Technical Art Categories

Entries in the Technical Art Publications may consist of physical media (hardcopy) or online technical art products. Physical media includes products that are mounted for viewing (do not mount printed entries larger than 11 x 17 inches. Roll up entries and send in a mailing tube).   Online media includes art in products that depend on an electronic medium for delivery. Both entry types must be placed within one of the categories in this document. All entries will be judged on the basis of their aesthetic merit (including effectiveness and cohesiveness of visual elements, choice of medium and production methods) in addition to their overall success in achieving the stated communication objective.

It is understood that some entries may not fall firmly into one particular category. If you feel that your entry is applicable to more than one category, please include this information on your entry form.  A Technical Art Competition Coordinator will contact you to resolve any issues with categorizing your entry. 

Entries in the Technical Art category include traditional line art, mechanical illustration, diagrams, schematics, icons and any kind of interpretive or conceptual illustration. Entries may be in black and white or color. The traditional subcategories of line art and tone art will be considered as to the appropriateness of the choice of technique for accomplishing a technical illustrative goal.

The technical art competition has the following twelve (12) categories: 

1. Mechanical Illustration, Line & Tone

Mechanical illustrations (line and tone) are composed entirely of lines, dots, and solid areas of black and white and color or composed of shading that graduates from one color (or shade of gray) to another.

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. Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted.

2. Interpretative Illustration, Line and Tone

Interpretative illustrations are composed entirely of lines, dots, and solid areas and are color or black and white, while tonal illustrations are composed of continuous tones that graduate from one color (or shades of gray) to another. 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). Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted. A copy of the entry must be accompanied by a sample of the illustration's publication or an example of its use.

3. Photography

Photographic entries contain technical content that demonstrates mastery of light and of 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. Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube..

4. Manual/book and Cover designs

This category includes user and reference manuals designed for technical products, services, or organizations; and books on technical subjects, published covers, software product splash screens, and World Wide Web home pages. The design should support the flow of information and the ease with which the reader can locate and identify specific information. Cover design considers integration and placement of visual images and accompanying text.

Note: Covers must be mounted; front and back views are preferred.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Promotional and Informational 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. . Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted. Informational posters 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. Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted.

9. 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.

10. Promotional and Informational 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. . Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted. Informational materials 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. Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted.

11. 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. Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted.

12. 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 presentation material is not judged in and 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. Do not mount entries larger than 11 x 17. Roll up the entry and send in a mailing tube. Otherwise, smaller physical entries must be mounted.