Do you have illustrations, designs, or animations ready for consumer products? Are you a student toy designer or inventor? The Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition could be the answer.
2022 Criteria
Please note: Entries are now closed for 2022.
Brand & Design
From patterns to paintings, artwork to prints, logos to designs. Spanning over all product categories, the judges are looking for illustrators, creatives and artists who have stand out designs or products to enter. All submissions must be unlicensed brands and properties.
Character & Animation
With an emphasis towards publishing, comics and animation, this category is looking for applicants with unique concepts, knowledge of target consumer and medium used to reach them, depth of story line and opportunity to evolve the IP into multiple licensed product categories. All submissions must be unlicensed brands and properties.
Product Design
Aimed at students from further education or university level to showcase innovation in toy design. Partnering with Aardman Animations, students will be asked to use the studio’s world-renowned Wallace & Gromit IP. Applicants will be asked to submit concepts based on including an emphasis on STEM Learning, with a focus on Technology and Engineering which are strong themes from the Wallace and Gromit adventures. Careful consideration for sustainable materials and manufacturing processes will also be required. With an RRP below £30.
How Does the Process Work?
- Entries for the competition are free of charge; applicants are required to complete a submission form, which includes concept overview, audience target and detailed vision about why the idea would be suitable for licensing. Entries for 2022 have now closed.
- All applications are reviewed by a panel of judges who select three finalists for each category that make it through to the live competition
- The finale will take place at Brand Licensing Europe in front of a live audience of licensing professionals. Judges cast their winning vote and the winners will be announced at the event
- The winners will receive support outlined below to help them develop
The Prize
Character & Animation Winner
- 1-2-1 consultation with members of the judging panel
- Free of charge turnkey booth at Brand Licensing Europe (9sqm)
- One year's Licensing International membership
- One year's Products of Change membership
Brand & Design Winner
- 1-2-1 consultation with members of the judging panel
- Free of charge turnkey booth at Brand Licensing Europe (9sqm)
- One year's Licensing International membership
- One year's Products of Change membership
Product Design Winner
- 1-2-1 consultation with member/s of the judging panel and Mojo Nation after the competition
- Display space at Brand Licensing Europe to present winning product/s
- One year's Licensing International membership
- One year's Products of Change membership
Judges
Ian Downes
Director, Start Licensing Chairman of the Judging Panel
Phil King
Managing Director, Trademark Products Ltd
Sabrina Segalov
Senior Licensing Manager, Sanrio Global Limited
Emily Fawcett
Head of Global Licensing, Abysse Corp
Dan Grant
Licensing Director, Danilo
Teri Niadna
Managing Director, Brandgenuity
Sarah Ward
Chief Executive, The Giftware Association
Claire Piggott
Director of Licensing and Merchandising, Larkshead Licensing Ltd
Billy Langsworthy
Co-Founder, Mojo Nation & Brands Untapped
Sarah Lawrence
Director, This Is Iris
Dale Boreham
Senior Design Manager, Moonpig
Maxine Lister
Head of Licensing, Natural History Museum
Charlie Langhorne
Director, Wild in Art
Adam Vincent-Garland
Business Development Manager - Toys, Games & Interactive, Aardman
"Winning License This! has been literally life changing for me and my business - it’s amazing! I’ve had the best advice and guidance you really couldn’t buy from all the panel, who have introduced me to so many new contacts and opportunities I wouldn’t have had a clue about otherwise, I’ve learned so much so fast! I nearly didn’t enter as I thought I wasn’t established enough to get through, but everyone has been so excited by my art and brands, it’s been really positive and supportive."
Sophie Jonas-Hill, License This! Winner 2021
Official Organiser
Official Publication
Official Sponsor
