TECHNOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION ®

GRAPHIC DESIGN

OVERVIEW

Participants plan and lay out a graphic design that includes the
theme for the next year’s conference and that could be used in
national TSA conference publications.

In 2010, participants must include the theme of the 2011 conference,

which is Snapshot of Innovation. In 2011, participants must include
the theme of the 2012 conference, which is The Road to Success.

CHALLENGE R Work hard

and your entry in
Create and produce a one (1)-color graphic design that is appropriate
for national TSA conference publications and other small promotional this event could be
items. The design must promote the theme for the upcoming national used to promote the
TSA conference.
next national TSA

ELIGIBILITY conference.

Participants are limited to two (2) individuals per chapter, one (1)
entry each.

TIME LIMITS

The entry must be started and completed during the current school
year.

ATTIRE

Business Casual TSA dress as described in Competitive Events

Attire is the minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE
A. Participants check in their entries at the time and place stated in
the conference program.

B. Entries are reviewed by evaluators. Neither students nor

advisors are present at this time.

C. Ten (10) finalists are announced at the awards ceremony.

D. Participants pick up their entries from the display area at the

time and place stated in the conference program.

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REGULATIONS
A. Graphic Design is an individual event. No recognition is given
for a group effort.

B. The design may not exceed 20 cm (8 inches) x 25 cm (10 inches).

The design may be presented either in portrait or landscape
layout.

C. The design must be printed on 8 1/2˝ x 11˝ photo paper or card

stock and placed in a three (3)-hole clear plastic sheet protector
when submitted at check-in.

D. The original design layout must promote the conference theme

for the upcoming national TSA conference. The following
information must be included:
1. The words “National TSA Conference”
2. Conference year
3. Conference city and state
4. The exact published theme for the upcoming conference, not
the current conference (quotation marks are not necessary)
5. The design also must incorporate one (1) complete, unaltered
black and white (line art) version of the official TSA emblem. (As
long as the unaltered copy of the official TSA logo is present,
other TSA emblems or portions of the emblem that have been
altered in some way may be integrated into the design.) The
unaltered TSA emblem can be used only in accordance with
trademark policies that appear on the national TSA web site
(www.tsaweb.org). Failure to follow the information provided
in the policies results in disqualification. The TSA logo may
be used with or without the registered trademark symbol (the
circle R).
E. The design is produced as a black and white camera-ready
image for one (1)-color (monochromatic) duplication.

F. The design may include the use of commercially produced or

computer generated type and public domain clip art. Any use
of copyrighted or registered artwork must be accompanied by
written permission from the original artist. (Refer to Rule K in
the General Rules.) On a separate sheet of paper (placed in
the same clear page protector, behind the art) list the origin
of the non-copyrighted graphics or images.

G. If the design entry contains images of people, proof of consent

must be attached to the back of the entry. Minors require parental
consent. (See Photo/Film/Video Consent and Release form that
follows.)

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H. The winning graphic design may be used in publications and

promotional items for the national TSA conference. Winning
entries become the property of TSA, Inc. and may or may not
be used in future promotional materials and publications.

EVALUATION

Designs are evaluated for creativity and effectiveness to communi-

cate a message, neatness, and technical quality.

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STEM INTEGRATION

This event has connections to the STEM areas noted below. Please
refer to the STEM INTEGRATION section of this guide.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Leadership skills promoted in this event:

• Communication: Students use pictures/symbols/other ways

to effectively communicate an idea or theme. Use leadership
lessons: It’s All in the Details and Did You Know?
• Creative Thinking: Students use original thought to create
something new and unexpected. Use leadership lessons:
Put Creativity Into It and The Five Senses
• Organization: Students organize thoughts for an effective
layout that allows symbols to articulate an idea. Use
leadership lessons: The Organized Tent and Making Sense
of It All

Additional leadership skills promoted in this event:

• Decision Making
• Evaluation
• Problem Solving

TSA AND CAREERS

This competition has connections to one or more of the career areas

featured in the TSA AND CAREERS section of this guide. Use The
16 Career Clusters chart and the TSA Competitions and Career
Clusters grid as resources for information about careers.

CAREERS RELATED TO THIS EVENT

Advertising executive
Graphic designer
Marketing manager
Printer
Public relations manager

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GRAPHIC DESIGN
EVENT COORDINATOR INSTRUCTIONS

PERSONNEL
A. Event coordinator

B. Event evaluators, three (3)

C. Assistants, two (2)

MATERIALS
A. Coordinator’s notebook, containing:
1. Event guidelines, four (4)
2. Official rating forms, fifteen (15)
3. List of entries with finalist report
4. List of evaluators/assistants
5. Stick-on labels for numbering entries
6. Marking pens for evaluators
7. Tally sheet
8. Results envelope
B. Rulers for evaluators, three (3)

C. Three (3) 2" three (3)-ring binders, in which all entries will be
randomly divided and secured for judging; judges will evaluate
all three (3) binders

D. Display tables for placing, or cables for hanging, the ten (10)
finalist entries

RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Upon arrival at the conference, report to the CRC room and
check the contents of the coordinator’s notebook. Review the
event guidelines and check to see that enough evaluators/
assistants have been scheduled.

B. Inspect the area(s) in which the event is to be held for appropriate

set-up, including room size, chairs, tables, outlets, etc. Notify
the event manager of any potential problems.

C. Check in the entries at the time stated in the conference program.

Anyone reporting who is not on the entry list may check in only
after official notification is received from the CRC chairperson.
Late entries are considered on a case-by-case basis and only

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when the lateness is caused by events beyond the participant’s

control. Requirements for attire do NOT apply during check-in.

D. Place entry numbers in the lower right hand corner of the entries.
Divide total entries into three (3) equal sets and secure in the
three (3)-ring binders for judging.

E. Meet with your evaluators/assistants to review time limits,

procedures, and regulations. If questions arise that cannot
be answered, speak to the event manager before the event
begins.

F. For participants who violate the rules, a judge identifying a

possible infraction will place a neon color sticker dot (with the
rule code written on it) on the entry. At that time, the decision
either to deduct percent (20%) of the total possible points or
disqualify the entry must be discussed and verified with the
evaluators, event coordinator, and a CRC manager. Secure the
initials of the coordinator and manager on the rating form.

G. Each judge will be given one (1) of the three (3) binders for
scoring and then switch binders twice, until all binders have
been scored. All three (3) judges will score all three (3) binders.
Scoring by each judge is completed independently of the other
judges.

H. Evaluators average their three (3) scores to determine the

ten (10) finalists. Any ties that affect the top three (3) places
should be broken through the discussion process.

I. Display top ten (10) finalist entries for public viewing only during
the assigned time.

J. After viewing time is over, take all top ten (10) finalist graphics
to the CRC room to be secured.

K. Submit the finalist report, including a ranking of the ten (10)

finalists, and all related forms in the results envelope to the CRC
room.

L. Manage security and the return of entries to the contestants in

the event area.

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PHOTO/FILM/VIDEO
CONSENT AND RELEASE

I hereby give permission for images of my child or myself (as applicable), captured during Technology
Student Association (TSA) activities through film, photo or digital camera, to be used solely for the
purposes of TSA promotional materials and publications, and I waive any rights of compensation
or ownership thereto.

Name of minor in images (please print)

Name of minor’s parent/guardian (please print)

Name of adult in images (please print)

Parent/guardian or adult’s signature (as applicable)

Date

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GRAPHIC DESIGN
2010 & 2011 OFFICIAL RATING FORM MIDDLE SCHOOL
PARTICIPANT/TEAM ID#

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA
Impact (15 pts.)
Effective communication of conference theme ..…5 pts.
Appropriateness of design ……………......….........5 pts.
First impressions (sharp clean edges of graphics and
fonts; entry is clear of smudges, smears, pencil or
other extraneous marks)….…............................5 pts.
Graphic (15 pts.)
Graphic is appropriate for stated theme………...10 pts.
Fonts are readable, have eye appeal, appropriate
dimension and placement …………….......………5 pts.
[Proof of permission to use copyrighted image(s) must
be included. A release form must be present if photo-
graphs of individuals are used. Clipart must be docu-
mented.]
Design elements (40 pts.)
Balance
(visual weight of design elements) ...................10 pts.
Dominance
(eyes are drawn to main message) .................10 pts.
Proportion
(size relationships within the design) ................10 pts.
Unity
(design elements flow together) .......................10 pts.
One page technical explanation (30 pts.)
Techical explanation including programs
used and process……………………................10 pts.
Explanation of inspiration/how graphic
relays theme………...…….....................………..10 pts.
Grammar/spelling…………………………...............5 pts.
Cited work in APA format………………......……….5 pts.

Rules violation (must be initialed by coordinator

and manager) ............minus 20% of the total possible pts.

TOTAL .................................................................100 pts.

RANK ORDER
Comments:

I certify these results to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Evaluator

Printed name: __________________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________

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