As Web-based multimedia storytelling has evolved, so has Best of the Web. We have made accommodations for the growing number of CMS and template-based options while keeping the competition’s emphasis on original, innovative, interactive storytelling. This year we have established two categories that will reward the academic intent and scope of entrants’ projects:
CATEGORIES
–Individual or Class Project
All content must be created by an individual or a class with guidance from the entrant’s professor. All elements must be designed by the individual or the class with guidance from the professor of record. University staff or outside consultants may not create content, do any design, or do any coding. Entrants may use widgets and plugins. The use of a template or a content management system theme as a starting point is allowed, but entrants should understand that the judges will reward originality and innovation. The use of pre-designed templates or CMS themes WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT ADAPTATION TO AN ORIGINAL DESIGN is not allowed. If your entry is included in a larger site that includes other projects, please be sure to send only the link to your project.
–School or Institutional Project
This category will consider larger projects created by more than one class at a university, or projects created by more than one university as part of a journalism institute or center. All visual content must be generated by students. The entire project must be designed primarily by students with the understanding that due to database and technical issues outside the scope of a university class, contributions from professors, university staff and outside consultants may be necessary. Entrants may use widgets and plugins. The use of pre-designed template or a content management system theme as a starting point is allowed, but entrants should understand that the judges will reward originality and innovation. The use of pre-designed templates or CMS themes WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT ADAPTATION TO AN ORIGINAL DESIGN is not allowed. If your entry is included in a larger site that includes other projects, please be sure to send only the link to your project.
AWARDS
Judges will consider all entries based on content, design and technical innovation and will decide first place, second place and honorable mention awards for each category, as well as one award of excellence for the best overall entry.
1) DESIGN
Best use of content, design and interactivity to tell a story. First place, second place and honorable mention.
2) INNOVATION
Best use of content, innovative technology and interactivity to tell a story. First place, second place and honorable mention.
RULES FOR ENTERING
The ONLY qualified entrants for this competition are faculty and students who work for or attend an institution that is accredited by ACEJMC, or are current (paid) individual members of AEJMC and their students. University and college staff are not eligible to be entrants of record.
Individual/Class Project: The entrant of record should be the person who designed and primarily built the site.
School/Institutional Project: The entrant of record should be the supervising faculty member if the entrant contributed significantly to the design and production of the site. All school/institutional entries must be PRIMARILY created by students and faculty and not by staff, paid consultants or professional designers.
DISCLOSURE
1) The entry form will require you to list the names and roles of the students and faculty members who contributed to your entry as well as the names and roles of any contributors to your project who are not students or faculty members. The list MUST include the name and position of any university staff members, designers, developers or database consultants who contributed in any way to your project.
2) The entry form will require you to list the templates, CMS themes, plugins and widgets you used to produce your project.
SITES
All sites entered must advance education or research in journalism or mass communication. Sites unrelated to this field are NOT accepted. Sites must fit into one of the given categories. A site may be submitted only once per year and in only ONE category. An entrant may enter more than one site in a single year. Sites that do not fit the criteria will be eliminated from the competition by the chairs.
TO ENTER
A link to the contest entry form is at http://www.answerq.org/form.html
Entry deadline is the end of April 21, 2013, Eastern Time.
If you have any question, please contact Kim Komenich through kim.komenich@sjsu.edu or 415-531-8065
