F.A.Q.

  1. Who is eligible to enter?
  2. How soon can I register?
  3. When is the deadline to submit entries?
  4. How do I submit an entry?
  5. What should I include with my entry?
  6. What is a Communication Objective Statement?
  7. How many entries may I submit?
  8. Do I have to register ALL my entries online?
  9. What kinds of files do I need to submit?
  10. What would disqualify an entry?
  11. May I submit a project that I created more than a year ago?
  12. How will the entries be judged?
  13. Who will judge the entries?
  14. How will I know if my work has been selected for the semifinal round of judging?
  15. If I am a semifinalist, when do I need to submit my print output or my high-resolution video for the live judging round?
  16. What happens to entries in the semifinal round after the judging?
  17. If I am a semifinalist, how should I package my entry for the live judging round?
  18. I am not sure whether my work fits the Print Communications or Illustration category. Which should I choose?
  19. What work fits the Installation category?
  20. What is the Application Development category?
  21. I used non-Adobe web design software for my entry in the Browser-Based Design category, but I used Adobe Photoshop® and Illustrator® software for my image. Is this OK?
  22. My website requires a password. Will you be able to view it?
  23. I have used various movie and TV clips in my entry. Is this OK?
  24. What is the Non-Browser-Based Design category?
  25. I have a great image of a famous record album that I modified. May I submit it?
  26. Is it OK to include the text of someone else’s published work in my entry?
  27. My whole class worked on a project, and a few of my friends and relatives made suggestions and helped, too. May I submit it?
  28. Should we include a Communication Objective Statement from each person in our group?
  29. I worked with a group of students on a publication we want to submit. Everyone in our group contributed in different ways. For example, one person took photographs, and another edited them. Is this OK?
  30. One person did the majority of the work, and a few other people did small things. Is this still a group project?
  31. How long can my video entry be?
  32. I took a great photograph and scanned it using Photoshop. Is this OK?
  33. How do I find out whether I won?
  34. If my group entry wins or is a finalist, who gets the prizes?
  35. Where is the awards ceremony?
  36. Who may attend the awards ceremony?
1. Who is eligible to enter?
The contest is open to all individuals 18 years or older who are full-time matriculated students at an accredited institution of higher education. For group entries, everyone who worked on the entry must be listed on the entry form and must meet these requirements. One of these people must be indicated on the entry form as the group leader.

One of these people must be indicated on the entry form as the group leader. The contest is not open to any resident of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. U.S. export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Therefore residents of these countries/regions are not eligible to participate.

This Contest is void in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria and where prohibited by law.
2. How soon can I register?
The contest registration and entry period begins November 3, 2008.
3. When is the deadline to submit entries?
The contest ends June 5, 2009. All entries must be uploaded to the competition website no later than 5 p.m. (PDT) on June 5, 2009.
4. How do I submit an entry?
You register and submit digital versions of your entries online. The format requested for each entry will vary depending on the category you enter, but it will be clearly specified as you explore the category descriptions.
5. What should I include with my entry?
  • Proof of eligibility: A scanned version of your student ID or a scanned version of an official copy of your course schedule or a scanned version of a letter from your faculty certifying that you are a full-time student
  • Your personal information, as requested
  • A Communication Objective Statement
  • A description of how you used Adobe tools to create your entry
6. What is a Communication Objective Statement?
This is a statement that describes the message or story you are trying to communicate with your entry. You also need to explain how you used Adobe products to create your entry. An insufficient description or explanation could disqualify your entry. Even good designs require explanation.
7. How many entries may I submit?
You may submit up to three (3) entries as either an individual or a group, but you may submit only one (1) entry per category.
8. Do I have to register ALL my entries online?
Yes. Both the entry process and the submission process are online. However, once you enter your personal information the first time, you won’t need to re-enter it to submit additional entries. You can simply use the login ID and password you create to access your entry information and add up to two additional submissions in different categories.
9. What kinds of files do I need to submit?
For Traditional Media categories (Illustration, Photography, Packaging, and Print Communications), include a PDF file and JPEG images of the finished project that show it clearly. Be sure to answer the questions about the dimensions of the piece. For Interactive Media, in the Browser-Based Design and Non-Browser-Based Design categories you may submit a URL if your entry is a website or something you designed in FLV or executable format. For Installation Design, include illustrated mock-ups in PDF, EXE, or APP format or a format compatible with Adobe Flash® Player, or reference a URL. If you are submitting an entry to the Mobile Design category, submit your project in a format compatible with Flash Player or provide a URL. For the Designer/Developer Collaboration category, submit your project in Adobe AIR™ format or provide a URL. If you submit a URL, be sure the site is accessible and the content remains unchanged through November 30, 2009. For Motion and Video categories (Animation, Live Action, and Motion Graphics), submit a URL to a video sharing site where your work may be viewed like Youtube.com. .
10. What would disqualify an entry?
Entries that are missing any of the following requirements will be disqualified: · A full name, mailing address, and e-mail address for the entrant on the online registration form · Student status verification (a scanned version of any of the following: school ID, proof of enrollment, or faculty letter on school letterhead) · Communication Objective Statement · Explanation of how Adobe products were used · Digital versions of the entry Entrants should also note that: · Any portion of an Animation or Live Action entry that extends beyond five minutes will not be judged. · Entries that are obviously inappropriate in nature — such as pornography — will be disqualified. · Digital files that do not open or do not play will be disqualified. · Entries that use trademarked or copyrighted materials, such as corporate logos or music, will be disqualified unless students can supply written permission by the legal owner of the trademarked or copyrighted material. Be sure to read the Official Rules completely.
11. May I submit a project that I created more than a year ago?
No. All work must have been created after May 1, 2008.
12. How will the entries be judged?
Entries will be reviewed online by a panel of independent judges in the first round. The panel will select entries they would like to see in more detail, and those students will be invited to submit their entries to the semifinal round by sending print output along with Adobe source files or CD/DVD high-resolution versions of digital entries along with Adobe source files. The panel will travel to San Jose, California to judge the semifinal entries on a point system based on originality, effectiveness in meeting the specified communication objectives, and skill in using Adobe products. Submit your best work, not just your wildest, weirdest, or most outrageous. Talent, quality, and skill earn points.
13. Who will judge the entries?
Please review the list of judges and their bios.
14. How will I know if my work has been selected for the semifinal round of judging?
You will receive an e-mail message. The faculty contact in your registration information will receive an e-mail message as well.
15. If I am a semifinalist, when do I need to submit my print output or my high-resolution video to the live judging round?
If you are invited to the semifinal round, you’ll receive an e-mail message by 6 July 2009. You will be given instructions in that message on where to send your work. Adobe must receive your work before 31 July 2009, to include it in the live judging round.
16. What happens to entries in the semifinal round after the judging?
Adobe will not be able to return the entries. Please make a copy of your work to keep for your portfolio before you submit your entry for the semifinal round. Many of the entries will be forwarded to regional offices where they may become part of other exhibits.
17. If I am a semifinalist, how should I package my entry for the live judging round?
Your entry should be fully enclosed within the packaging so that it is protected from any possible shipping damage. Be sure to use the shipping sticker you’ll receive with your invitation to submit — it identifies your work by its competition entry number. If you’re sending hard copies, try to package them in a flat manner. Large items sent in mailing tubes are acceptable, but the tubes make it difficult to display your entry. The more delicate your entry, the more protective your packaging should be. Adding special packaging such as custom boxes with matching stationery looks professional, but the judges won’t see it. They see only your final design or artwork.
18. I am not sure whether my work fits the Print Communications or Illustration category. Which should I choose?
The Print Communications category includes documents with type and img, such as books, catalogs, magazines, calendars, identity systems, posters, logos, folded brochures, stationery, flyers, invitations, print advertisements, and more. The Illustration category is intended for digitally created drawings, paintings, book illustrations, or diagrams that help illuminate the meaning of textual documents or physical products with little or possibly no text.
19. What work fits the Installation category?
Appropriate entries for this category include interactive wayfinding systems, exhibits, art projects that involve viewer interaction, environmental graphics, or retail interiors designed primarily (more than 50%) with Adobe tools.
20. What is the Application Development category?
This is a new category honoring software applications that feature especially elegant interfaces and usability and are usually created by teams that include developers and designers but may be created by an individual. Entries must be submitted as a URL or in Adobe AIR format.
21. I used non-Adobe web design software for my entry in the Browser-Based Design category, but I used Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator software for my images. Is this OK?
No. This is not an effective use of Adobe software for this contest. Your website should be created with Adobe Dreamweaver® or Adobe Flash with auxiliary use of Photoshop and Illustrator to qualify as an entry in this category.
22. My website requires a password. Will you be able to view it?
Please include a valid login and password with your entry, and we will make a reasonable effort to access your files.
23. I have used various movie and TV clips in my entry. Is this OK?
Using copyrighted material in your entries is acceptable only if you have secured permission from the owners of the copyrighted material. Unauthorized use of copyrighted or trademarked materials will disqualify you. (Note: If your work is selected as a semifinalist, finalist, or honorable mention, it may be displayed in its entirety on a public web page that is viewable by anyone, and fair use copyright conventions no longer apply.)
24. What is the Non-Brower Based Design category?
If you have designed interactive projects such as games or learning modules intended for viewing directly on a computer that is not connected to the Internet, then use the Non-Browser-Based category for your project.
25. I have a great image of a famous record album that I modified. May I submit it?
No. Entries with trademarked or copyrighted materials will be disqualified unless you submit written permission to use such material along with your entry. (Note: If your work is selected as a semifinalist, finalist, or honorable mention, it may be displayed in its entirety on a public web page that is viewable by anyone, and fair use copyright conventions no longer apply.)
26. Is it OK to include the text of someone else’s published work in my entry?
You may include text from a published work only if you have the copyright holder's permission to use it. All entries that use copyrighted or trademarked materials without the legal owner’s permission will be disqualified. If you do use such material, you must provide legal proof of such permission along with your entry. (Note: If your work is selected as a semifinalist, finalist, or honorable mention, it may be displayed in its entirety on a public web page that is viewable by anyone, and fair use copyright conventions no longer apply.)
27. My whole class worked on a project, and a few of my friends and relatives made suggestions and helped, too. May I submit it?
There is no limit to the number of people in a group, but all of them must meet eligibility requirements in order for the entry to be judged or for a group to receive a prize.
28. Should we include a Communication Objective Statement from each person in our group?
No, only one statement for the entire entry is needed. However, you should explain which group members were responsible for each portion.
29. I worked with a group of students on a publication we want to submit. Everyone in our group contributed in different ways. For example, one person took photographs and another edited them. Is this OK?
Yes. This is exactly what a group entry is intended to represent.
30. One person did the majority of the work, and a few other people did small things. Is this still a group project?
Yes. Unless one person did all the work on an entry, it is a group project and should be submitted as such and include the names of all participants.
31. How long can my video entry be?
Your Animation or Live Action entry should be a short film. There is no firm time limit on length, but the panel will look only at the first five minutes.
32. I took a great photograph and scanned it using Photoshop. Is this OK?
No, this is not an effective use of Adobe software for this contest.
33. How do I find out whether I won?
If your work is invited to the semifinal judging round and you are then selected as one of the three finalists in each category, you’ll receive an e-mail or a phone call in August. You will fly to the awards event and find out only during the award ceremony if you are the category winner.
34. If my group entry wins or is a finalist, who gets the prizes?
Your group leader is responsible for providing shipping addresses for each of the team members so that Adobe can supply your software prizes. If your group entry wins the category prize, Adobe will send your leader a check for US$3,000 to distribute to team members. Choose your leader wisely.
35. Where is the awards ceremony?
This year's awards ceremony will be in Beijing, China during the last week of October 2009.
36. Who may attend the awards ceremony?
All category finalists are invited to the awards ceremony and will be accommodated at Adobe's expense. Note that from each finalist group, only the designated group leader will receive complimentary airfare and lodging. Professionals from the design community; Adobe executives; and luminaries from the art, film, graphics community and all of the attendees of the Icograda World Design Congress will also attend. Any contestants who wish to travel to the event at their own expense are also invited.
 

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