By entering the competition, you confirm that:

1. Ethics Charter: You have read and agree to JGAA’s Ethics Charter below.

2. Original Ideas: The submitted designs are your work and do not copy and/or infringe the artwork, designs and/or manufactured design of other individuals or entities.

3. Intellectual Property Assurance: By submitting an entry, you guarantee that your design(s) is/are original and does/do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.

4. Intellectual Property – Infringement Assurance for JGAA & Partners: If someone claims your design infringes on theirs, you will be held responsible for any claims arising from any infringement of another’s original design, in relation to the Design Dynamic Competition.

5. No Artificial Intelligence Usage: All designs submitted cannot be created or assisted, whether in part or whole, by Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

6. Disqualification: Where any noncompliance and/or infringement is established, in relation to points no 1-5 above, of this section, the result will be immediate disqualification, at any stage of the discovery process.

1. JGAA and its partners will involve the winning designers in the manufacture process, as part of the prize offering.

2. The winners will have scheduled iterations with the manufacturer and JGAA to ensure that the design vision is carried across to a final piece.

3. The requirements of this process will be shared with the winners in a “Manufacturing Handbook.”

4. The designs of all winners and entrants will not be replicated by JGAA and its partners except for the purposes of the Design Dynamic Competition.

5. The intellectual property rights in all entrant’s designs (where these do not infringe the designs of third parties) remain with the entrants (whether winning entrants or not).

6. The Africa Birdlife Collection (ABC), the culminating output of the Design Dynamic competition, is an original concept and curated collection of JGAA’s Africa Jewellery Week.™ It is protected and cannot be reproduced or replicated in any form.

The winning entries will be manufactured by JGAA and its partners, from June 2026 onwards.

1. The design pieces must include the use of gemstones found on the African Continent.

2. The theme must include inspiration of birdlife found in Africa.

3. Participants are not required to manufacture the designed work.

4. Winning participants are not required to manufacture the designed work and agree to the outsourcing of the manufacture, of their design, to a JGAA selected third party.

5. Winning entries will not bear the cost of manufacture of the piece.

6. Only one (1) entry is allowed for the competition. Where multiple entries are made, by one individual, none of the multiple entries will be assessed. This means that entrants can only select one entry and one category of submission. 

7. All designs must be in 2-D and must include a front, side, back and aerial view of the jewellery piece.

8. You can design any one item of the following items of jewellery:

a) A ring;

b) A bangle/ bracelet or cuff

c) A pendant with a necklace

d) Earrings

e) Cufflinks

f) A brooch

9. Your name should not be on the final design drawing, as judges will asses entries anonymously.

9. The design must not be made for the purposes of this competition.

10. All designs must be made to scale with accurate measurements provided.

Rendering Techniques to demonstrate:

a) Perspective & Proportion: Accurate 2D representation of 3D forms, often in isometric or orthographic views

b) Light & Shadow: Use of shading and highlights to convey volume and depth

c) Metal Rendering: Techniques to depict gold, platinum, silver, etc., using tonal gradients and reflections

d) Gemstone Illustration: Layered color application, faceting, and sparkle effects to simulate brilliance and transparency

e) Texture & Detail: Fine brushwork to show surface finishes (e.g., matte, polished, engraved)

Presentation Standards:

a) Clean Layout: Centered or grid-aligned designs with ample white space

b) Annotations: Labels for materials, dimensions, and stone types

c) Consistency: Uniform style across a collection or series

d) Client/Brief Alignment: Designs should clearly respond to the theme.

Technical Accuracy

a) Precise Dimensions: All measurements must be exact and suitable for manufacturing.

b) Tolerance Awareness: Designs must account for casting shrinkage, stone setting allowances, and minimum metal thickness (e.g., prongs, bezels, shanks).

c) File Integrity: Clean geometry with no overlapping surfaces, non-manifold edges, or open meshes.

Manufacturability

a) Casting Readiness: Design must be optimized for casting, including proper sprue placement and support structures if needed.

b) Stone Settings: Accurate placement and sizing of seats, grooves, and prongs for secure stone setting.

c) Assembly Logic: Logical segmentation for multi-part pieces (e.g., hinges, clasps, articulated elements).

Design Clarity

a) Visual Realism: High-quality renders or screenshots showing metal finishes, gemstone cuts, and overall aesthetics.

b) Annotation: Clear labeling of materials, dimensions, and functional components.

c) Consistency: Uniform style across a collection or series.

Innovation & Creativity

a) Originality: Unique concept or reinterpretation of traditional forms.

b) Functionality: Wearability, comfort, and user experience.

c) Aesthetic Impact: Balance of form, proportion, and visual appeal.

Software Standards

a) File Format: Commonly accepted formats (.STL, .OBJ, .3DM, etc.)

b) Software Used: Mention of CAD platform (e.g., RhinoGold, MatrixGold, ZBrush, Blender).

c) Layer Management: Organized layers for stones, metal, annotations, etc.

Technical Precision

a) Proportions & Scale: Accurate representation of jewellery dimensions and gemstone cuts.

b) Perspective: Clear 2D or isometric views that convey volume and structure.

c) Symmetry & Alignment: Especially critical in rings, earrings, and multi-stone pieces.

Rendering Quality

a) Metal Depiction: Realistic rendering of gold, platinum, silver, etc., using tonal gradients and reflective highlight

b)Gemstone Illustration: Faceting, brilliance, and transparency achieved through layered gouache application

c)Light & Shadow: Effective use of contrast to simulate depth and texture

Artistic Expression

a) Color Harmony: Thoughtful palette choices that reflect material properties and design intent.

b) Detailing: Fine brushwork for engravings, settings, and surface finishes

c) Creativity: Originality in concept, motif, and composition

Presentation & Clarity

a) Clean Layout: Balanced composition with sufficient white space

b) Annotations: Clear labels for materials, dimensions, and stone types

c) Craftsman Guidance: Design must serve as a functional blueprint for production

Emotional & Cultural Resonance
a) Narrative: Design tells a story or reflects the Design Dynamic theme (e.g., heritage, nature, symbolism)

b) Cultural Sensitivity: Respectful integration of traditional motifs or techniques

c) Elegance & Impact: Overall impression of refinement and artistic integrity