teams of up to three members.

There will be a total of 6 winning entries: 2 first place winning entries, one at the secondary level and one at the post-secondary level; 2 second place winning entries, one at the secondary and one at the post-secondary level; and, 2 third place winning entries, one at the secondary level and one at the post-secondary level.

First place winners and their instructors will receive two-day all-inclusive paid trips to attend PRINT 09 held this year from September 9 – 16 in Chicago, IL. In addition,the students or team members who submit the first place winning entries will receive a $2,000 award, which will be presented to them during the Career Awareness Day program at PRINT 09 on September 16, 2009. The second place winning entries will each be awarded $1500, and the third place winners will each receive $1000.

Visit www.gaerf.org to view the competition guidelines and to download an entry form.