Open Call Poster Design
Designing for Change: Memory / Tradition
Submit your poster to the VAiF26 and help us keep alive the memories, traditions, and cultural identities that are gradually disappearing in a constantly changing world.
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
Open Call Poster Design
Designing for Change: Memory / Tradition
Until Sunday 31.05.26 / 23.59 (GMT)
As part of the thematic section Poster Design "Designing for Change: Memory / Tradition", we invite creators from around the world to reflect on memory, intangible cultural heritage, and the traditions that shape communities and collective identities.
This year, we focus on practices, stories, and cultural expressions passed down from generation to generation, yet increasingly threatened by contemporary urban development, cultural homogenization, and the phenomenon of gentrification.
What Are Memory and Tradition?
Memory is not only about the past.
It lives in celebrations, rituals, storytelling, music, local markets, flavors, everyday habits, and in the people who keep the cultural continuity of a place alive.
Tradition is not static.
It evolves, resists, transforms, and is constantly redefined over time. Yet today, many cultural practices and forms of intangible heritage are at risk of disappearing.
The theme explores:
Intangible cultural heritage and community identities.
Customs, rituals, and local traditions that are fading or transforming.
Collective memory and stories that survive through images and narratives.
Resistance against cultural homogenization and gentrification.
What We Invite You to Explore
We invite you to create posters that:
Highlight traditions, rituals, local cultures, or practices that are at risk of disappearing.
Document memories of people, places, and communities.
Give visibility to cultures and narratives that often remain marginalized.
Reimagine the relationship between contemporary visual communication and cultural heritage.
Envision new ways of preserving and transmitting memory to future generations.
Your poster can function as an archive, an act of resistance, a tool for dialogue, or a new way of narrating tradition.
Inspiration
You are not required to draw inspiration exclusively from specific references. You may work from personal memories, family histories, local traditions, celebrations, rituals, or cultural practices connected to your own community or region.
From local markets and traditional festivals to folk costumes, embroidery, patterns, music, crafts, languages, and everyday customs, every element of cultural memory can become the starting point for a contemporary visual narrative.
Open Call Poster Design
How to Participate & Submission Guidelines
Until Sunday 31.05.26 / 23.59 (GMT)
Terms & Conditions of Participation
Participants are invited to create up to three posters exploring the theme “Designing for Change: Memory / Tradition” through contemporary visual communication.
The open call focuses on memory, intangible cultural heritage, customs, traditions, and cultural practices that are gradually disappearing, transforming, or resisting the effects of cultural homogenization and gentrification. Through design, participants are encouraged to highlight stories, rituals, identities, communities, and ways of life that shape the cultural memory of a place.
Posters must be submitted in 50 × 70 cm format, at 300 dpi, in CMYK color mode, with a maximum file size of 20 MB.
The final submission deadline is Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT).
Submissions must be completed exclusively through the online application form below. Accepted file formats are:
.pdf, .zip, .rar, .7z, .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .png
Selection & Exhibition
The jury committee will select the best posters to be presented in a group exhibition in Thessaloniki as part of Visual Arts International Festival – VAiF26 under the theme:
“Designing for Change: Memory / Tradition”
The exhibition aims to raise awareness around cultural memory, intangible heritage, and the preservation of traditions through contemporary visual language, highlighting how art and design can function as tools of documentation, resistance, dialogue, and cultural continuity.
Through diverse artistic approaches, the exhibition will bring forward posters that revisit forgotten narratives, local identities, rituals, symbols, traditions, and collective memories, opening a dialogue about what societies choose to preserve, transform, or leave behind.
Each exhibited work will include the name of the artist or creative studio.
Participation
Participation in the open call is free of charge.
Selected participants will be notified via email, while the final results will be officially announced on the festival’s website and social media channels.
The exhibition will offer participating artists and designers the opportunity to present their work to an international audience, promoting cultural dialogue and contemporary visual approaches to memory, heritage, and tradition.
Jury Panel
Until Sunday 31.05.26 / 23.59 (GMT)
[EN]
Ioannis Fetanis was born in Athens in 1983. He is a Visual Communication and Strategic Design professional with extensive experience across various sectors of the creative industry.
He holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Design and Visual Communication from Middlesex University, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design.
Over the years, he has worked as a Creative Director in several companies and has participated in organizing committees and events related to design. He has also taught Typography and Visual Communication at private colleges.
His work has received multiple awards and recognitions, and has been exhibited internationally, including at the Golden Bee Global Biennale of Graphic Design in Moscow (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018), Paris Design Week (2016), and the Milan Triennale (2007). He has given lectures at numerous major events focused on graphic design and communication.
[GR]
Ο Ιωάννης Φετάνης γεννήθηκε την Αθήνα το 1983. Είναι ένας Σχεδιαστής Οπτικής Επικοινωνίας και Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασμού με εκτεταμένη πείρα σε διάφορους τομείς της δημιουργικής βιομηχανίας. Έχοντας αποφοιτήσει από το Middlesex University με μεταπτυχιακό τίτλο στον Στρατηγικό Σχεδιασμό και την Οπτική Επικοινωνία, καθώς και με πτυχίο στον τομέα της γραφιστικής. Στο παρελθόν, έχει εργαστεί ως Δημιουργικός Διευθυντής σε διάφορες εταιρείες και έχει λάβει μέρος σε Οργανωτικές Επιτροπές και διοργανώσεις που σχετίζονται με το design. Επίσης, έχει διδάξει Τυπογραφία και Οπτική Επικοινωνία σε ιδιωτικά κολλέγια. Έχει λάβει αρκετά βραβεία και αναγνωρίσεις για τη δουλειά του. Έργα του έχουν εκτεθεί σε διάφορα μέρη του κόσμου, όπως στην Golden Bee Global Biennale of Graphic Design στην Μόσχα (2012,2014,2016,2018), στο Paris Design Week (2016) και στην Trienalle του Μιλάνο (2007). Έχει δώσει διαλέξεις σε πολλά σημαντικά events σχετικά με την γραφιστική και την επικοινωνία.
[EN]
Βίκτωρ Γκουντάρας: Holds a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from AAS College in collaboration with UCLAN (UK) and an MA in Integrated Design from the University of Anhalt (DE). He has worked as a Visual Designer at Biolab in Berlin and as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator for companies and organizations in Greece.
[GR]
Βίκτωρ Γκουντάρας: Πτυχιούχος Graphic Design (BA Hons) από το AAS College σε συνεργασία με το UCLAN (UK) και κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου Master of Arts in Integrated Design από το University of Anhalt (DE). Εμπειρία ως Visual Designer στη Biolab (Βερολίνο) και ως Graphic Designer-Illustrator σε εταιρείες και οργανισμούς στην Ελλάδα.
[EN]
Co-founder of Studio Dolphins, a multi-award-winning visual communication studio based in Thessaloniki, offering a broad range of design services including:
art direction, branding design, consulting, typography, illustration, and web design.
He is also a Lecturer in Product Communication Design at the International Hellenic University of Thessaloniki.
The studio collaborates with universities, cultural institutions, commercial enterprises, and industries.
Their approach to every project places a strong emphasis on research, applying a methodical process with the goal of delivering creative solutions to any communication challenge, using a direct and contemporary visual language.
In 2004, they represented Greece at the 8th International Typography and Visual Communication Week in Istanbul (Grafist 8 / Next Generation).
In 2011, they took part in Design Report Greece, a research project conducted within the visual communication lab at the University of Düsseldorf.
They have been featured as speakers at numerous conferences, such as:
Greek Design Panorama, Greek Graphic Designers Association, Toolkit Startup, Behance Portfolio Reviews, and Design Athens.
Awards include:
Pentawards
Dieline
German Design Awards
European Design Awards
EBGE (Greek Design & Illustration Awards)
Ermis Awards
Packaging Innovation Awards
Achievements
Works by Studio Dolphins have been featured in internationally renowned publications, inspiration platforms, magazines, and design blogs.
[GR]
Co-founder του Studio dolphins ένα πολυβραβευµένο γραφείο οπτικής επικοινωνίας µε έδρα την Θεσσαλονίκη, µε ευρή φάσµα σχεδιαστικών υπηρεσιών:
art direction, branding design, conculting, typography, illustrations και web design.
Καθηγητής / Product Communication Design στο ∆ιεθνές Πανεπιστήµιο Θεσσαλονίκης.
To studio συνεργάζεται µε πανεπιστήµια, φορείς πολιτισµού, εµπορικές εταιρείες και βιοµηχανίες.
Ο τρόπος που προσεγγίζουν κάθε project εµπλέκει σηµαντικά την έρευνα µε τρόπο µεθοδικό και σκοπό τη δηµιουργική λύση οποιουδήποτε επικοινωνιακού προβλήµατος, χρησιµοποιώντας άµεση και σύγχρονη οπτική γλώσσα.
Το 2004 εκπροσώπησαν την Ελλάδα στην 8η ∆ιεθνή Εβδοµάδα Τυπογραφίας
και Οπτικής Επικοινωνίας στην Κωνσταντινούπολη (Grafist 8 / next generation).
Το 2011 συµµετείχαν στο Design Report Greece, µια ερευνητική εργασία
που πραγµατοποιήθηκε στα πλαίσια του εργαστηρίου οπτικής επικοινωνίας
του Πανεπιστηµίου του Ντίσελντορφ.
Συµµετείχαν ως εισηγητές σε πολλά συνέδρια όπως το «Ελληνικό Πανόραµα Σχεδιασµού», «Ένωση Ελλήνων Γραφιστών», «Toolkit Startup», «Behance Portfolio Reviews» και «Design Athens».
AWARDS:
PENTAWARDS
DIELINE
GERMAN DESIGN AWARDS
EUROPEAN DESIGN AWARDS
EVGE (GREEK DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION AWARDS)
ERMIS AWARDS
PACKAGING INNOVATION AWARDS
ACHIEVMENTS
Εργασίες των dolphins έχουν παρουσιαστεί σε διεθνούς φήµης εκδόσεις,
inspiration sites, περιοδικά και design blogs:
[EN]
Born in 1988 in Thessaloniki, where he was also raised, he grew up surrounded by the world of Graphic Arts through his father, an “old-school” graphic designer, experiencing firsthand the transition of the field from analog to digital design. However, his studies initially followed a different path before eventually leading him back to the visual arts.
He is a graduate of the School of Agriculture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Technology from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, is a certified football coach, and a graduate of a Graphic Design vocational institute.
For the past seven years, he has been running his own creative studio, OUT OF THE BOX, based in Thessaloniki, working with clients such as COOKIE MAN, KORFI Dairy Industry, PARATY, CHRISANTHIDIS Delights, and ROB ROY, among others.
[GR]
Γεννήθηκε to 1988 στη Θεσσαλονίκη όπου και μεγάλωσε. Λόγω του “παλαιάς κοπής” γραφίστα πατέρα του, μεγάλωσε μέσα στον κόσμο των Γραφικών Τεχνών και έζησε από κοντά τη μετάβαση του κλάδου από τον αναλογικό σχεδιασμό στον ψηφιακό. Ωστόσο, οι σπουδές του αρχικά είχαν άλλη κατεύθυνση μέχρι να ξαναβρούν το δρόμο τους προς τις Γραφικές Τέχνες. Είναι απόφοιτος Γεωπονίας ΑΠΘ, κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού διπλώματος Τεχνολογίας Περιβάλλοντος του Wageningen University της Ολλανδίας, διπλωματούχος προπονητής ποδοσφαίρου και απόφοιτος ΙΕΚ Γραφιστικής. Εδώ και 7 χρόνια διατηρεί στη Θεσσαλονίκη το δικό του δημιουργικό studio “OUT OF THE BOX”, το οποίο έχει αναλάβει πελάτες όπως οι COOKIE MAN, Γαλακτοβιομηχανία ΚΟΡΦΗ, PARATY, CHRISANTHIDIS Delights, ROB ROY κ.α.
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
SUBMIT NOW – until 31.05.2026
Submission Form
Until Sunday 31.05.26 / 23.59 (GMT)
Terms and Conditions
Until Sunday 31.05.26 / 23.59 (GMT)
Terms & Conditions of Participation
All submitted works must be original creations of the participants and must not infringe upon third-party copyrights. The use of images, graphics, or other material without proper authorization is strictly prohibited. In cases of plagiarism or copyright violation, the organizers bear no responsibility.
The open call is addressed to graphic designers, illustrators, artists, and creative studios of all nationalities and professional backgrounds, aged 18 and above.
Participants may submit up to three posters responding to this year’s theme:
“Designing for Change: Memory / Tradition”
Posters must be submitted in 50 × 70 cm format, at 300 dpi, preferably in CMYK color mode, with a maximum file size of 20 MB.
The final submission deadline is Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT).
Submissions must be completed exclusively through the festival’s online application form. Accepted file formats are:
.pdf, .zip, .rar, .7z, .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .png
Use & Exhibition of Works
Participants must retain high-resolution versions of their works and provide them upon request if selected, for exhibition production purposes.
The jury committee will select the best works to be presented in a group exhibition in Thessaloniki as part of Visual Arts International Festival – VAiF26 under the theme:
“Designing for Change: Memory / Tradition”
The exhibition aims to highlight issues related to cultural memory, intangible heritage, disappearing traditions, and collective identities, emphasizing the role of art and design as tools of preservation, documentation, and cultural dialogue.
Each exhibited work will include the name of the artist or creative studio, along with any accompanying text, allowing visitors to better understand the concept behind the poster.
Selected participants will be notified via email, while the final results will be announced on the official website and social media channels of the festival.
The organization is not obliged to return printed works after the exhibition.
In cases where participants are requested to provide original physical works for exhibition purposes (such as collages, handmade posters, or mixed-media pieces), these works must remain in the VAiF archive as part of the festival collection, always with full credit to the creator.
Participants grant the organizers the non-exclusive right to use the submitted works for presentation, promotion, archival, and educational purposes, always with proper credit to the creator.
Commercial use of the works is excluded. Copyright remains with the creators.
Legal & Ethical Notes
Participation in the open call implies full and unconditional acceptance of all the above terms.
Failure to comply with the guidelines (e.g. submitting more than three works, false information, missing creator details, etc.) may result in disqualification.
The organizers bear no responsibility for violations of personal data or third-party rights related to the submitted content. Full responsibility lies with the creator.
The jury’s decision is final and cannot be contested.
Works containing racist, offensive, or inappropriate content that violates human dignity will not be accepted.
Personal Data & Communication
By participating, applicants agree to receive email updates regarding this open call and other related activities of the festival. Participants may request removal from the mailing list at any time after the completion of the process..
Participation
Participation in the open call is free of charge.
No submissions will be accepted after Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT).
