FiberMark, a leader in manufacturing innovative paperboards, fiber-based specialty covering materials and print media, presents designers around the world with an opportunity for exposure and acknowledgement of their talents and ideas.

The FiberMark Specifier Awards program was inaugurated in 1992 to celebrate the best of color, texture, pattern and design innovation across a wide array of packaging, publishing, office, graphic arts, industrial applications and — new last year — environmentally responsible print media. Since its introduction, it has become international in scope, earning an increasing reputation as one of the most prestigious competitions in the industry, according to the company.

The program seeks to recognize the genius of individuals from around the world who put forth excellence in design innovation and honors outstanding projects that have been created using one or more of FiberMark’s range of paperboards, covering materials or print media. Additionally, to be eligible for submission, projects must have been produced during the previous year. Entries are judged by a peer review committee on such criteria as design, construction quality, decoration/printing quality and relationship of the materials to the project.

This year’s design competition is themed "Show Us Your Genius." Criteria the judges will focus on include the unexpected use of color, texture, pattern and design; hard-working use of materials; use of several different materials in one project; high-profile use of materials; and on-trend use of materials. Winners in several different categories of the competition receive wide acknowledgement of their design, including inclusion in a beautifully designed Specifier Awards booklet that is distributed to thousands of industry professionals. Award winners are also featured in a dedicated section of the FiberMark website called "Design Showcase."

Over the years, since its introduction, the Specifier Awards have become an annual event that’s highly anticipated by the FiberMark staff and management. “Because of the increasing number of entries and quality of projects we’re receiving, I’m happy to say that we’re continually raising the bar on judging for the Specifier Awards,” notes Stella Alstede, the FiberMark promotions manager who oversees the Specifier Awards. “We are increasingly impressed by the innovation and inspiration our customers demonstrate in using our materials, and we are pleased to offer this opportunity to honor their exceptional work.”

Entries for the competition are being solicited and received until October 31, 2014. Professionals seeking to submit a design for consideration or desiring more information on the Specifier Awards competition may do so by visiting www.fibermark.com/design/specifier-awards.