Last year, Panasonic hosted the Next Generation Talent to give UK design students a crack at creating an advertisement and win a bunch of gear. They let me sit on the judges panel and blab on and on about some amazing student work. The contest was a success and the winning video was great. This year they've narrowed down the entries to four and asked the judges back to choose a winner. I think I've picked my favorite, Paul Bryan, but help me make up my mind. Have a quick view at the four remaining finalist and tell me your favorite and why in the comments below. Just to spur you along we're going to give away the noise canceling headphones they were going to give to me as a gift to a commenter at random below.

Have a look at all four videos after the jump.

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Have you even wanted your art displayed in an art show? Spraygraphic.com is calling on artists all over the world to submit their work, free of charge, to their first Mini Mini Art Show. There only catch is that all art must be 4 in. x 4 in. You can use any medium, from drawings to photography to sculpture (as long as it can be mounted to a wall). They are expecting gallery full of diverse, compelling, and exquisite little pieces from an international crowd (England, Croatia, Ireland, Korea, Australia, and France represent). The show’s opening will be at Arizona State’s “Exposed” graphic design conference’s (March 5-8) featured Saturday Night Event, with the exhibit displayed at local Arizona art galleries afterward. Deadline for submission is March 5.

As we reported to you in December, the Greener Gadgets 2009 Conference is a must for anyone interested in ecologically-friendly design. If the only green you’re lacking is in your wallet, Inhabitat is footing the bill for one lucky winner to get into the event taking place this February 27th in New York City. Head on over to their site, sign up for newsletter, and comment on your favorite of their greener gadgets for a chance to win.

Via Inhabitat

Okay, easy questions: Do you like Absolut Vodka? What about masquerade balls? Well you are going to love this. Absolut is throwing one of their amazing parties for their new Masquerade product in London and we have a couple priority passes to give out for each day. As you can imagine, the demand for these first come first serve nights are high, but we’ve managed to scored some. The event is in East London October 24th through 27th (that’s Friday through Monday) and we can give away two pairs of passes (2 x 2) for each day.

In order to get your hands on the passes, we are going to make this simple. First one to comment the day they want to go (i.e. “Friday”) gets the passes for that day. Note, the party takes place in London, so if you aren’t in London this weekend don’t bother. The winner receives two passes to the event, no expenses. Details will be emailed to the winner. If you don’t win you can still get in, just show up early.

The House of Masquerade
68-72 Redchurch Street
Shoreditch, London E2 7DP
5-11pm, October 24th through 27th

Though is nothing funny about going hungry. The World Food Programme hosted a competition calling for creatives to shoot videos related to the topic. The one that receives the most views by October 16th — World Food Day — will get to document one of the WFP’s relief operations in Asia, Africa, or Latin America. The five finalist videos, all a minute or less long, range from light to intense in tone, and all deliver important messages on the topic. And, if you think solving the world’s hunger problem is too costly consider this: according to Jimena Gamio’s video, it would cost $3 billion. This morning Congress signed a bailout bill for $700 billion.

A lot of artistic expression can be attributed to the loss of one’s mind. The artist at his creative best as he descends into madness with a little help from drugs and alcohol. Head Case, an art contest being held in Australia to benefit victims of Acquired Brain Injury (which covers the debilitating effects of substance abuse, as well as other physical trauma that causes brain damage), doesn’t subscribe to that romantic notion. They’re more focused on the serious business of creating awareness, not only for the injured, but the people close to them. If you live in oz, and can paint, sketch, or shoot, submit your work on the theme of ABI to Skye Luckins (skye@buronorth.com). All submissions must be in by July 15, with final judging taking place at the Sofitel Hotel September 1 through 3, during a joint brain injury conference in Melbourne.

We have a winner, yes we have a winner! We’d like to congratulate Derek Duncan, from San Francisco, CA.

Born in Columbus Ohio, Derek received a BFA in Sculpture from Ohio State University in 2002. After graduation, he began studying jewelry design and fabrication under the instruction of his father, a professor of the jewelry arts for more than 20 years. In 2004 he moved to San Francisco were he currently works, designs and produces a small line of jewelry.

Android 8 and I would like to thank everyone that entered the contest. We definitely got very some cool entries. It was a tough decision, but in the end we picked one that stood out from the rest. Android 8 Will fully fund the production of Derek’s toy, and soon it will be available for purchase. His prototype will be on display at Comicon in San Diego, July 14-17th.

OJO-3 By Miguel Cano

Just a reminder that June 1st is just around the corner, so if you have a toy design to submit to the Android8 + Josh Spear toy design contest… it’s not too late! We will be choosing the winners on the 1st– we have received some great entries so far. Good work everyone!

More details on the Toy Design Contest are now posted. If you missed it, I’m doing a contest with Android 8, we’re looking for talent–and we have been getting some great submissions…keep ‘em coming.