28e Concours étudiant 2027

The 28th student competition 2027 on the theme “ Borders, space and limit” , organised by Signe, the national graphic design centre, as part of the 6th Biennale internationale de design graphique in Chaumont 2027, is open to graphic design students at art schools, universities, technical and vocational schools and colleges, both public and private, registered for the 2026-2027 academic year. These students may join forces with students from other disciplines, in which case they will present the project as a group.

The deadline for sending entries is Tuesday, 9 March 2027.

The deadline for completing the registration form ( copy this address in your browser: : https://forms.gle/wjgCPBarJezCjCzw8) is Tuesday, 9 March 2027 23:59.

The competition will give rise an exhibition of selected projects and a prize-giving ceremony on Saturday 29 May 2027 as part of the Chaumont Graphic Design Biennial, which will begin as of 27 May 2027.

Borders, space and limit

The term ‘frontière’ first appeared in French in the 13th century, derived from the word ‘front’ and meaning ‘to face the enemy’, before taking on its current meaning in the 16th century. Today, it refers to ‘an area of varying width, ranging from an imaginary line to a specific space, separating or joining two territories, in particular two sovereign states’.

There are indeed borders that are imposed upon us, where geography shapes divisions. Like a mountain ridge, a coastline or the course of a river, these borders were impassable and separated different climates, giving rise to distinct cultures. Even cities crossed by rivers clearly distinguish the unique character of each bank.

Nevertheless, there are divisions created artificially (often) as a result of human conflict: there are countless African countries whose borders follow a meridian or a parallel x or y ; there is also the Bernauer Strasse in Berlin, the Green Line in Jerusalem, and so on. These divisions, often accompanied by barriers that cannot be crossed without risking one’s life, signify the power of one group over the powerless inhabitants of these demarcated territories.

How have the concepts of borders and space evolved since the creation of the Schengen Area? And what about the external borders of this area? How do we, as people within this area, perceive these distinctions, and how are they perceived by those outside it?

Examining these lines or spaces of separation within their historical and geographical context, as well as in terms of their physical form, can reveal the profound and evolving nature of the links between the two separate territories.

The notion of the ‘in-between’ begins to emerge.

In the United States, the word ‘frontier’ is an integral part of the American dream, denoting that zone between a conquered territory and the unknown, that is to say, the territory yet to be conquered. Whilst in the 19th century this referred to the vast American West, in 1960 the young President J. F. Kennedy spoke of the ‘new frontier’ in his inaugural address: ‘But I say to you that we stand at a new frontier, whether we like it or not. Beyond that frontier lie the unexplored realms of science and space, the unsolved problems of peace and war, the pockets of ignorance and prejudice not yet reduced, and the unanswered questions of poverty and plenty.’

We thus move from a space between two territories to a political agenda. Kennedy dared to leave the realm of geographical and cultural conquest to address societal issues, no doubt with the idea that there would be a before (the new frontier) and an after.

Despite the increasing construction of walls by those in power, which confine the oppressed within the world, and the polarisation of opinions highlighted in the media, voices are being raised across many scientific, political and artistic fields to challenge the notion of ‘confrontation’ and opposition, to reconcile differing perspectives and, above all, to occupy this in-between space. A living, dynamic occupation that would render space and boundaries fluid.

The past vs. the future, truth vs. lies, the real world vs. the virtual world, the inside vs. the outside, culture vs. nature, the global vs. the local, war vs. peace, women vs. men, life vs. death, childhood vs. old age, chair one vs. chair two, utopia vs. dystopia, finitude vs. infinity… the list could indeed be extended ad infinitum

Each of these opposing concepts raises more questions than it provides answers, and points to discussions and studies that have been ongoing since time immemorial. No realm of thought or creation escapes these questions, which affect us in every aspect of our lives on this earth.

Returning to the initial examples given—borders, ridgelines, coastlines or river courses—their eminently visual nature fuels the imagination and the conception of this space in between, which we invite you to occupy in a free interpretation for this 28th student competition.

Whether it be a poster, an animation, a letter, a sound piece, a manifesto, an installation or a performance – any form of interpretation is permitted, keeping in mind that the entry is submitted to the 6th International Graphic Design Biennale and provided it strictly adheres to the attached competition rules.