Presidents Post July – Judging Excellence …..it’s not so easy.

I have been lucky enough these last few years to have been selected as one of the judges in the NZ Sign & Display Awards of Excellence. I have found this to be both one of the best experiences and also the most difficult of my career.  I thought I would give a bit of an insight into how the judging process is conducted and share some tips to aid your entries.

Over the years I have been a keen entrant in these great awards and have often sat in the crowd at awards evenings with the nervous tension and excitement that comes with entering your best work to be judged by some of your peers. While I have sometimes not agreed with the judges over the years, since becoming one, I have developed a whole new appreciation of what they go through and the process they follow to make their sometimes-contentious decision.

The judging panel is made up of three judges, each an experienced professional in their field. I have found this structure great as we all have different viewpoints and preferences on what is important to each entry. While one judge will concentrate on the visual design of the entry another would give priority to the detail and execution of the job, this gives a wide criteria base to the judging process all be it also contributes to many heated debates amongst the judges which is what it’s all about.

We receive upwards of between 300 to 500 entries each year in the 20 categories, making the process, while fun, a long laborious task.  Stage one, comprises of each entry being read through and checked that it complies with the rules of entry, is it in the right category, is it completely anonymous as to who has entered the job, i.e. no images with the sign shops branding on vehicles or uniforms in background. Does the content description identify the entrant in any way or images ie.  images that are named and saved as a sign company.  If any of these are present the entry must be disqualified – It happens every year. If an entry is deemed by one judge to be entered in the wrong category, the entry is discussed with the other judges and the awards convenor and it may be moved to the more suitable category.

TIPS:

1. READ THE RULES……carefully read each category’s rules and the details required to enter that category.
2. Make sure there are no identifying images in the background of your entry photos, including staff uniforms, sign shop branding etc.
3. Consider very carefully which category to enter your job. If unsure enter it in both categories. If you need clarification on your entry’s compatibility, just give the convenor a call.

Stage two is when it gets really tricky. This stage is completed with the judges in their own homes or workshop. Each entry is broken down into percentages on sections and in the end, an overall percentage qualifies the entry to the final round. Different judges have different views on which criteria section carries more weight but have found generally, the overall percentages show the same or similar preferences to the same jobs. The top ten scoring entries in each category move on to the final stage of judging.

TIPS:

1. Give concise and detailed descriptions of your entry, the more details you give the broader the information the judges have to consider, if they are unsure of a specific process or detail in the entry, they may give preference to the entry that has detail described.
2. In all the categories except 16. Original Inhouse Design, the visual design of the entry does not have to be completed by the company entering. So, if your company did design elements or all of the entry’s visual attributes, give that detail in your description as most judges will give higher marks to a job that has been designed by the entrant. The same goes for the technical construction of the entry, remember details, details, details.
3. Take clear and well-composed images. An entry with the backdrop of the photo complimenting the entry rather than a workshop carpark may do better in the judge’s eyes, some of the best entries I have seen have been works of art in their own right.
4. Take your time and really consider the details you give on your entry. If you find some part of your entry tricky and challenging, the judges generally do too and will respect the challenges overcome to complete the job, but they need to know what these were.

The last stage is when all three judges meet in a day-long meeting to deliberate and discuss the top-scoring entries and decide the medal winners. Most discussions tend to and fro a bit as each judge makes his comments. This is a great process to be involved with as I have learned to understand better another perspective on things and have also learned to consider some different elements in any one entry. While we as judges know we will not please everyone, I have been proud of the results and have loved the experience overall.

I have also been lucky enough to have collected some medals over the years and count this as one of the major highlights in my career in this cool creative industry. I encourage all signees to give entering ago, the satisfaction of hanging an NZ Sign & Display Awards of Excellence Award on your wall is something everyone can experience if you just give it a go.

Good Luck.