Annual Awards Show Categories
Helpful Terms
Business-to-Business Advertising
For any product or service to distributors, retailers, or business end users. Does not include consumer, institutional, corporate, or public service ads.
Consumer
Promoting a product or a service. Does not include consumer, institutional, corporate, or public service ads.
Corporate
Work for or by a company or other organization offering financial or other services, marketing, or manufacturing capabilities or products.
Insitiutional/Public Service
Work for or by schools, colleges, universities, religious groups or institutions, museums, galleries, hospitals, and other not-for-profit organizations.
Insitiutional/Non-Profit/Public Service
Intended for the purpose of enhancing stature or image, including corporate citizenship or sponsorship; for soliciting funds; or to encourage behavioral change whether it be physical, emotional, or environmental. Not a product or service promotion.
Pro Bono/Creative
Work donated to a cause.
Advertising
Consumer Ads
Individual ads.
Consumer Ad Series
Submit a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5.
Consumer Direct Mail
Circulars, folders, or other promotional materials designed for direct response via mail distribution.
Business-to-Business Ads
Individual ads.
Business-to-Business Ad Series
Submit a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5.
Business-to-Business Direct Mail
Circulars, folders, or other promotional materials designed specifically for direct response via mail distribution.
Institutional / Non-Profit/Public Service Ads
Individual ads.
Institutional / Non-Profit/Public Service Ad Series
Submit a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5.
Institutional / Non-Profit/Public Service Direct Mail
Circulars, folders, or other promotional materials designed for direct response via mail distribution.
Outdoor / Transit Ads
Billboards (painted or printed, two sheet and larger), bus or car cards. Submit 8” x 10” photographic print(s) only. No slides.
Integrated Advertising Campaign
Allows mixing media for a single campaign. For example a print ad, direct mail flier, and point-of purchase piece. If entry includes a website or other new media, please submit sample page print outs and its URL. You must submit at least 3, but no more than 5 pieces.
Pro Bono Ads
Broadcast
Radio Commercial
Individual spot.
Radio Series
Submit 3 from a series.
Television Commercial
Individual spot.
Television Series
Submit 3 from a series.
Promotion
Point-of-Purchase
Posters, counter cards, displays, three dimensional pieces, etc. Submit actual item or 8 inch x 10 inch photographic print(s) only. No slides.
Self-Promotion
Advertising, brochures, posters, direct mail, websites, email, games, etc., promoting the services of the company or individual who created the entry.
Graphic Design Print
Annual Report
Year-end financial report.
Cover Design
Books, brochures, albums, etc.
Books
Complete entity.
Consumer Periodicals
Magazines, newspapers, complete issue or individual section.
Corporate / Institutional/Public Service Periodicals
In-house publications, newspapers, magazines, complete issue or individual section, section covers, or individual feature pages.
Employee Publications
Non-periodicals, manuals, reports, etc.
Packaging
Submit actual packaging or 8” x 10” photographic print(s) only. No slides.
Trademark / Logo / Identity
Final version only. Do not include alternates or concepts. Please include company name and type of business in the Statement of Purpose.
Logo System
Stationery
Letterhead, envelopes, business cards.
Architectural Graphics / Signage
Complete programs or individual elements. Submit 8” x 10” photographic print(s) only. No slides.
Brochures / Folders
Catalogs
Poster
Poster Series
At least 2 posters and no more than 5.
Announcements / Invitations / Greeting Cards
Miscellaneous
Calendars, menus, matchbook covers, etc.
Pro Bono Design
Integrated Branding Program
Comprehensive program may include identity, business papers, collateral, packaging, signage, website, etc., at least 6 pieces and no more than 8.
Online/Interactive Design
For website entries, include passwords and special instructions. All website entries must have a live URL for viewing. If website entries are based on pre-designed templates, the template URL must be provided for reference in the description.
Other interactive entries are to be submitted as live URLs.
Online Promotion
Any screen-based materials used to further the sales of a product or service.
Business Information Design
Product/service demonstrations, training, online catalogs, internal/external communications, calendars, interactive maps.
Infographics
Interactive App
Applications, games, kiosks, etc.
Mobile App
A native mobile application.
Email Design
Informational Websites
Business & Corporate Websites
Custom-designed website for a company or other organization offering financial or
other services, marketing, or manufacturing capabilities or products.
E-commerce Websites
Catalog/Product Websites
Cultural & Educational Websites
Non-profit Websites
Blogs
Intranets / Extranets
Web Applications
Appications that run over the internet through a web browser on a desktop, mobile or other device.
Miscellaneous Websites
Microsites, community building websites (social networks), search engines, directory websites, event websItes, review websites, etc.
Motion Graphics
Animations, cartoons, and other intriguing works built using tools like Adobe Flash and HTML5/CSS3/JS.
Personal
The blogs, portfolios, pet projects and personal collections of individuals who are displaying their work and passions in the digital space.
Social Media
Users and campaigns that are creatively connecting and sharing their experience.
Pro Bono Design for Interactive and Online Materials
Online Campaign
Campaigns containing 3-5 pieces spanning across different online media.
Exhibit Design
Screen-based Advertising
Promotion ads, point of sale kiosks, sales presentations.
Educational and Museum Information Design
Education tools, museum / exhibition, public service.
Environmental / Experiential
The creation of a physical space or experience that brings the consumer into direct contact with a brand, product or idea. This includes installations, events and competitions.
Video
Video entries are to be submitted via live URL for viewing.
Corporate/Institutional/Public Service Video
Individual
Corporate/Institutional/Public Service Video
Series
Pro Bono Video
Individual
Pro Bono Video
Series
Video – Miscellaneous
Videos, presentations, short films used for promotion, etc.
Photography / Illustration
Work submitted in these categories will be judged on the merits of photography or illustration only. Submit published pieces only.
Photography
Complete issues or individual elements.
Illustration
Complete issues or individual elements.
Printing
This category is for jobs printed in Connecticut and will be judged for printing production. Entries that had no creative done in Connecticut will not be eligible for the Best of Show, Richard Hess Spirit of Creativity Award or Judges’ Awards. Entries will be judged for printing only.
Any submission into this category is eligible for the Best In Printing Award.
1 to 3 color printing
4+ color printing
Special Effects/Specialty Printing
Varnish, AQ, UV, die cutting, engraving, embossing, foil stamping, letterpress
Student
Unpublished student print work may be entered as comprehensives. All work will be judged on the quality of concept, execution, and presentation.
Digital entries should be in Mac format only, PC format will not be accepted. For website entries, include URL on entry form. Include passwords and special instructions.
All website and interactive entries must have a live URL for viewing.
Student Print / Published
Student pieces that have been printed.
Student Print / Unpublished
Any unpublished design project intended for print.
Student Online & Interactive / Published
Any published project for interactive display, created for digital distribution.
Student Online & Interactive / Unpublished
Any unpublished project for interactive display, created for digital distribution.
Student Photography
Student Illustration