2009 Window Fashions
Envision Design and
Ingenuity Workroom Competition

IMPORTANT DEADLINES/DATES

• September 1, 2008: Competitions open
• DEADLINE EXTENDED! December 1, 2008: Competitions close
• Winter 2009: Winners are notified
• May 13–16, 2009: Winners recognized at the Awards Ceremony held at the 2009 International Window Coverings EXPO in Atlanta, Ga.

Ingenuity Workroom Competition: Workrooms and individuals who create window fashions. Entries must be submitted by the workroom or a person in the business of making window fashions, not by a designer on behalf of a workroom.

WHAT DESIGNS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE?
Window fashions that have been previously published in Window Fashions magazine are not eligible for these competitions.

FEES
There is a $45 nonrefundable entry fee per competition. Each additional entry is $25. WFCP members receive a discounted fee: $35 nonrefundable entry fee per competition, with each additional entry $25.

MAY I SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE ENTRY?
Yes, but you may not submit the same design for several categories. Each design will be treated as a separate, individual entry. One person may enter as many designs as they wish, but the same design will not be considered for multiple categories or for both the Envision Design Competition and the Ingenuity Workroom Competition.

HOW DO I CHOOSE WHICH CATEGORY/CATEGORIES TO ENTER?
It is necessary to determine which category/categories and competition(s) to enter before beginning the online submission process. Read the category and competition descriptions in the individual competition submission process guidelines below to select the most fitting description(s) for your entry/entries.

HOW ARE THE COMPETITIONS JUDGED?
Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, design-industry professionals with significant design and/or workroom experience, who will consider the photography and statements heavily, and will rate the design on factors such as cohesiveness of design elements, addressing clients’ stated needs and aesthetics.

WHAT AWARDS ARE GIVEN?
All Envision Design Competition entries are eligible for the Award of Excellence. All Ingenuity Workroom Competition entries are eligible for the Workroom of the Year award. First and second place awards may be elected for each category.

WHAT DO YOU WIN?
Winners are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony at the 2009 International Window Coverings EXPO in Atlanta, Ga., May 13–16, 2009, to reveal their winning designs and receive an award.

Winners of specific categories receive $100 gift certificates toward EXPO seminars and editorial coverage in WF Magazine. In addition, first place winners receive a custom-designed trophy created exclusively by Grace McNamara for this competition. Second place winners receive a framed award spotlighting their achievement. The Award of Excellence and Workroom of the Year award winners receive airfare, accommodations and free admittance to attend the 2009 IWCE in Atlanta, Ga., along with editorial coverage in WF Magazine.

ONLINE SUBMISSION PROCESS
For specific instructions regarding the online submission process for each individual competition, see “Envision Design Competition” or “Ingenuity Workroom Competition” below.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY ENTRY AFTER THE COMPETITION?
All submission materials become property of Grace McNamara Inc. (GMI), publisher of Window Fashions magazine, and cannot be returned. GMI reserves the right to publish any entry in its print or web publications. Copyrighted photography is ineligible. Photographers must give GMI the right to publish the images and to use the work in its print or web publications.

Grace McNamara Inc. reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not conform to the aforementioned terms of the 2009 Window Fashions Envision Design Competition and Ingenuity Workroom Competition. This includes adherence to the noted photography requirements and timely receipt of high-resolution images by the December 1, 2008 deadline (as outlined in individual competition guidelines below).

QUESTIONS?
Contact Window Fashions Assistant Editor Jennifer Jacob, jennifer@gracemcnamarainc.com. Thanks for participating!

Window Fashions ENVISION DESIGN COMPETITION SUBMISSION PROCESS

Please note: When submitting your design, you must have available high-resolution photographs of the design (at least 9x12 inches at 300 dpi) in order to be considered.

PREPARATION (PHOTOGRAPHY/STATEMENT)

1. You must determine which category/categories to enter before beginning the online submission process. Read the category and competition descriptions below to select the most fitting description(s) for your entry/entries.

2. Gather high-quality digital images of design(s). High- and low-resolution versions of digital images are required in jpg format. Five photos are recommended (two photos minimum, five maximum). At least one image must be a close-up highlighting significant treatment details. Other images must show the entire treatment in a room setting. High-resolution images should be 300 dpi and at least 9x12 inches (2700 x 3450 pixels). Low-resolution images should be 300 dpi and 4x6 or 5x7 inches. Photos must be of professional quality. Photos with inadequate lighting, focus, etc. cannot be considered. All photographs must be your property and not copyrighted. By submitting photos to Window Fashions magazine, you are granting permission for usage in future issues of Window Fashions magazine, on window-fashions.com or in other GMI promotional material.

3. Prepare your Design Concept Statement(s). This statement is critical to the success of your entry and will be reviewed in detail by the judges. You will need one statement per submission. Prepare your statement in a Word document to be copied and pasted into the online submission form. Your Design Concept Statement should describe the designer’s concept behind the design, how the clients’ needs were incorporated into the design of the window fashion, the challenges faced and how they were overcome, historical styles used, as well as specific details as outlined in each category description. For example, if a treatment is motorized, describe the type of motorization and how it was incorporated into the design. Your design statement should be 100-500 words.

THE SUBMISSION PROCESS

1. Go to www.window-fashions.com and click on “Enter Now! 2009 Guidelines & Entry Information”. Click "Submit Entry" button to submit your entry.

2. Fill in the required fields, including your contact information and credit card/billing information. After submitting, you will receive an email with further instructions. Click the link in the email you receive to continue the submission process.

3. Copy and paste your Design Concept Statement into online entry form.

4. Complete design credit information on submission form. Use N/A when not applicable.

• Designer Name, Company, City/State
• Workroom Name, Company, City/State
• Installer Name, Company, City/State
• Photographer Name, Company, City/State
• Name, Company, City/State of other applicable credits, if any

6. Upload low-resolution images (300 dpi, 4x6 or 5x7 inches) to submission form.

7. You will receive a confirmation of payment and entry via email.

8. After you have submitted your online entry, you will receive an additional email with instructions on how to upload your high-resolution images to Window Fashions’ FTP site.

The entire submission process must be completed by the contest deadline of Dec.1, 2008, including uploading your high-resolution images to the FTP site.

Please note: If you are selected as a winner, you will be asked to provide Window Fashions with a professional-quality headshot of yourself to accompany photos of your winning design at the International Window Coverings EXPO and within Window Fashions magazine. This photo must be 300 dpi and at least 4x6 inches.

ENVISION DESIGN COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Combination Treatments

• Window fashions incorporating fabric with a hard treatment. (Shades, blinds, shutters, products such as Silhouette and Duette are defined as “hard” treatments.)
• The Design Concept Statement should address how this particular combination of soft and hard treatments resolved design issues presented by the client, window type and other elements in the room.

• Designed for a commercial application (assisted-living centers, hotels, restaurants and other places of business).
• The Design Concept Statement should describe the commercial client’s specifications, budget constraints and specific ways the budget was met, and innovative solutions that show the designer’s creativity.

• Window treatments made of fabric, celebrating their texture, pattern and color.
• The Design Concept Statement should detail why the specific style of curtain or drapery was selected, explain the designer’s fabric choices, and the benefits or challenges that those fabrics presented in terms of durability and drapability.

• Window treatments incorporating specialty or custom hardware as well as tassels, cording, borders, tapes and tiebacks.
• The Design Concept Statement should describe how decorative hardware and trims were used to enhance the treatment and overall room design.

• For the window-fashions designer who has been in business for five years or fewer.
• The Design Concept Statement should include the number of years in business, description of specialty areas of design and how this treatment displays the designer’s ability as a window-fashions designer capable of suiting the clients’ needs.

• Window and room décor utilizing “green” or eco-conscious products (fabric, shades, furnishings, etc.)
• The Design Concept Statement should describe the client’s motivation for using eco-friendly products, how the products were sourced and how design goals were met.

• Innovative window fashions designed for specialty-shaped windows—including bay or bow, angled or arch-top, skylights, solariums, greenhouses, window walls and doors.
• The Design Concept Statement should define the type of window, and describe why the style of treatment and specified materials were chosen to enhance the architecture of the window.

• Window fashions that feature great design in the form of a cornice, valance or lambrequin.
• The Design Concept Statement should describe the type of treatment that was designed, including customized aspects, materials specified and finishing details.

• An entire room of complementary elements, including window fashions.
• The Design Concept Statement should describe how and why various elements were selected for the room, paying special detail to how the window fashion accents the overall design.

• Wall fashions created for residential or contract clients, using paint, wall coverings, mirrors, murals, lighting or other art for the walls.
• The Design Concept Statement should explain how the materials and/or elements were selected to create well-designed walls, and how the walls complement the rest of the room.

Window Fashions INGENUITY WORKROOM COMPETITION SUBMISSION PROCESS

Please note: When submitting your design, you must have available high-resolution photographs of the design (at least 9x12 inches at 300 dpi) in order to be considered.

PREPARATION (PHOTOGRAPHY/STATEMENT)

1. You must determine which category/categories to enter before beginning the online submission process. Read the category and competition descriptions below to select the most fitting description(s) for your entry/entries.

2. Gather high-quality digital images of design(s). High- and low-resolution versions of digital images are required in jpg format. Five photos are recommended (two photos minimum, five maximum). At least one image must be a close-up highlighting significant treatment details. Other images must show the entire treatment in a room setting. High-resolution images should be 300 dpi and at least 9x12 inches (2700 x 3450 pixels). Low-resolution images should be 300 dpi and 4x6 or 5x7 inches. Photos must be of professional quality. Photos with inadequate lighting, focus, etc. cannot be considered. All photographs must be your property and not copyrighted. By submitting photos to Window Fashions magazine, you are granting permission for usage in future issues of Window Fashions magazine, on window-fashions.com or in other GMI promotional material.

3. Prepare your Workroom Performance Statement(s). This statement is critical to the success of your entry and will be reviewed in detail by the judges. You will need one statement per submission. Prepare your statement in a Word document to be copied and pasted into the online submission form. Your Workroom Performance Statement should describe the designer’s concept of the window fashion, the challenges faced, how the challenges were overcome and how closely the finished product resembled the original concept. If the finished product differs from the designer’s original concept, describe how the workroom worked with the designer toward a more workable and aesthetically pleasing solution. Your performance statement should be 100-500 words.

THE SUBMISSION PROCESS

1. Go to www.window-fashions.com and click on “Enter Now! 2009 Guidelines & Entry Information.” Click "Submit Entry" button to submit your entry.

2. Fill in the required fields, including your contact information and credit card/billing information. After submitting, you will receive an email with further instructions. Click the link in the email to continue the submission process.

3. Copy and paste your Workroom Performance Statement into online entry form.

4. Complete design credit information on submission form. Use N/A when not applicable.

• Designer Name, Company, City/State
• Workroom Name, Company, City/State
• Installer Name, Company, City/State
• Photographer Name, Company, City/State
• Name, Company, City/State of other applicable credits, if any

6. Upload low-resolution images (300 dpi, 4x6 or 5x7 inches) to submission form.

7. You will receive a confirmation of payment and entry via email.

8. After you have submitted your online entry, you will receive an additional email with instructions on how to upload your high-resolution images to Window Fashions’ FTP site.

The entire submission process must be completed by the contest deadline of Dec.1, 2008, including uploading your high-resolution images to the FTP site.

Please note: If you are selected as a winner, you will be asked to provide Window Fashions with a professional-quality headshot of yourself to accompany photos of your winning design at the International Window Coverings EXPO and within Window Fashions magazine. This photo must be 300 dpi and at least 4x6 inches.

INGENUITY WORKROOM COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Combination Treatments

• Window fashions incorporating fabric with a hard treatment (shades, blinds, shutters, products such as Silhouette and Duette are defined as “hard” treatments).
• The Workroom Performance Statement should include any particular challenges that arose in the process of working with the two types of treatments, and how the hard and soft elements work together.

• Designed for a commercial application (assisted-living centers, hotels, restaurants and other places of business).
• The Workroom Performance Statement should describe process of working with a designer and/or a commercial client to incorporate specifications and stay within budget while satisfying the client’s requests.

• Window fashions made of fabric, celebrating their texture, pattern and color.
• The Workroom Performance Statement should include any changes that had to be made to the designer’s original specifications and/or challenges that arose and how they were addressed in order to create the desired effect.

• Window fashions that were a challenge to install, but well worth the effort.
• Instead of a Workroom Performance Statement, write an Installation Performance Statement, detailing the process of planning for and installing a particularly challenging window fashion. How soon did you begin planning the installation? Did installation issues impact the treatment’s construction?

• Innovative window fashions designed for specialty-shaped windows—including bay or bow, angled or arch-top, skylights, solariums, greenhouses, window walls and doors.
• The Workroom Performance Statement should describe the type of window, the challenges that arose in making the specialty-shaped treatment and the creative solution for solving these difficulties.

• Well-made window fashions in the form of a cornice, valance or lambrequin.
• The Workroom Performance Statement should describe challenges and solutions in the making of the top treatments and how the top treatment supports the overall design.