by Douglas Okasaki (Former President,SND)
This year the entire process was online, from the entries’ submission to the judgment.For a long time in SND creative competition story, the statement was imperative: we do not accept PDFs, only original copies printed for the print contest.The most traditional news design competition attracts thousands of entries annually.More than 20 judges from around the world gathered at the beginning of each year in the US to judge what the news design industry produced the most creative storytelling solution in the past year.For the first time, after 42 years of competition, the contest was entirely online, from the entries’ submission to the work judgment.
Where is the scotch tape?
Before there was a whole process of sending the printed page entries by mail post.Select the papers, gather them all, cut out the registration form, paste the form behind it, etc, etc …In the end, prepare the packaging and send it by courier.This year, with just a few clicks, everything is set up, including the entry payment.
No cutter, no tape, or box is needed.During the print gold age (some years ago) it was plausible to consider only the original printed copy, considering the seriousness of the SND competition.The judges want to see the original print. Nothing leaves room for PDF alteration or modification in the original.
I hate to sing, but I had help from Beck Markovitz and Aly Morris during SND Karaoke (2016)Tradition
SND creative competition has rules, committees, and traditions.One of the coolest traditions was the SND foundation karaoke night, during the judging time. Usually, after the competition session at night, all participates are challenged to sing. The money raised goes to SND foundation. With the pandemic lockdown and online judging, this tradition will be broken this year.Times change, now the number of publications that have the privilege of being printed declined. Consider blessed if your publication still is printed.Not devaluing the entire new online world of possibilities, it is amazing all the opportunities of storytelling nowadays.
We as visual journalists are thankful for the SND competition that recognizes visual excellence in the industry for years.
We gather some SND friends opinion regarding their experience with the new online entries’ submission for this year’s competition;
“In terms of submitting it is absolutely more easy to do with PDFs and online. We spend less time preparing the entries.Also, we’re thinking PDFs or digital entries give a good feeling, as sometimes the print can come with imprecision.It definitely is ok for us.”
Adolfo Arranz – Deputy Creative Director – South China Morning Post – Hong Kong
“The online submission was much easier. It is only a matter of sorting entries. Within minutes, it can be uploaded. One main thing is that one can change the entries before the deadline also.”
T.K Sajeev Kumar, Visual Editor,Kerala Kaumudi – India
“Actually, the online experience allows you to evaluate the design in greater detail and the entry is not victimized by bad newsprint or poor printing, but solely on its visual journalistic value.The process is also less troublesome. The judges are not as distracted.And is a fair process regardless of the quality of the printing.”
Nuri Ducassi – Illustrator and Design Consultant – US
“My experience with online registration was great, fast, and efficient. It was comfortable compared to the previous inscription when we had to send the package. Using the PDF could offer more possibilities of choices in our works because sometimes we don’t have the physical page of the work that we wish to send.”
Alessandro Alvim – Visual Editor – O Globo – Brazil
