Ensure that your project puts its best "footprint" forward

1. Follow the rules and formats provided. Your entries will fare better.

2. Despite its many positive qualities, your project will be critiqued primarily on the images submitted. When possible, contract with a professional photographer. A list of photographers used by previous award winners is available online.

3. If taking your own pictures, make sure that they are high resolution. Use a digital camera of at least 5 megapixels, at minimum. Make sure that the camera is set for the highest possible resolution AND highest possible quality (with least image compression).

4. Make sure you have good lighting when photographing the store or fixture. Use additional lighting or adjust the room lighting as necessary.

5. Clear unnecessary items from the area before you photograph so the judges can concentrate on the design.

6. If your store fixture has a unique function that can be demonstrated, take a picture showing that. Again, make sure the picture is well lit and organized.

7. If your store fixture has a special component, include a close-up of the element so the judges can better understand its uniqueness.

8. Do not include people in your picture unless absolutely necessary to demonstrate a concept.

9. Send enough visuals to adequately tell your project’s story. If 4-6 images are requested, send 6 whenever possible. For department stores and Big Box categories, send 8 images whenever possible. The judges need ample information to judge your project.

10. Name your images by including the first six characters of the project name followed by the number of the preferred viewing sequence.

11. Don’t waste money on special binders or packaging or fancy letterhead. The judges will never see them. Due to the quantity of entries, staff organizes all entries in one binder and will remove any letterhead or company references.

12. Be concise and provide specifics in your project descriptions. Use bullet points as much as possible. Judges have little time to review the descriptions, so help them identify important points at a glance.

13. Make sure you have copyright permission from the photographer and/or the retailer and that you have provided an accurate list of contributors to the project.