FAQs: About competitions

Do entries need to be mailed?
No. Physical entries do not need to be submitted for “Justified: AIGA Design Competition.” The jury will review the images and descriptions online only.

Will there be a late entry deadline?
All entries must be submitted by March 31. The deadline was extended until Friday, April 13!

When will selections be announced?
The winning selections will be announced in September 2012.

Do I need to be a member to participate in the competitions?
Nonmembers can submit work in AIGA’s competitions; better yet: join now and take advantage of reduced entry fees.

Are there any examples of case studies I can reference?
Yes, you may reference selections from the 2011 competition online.

My work doesn’t fit neatly into any of the disciplines, what do I do?
We understand that an entry might cross over several disciplines. You should select the one that most accurately fits your entry. Judges have the right to reclassify entries from one discipline to another or to select only components of a submission for honors.

Can I save my information and then return to continue?
We encourage you to prepare your entries in advance in a separate document so you can upload the information in one session. If you are working directly in the competition form, please click “Upload and Continue” to save your work before you log out. You will be able to log in to complete your work until April 13. You will not be able to make changes or add entries after April 13.

After I submit my entries, can I return to edit or add more?
Yes, you will be able to return later to edit, add or print entries until April 13. To do so, log in and double click “Your submissions” in the upper right hand navigation, then from menu of entries, click Edit.

Should I include the credit and caption in the layout of the image file? Or will there be a separate field to enter it?
No, the caption and credit should not need be included in the layout of the actual image file. There will be a separate field for caption and credit for each image uploaded.

Is the budget required?
You are strongly encouraged to include the budget. As a tool for learning, cases will be most useful if there is budget information.

I am trying to upload the images at 640 pixels wide, but when I try to add them a message appears that they are 0 pixels wide. How can I solve that?
Check to see if the image is 72 dpi and . Then check the file name format. If there are any spaces in the file name, please replace them with an underscore ( _ ).

My images won't upload. How can I add them?
Make sure credits and captions are included for each image. Click “Upload and Continue” if there are no more images for that section.

What is the minimum number of images required to illustrate our story?
A minimum of three images are required.

What is the maximum number of images required to illustrate our story?
There is a maximum of 10 entries per section. The recommended number of images per section (not per entry) is no more than six.

What should be put in the Image Credit field?
For image credits, we are looking for photographer credits: “Image courtesy of _______.”

I've followed the instructions above, but am still not able to upload my entry. What should I do?
For this competition, images must be 640 pixels wide. The images must also be less than 500kb.

To do so, open the image in Photoshop > File > Save As >  Entrytitle_001.jpg > Save > Quality 10, Baseline (Standard) > OK.

Image specs:
640 pixels wide
500 kb or less
72 dpi
Quality 10

Quality 12 (maximum) is too large for the system to support.

Please check to see if the image is 72 dpi. Then check the file name format. If there are any spaces in the file name, please replace them with an underscore ( _ ). Example: Entrytitle_001.jpg, Entrytitle_002.jpg, etc.

You may need to rename the file and upload again. Firefox is the preferred browser. Be sure to include a caption and credit for each image.

To upload an image(s):
For one image in a section: Browse to image file > Add caption for image > Add credits for image > Click “Upload and Continue”

For two (or more) images in a section: Browse to image file > Add caption for image > Add credits for image > Click “Add Image” button > Browse to image file > Add caption for image > Add credits for image > Click “Upload and Continue”

Click “Upload and Continue” after the final image, not “Add Image.” “Add Image” will not allow you to proceed to the next section.

If this does not resolve the issue, please email the competitions team with your username and password along with one of the images you are trying to upload and a screenshot of any error message you receive.

What is placemaking design?
The categories for the “Justified” competition include a range of design disciplines. “Placemaking design” is used to describe design for public spaces/urban and community development. An example might be "Pavement to Parks."

How do I submit a website with my case study?
Websites are optional. They are not required for judging. Please include the direct URL for the website in the “Additional Information” section plus upload three or more screenshots from the website for the image gallery. All supplemental support for your case study must launch within an offline browser. Keep in mind that if your entry is selected, we may link to the website from the published case study. If the website will not be available for future viewing, you may want to include a link to a video showing the website in use.

How do I submit a video with my case study?
Videos are optional. They are not required for judging. If you have produced a video or reels to support your case study, then by all means submit it! All supplemental support for your case study must launch within an offline browser. Judges will only be able to review work online, so please add the direct URL in the “Additional Information” section plus upload three or more screenshots from the project for the image gallery.

How long should a video be?
Videos are optional. They are not required for judging. If you would like to supplement your entry with video, it should be no longer than three minutes. Examples AIGA members have shared include: "Samsung Boosted" (length 1:26) and "buildOn" (length 2:10).

How do I submit an app or a game with my case study?
Apps and games are optional. They are not required for judging. All digital media projects must launch within an offline browser. For mobile or tablet apps, we suggest providing a download link for the app (the jury will not be able to purchase it), as well as a direct URL to a video showing the app in use and explaining its features. Keep in mind that if your entry is selected, we may link to the website from the published case study.

How will the judges understand my grand vision?
Case studies about themed environments, trade shows and exhibitions can be illustrated with stills-images. If the project involves moving or electronic components you may elect to add a video that will launch within an offline browser.

What will the jury consider when reviewing entries?
The jury will consider:

• Approach: How did you address the client’s brief? Discuss the following choices: concept, team members, medium/media, distribution channels, vendors, materials and production.
• Effectiveness: Does your client consider the project a success, and why? Why do you consider your project a success?

How will the work be judged?
Work will be reviewed online, in two rounds by each juror independently; entries will then be promoted for review and discussion. The final selections will be made during a conference call in which all five jurors must participate.

Will selections be published?
Yes. At this time, AIGA will publish selected entries on AIGA.org. By entering “Justified: AIGA Design Competition” you also grant permission for AIGA to reproduce images and descriptions of selected works in competitions-related publications; on its website(s); in any ensuing exhibition of the competitions’ selections; and for educational and AIGA-related promotional purposes.

The project I want to submit was done in very limited quantities/was very expensive. What are my options?
No physical entries need to be submitted for “Justified: AIGA Design Competition.” The jury will review the images and descriptions you submit online only. Please upload images that best represent your project.

Will there be a “365 | Design Effectiveness” competition this year?
You may enter your project here! “Justified” represents the next generation of AIGA’s competitions and seeks stories that reveal the value design created for the client.

Will there be a “50 Books/50 Covers” competition this year?
You may enter your project here! “Justified” represents the next generation of AIGA’s competitions and seeks stories that reveal the value design created for the client. AIGA also recently announced a partnership with Design Observer to sustain the legacy of “50 Books/50 Covers,” click here for more information.

Can I submit the same projects in both “Justified” and “50 Books/50 Covers” for this year?
Yes! You are encouraged to enter your work in both competitions.

Still have questions?
For further information or questions, please contact the competitions team.