Click on the MMDC logos above to view entries, deadlines and themes for each contest!
Please contact info@thehockeyguild.com with questions or call 720-273-0444 at any time.
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Welcome to the home for our Medieval Mask Design Contest, which is held 2-3 times a year for goalies of all ages. This page acts as the landing page for all of the contests in the series, as well as the home for contest rules and regulations, explanation of themes and anything else related to the contest series! Participants only need to follow two basic rules for the MMDC series.
1. Each design entry must include an essay, which must be 500 words or less, that either describes your mask design, or tells a story of the inspiration behind the artwork. There are no format guidelines to the written portion of the entry.
2. An official design must comply with the MMDC’s unique theme, which is clearly stated on the contest homepage. It can be any kind of design that you could imagine, so long as it falls within the theme. Be as creative as you want and contact us if you are not sure about your design idea.
:: WHAT MAKES THE MEDIEVAL MASK DESIGN CONTEST SO UNIQUE? ::
Each contest in the series has a totally unique ”theme” and every entry includes a written essay. Together, both elements create a memorable contest that truly reflects the unique nature of each and every participant. To clarify, just because it’s called the Medieval Mask Design Contest, it doesn’t necessarily mean that designs have to include only medieval graphics or elements. It just depends on the contest’s theme.
The theme for MMDCI was - as a way to introduce our mask design contest series - anything Medieval. We posted photos of a few examples of medieval themes and even gave different definitions of Medieval ideas. It was very wide open and the 20 entries were creative and original, with Aaron Camponi being named the Grand Prize winner. The contest’s featured artist was Jim Keserich from Taylor-Made Graphics.
The theme for MMDCII was anything associated or related to a “Crown” in honor of Quest for the Crown 3, a charity hockey tournament founded by The Hockey Guild here in Denver, Colorado to fights cancer. So the theme was that the design had to incorporate a “Crown” of some sort. That means it didn’t necessarily have to medieval in form, so long as it had a crown involved somewhere. Alicia Miksic was named the Grand Prize winner and the featured artist was Mike Learn Airbrush based here in Colorado.
The theme for MMDCIII is anything associated with mythical gods or goddesses. It can be from any culture or era and it can include as many different characters as you’d like. This theme is very unique and not only allows everyone to be super-creative, but will also be a great learning experience as well. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Opening Night of the 2010-11 NHL season.
:: HOW ARE DESIGNS AND ESSAYS JUDGED AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS? ::
The MMDC series was created to cater to ALL goalies, regardless of how much artistic talent a participant has. It is not a requirement to create designs with only their own original artwork, and we allow entries to use photoshopped images. The judge’s panel takes into account designs that are totally original, and they take into account designs that are merely other images placed on a mask template.
The MMDC series is more about telling a story, not only through the actual design, but through the inclusion of the essay portion as well. Together, both elements make up the official entry, and together, they are judged as one piece. This is what makes our contest different from all others.
It would be unfair to the general goalie public to not allow younger or less-artistically inclined goalies to submit an entry, just because they don’t have the same skills as artists that can create all of their own original work. We also understand that it can be frustrating to have a fully-original piece of work be included in a contest where other entries are not as creative, so those that do use original artwork will score higher in the design portion of the judging process.
Originality definitely counts and it is definitely considered in the overall judging process, but a lack of artistic skills will not be weighed negatively. Because of this, we go through a lengthy judging process, which includes a number of rounds in which entries are eliminated until only one remains.
:: WHAT DOES AN IDEAL MMDC DESIGN ENTRY AND ESSAY LOOK LIKE ::
The most ideal entries are those that include totally unique artwork. The most ideal essays have solid grammar and cohesion and express the themes and missions of your design. Anecdotes and background, both personal and historical, are usually seen as influential and educational and are therefore deemed more likely to impress the judges. But since every design is very unique and includes personal ties, almost every entry is considered ideal.
Entries that are usually considerd weak are those that have very little to no original artwork. Their essays are short and provide very little information on the influences behind the design. The essays that simply describe the design in a short paragraph do not enrich the design entry and are therefore considered stagnant and deflating. We advise all participants to take their time on the essay and provide something that enhances the complete submitted product.
:: WHO SPONSORS THE MMDC SERIES AND WHAT ARE THE PRIZES? ::
The MMDC is sponsored by Masked Marvel Goalie Helmets and a different artist for each contest. The MMDCI artist was Jim Keserich from Taylor-Made Graphics and The MMDCII artist was Mike Learn from Learn Airbrush. The MMDCIII artist is Taeleen Woodard from SilenceHer Art.
For MMDCIII, we are excited to have all-new sponsors on board, all of which are offering great prizes for those that make it to the final round during the judging process. The Grand Prize winner of course receives the free goalie mask and free paint by the featured artist. The 2nd place winner receives a free goalie stick from Brian’s and the 3rd place winner receives a $25 gift card to Players Bench. Edge ProTech is giving away a set of their skate protectors to the 4th place winner and 5th place will receive a goodie bag of Guild schwag.
Sponsors help make this contest possible, so please be sure to check out their websites and support them when you have a chance! The MMDC is free at all times, but small donations or any kind of promotion or advertising for our contests are also greatly appreciated so that we can spread the word to goalies everywhere!