Use our Contact Form to ask questions. We will reply to them privately, or here on this page depending
on the type of question.
"Test" Submittal
Can we submit a "test" submittal to see how our project is uploaded and seen in the virtual gallery? This would then be followed by "final" submittal before the deadline.
Once you submitted your entry form and received the password you can start uploading your project(s) and see what they will look like to the general public and the Jury. As long as you didn't "submit" them to CAF, they will only be visible by you and you can change the images and their sequence and any text that you uploaded for display. Once you "submit" your upload to the committee it cannot be changed anymore. It only becomes visible to the general user of the Website once CAF has approved its display.
Submittal Dates and Registration
We submitted our registration before the early submittal date and paid the reduced entry fee. Do we have to upload the files before the early submittal date or is it ok to upload them before the final deadline?
The reduced rate for early submittal is intended for entries that are fully submitted by the early submittal date. After uploading all image files and editing all the text information, there is a link to "Submit" your entry for the committee to review. Only clicking on that link constitutes a "submittal". If an entry is paid for as an "Early Submittal" but isn't submitted before the early submittal date, CAF will send you a notice asking you to pay the difference before your entry can be accepted.
Project Descriptive Information
What is the type of Information that should be included in the Project Description?
In general, we encourage precise and short text. One should be aware of the fact that the Jury has to look at many projects within a limited time.
Some projects might need some more explanatory text and some less.
Multiple Entries
Are multiple entries permitted?
Yes
Slides versus Digital Images
How can a digital image that is 640 x 480 illustrate the details of a drawing?
In previous years CAF accepted 35mm slides. There is a difference now that we are accepting digital images. Digital images are graphic representations of the projects. The goal of the submittal is to clearly and succinctly illustrate the project in a way that the jury can understand. The fact that it is a digital image versus a slide should not be a factor in the submittal process. It boils down to a graphical exercise and a communication exercise. The same issues of how to communicate the design intent of a project on a 35mm slide applies.
We would suggest that the submittals take into account that all the judging will take place on a computer screen or a projector connected to a computer. A typical computer screen or projector can show 1024 pixels wide x 768 pixels. There are variations in computer screen sizes from 800 x 600 on up to 1600 wide and above. It is good to keep this in mind when submitting. For photographs of buildings and renderings it is not as much of an issue. Hardline drawings and CAD work on the other hand have limitations when reduced down to a smaller format. This is the case if it is reduced from 24x36 drawing to a letter size sheet or from a 24 x 36 drawing to a 1024 x 768 pixel image. You must keep the intent of the graphic in mind and reduce or zoom in accordingly. Text on a 24 x 36 drawing dropped down to a smaller size will not be legible. In many cases the text on a floor plan will not be as important as the overall graphic presentation and the accompanying text to explain the project. Keep in mind that the judges will spend about 15 minute per submittal. Dividing this among the total images and text and you only have one minute per image to communicate the intent of the project.
What is a pixel?
What is a pixel and how does this relate to my 24 x 36 wide sheet?
Think of pixels as a grid paper. A typical computer screen has 1024 pixels wide by 768 pixels high. Computer screens vary, so this may range from below that number to a higher number. Considering a grid paper of 1024 pixels wide on a computer screen, each point in the grid will be used to represent a graphic image. If an image is submitted that is 1200 pixels wide only about 75% of it will show.
