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2007 Adobe Design Achievement Awards frequently asked questions

Your 2007 Adobe Design Achievement Awards entry represents many hours of hard work. This page will help you make sure that it is submitted correctly for consideration by the judges. Be sure to read the Official Rules to determine the exact requirements for entries. Also, make sure you read the step-by-step instructions.

1. Who is eligible to enter?
2. How soon may 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 of my entries online?
9. What kinds of files do I need to submit?
10. What would disqualify an entry?
11. May I send in a project that I did 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, how long do I have to get my print output or my high-resolution video to the live judging?
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?
18. I am not sure whether my work fits the Print Design Multi-Page, Print Design Single Page, or Digital Illustration category. Which should I choose?
19. What is the Environmental Graphics and Packaging category?
20. What is the Interactive and Web Design category?
21. I used non-Adobe, non-Macromedia web design software but used Photoshop® and Illustrator® for my images. 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. I have a really great image of a famous record album that I have modified. May I submit it?
25. Is it OK to include the text of a published work by someone else in my entry?
26. My whole class worked on a project, and a few of my friends and relatives made suggestions and helped out, too. May I submit it?
27. Should we include a Communication Objective Statement from each person in our group?
28. I worked with a group of students on a publication we want to submit. Everyone in our group contributed in different ways — one person took photographs and another edited them, etc. Is this OK?
29. One person did the majority of the work, and a few other people did small things. Is this still a group project?
30. How long can my video entry be?
31. I took a really great photograph and just scanned it using Photoshop. Is this OK?
32. How do I find out whether I won?
33. If my group entry wins, who gets the prizes?
34. Where is the Awards Ceremony?
35. Who may attend the Awards Ceremony?

1. Who is eligible to enter?

   The contest is open to all individuals age 18 years or older who are full-time matriculated students in a visual arts discipline at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Turkey who hold citizenship status or official work or student visas for one of these countries. For group entries, everyone who worked on the entry must be listed on the entry form and must meet these eligibility requirements. One of these people must be designated on the entry form as the lead team member.

2. How soon may I register?

   The contest registration and entry period begins November 1, 2006, and closes April 27, 2007.

3. When is the deadline to submit entries?

   The contest ends April 27, 2007. All entries must be uploaded to the competition website no later than 5 p.m. Pacific time on April 27, 2007.

4. How do I submit an entry?

   You register online and you also submit digital versions of your entries online. The format requested for your 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 scan of your student ID, or a scan of an official copy of your course schedule, or a scan of a letter from your faculty certifying that you are a full-time student
     
   • Your personal information as requested
   • A Communication Objective
   • A description of how you used Adobe tools to create your work

6. What is a Communication Objective Statement?

   This is a statement that describes what you are trying to say or explain, the message you are trying to deliver, the story you are trying to tell in regard to the content of 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 a total of three (3) entries, either individual or group, but only one (1) entry per category.

8. Do I have to register all of my entries online?

   Yes. Both the entry process and the submission process are online. However, once you enter your personal information, you won't need to re-enter it to submit additional entries. You will simply use the login ID and password you are assigned 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 print entries (in the Digital Illustration, Digital Photography, Environmental Graphics and Packaging, Print Design Multi-Page, and Print Design Single Page categories), please include a PDF file and JPEG images of the finished project that will show it off well. Be sure to respond to questions about the dimensions of the piece.

   For Interactive and Web Design files, you may submit just a URL if you are entering a website, or enter the game you designed in Flash® or executable format. For Animation, Live Action, or Motion Graphics, you'll need to submit a compressed video in Flash, QuickTime, or Windows Media format with either 400x300 or 400x225 pixel frame size.

10. What would disqualify an entry?

    Any entries missing any of the following will be disqualified:

    • A full name, address, and e-mail address for the entrant in the online registration form
    • Student status verification (scan of any of the following: school ID, proof of enrollment, or faculty letter on school letterhead)
    • Communication Objective Statement
    • Explanation of how Adobe and/or Macromedia products were used
    • Digital versions of the artwork being entered

    Entrants also should note that:

    • An Animation or Live Action entry should not be longer than five minutes. The portion of such an 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 for videos, 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 send in a project that I did more than a year ago?

    No. All work must have been created after April 30, 2006.

12. How will the entries be judged?

    Entries will be reviewed online by a panel of independent judges in the initial round. The jurors will select those entries they would like to see in more detail, and students who entered that work will be invited to submit it to the semifinal round by shipping 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 to judge the semifinal entries on a points system based on originality, effectiveness in meeting the specified communication objectives, and skill in applying Adobe and Macromedia products. Submit your best work, not just your wildest, weirdest, or most outrageous. Talent, quality, and skill gain 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 and a phone call. The faculty contact in your registration information will receive an e-mail message as well.

15. If I am a semifinalist, how long do I have to get my print output or my high-resolution video to the live judging?

    If you are invited into the semifinal round you'll receive an e-mail message by May 7, 2007. You will be given instructions in that e-mail on where to send your work. Adobe will need to receive your work by May 18, 2007, for it to be included in the live judging.

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 work for the semifinal round.

17. If I am a semifinalist, how should I package my entry for the live judging?

    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 will identify your work by its competition entry number. If you have prints or printouts, 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 is, the more protective your packing should be. Adding special packing such as custom boxes with matching stationery is nice and very professional looking, but the judges do not see this. They see only your final design or artwork.

18. I am not sure whether my work fits the Print Design Multi-Page, Print Design Single Page, or Digital Illustration category. Which should I choose?

    The Print Design Multi-Page category includes multipage documents with type and images, such as books, catalogs, magazines, calendars, identity systems, and other bound or stapled documents. The Print Design Single Page category includes single-page documents with type and images, such as posters, logos, folded brochures, stationery, flyers, invitations, print advertisements, and other unbound documents. The Digital Illustration category is intended for digitally created drawings, paintings, book illustrations, or diagrams that help illuminate the meaning of textual documents or physical products.

19. What is the Environmental Graphics and Packaging category?

    Appropriate entries for this category include examples or images of environmental graphics such as signage, way-finding systems, retail displays, tradeshow and exhibition designs, or product packaging, created primarily (over 50%) with Adobe and Macromedia tools. Entries must be submitted in print format, with the scale of the original pieces indicated and with accompanying original digital files in Adobe and/or Macromedia software format.

20. What is the Interactive and Web Design category?

    Appropriate entries for this category include designs requiring audience interaction such as websites; games; mobile media; interactive storytelling; user-interface design; and kiosk-, DVD-, or CD-interface design concepts, created primarily (over 50%) with Adobe and Macromedia tools. Entries must be submitted in digital format or as a URL, with accompanying original digital files in Adobe software format.

21. I used non-Adobe, non-Macromedia web design software but used Photoshop and Illustrator for my images. Is this OK?

    This is not an effective use of Adobe software. Your website must be created with Dreamweaver® or GoLive®, with auxiliary use of Photoshop and Illustrator.

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?

    No. Unauthorized use of copyrighted or trademarked materials will disqualify you. 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 if you are chosen as a semifinalist. (Note: If your work is selected as a Semifinalist, Prize Winner, or for 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 to that situation.)

24. I have a really great image of a famous record album that I have modified. May I submit it?

    No. Entries with trademarked or copyrighted materials will be disqualified unless you can submit written permission along with your entry if you are chosen as a semifinalist. (Note: If your work is selected as a Semifinalist, Prize Winner, or for 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 to that situation.)

25. Is it OK to include the text of a published work by someone else in my entry?

    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 if you are chosen as a semifinalist. (Note: If your work is selected as a Semifinalist, Prize Winner, or for 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 to that situation.)

26. My whole class worked on a project, and a few of my friends and relatives made suggestions and helped out, 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 winning (or other finalist) group to receive its prize.

27. 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.

28. I worked with a group of students on a publication we want to submit. Everyone in our group contributed in different ways — one person took photographs and another edited them, etc. Is this OK?

    Yes. This is exactly what a group entry is intended to represent.

29. 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 of the work on an entry, it is a group project and should be submitted as such and include the names of all participants.

30. How long can my video entry be?

    Your Animation or Live Action entry should not be longer than five minutes. (Only the first five minutes will be judged.)

31. I took a really great photograph and just scanned it using Photoshop. Is this OK?

    No, this is not an effective use of Adobe software.

32. How do I find out whether I won?

    If your work is invited into the semifinal judging round and you are then selected as one of the three finalists in each category, you'll receive an e-mail and phone call in early June. You will fly to the awards event and find out only during the award ceremony if you are the category winner (who receives the cash prize).

33. 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 provide your leader a check for US$5,000. It's up to your leader to distribute the funds appropriately. Choose your leader wisely.

34. Where is the Awards Ceremony?

    This year's Awards Ceremony will be held in San Francisco, California, on August 2, 2007.

35. Who may attend the Awards Ceremony?

    All category finalists are invited to the Awards Ceremony and will be accommodated at Adobe's expense. Please note that from each finalist group, only the designated team leader will receive complimentary airfare and hotel accommodations. Professionals from the design community, Adobe executives, and others from the art, film, and graphics community also will attend. Any contestants who wish to travel to the event at their own expense are also invited.