1. Complete and sign the Official Entry Form.

2. Your entry should include:

a. A Project Description Form (not to exceed 250 words). Your project will score better if the format is followed exactly as shown.

b. A list of Contributing Companies completed as accurately as possible. (Do not include suppliers of flooring, mannequins, lights, ceiling tile, etc.) Do include architects, designers, fixture manufacturers, general contractors, photographers, and retailers. Information should be approved for print, i.e., the program and press and web coverage. Entrant is responsible for the collection and accurate reporting of all contributing companies. Entries not complying with the competition
rules will be disqualified.

c. Four to six 35mm color slides per submission in slide sleeves or envelopes (not three-ring binders). Up to eight slides will be accepted for department stores only. Only slides that are not copyright protected, or have an appropriate copyright release, will be accepted. To qualify, a slide marked "copyright" or "property of" must be accompanied by the attached copyright release form. Indicate the name of the store on each slide and number them if you have a preferred sequence. Do not include the category. In addition to the required slides, high-quality (at least 300 pixels/inch at a size of four inches wide) TIFF or JPG files on disk or CD are appreciated for future promotional purposes, but may not be substituted for the slides.

d. A written description of each project’s design challenges and solutions. Please use Project Description form enclosed. Excluding the questions, the word count should not exceed 250 words.

e. If you are competing for a store fixture award, either by entering store fixtures directly into the Kiosk or Store Fixture categories, or by entering fixtures in an already-entered project for an additional fee of $50, include a completed Store Fixture Description Form.

4. Entry materials (including slides) become the property of NASFM and will not be returned. Entrants grant NASFM permission to use all slides and electronic images for publicity purposes.

5. A project can only be entered by one company. Once it is entered, it is eligible for additional consideration in the Store Fixture category.

6. The early-bird deadline is Dec. 15, 2003. The final deadline is Jan. 15, 2004. Entry fees for entries received by Dec. 15, 2003, are $250 per submission ($100 per submission for NASFM members). Entries received after Dec. 15, 2003, are $450 per submission ($250 for NASFM members).

7. Mail entry materials to:

National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers
Retail Design Awards 2004
3595 Sheridan St., Suite 200
Hollywood, FL 33021-3657

Or download PDF forms (that can be filled out in Acrobat and submitted) from www.nasfm.org

ENSURE THAT YOUR PROJECT PUTS ITS BEST “FOOTPRINT” FORWARD

1. Follow the rules. Your entries will fare better.

2. Despite having many redeeming qualities, it is a fact of life that the quality of the visuals you submit has an effect on judging. When possible, contract with a professional photographer.

3. If you cannot get permission to schedule a photographer, take high-resolution digital photos and have them made into slides. This can be easily and inexpensively accomplished by your local developer.

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

8. 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.

9. Include the project name and a number for sequencing purposes handwritten on each slide. If you must place labels on the slides, make sure they do not overlap the edges of the slide, place them consistently on the front of each slide, and make sure they are firmly affixed so they won’t come unstuck and jam the slide projector.

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

11. 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.

12. Make sure you have copyright permission from the photographer and/or the retailer.