Categories for 2007-2008 Competitions
STC Pittsburgh uses the same categories as the International competitions.
NOTE: For online entries, the platform (such as Web, Windows, or Macintosh) is not a consideration in determining the category. All PDFs must be entered in a Technical Publications category.
Online Communication categories
Technical Art categories
Technical Publications categories
Online entries include forms of communication that depend on a computer or other electronic media for delivery. The entries must be primarily intended for viewing on a computer or similar device, not on paper. Therefore, computerbased training, online documentation, help systems, online demonstration programs, simple text-retrieval systems, multimedia information systems, and Web pages can be judged in the online competition.
The online communication competition is not limited to online documents that support computer products. Entries can include online encyclopedias, road maps, foreign language instruction, medical handbooks, and more.
At the international level, the online communication competition has six categories:
1. Help
Online information that has a primary purpose of providing immediate assistance to individuals while they use a product. It provides information appropriate to the task on an as-needed or as-requested basis. This category includes and is not limited to general help, procedural help, cue cards, examples, performance support, and integrated user assistance.
2. Demonstrations
Interactive online information that has a primary purpose of demonstrating or describing the main features of a product or product line with user interaction or feedback. This type of online material motivates people to buy or use a product, or informs them of the features or benefits of products. Besides demonstrations of products, this category also includes guided tours and marketing material designed for dynamic user interaction.
3. Technical Marketing
Static, non- interactive online information that has a primary purpose of describing or defining the main features of a product or product line. This type of online material motivates people to buy or use a product, or informs them of the features or benefits of products. This category includes and is not limited to online brochures, catalogs, and marketing materials that are designed to remain static. Most corporate Web pages belong in this category.
4. Tutorials/Training
Online information that has a primary purpose of teaching the techniques for using the main features and capabilities of a product, or of assisting in the process of teaching. This category includes and is not limited to computer- based training applications, tutorials, online lesson books, and training aids.
5. Reference Material
Online information that has a primary purpose of defining or explaining things like structure, results, words, problems, or parameters. These documents are typically published in a reference work format, similar to a dictionary or encyclopedia. This category includes and is not limited to online dictionaries, glossaries, function or object descriptions, data structure definitions, encyclopedias, and directories.
6. User Support Tools
Online information that has a primary purpose of assisting the user to complete a set of tasks or solve a set of problems. This category includes troubleshooting tools, wizards or wizard-like task completion tools, quick start guides, and automated support tools.
NEW THIS YEAR: The online competition has eliminated the Books category. Entries in this category in previous years have been primarily Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files and were distributed in this format as a cost-saving measure. They did not fully utilize the capabilities of the format. They were basically hardcopy documents distributed electronically and were meant to be printed by users. As such, Adobe Acrobat files are now accepted only in the International Technical Publications Competition. See the "Technical Publications" section for details.
The technical art competition accepts two types of entries: physical media and online. Physical media includes products that are mounted for viewing or included in a paper-based publication. Online includes art in products that depend on an electronic medium for delivery.
At the international level, the technical art competition has seventeen categories (listed below).
1. Mechanical illustration, line
Mechanical illustrations (line) are composed entirely of lines, dots, and solid areas and may be color or black and white. The artwork requires precise depiction of the subject, including the proportions or relationships of objects depicted or represented and subject matter is not open to interpretation. Entries may include exploded views, cutaways, orthographic or isometric projections, schematics, diagrams, graphs, charts, and tables. Physical media entries must be mounted. Each copy of the entry must be accompanied by a sample of the illustration's publication or an example of its use.
2. Mechanical illustration, tone
Tonal illustrations are composed of shading that graduates from one color (or shade of gray) to another. Illustrations may be color or black and white. Mechanical illustrations provide precise description of the subject, including the positions or relationships of objects depicted or represented. The illustrations may include exploded views, cutaways, orthographic or isometric projections, schematics, diagrams, graphs, charts, and tables. Physical media entries must be mounted. Each copy of the entry must be accompanied by a sample of the illustration's publication or an example of its use.
3. Interpretative illustration, line
Interpretative illustrations are composed entirely of lines, dots, and solid areas and are color or black and white. While the subject is technical in nature, intended use permits artistic interpretation of features or physical arrangements. The image includes illustrative views depicting arrangement or general configuration, cartoons, and conceptual visualizations (as in technical proposals). Physical media entries must be mounted. Each copy of the entry must be accompanied by a sample of the illustration's publication or an example of its use.
4. Interpretative illustration, tone
Tonal illustrations are composed of continuous tones that graduate from one color (or shade of gray) to another. They may be color or black and white. While the subject is technical in nature, intended use of the artwork permits artistic interpretation of features or physical arrangement. The image includes illustrative views depicting arrangement or general configuration, cartoons, and conceptual visualizations (as in technical proposals). Physical media entries must be mounted. Each copy of the entry must be accompanied by a sample of the illustration's publication or an example of its use.
5. Photograph
Photographic entries contain technical content that demonstrates mastery of light and the medium (film or digital). Photographs may contain innovative lighting, multiple exposures, or other effects and may be black and white or color. Physical media entries must be mounted.
6. Manual/Book Design
This category includes user and reference manuals designed for technical products, services, or organizations; and books on technical subjects. The design should support the flow of information and the ease with which the reader can locate and identify specific information. The judges are looking for the design and presentation of the publication. Writing style, grammar usage, etc. are NOT judged.
7. Annual Report Design
Annual reports summarize the activities or financial position of a corporation, governmental agency, or nonprofit community organization. The design should support the focus and projected image of the entity and present financial and technical information in a visual manner.
8. Catalog Design
Catalogs may be used to deliver information about technical products and services. Catalogs should present large amounts of data in a readable format and provide information on ordering the product or service while being visually pleasing.
9. Magazine Design
This category includes regularly scheduled publications in a magazine format with a feature treatment, including photographs and art, about an organization, technology, industry, or scientific field. The intended audience may be either internal or external, special-interest, or the general public. Submit three consecutive issues as a single entry.
10. Cover Design
This category includes published covers, software product splash screens, and World Wide Web home pages. Design considers integration and placement of visual images and accompanying text. If only the visual image is presented, it will be re- categorized into Category 3 or 4. Covers must be mounted; front and back views are preferred.
11. Promotional Poster Design
Promotional posters support or market an employee campaign, a technical product, an organization, or an event. The entry description should include information about the poster use. Physical entries must be mounted.
12. Informational Poster Design
This category includes posters that communicate educational information (as opposed to marketing) about a technical or scientific subject, service, or organization. The audience may be technical or the general public. The entry description should include information on how and where the poster was used. Physical entries must be mounted.
13. Packaging Design
This category includes packaging for hardware, software, multimedia, end-user merchandise, and boxes containing two or more manuals. If the package includes software, do not include software media.
14. Promotional Materials Design
Promotional materials include flyers, advertisements, product data sheets, single-unit promotional handouts, and multiple-page publications that market a technical product, service, or organization. Corporate and program identity materials (folders, stationery, logos, etc.) are acceptable if they communicate technical information or images.
15. Informational Materials Design
This category includes multiple-page publications that provide information to the general public or a particular audience about a technical or scientific subject, product, service, or organization. Publications include newsletters, technical reports, proceedings, and organizational manuals.
16. Quick Reference Design
This category includes materials that provide concise reference to essential features of a technical product, service, or subject. This includes graphical devices, data reference tools, and other job aids.
17. Display
This category includes large-scale presentations such as trade show booths, exhibits, and billboards. Because of the size and space requirements of the original, photographs, illustrations, or other representative material is accepted in lieu of the display. The presentational material is not judged in or of itself, but is used to provide information about the display. Presentation material must be appropriately mounted or bound. An explanation of the actual display must be provided.
The technical publications competition accepts only physical media (hardcopy) entries. Generally, entries that depend on a computer or other electronic media for delivery cannot be submitted to this competition. These entries may be submitted to the online communication or technical art competitions.
NEW THIS YEAR: The exception to this is Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files, which are now accepted only in the technical publications competition. If you are entering a publication that is distributed in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf file) format, do not submit the document in electronic format -- it will not be accepted. You must submit three printed and bound copies of the publication. The binding should be simple, but sturdy, such as a three-ring binder or report folder. If the publication includes color that impacts how it is used, then be sure to submit color copies so that the judges can evaluate it appropriately.
At the international level, the technical publications competition has 18 categories (listed below).
1. Promotional Materials
Publications that market a technical product, service, or organization. Includes advertisements, flyers, catalogs, and other presale literature.
2. Informational Materials
Publications that provide information to the general public or a particular audience about a technical or scientific subject, product, service, or organization.
3. Quick Reference Guides
Brief guides that provide ready and concise reference to essential features during the use of hardware, software, or noncomputer equipment. Includes graphical devices and other job aids.
4. Software Guides
Guides that provide instructions for using a software product, provide accessible reference information on its features and functions, or include both reference information and instructions. May be one or more volumes.
5. Hardware/Software Combination Guides
Guides that provide instructions for using equipment or a hardware product and modifying or programming its firmware or software. Includes manuals for laboratory test equipment, scanners, printers, facsimile machines, modems, watches, cameras, and calculators.
6. Computer Hardware Guides
Guides for computer hardware, including reference information, descriptions of features and functions, and instructions for installation, use, and repair.
7. Noncomputer Equipment Guides
Guides for noncomputer equipment, including reference information, descriptions of features and functions, and instructions for installation, use, and repair. The guides may cover audiovisual, medical, laboratory, test, telecommunications, photogra