Once an entrant completes the online registration an entry packet will be sent
via email.

In order to document the interaction between
the end user and the design process, all entrants will be asked to submit:

• The completed entry form enclosed with answers to all of the questions.

• Between one and four 8" x 10" black and white or color prints that depict the overall project as well as different design details that entrants are explaining on the entry form. Images may include "before" and "after" shots, exploded views.

• Each Photo/Slide must be placed with a protective clear cover, with corresponding kit number on the back.
• One digital file of a selected image in jpeg format at least 1024x768 on a CD.

• Packaging and Graphics entries: may include a flat sample of the printed matter if it will fit inside a 10" x 13" folder. Otherwise, photo documentation is sufficient.

• No product samples. Thank you.

• Recommended: One optional video (on CD or DVD media), no more than 2 minutes long, that documents the device in use. Simple, even homemade videos are encouraged. Be sure that the designer does not appear or speak in the video.

• Recommended: Regardless of entry category, if you conducted usability research, you should enclose a one-page summary of the findings and methodology used. Use no more than two 8.5"x11" or A4 pages or the forms provided when answering questions #1-12.

• None of these materials can be returned. All submissions become property of and part of the NW chapter, IDSA archives. By submitting your entry you agree that any or all of the material may be published by the NW chapter, IDSA.

Entries must have been released between February 15, 2006 and February 27, 2009, and developed by companies/individuals within the IDSA Western District (British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona).

Timeframe
The invitational is open to all design professionals and students who live in Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Any project submitted must have been developed and/or introduced into the marketplace between 2/15/06 and 2/15/09 with the following exceptions and explanations:
• This entry kit must be received by the NW IDSA chapter no later than 5:00 PST, February 27, 2009; or sent with a late fee of $60.00 if it is received by March 6, 2009.
• Student work must have been done while attending a school in the states outlined above
• Entries in all concept subcategories should have been conceived to include the North American market.
• Concept and Student Entries must have been submitted to school or client for evaluation in the eligible timeframe. Any entries that are found not to meet these requirements will be disqualified. Awards given for any entry that is later found not to qualify per these rules, and/or not produced in the form submitted, will be withdrawn.

Criteria
The NW Invitational winners will demonstrate excellence in:
• Design innovation
• Benefits to the user, including universal function and access, performance, comfort, safety and ease of use.
• Benefits to the client, including increased sales and market penetration and reduced time to market or to manufacture
• Ecologically responsible use of materials and process throughout lifecycle, including source and waste reduction, energy efficiency and repair/reuse/recycle ability
• Appropriate aesthetics

Refunds
NW Chapter IDSA shall make no refunds. With eligibility information clearly stated in the kit ordering mailer, we are unable to accept responsibility for ordering mistakes.

Category Eligibility

Concept
• A design that is scheduled to be manufactured and on the market in the future may be not be entered in concepts and should be held for submission in the year it is manufactured.

Student Design Projects
• Graduate and Undergraduate student design projects must be entered in these categories. They are not eligible for entry in any other category.

Multiple Category Entry
• The same product may be entered in more than one category, but then an entry kit must be purchased and submitted for each category in which the design is to be judged.
• Do not submit into multiple categories simply because you do not know in which category the design belongs.

Please email nwdi@pensardevelopment.com if you have questions.
• NW Invitational Jurors will have final say in determining the appropriate category and subcategory for an entry. All decisions of the jury are final.

Category Disclosure
IDSANW reserves the right to re-categorize the entries, to create new categories and to eliminate categories, if appropriate.

Juror Exclusion
The NW Jurors, their employees and their immediate family members have forfeited the right to enter work in the 2009 competition. A consultant’s client may enter work done by a designer not affiliated with the juror. Each Juror will have the opportunity to enter the excluded projects the year after they have served as a juror.

Disqualification
NW chapter will disqualify any entry and winner:
• That fails to meet our eligibility requirements such as date of manufacture and distribution.
• That is found to not precisely resemble the product manufactured and placed into distribution or otherwise misrepresents the design.
• That mentions the name of the designer(s) or design firm anywhere in the entry except where credits are specifically requested. The name of the manufacturer/client may appear.
• Exceptions: If the name of the product is the designers name, or the designers name appears on the design being submitted, then its mention is unavoidable and, therefore acceptable.