The judging for the 47th Annual Show took place on March 16th at Photogroup's huge facility near the heart of downtown Silver Spring. Watching the judging was endlessly fascinating and highly instructive. Over 1300 printed pieces, commercials, and electronic publications were put out before our judges: John Korpics of GQ Magazine; Jo Ann Tansman of BBDO, New York; and Seymour Chwast (pronounced Kwast) of Push Pin Studios. While the 147 pieces that made it into the show are certainly interesting in their own way, perhaps even more interesting are the pieces that got left out. If you had a chance to chat with the judges (and stick a tape recorder in their faces like I did), you would have been able to collect some valuable insights regarding design competitions. Magnanimous guy that I am, I'll share with you some of what I discovered.

Talking to the judges, I was able to discern three key categories of fatal design habits:
     1) Throwing money at the problem—expensive paper, printing and finishing trickery do not a solid concept make. Beautiful surfaces that don't have anything underneath just don't cut it.
     2) Throwing software at the problem—in spite of a lot of high-minded graphic designers droning on about how the computer is just a tool, too many of them continue to resort to pushing buttons instead of focusing on good ideas and craft.
     3) Throwing fonts at the problem—some people, under the right circumstances, can successfully utilize a dozen fonts in a single piece. Most can't. Don't forget: harmony, unity, and cohesiveness are the hallmarks of successful design work.

But don't think the judges didn't have anything positive to say. On the contrary, they had plenty of complements for the work that was submitted, especially for this year's medal winners. But sometimes all of us, even the winners, need to be reminded of the fundamentals.

Another fundamental that occasionally gets lost is that you need more than judges to judge a design competition. As you award winners get ready to tape your certificates to the refrigerator, keep in mind all the volunteers who gave up a Saturday to lend a hand with the judging and made the whole thing possible. You might also think about joining them next year. And bringing a tape recorder.

Derek Barnes