News
March 12, 2018
Greeting Card Association names LOUIE Award finalists
The Greeting Card Association (GCA) today announced finalists for the LOUIE Awards, the industry’s pre-eminent competition recognizing outstanding art, editorial and design of greeting cards and invitations. View the list of finalist companies. Additionally, the GCA announced plans for its new and improved, less formal LOUIEs celebration.
“In today’s digital age, the LOUIEs acknowledge the important role that creative and inspiring cards have in helping people of all ages make significant connections,” said Molly DelMastro, LOUIE Awards Chair and VP, Creative, Viabella and a longstanding GCA member.
Winners will be Announced at new LOUIEs Bash .
Winners will be announced at the LOUIE Awards Bash on Sunday, May 20 at SPiN in New York City. Finalists and winners will be on view at the GCA’s LOUIEs display at the National Stationery Show in the Jacob Javits Center (May 20-23).
“We’re putting a new ‘spin’ on this year’s LOUIE celebration with a re-imagined format, a funky vibe and a fun venue,” said DelMastro. “With a lower ticket price, we’re hoping to draw a much larger crowd for this event which will feature ‘street-style food,’ an open bar, street performers, a pumping DJ and ping pong!” she said. LOUIEs Bash tickets are available.
LOUIE History and Judging Criteria
The International Greeting Card Awards, known as the “LOUIEs,” honor Louis Prang, the “Father of the American Christmas Card.” The GCA introduced this competition in 1988 to celebrate the art, editorial and design of greeting cards, invitations and announcements and reinforce the relevance of sending and receiving cards and invitations.
All LOUIE Award entries were marketed and sold in the U.S. in 2017. Any identifying information about the submitting company was removed from each entry prior to judging. A panel of 19 judges, comprised of executives and experts from throughout the industry, reviewed hundreds of entries submitted by nearly 200 companies in 56 categories. And a Blue Ribbon Panel of five judges selected the two “Cards of the Year” as well as a Judge’s Award for Excellence from among all categories.
Judges evaluate all cards against five criteria:
- Originality: Does the card take a unique approach to design, concept or execution?
- Impact: Does the card have emotional impact?
- Design Excellence: Is the overall look of this card visually appealing? Did the designer make good choices in typography and artwork arrangement?
- Sendability: Is the card likely to be bought and sent for the occasion or purpose specified by the category? Is its format and design functional?
- Value: Is this card priced appropriately based on the overall quality of the product?
