Plastics Make it Possible^SM Contest FAQ

How do I submit a design to the competition?

You can submit your photos via the Gen Art Discover website at www.discover.genart.org or through a link at www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com. The submission period begins on October 29, 2009, at 12:00 a.m. ET and closes on December 11, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

First, log in to Gen Art Discover if you are already registered, or sign up for an account.

Next, browse for your image, then add a title and description and click "Save." You may also add notes to reviewers, which will be displayed to any user currently reviewing your work. Notes to reviewers are not required for entry.

Before you submit the photographs, please make sure it meets the following requirements:

JPG, GIF or PNG file format (ex. MyDesign.jpg or MyDesign.png)

At least 1,600 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,600 pixels tall (if a vertical image)

Total file size must be less than 3 megabytes (MB)

Why do I need to be logged in to Gen Art Discover in order to submit a design?

Registering for Gen Art Discover ensures that we have your contact information.

If you've previously created an account on Gen Art Discover, please log in using your existing username and password.

If you haven't previously created an account on Gen Art Discover, please select "Don't Have an Account? Create one now", on the log in page. Fill out the form and click "Create Account." You will be asked to confirm your account using the email address you provide at signup.

Existing Gen Art members must create a new account for Gen Art Discover. Your Discover user information is stored separately from your Gen Art membership account details.

Is there an entry fee?

There is no fee to enter.

Will my description be edited?

Your description will not be edited. Gen Art will review all entries for inappropriate content. Descriptions containing inappropriate or explicit language will be disqualified. Gen Art will not proofread entries, and we are not responsible for any misspellings, grammatical errors or inaccuracies in your description.

How do I know that you've received my entry?

After you submit your design, you will see a confirmation page confirming receipt of your entry. All entries must be reviewed by Gen Art for inappropriate content. Once approved, your design will appear in your profile. If your design is not approved for any reason, you will receive an email from Gen Art notifying you of disqualification.

How many designs may I submit?

Each user may submit only two designs comprising of one entry.

How will my design be judged?

The ten finalists will be determined via online voting and will be judged by a panel appointed by Gen Art and Plastics Make it Possible^SM, which will include the sponsors’ representatives to the Grand Prize Winning submission. The panel will review each design and description and rate each entry based on the following criteria:

1. 1. up to 40 points on Composition
2. 2. up to 40 points for Originality
3. 3. up to 20 points for Representation of the Theme

In the event of a tie, tied submissions will be re-judged based on the Originality score (and then Composition, and then Representation of Theme, as necessary) to break such tie.

When will the winners be announced?

For a list of winners, please visit the Web site after December 21, 2009.

What are the prizes?

The Grand Prize Winner will be obligated to create a sample collection, 10-piece line, utilizing items from the approved materials list [link to materials list] to be shown during Gen Art’s New York Winter Fashion Week 2010. The Grand Prize Winner will also receive a $10,000 stipend/award to create the collection and a trip (two days / two nights) for Grand Prize Winner and one (1) guest to New York City, to attend the Fashion Week Event.

Will my designs be seen online?

Yes, your designs will be shown on the Gen Art Discover website. Selected entries may be featured on other Gen Art web properties, email newsletters, and partner publications.

Do the designs I submit have to be drawings or the garments themselves?

Two completed looks must be submitted in order to submit a valid entry to the contest. Photos your entry must be submitted as a GIF, JPG, or PNG file. If you choose to create your design using non-digital media, you must scan or photograph your design for submission to the competition. Original artwork mailed to Gen Art will not be considered for the competition.

What fabrics can I use to create my looks?

There is a complete list of approved materials you can use to create your garment [link to approved materials]. Submissions can include some embellishments, thread, trims, buttons and other notations that are not plastic based. Examples of such would be metal zippers, Swarovski crystal embellishments and metallic buttons. Non-plastic elements should be used only as embellishments.

When I submit a photo to the photo contest, what rights does the Gen Art have to my submission?

Gen Art and our sponsors will have the nonexclusive, perpetual right to use your design in connection with the competition and promotion of the competition, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to: display at Gen Art events; publication on the Gen Art website and/or email newsletters, highlighting entries or winners of the contest; publication on Gen Art partner websites and print publications.

Please read through the official rules for more information on the rights you grant when submitting a design to the Plastics Make it Possible^SM competition.

I accidentally uploaded the wrong design. Can I delete my entry and submit a new photo?

Unfortunately, due to the large volume of entries submitted to the contest, all entries are final and cannot be replaced or modified.

Why won't my images upload?

Make sure your images meet the following requirements:

JPG, GIF or PNG file format (ex. MyDesign.jpg or MyDesign.png)

At least 1,600 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,600 pixels tall (if a vertical image)

Total file size must be under 3 megabytes (MB)

Still have a question?

Contact Gen Art.