Call for projects – SOUK

Call for projects

SOUK – Take 18 [2021]

Long renowned as the city’s much-awaited yearly eclectic gathering where connections are made and stories are told, the SOUK is incomparable. Through its constant amazing roster of selected designers who are changing the landscape of Montreal’s creative scene, it offers unparalleled access to unique narratives, ingenious skills, and carefully curated modern design.

For its 18th edition, the SOUK is pleased to announce that it’s back with its physical annual Fair and extends an exclusive invitation to come meet and connect directly with makers and discover new and unique products and the creative skills behind them. A true reflection of local creativity and the ultimate meeting place for the crème de la crème of Montreal’s design scene, the annual gathering draws around 16,000 visitors from discerning design lovers to industry professionals and the curious public alike.

In addition to the Fair, the SOUK is proud to welcome visitors to its experiential space SOUK HABITAT at PVM, a long-awaited gem – a showroom like a home – that was unveiled in December 2020 in partnership with Ivanhoé Cambridge. Located on the 20th floor of Place Ville Marie, SOUK HABITAT is a gorgeous, contemporary space that celebrates and promotes Montreal’s design community. Radiating a lived-in feeling, the sprawling space of 9300 sq ft offers an intimate retail experience, and will present in context some of the selected products of the 18th edition.

*** IMPORTANT NOTE ***
In accordance with the public health officials, a vaccine passport will be required to access the SOUK event. Therefore, designers and/or their staff must ensure to provide the required documentation to participate in the event.

For its 18th edition, SOUK is thrilled to offer its clientele two locations in order to create two different, complementary local design experiences.

| Event Fair
Location will be unveiled shortly.

| Experiential Space
SOUK HABITAT at PVM / 1 Place Ville Marie, suite 2030 / Montreal, Quebec / H3B 2C4

| Set-up:
– Monday, November 29
8 AM to 4 PM

| Opening reception
– Tuesday, November 30
12 PM to 7 PM
By invitation only
Reserved to the media and VIP

| Public opening
– Wednesday, December 1
– Thursday, December 2
– Friday, December 3
10AM to 9 PM

– Saturday, December 4
– Sunday, December 5
10AM to 7 PM

| Takedown
– Sunday, December 5
After 7 PM only

| Objectives

  • Gather Montreal designers from diverse backgrounds
  • Offer designers two platforms (SOUK fair + SOUK HABITAT) to promote and sell their creations during an event that is free and accessible to all.
  • Offer a distinct selection of new Montreal designs to a discerning, curious clientele constantly on the lookout for new creative findings.
  • Offer products that appeal to all tastes and budgets.

| SOUK Fair Staging

  • A fair where each designer has a set-up of an individual space.
  • The designer’s or their staff’s presence is required at all times at the fair during opening hours.

| SOUK HABITAT Staging

  • Located on the 20th floor in the iconic 1 Place Ville Marie building in the heart of downtown Montreal, SOUK HABITAT at PVM is a contemporary showroom space that celebrates and promotes the local design community.
  • Radiating a lived-in feeling, the sprawling space of 9300 sq ft offers an intimate retail experience, presenting in context products selected by the SOUK editorial team.

All sales and set-up are handled by the SOUK editorial and sales team and a designer’s presence is not required at the space.

| Designers’ responsibilities

  • Designers agree to meet all deadlines, providing all required documents, information and products to SOUK’s editorial team for the smooth running of the programming of the 18th edition.
  • Designers must ensure to provide the required documentation of the vaccine passport to participate in the fair (including their staff).
  • Designers must ensure that a person is put in charge of their display and the sale of their products at the fair. Training for the Lightspeed platform will be provided to all designers by the SOUK & Lightspeed Team.
  • SOUK cannot be held responsible for any losses or damages that might occur during the fair.
  • SOUK is not responsible for the transportation of designers’ goods before and after the fair and SOUK HABITAT.

| Insurance

  • The SOUK undertakes to take out civil liability insurance for its general civil liability covering damage and loss to the person or to property caused by the equipment or employees, exhibitors, visitors to the Event, agents and the people for whom it is legally responsible within the framework of the SOUK fair.
  • The designer is responsible for obtaining, at his own expense, any additional insurance requested by the building owner under the waiver and indemnity agreement.
  • The designer releases the SOUK from any liability arising from his refusal or failure to subscribe to the insurances mentioned in the contract.
  • The SOUK will send a detailed contract in the participation agreement.

 

| Designers’ exhibition space

  • The SOUK organizers will solely determine the location and size of the space occupied by each designer.
  • The space assigned to designers is put at their sole disposal.
  • Designers cannot invite others to share their space, nor may they offer creations made by a third party.

| Promotional material

  • The following are permitted: business cards, lookbooks, catalogues, visuals, portfolios and press kits.
  • Promotional signage is not permitted inside the venue during the SOUK Fair (e.g., posters, banners, etc.).

| SOUK Fair set-up and services provided to designers

  • Display stands for the creations (the SOUK’s editorial team must approve the designers’ products layout and display prior to the set-up day).
  • Technical support for the venue set-up
  • On-site storage space
  • Technical support
  • Media relations and promotion
  • Promotional content
  • Cashiers
  • Accounting services
  • Photographer – archives
  • Lighting and electricity
  • Securit
  • Cleaning services
  • Bags and packaging materials can be purchased at the cash stand

| Products/Works

  • Proposed items must meet one of the following key criteria: useful, decorative, belongs in an apartment, work of art.
  • Proposed items must belong to one of the following categories:
      • Lifestyle [Beauty & Wellness, Stationery, Books, Gift Items]
      • Living [Furniture, Lighting, Ceramics, Kitchen Tools]
      • Workspace
      • Food & drinks
      • Kids [Toys, Books, Clothes, Accessories]
      • Fashion [Clothes, Bags, Hats, Jewelry, Accessories]

| Quality /Original Works

  • The quality of the works submitted should meet the expectations of our loyal clientele and be on par with the excellent level of skill defined by our local design community.
  • The displayed creations must be original works, the exclusive intellectual property rights of which must be held by the designer(s).
  • SOUK cannot be held responsible for copies or reproductions of exhibited creations that are put on sale.
  • | Collaborations
    SOUK welcomes products created in collaboration with other designers or work created by a collective.

| Exclusive Works and Limited Editions

  • The SOUK encourages the submission of Exclusive Works and Limited Editions, whether they be unique creations or products crafted using distinct materials and textures and/or using exclusive colours.
  • Exclusive Works and Limited Editions will immediately be prioritized during the jury selection process.
  • A minimum of 2 Exclusive Works should be submitted.
  • A submission can include a mix from the designer’s existing product line with Exclusive Works and/or Limited Editions crafted only for the SOUK.
  • Exclusive Works and Limited Editions will be highlighted and benefit from greater exposure and promotional effort.
  • Exclusive Works and Limited Editions should be available only for the duration of the event and solely on SOUK’s digital space.

| Pricing

  • The DESIGNER must determine the retail price of the products on sale taking into account the contribution of total sales to the SOUK, in addition to the Visa, MasterCard and Debit transaction fees.
  • Prices should reflect a wide range of budgets.
  • Regardless of whether the DESIGNER is registered for the applicable taxes or not, the products must be priced before taxes. The SOUK’s taxes, if applicable, will be automatically applied when transactions are processed at the SOUK’s central cash.
  • See “Fees, transactions & payments” section for additional information.

| Candidate profile

  • Designers must be from greater Montreal and its surrounding areas (all over Quebec).
  • Candidates may be established designers, in mid-career, starting a career, or students.

| Guidelines / Criteria

  • Candidates must present original works.
  • Candidates must supply a duly completed application form. See “Proposal requirements” and “Submitted products“ for more information.
  • Selection is based on the excellence of the work in all its aspects: aesthetics, creativity, innovation and technical mastery.
  • Priority will be given to proposals from designers whose work demonstrates a personal style, a willingness to question their form of expression, and a desire to expand the limits of their practice.
  • SOUK seeks to highlight creativity by presenting productions that continually expand the limits of various disciplinary fields in innovative ways; SOUK is emphatic in supporting designers who innovate and continue to expand the limits of their field.
  • Participation in previous SOUK editions does not make one automatically eligible. A proposal dossier must be submitted for each edition, as the selection committee is different every year.
  • It is essential to submit a selection of new creations or the application will be automatically dismissed.

| Disclaimer

  • Resale of products is prohibited.
  • Imported products are prohibited.
  • Applications by manufacturers, distributors and importers are not eligible.
  • Products made by a third party are prohibited unless they are considered a collaboration.
  • ‘Collaborations’ consist of work produced by designers [and not manufacturers] and should include all the involved designer/brand names.

| Proposal requirements

  • Required information: name, surname / address(es) / company name or brand name / telephone / cell / email / website / social media accounts
  • CV or bio (description of current and past professional experiences related to your creative practice, whether it be in the arts and crafts trades, visual arts, fashion, contemporary design, etc.).

| Application Files

  • A brief description of each submitted product including: materials used, format, year of production, and the suggested sales price.
  • All submitted products without a suggested sales price will be automatically dismissed.
  • Product images must be taken from various angles.
  • Product packaging visual files must be provided.
  • Only products evaluated and selected by the jury can be presented and sold during the SOUK.
  • A minimum of 5 visual documents representing the designers’ work: drawings, sketches, digital or printed photographs, pamphlets, videos, catalogues, lookbooks, website links, newspaper or magazine clippings, or any other relevant documents that clearly depict the artistic process.

| Samples: Food & Drink / Bath & Body

  • A sample selection of products is required in order to have the proposal evaluated by the jury, otherwise proposals will be automatically dismissed.
  • Please note that samples will not be returned due to health and hygiene requirements.
  • All samples must be addressed to ‘SOUK’ and sent to the following address: SOUK HABITAT / 1 Place Ville Marie, suite 2030 / Montreal, Quebec / H3B 2C4 (entrance on Boulevard Robert-Bourassa)
      • Option 1 : By mail before Tuesday, September 28, 2021, 5 pm
      • Option 2 : Drop-off in person before Tuesday, September 28, 2021, 5pm (Opening hours Monday to Saturday: 11 am to 5 pm)

| Application

  • Only proposals submitted via the SOUK’s application form will be accepted.
  • SOUK does not accept proposal dossiers sent by mail, by email or delivered in person.
  • All proposals are due Tuesday, September 28, 2021, by 5 pm.
  • No submission will be considered after the deadline.

| Open House

  • Designers may present their works and application to the jury in person so that they may support their electronic proposal submission on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 9 am to 4 pm at SOUK HABITAT (1 Place Ville Marie, suite 2030 / Montreal / Quebec / H3B 2C4)
  • The application must be sent via the website before going to the open house and presenting the products in person.
      • Option 1: submit / drop-off application for the jury to evaluate later on.
      • Option 2: present the application to the jury with a maximum presentation time of 3 min. per applicant.
        • Designers must make an appointment to present work to the jury (Please anticipate waiting time for the presentation as procedures of preparation to the jury take time).
        • Link to make an appointment (FULLY BOOKED)

| Jury selection

  • A selection committee made up of experts will evaluate the proposals in consideration of the maximum quota per category.
  • The jury can either approve a complete application or only select certain works from the submitted proposal.

| Selected designers

  • All candidates will be contacted, via email by Tuesday, October 12, 2021, by 5pm.
  • A signature of both agreements (SOUK Fair + SOUK HABITAT) is required to participate in the 18th edition.
  • A participation fee is required upon selection. Refer to ‘Fees, transactions and payments’ for more information.
  • All decisions are final and without appeal.

| Visibility

  • The SOUK is renowned to generate over 16,000 in traffic in the course of a 5-day fair: designers, architects, buyers, wholesalers, media, museums, galleries, bloggers, loyal shoppers, students but mostly design lovers.
  • Much like previous SOUK events, our physical fair will also offer singular and attractive promotional and marketing content to highlight and promote the participant designers and their products, allowing a wider audience outreach and engagement.

| Mood shot photography

  • In order to create a seamless Design Experience all contents highlighting the participating designers will be created by the SOUK’s team
  • By applying and participating in the SOUK, the Designers agree to comply to SOUK’s aesthetic and visual signature, for all promotional content of the 18th edition.
  • All charges related to mood shots, representing designers and brand identity are free of charge and taken care of by the SOUK.
  • High-res images of the mood shots will be made available to the designers for the promotion of their participation at the SOUK’s 18th edition.
  • Images cannot be used by the Designers for other promotional purposes than to promote their participation at SOUK.

| Mood shot products & shoot procedures

  • The SOUK editorial team will select the products to be used to promote the designers and their participation at the 18th edition.
  • The Designers must provide all the necessary products, images and information to the SOUK editorial team.
  • The Designer is responsible for delivering the products available for the shoot to the SOUK HABITAT.
  • The Designer is responsible for the pick-up of the photographed products after the shoot.
  • Address of delivery and pick-up: SOUK HABITAT / 1 Place Ville Marie, suite 2030 / Montreal, Quebec / H3B 2C4 (entrance on Boulevard Robert-Bourassa)
  • Delivery of products for the shoot is due 1 week after the announcement of the Selected designers.
  • If the above-mentioned deadline is not met, the selected submission will be automatically
    revoked.

| Promotional tools

  • The SOUK promotes the 18th edition with special targeted content within its own media networks starting Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
  • The SOUK team provides designers with the promotional content so that they can pursue their own promotional efforts in their respective networks.
  • All designers are ensured the same visibility and engagement with the media.
  • Exclusive products, collaborations, limited editions, as well as raffle contributors might benefit from greater coverage and engagement.
  • The SOUK will make use of its website + newsletter + social media [Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.] to promote the 18th edition participant designers and their products.

| Media

  • Press releases will be sent to journalists and bloggers in print and electronic media [newspapers, radios, TV, blogs, etc.].
  • Follow-up with journalists and various media.
  • SOUK generates media coverage via newspapers, radio, TV, blogs, websites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

| Inventory list

  • The DESIGNER must provide a detailed list of each of the products that will be available for sale at SOUK HABITAT.
  • The DESIGNER must fill the SOUK product sheet provided to them by the SOUK team.
  • No other product sheet will be accepted other than the one provided by the SOUK team.
  • The products indicated in the product sheet must correspond to the final selection of the jury.
  • The SOUK Team will upload the full list of the Designers’ products on the Lightspeed platform. The Designers must provide a list of their products by November 1st.
  • On-site storage space is made available to the Designers during the fair.

In addition to our yearly physical fair, some designers’ products will be showcased in the SOUK HABITAT showroom space. The designer must make inventory available for the experiential space.

| Selection

  • A selection will be made by the SOUK Editorial team.
  • Complete information about the selected products will be communicated to the Designers two weeks after the announcement of their participation at the 18th edition.
  • The selection can be adjusted with availability? as long as the products respond to the SOUK HABITAT editorial vision
  • | Inventory list
    The DESIGNER must provide a detailed list of each of the products that will be available for sale at SOUK HABITAT.
  • The DESIGNER must fill the SOUK product sheet provided to them by the SOUK editorial team.
  • The products indicated in the product sheet must correspond to the final selection of the jury.
  • No other product sheet will be accepted than the one provided by the SOUK team.
  • The product data sheet must be submitted by email prior to delivering their inventory at the SOUK HABITAT.
  • A printed version of the inventory must be added to the delivery package.
  • Inventory will be checked at delivery by the SOUK team in the presence of the Designers.
  • If the package is not delivered in person and sent by other means (courier, mail, etc.), the SOUK’s inventory will prevail if it doesn’t match with the Designer’s.
  • The Designer is responsible for missing or broken items during transportation.

| Delivery address + opening hours

  • The DESIGNER is responsible for delivering the products available for sale to the SOUK HABITAT.
  • Address: SOUK HABITAT / 1 Place Ville Marie, suite 2030 / Montreal, Quebec / H3B 2C4 (entrance on Boulevard Robert-Bourassa)
  • Delivery hours: Monday to Saturday – 11 am to 5 pm
  • Deadline: Monday, November 22, 5 pm.

| Made-to-order

  • Made-to-order pieces must be clearly indicated with the typical delays for production and delivery in the inventory sheets.
  • The SOUK team will provide, by email, a list of products ordered/bought at SOUK HABITAT to the Designers.
  • All Made-to-order pieces are paid by clients at time of purchase/order.
  • Custom Made-to-order pieces must be shipped and or delivered to SOUK HABITAT by the Designers.
  • Designers are responsible if a client asks for a refund if delivery time is not respected.
  • Designers may be required to pay logistical fees if any. See “Fee, transactions and payments” section for additional information.

| Participation fees

  • Applying to the Call for Projects is free.
  • However, if the application is selected a fee of $250.00 + tx is required.
  • Fees are non-refundable and a receipt will be provided upon payment.
  • Participation fees are due 48 hours after the announcement of the Selected designers.
  • All payments must be made by e-transfer (no other methods of payments will be accepted)
  • If the above-mentioned deadline is not met, the selected submission will be automatically revoked.

| Logistic costs

  • All logistics costs due to Designers’ delay on providing all required documents, information and products to SOUK’s editorial team for the smooth functioning of the programming of the 18th edition, will be billed directly to the designer.
  • Designers will be notified before committing to any additional expenses.
  • Designers agree to meet all deadlines

| Transactions at the SOUK Fair

  • The SOUK organizers will solely administer a central cash for all transactions of the designer’s sales throughout the fair via the Lightspeed platform.
  • A designer cannot conduct a transaction directly with a consumer in the venue at the event.
  • The SOUK Team will upload all the lists of the Designers products on the Lightspeed platform. The Designers must provide a list of their products by November 1st.
  • 20% of the sales will be automatically deducted from the designer total sales amount, as well as service fees for debit and credit card transactions.
  • The service charges (POS) are ¢ 25 per Debit, 3,5% for Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) from the transactions of the total sales amount.

| Transactions at SOUK HABITAT

  • All sales transactions are administered and managed by the SOUK team throughout the SOUK HABITAT participation.
  • 30% of the sales will be automatically deducted from the designer total sales amount, as well as service fees for debit and credit card transactions.
  • The service fees are ¢ 25 per debit, 3,5% for Visa or MasterCard transactions of the total sales amount.

| Payment of the SOUK Fair sales

  • Step 1: A detailed summary of all the SOUK FAIR transactions will be sent daily to each participant via the Lightspeed platform.
  • Step 2: Once summaries of transactions are revised and approved by Designers, a second report including the contribution fees and the transaction fees will be provided to the Designers.
  • Step 3: The designers must invoice the SOUK in accordance with the summary of Step 2. Billing must include either their taxes (if registered) or their social insurance number.
  • Step 4: The SOUK will transfer the payments electronically to the Designers within two weeks following the reception of a complete invoice.

| Payment of the SOUK HABITAT sales

  • Step 1: A detailed summary of all the SOUK HABITAT transactions will be sent to each participant by January 15, 2022, via the Lightspeed platform.
  • Step 2: Once summaries of transactions are revised and approved by Designers, a second report including the contribution fees and the transaction fees will be provided to the Designers.
  • Step 3: The designers must invoice the SOUK in accordance with the summary of Step 2. Billing must include either their taxes (if registered) or their social insurance number.
  • Step 4: The SOUK will transfer the payments electronically to the Designers within two weeks following the reception of a complete invoice.