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The 400×400 Design Challenge was inspired by the number ‘400’, as we looked to connect design and creativity with the 400 year anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower, which took place in 2020.

A monthly ‘theme’ was unveiled each month for entries to be submitted which creatively expressed ‘400’ in the relevant ‘theme’. The design challenge ran between 1st April 2019 to 31st July 2020, with the idea of having an exhibition of the favourite 400 (25 from each theme) launched in time for the Mayflower 400 commemoration.

Entry was free and was open to be submitted by design professionals, students and non-professionals alike. All entries had to be 400 x 400mm in size, with print and digital/motion artworks accepted.

Every entry was posted on social media and a shortlist of 25 were selected by a small panel of Plymouth design professionals each month. These were then reviewed and presented at the following month’s PDF social where possible.

The judging criteria was based on three points; the strength of the creative idea, the impact of the graphic layout and overall aesthetic and technical execution.

The themes were; Freedom, Technology, Equality, Courage, Humanity, Friendship, Territory, Destruction, Compassion, Fear, Imagination, Environment, Isolation, Faith, Change and Future.

The Shortlist

Select a theme to view the shortlisted entries.

Those intrepid English women whose courage, fortitude and devotion brought a new nation into being. Sue Lewry
Pilgrim Pride! Sarah Smalldon
Is this what ‘Freedom’ looks like? Stephen Prior
Freedom steps Steve Leard
Free world Steve Leard
Freedom’s Legacy Steve Leard
Liberty Steve Leard
If I’m Me I’m Free Pete Clayton
PDF Freedom Nick Warren
Freedom 400 Lefteris Heretakis
It’s an Illusion Josh Fathers
They Went West Josh Fathers
The Source Josh Fathers
Freedom? Jordon Hill
Freedom for All James Edgar
Let us honor those that cross oceans for freedom. Jacob Dodsworth
Football is freedom Argyle Union
Refugees welcome Argyle Union
Fight For Freedom Calum Campbell-Coles
We Are Sailing Dan Chamberlain
Freedom David Partner
Redaction David Tetley
The pilgrims journey to freedom David Tetley
Breaker of Chains Gareth Tutt
Be Who You Want Alan Qualtrough
 
 

 PDF

Plymouth Art Weekender September 2019, at Ocean Studios in Royal William Yard.

A preview evening for the 400 x 400 Design Challenge featuring 100 designs suspended from the rafters. With special thanks to G.F Smith and Pure Print for all their help with the exhibition.

 See more here

 PDF

400×400 Union Street Installation

After each months PDF social, and the favourite entry for that theme had been decided the selected design was then installed on Union Street thanks to Nudge Community.
 
 

Supporters

Thank you to the following for their support in helping us to deliver the 400×400 Design Challenge. This website was kindly funded by a grant from Mayflower 400 Community Sparks, which is a partnership project between Mayflower 400, Plymouth Culture, Plymouth City Council, The Box, Plymouth and Vital Sparks.
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