"Mobile messaging is a hot market, and the Avatar Challenge gives students a chance to be on the leading edge of this market," said Carla Fitzgerald, Chief Marketing Officer at Smith Micro. "Wacom tablets are the premier tools used by our vast community of professional graphic designers, and many budding student artists are getting their first exposure to Wacom tablets and our digital animation software through Studica.com as a leading supplier to the education market. We're so pleased to have these partners join the Avatar Challenge, and they're equally excited to see the Avatar submissions as we launch the contest portal to students."
Through the Avatar Challenge, students in secondary schools and higher education can use Smith Micro's Anime Studio software to create animated Avatar characters designed for mobile messaging. Contest winners will have their creations viewed and used by millions through Sprint's Visual Voicemail service. The program includes free software licenses for teachers and students to use Anime Studio in the classroom, with training and curriculum guides available from Smith Micro. The free software program began on August 1, 2014 and ends October 31, 2014. Students can register and submit their Avatars to the contest from October 1 through December 31, 2014. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges from the sponsor companies.
"At Wacom, creativity and imagination are core values, and we're excited to support Smith Micro in its mission to enrich art and design skills among the next generation of our workforce," said Don Varga, Director of Creative Products Marketing at Wacom. "Our Intuos Pro tablet will offer a great advantage to Avatar Challenge winners, providing the precision and control they need to fully explore and realize their potential."
"Studica has been partnering with innovative companies like Smith Micro and Wacom to provide exceptional software and technology products at affordable prices to schools, educators, and students for almost 30 years," said Frank Nanfara, President & CEO at Studica. "Graphic design is an important part of STEAM education, and the ability to promote their works at a national level is a great opportunity for these students. The Avatar Challenge will help students fulfill their dreams, and we're happy to support the program."
For more information visit Avatar Challenge. For registration and contest submissions visit the Avatar Challenge Student Portal.
About Smith Micro Software, Inc.:
Smith Micro Software provides solutions that simplify, secure and enhance the mobile experience. Our portfolio includes a wide range of applications that manage broadband connectivity, data traffic, devices, voice and video communications over wireless networks. With more than 30 years of experience developing world-class client and server software, Smith Micro helps the leading mobile network operators, device manufacturers and enterprises increase efficiency and capitalize on the growth of mobile-connected consumers and workforces. For more information, visit smithmicro.com. (
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