FESPA Awards 2019 judges share insight into what they are looking for this year part 1

by FESPA | 26/11/2018

FESPA has received fantastic Award entries from our valued print community. We speak to our esteemed judges, who have given us an insight into what they are looking for in your entries. In part 1, FESPA speaks to Josep Tobella.

First in our five-part series is Josep Tobella. Josep has been in printing since 1971 and runs his own print business alongside teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Caption: FESPA's Gala Dinner 2018 in Berlin

What made you want to be on the judging panel of the 2019 Awards?

“Well, there are two reasons. First, I’m honoured that FESPA trusts my criterion to judge the entries. Secondly, it’s great to discuss the entries with other professionals from the Graphics sector. The exchange of points of views is always interesting.”

What are you looking for in an entry?

“A deep knowledge of the technique used - screen printing, digital printing etc. that materialises in a [piece of] work well outlined and very well executed. I also take into consideration the creativity and the sustainability of the project. And, of course, its difficulty. An entry may look simple to the non-expert eye but [has] been extremely difficult to achieve technically.”

What is your favourite category to judge?

“It’s been over fifty years since my father introduced me to the Graphic Arts world and taught me about screen printing. Over the years, this technique became my passion and my work. For this reason, my favourite entries are those that use screen printing and in particular, art-prints.

Where do you see the future of print going?

“In my opinion, with the addition of different digital reproduction systems, the future sets out for a visual communication world regardless of the technique used. Whether it be digital printing, screen printing or any other printing system, either graphic or electronic.”

What is the biggest challenge that you feel entrants have?

“The entrants to the Awards should do their very best and avoid that their works end in a half-hearted compromise. They face a big challenge, in fact, edition after edition, they showed us they are up to it by sending very good work, well done, and accomplished by using the most innovative techniques.”

We look forward to welcoming Josep to FESPA's Head Office to judge the Awards entries in February. There’s still time to enter the 2019 FESPA Awards, with entries closing on the 25^th January 2019. Remember – you don’t have to supply your physical sample until the 20^th February 2019.

Enter the FESPA Awards 2019 here

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