The real, live page isn't quite built yet. We're still tinkering. So in the meantime, you'll find hints right here... which might actually be better 'cause you can ask any questions you have to ask right away. It's not fancy schmancy. But it's helpful. That counts for something, right?
As you're thinking about your submission for the YourHoliday card competition, one very important thing to consider is the FORMAT of your card.
In this competition, we are asking you to create designs for something different than what you did in the first three competitions. The YourHoliday contest is all about "flat photo cards". (You know, the kind people stick on their fridges around holiday-time.)
* Your challenge is to create a design to go on a such a card. (And to make sure your design will look good beside somebody else's holiday photo.)
* You'll also get to choose whether your design is vertical or horizontal.
So, are you up for the challenge? Do you know what we're talking about? We think it'll be a fun one. And we hope you do, too.
Monday, July 7, 2008
YourHoliday Formats
Posts
45 comments:
So this next contest is only "design" oriented.....no photos or anything, and no poems/writing? Thanks~
Some writing - just a little bit - since this will be for holiday photo cards. You know the ones? These will have a front and back (but are flat) -- on the back will be where your writing would go.
We'll announce more details soon, but know that the finalists' cards may be offered in other format(s) too (not just as flat photo cards).
Hope that helps.
Just a random question - in the "just pets" competition - are the little chinchillas "extraterrestrial" ???- seems their votes go up many, many times in just a matter of a couple of minutes - just don't know if regular little earthbound creature's little paws can move that fast!!
Judgy,
Thanks for the clarification and I'm glad some writing will be permitted.
From my experience of receiving photo cards, the only writing on them is a generic "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" and nothing on the backs.
For this contest, will something like a "Happy Holidays" message be permitted in the design and then, a typical card verse of (for example) 4 lines, be permitted on the backs of the cards, or am I off base in my thinking?
Thanks. I'm game to try anything, once! I've always wondered why photo cards never had backs for verses.
Are you accepting ANY holiday or are you focusing primarily on the Christmas/Hannukah season?
Am I correct in understanding that you are also willing to consider a picture that allows the person to write their own message inside (blank inside)? Or will the one sided card be PREFERRED and more likely to win?
We don't know about E.T. status but you can rest assured we're taking care of the funny business wherever it rears its ugly head. We're as wary of twilight-zone-type voting phenomena as you are. Thanks for your concern.
A Few Words About Words:
We're allowing words within the design, as you can see in the examples on the blog (ho ho ho, happy holidays, etc.). You'll also be able to do a bit of writing on the back. Just know that the text box is probably not going to fit a longish poem or longish prose. It's a smallish box.
In this contest, we're talking holidays that happen in the December-ish time frame. That doesn't have to be limited to Christmas but it doesn't include Easter.
And as for card formats, we'll be focusing solely on the "flat" card. It doesn't have an "inside." It's just a two-sided card. The design and someone else's picture will go on the front. Your words will go on the back. Everyone will submit the same kind of format. That way, we'll be judging apples to apples, and not apples to orange juice.
Great questions, everyone.
Hi Judgy,
If I may ask one more question, since I'm sure others will be thinking along these lines, too. When you say "design," does this mean that the card format must be drawn, entirely, or can it be a photo, such a collage or something like a handcrafted item in turn photographed as part of the "design," if this makes sense?
For example, if I arrange candles, in a holiday format, can I, then, snap a picture of the candles or do I have to sketch them?
Thanks.
Great question, poeticfisherman. If you want or need to go the photography route (and you can, you don't have to draw), picking a holiday icon like the candles you mentioned is a great option.
Just remember that since these will be used for people to send as their holiday photo cards, whatever image you come up with should complement their photo.
If you've received this sort of card before around the holidays and have saved them, digging them out might provide you some good inspiration.
Hello Everyone,
I went to a Hallmark Store today and looked at the displays. The pets and funny cards looked great in the displays.
Some cards were even sold out! Congrats to everyone and good luck to all in the next contest. :)
Another funny business question.
Are the vote percentage totals shown /calculated in real time. I was just wondering home a card can jump 0.3% over the course of an hour this late in the contest. Has there been some correcting going on lately?
Notice how I always come around to discuss the "fishy business" questions - Judgy and Wordy, maybe some day I'll be able to talk about fun things like sipping cocoa or eating candy canes? Maybe? Maybe? I kid, I kid!
To your question, you nailed it - the percentage jumps are happening as we remove the fishiness. As a chunk of votes are removed, each of the other finalist percentages will see a jump. The number of fishiness will impact the amount of the jumps, but you'll see changes across the board as a result.
Okay, hope that makes sense. Hopefully next time I'm posting of snow angels (man that sounds lovely right now in this heat!)
Happy planning!
Sorry to bring it up (I don't want to come across as a whiner) but with the downfall of ABE last week I thought we had seen the end of wild number swings.
I've fired up the PR machine into the highest gear and I seem to be spinning my wheels.
Thanks for the clarification.
On a more fun note. Ideas for the Holiday contest are slowly coming to a rolling boil in the back of my brain. Anxiously Waiting for more details.
Thanks, Judgy, for the clarification. The ideas that always float around my mind are now starting to flow to the surface. Yippee!
It is so nice to think about the holidays when it is nearly 100 degrees outside, at least in SE Texas. We had a miracle Christmas snowfall in 2004 from which I kept a snowball. I pull the snowball from the freezer, every now and then, just for a few seconds to enjoy a sense of "cool"!
Somehow, seeing snowmen on the beach with surfboards beside them was a little odd, at least to me, but I'm a transplanted southerner. I know how winters should be!
Hi everybody,
(Do I dare open a can of worms).... and ask the question about the judging and how that will be handled in this contest??
It sounds like a fun one to enter!
Hi Sandy,
Welcome into this discussion. This does sound like a fun contest to enter and since I, admittedly, drive our neighbors up the proverbial wall with, in their view, far too large a holiday decoration display (lit nightly each Thanksgiving through New Years), I'm nearly giddy about the details and having the chance to enter this one.
I figure Christmas will be tougher for me, this year, since Dad won't be here for it (Christmas was always his big shindig), but I still love it and I'm still excited about this contest, because the holidays were Dad's favorite time of year, without question. He was happy from Halloween to New Years Day, regardless of how poor his health had gotten!
The last good picture I have of Dad and I, together, was taken a couple of years ago, when we were planning the design for our annual light display. Last year, he was so unsteady that he could barely justify coming outside to watch Mom and I work on the display! That pained him, but I took a lot of pictures to show him.
Dad was so excited, earlier last month, when I told him that the first hint for this contest was a picture of a snowman and a note about the holidays. He was sure it'd be Christmas or the winter holidays and he was ecstatic, both for me and for the fact that the holidays were always so special to him.
He'd often said that it didn't matter how poor his health had gotten, he'd still "supervise" the decorating, because the decorating was worth it, if just one child smiled! I agree fully. Our display is always the largest and brightest in our end of town and it will be again, this year. I owe that much in Dad's memory!
Hi Poetic,
The new contest sounds great!And your outdoor displays sound like they are beautiful.I have always dreamt of doing something like that!
This year your Christmas lights will shine for your DAD!
HAVE FUN DESIGNING YOUR CARD!
I am jotting down ideas as I sew at work....sure has made the days go fast!Between work and taking care of my house and garden I have to fit computer time in WHENEVER!So if I don't reply to your mail right away it is because I am cleaning strawberries..or picking peas...or lettuce......taking care of my horse etc.( I have a big garden!) And I will be looking for a nightime job soon too..my new job just doesn't cover my bills and there isn't anything else that pays any better..I can't keep up with the rising costs of everything..gas, food , insurance, utilities.All have surpassed what I make!It is really frightening.
Hi, Judgy. Considering the level of difficulty for the upcoming holiday contest - will Hallmark allow more than one entry per contestant? Say...perhaps...an entry limit of two or three? Just thought I'd throw that idea out there before the "final" announcement is ready for viewing.
Congratulations on the fun competition(s)! I've especially enjoyed following the pets but am totally hooked following all of the races. Have bought and used several of the cards!! However, as "hypnonee" stated, hate to even bring it up - but, watching the many instant changes in votes and position, I have questions but, most concern is the minimal movement of the magical chinchillas - no one has come close to comparing to them in speed of recovery if any other card gained on them. Literally several .% points in a matter of minutes/secaonds. Super powers in computer programs?? Paws just don't move t hat fast!!
Have a great day and looking forward to the Holiday competition.
do we need to make the whole card with the empty picture slot or just the design we wish to enter
Every day is new and fresh,
an opportunity to learn.
Lessons learned and lessons taught,
Here is my concern.
Always put your things away,
when you're done with them.
It leaves your home a tidy place,
with more free time to spend.
Don't leave your Hallmark shoebox out,
when it's tattered look inspires,
the person burning trash that day, to put it on the fire.
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OHNO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like I get to start over with my collection.All my treasures gone.
My own Hallmark card goes into the new shoebox..THAT WILL BE CLEARLY MARKED.
Are you sure you folks at Hallmark can't market a TIN Hallmark shoebox?...was it fate that I suggested this in an earlier blog..CRIPES.
Think I will go pull weeds again..sigh.
I just have a question about the self promotions......Are all the finalists doing them, or just certain ones? thanks!
(No..I did not tell him what was in the Shoebox and what he did...it would break his heart,.)
I'd rather keep my mouth shut,
and hide my hurt inside,
than to open it and break his heart,
and crush his manly pride.
The Hallmarks in that Shoebox, will never be replaced,
but I will always have the memories,
of each giver's, smiling face.
Fate has once again handed me a bagful...and once again, I will get over it.
What the exacts size of image should be to fit the "flat card"?
How many images I can submit?
Sharon,
I'm putting words in Judgy's mouth but they're words she'd say anyway so I think it's okay.
We'll be sticking to one entry per contestant for the YourHoliday competition. So enter your design. And make it your most superbly wonderful creation yet.
Thanks for your question, Sharon.
Marty,
Your job is the design part. We'll take care of the photo placement part. Look out for our next post, which will have some helpful tips.
Great question.
spiderprincess,
The Shameless Self-Promotions were an option
(but not a requirement) for all the finalists. All of the self-promotion responses we got from finalists who said "I'm in," have been published on the blog.
Does that answer your question?
Artist,
You can submit one image. And as for dimensions, check back for the next post. It will have more info on that and other important stuff to know.
Thanks for the questions.
Hi i'm a little confused on this. What did you mean by "Your job is the design part. We'll take care of the photo placement part."
Also How do we enter these when its time do we e-mail or send it threw the mail.
Hi, Anonymous.
What I mean is you will design to a certain size (5 x 7, in this case). You don't need to worry about including space for the photo in those dimensions.
Know what I mean? Sorry for the confusion.
Megan
In our design can we put like buttons, ribbon, bows. ect?
Genesism15,
If you mean drawing bows, buttons, ribbons, that's a-okay. If you mean attaching those beautiful things, that's not-so-a-okay. Does that clear things up?
Oh okay then. Any time soon, is there a chance that we might create our deigns with those type of things on them?
Genesism15,
Just an idea. Why not create a card using buttons, ribbons, etc. and then photograph it.
Genesism 15,
I want to answer your question more fully about the buttons, ribbon and bows. You can scan them and use them in your design but here's the main thing to consider. If the items are very generic (a plain, round, red button), it's okay to use them. If they have a unique shape or pattern, though, it could cause some copyright issues. I hope this helps you decide how to further develop your design. Can't wait to see it.
hello,
I was wondering what type of paper we are allowed to use for the card,
and if we submit it by mail?
I'm not particually sure how this works, i'm sorry.
anonymous,
We are accepting entries only through the site so you don't need to worry about what type of paper you use. Any image that can be uploaded digitally will be fine.
Just came across this contest...SO EXCITED! I wish I had seen it months ago!
Anyways...QUESTION:
I've seen two size dimentions quoted for our image. So just need clarification please.
Is it (5" x 7"), or (5 1/2" x 7 1/2")??
Thanks so much,
Becky
Just came across this contest...SO EXCITED! I wish I had seen it months ago!
Anyways...QUESTION:
I've seen two size dimentions quoted for our image. So just need clarification please.
Is it (5" x 7"), or (5 1/2" x 7 1/2")??
Thanks so much,
Becky
Well I wanted to stick a little bow to my design, and since it's going to look 3-d, Can I just make the card with solid buttons including the bow, and then photograph it, and make that my design?
Genesism, based on your description it sounds like that would work just fine. Can't wait to see what you all come up with!
To all our avid bloggers and excited potential contestants, sorry if there is confusion about the size. Hopefully everything will be crystal clear on our submission page. We will even have a handy dandy little checklist for you so no important little bits are missed. But for the time being, know that although the printed size of the card is 5x7, you will be designing to 5.5 x 7.5. We will be adding a post to help clarify until the opening of submissions.
Thank you very much for clarification on size. I was confused too, but started my card sketch 5.5 x 7.5. And get a checklist would be great!
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