Beginning on January 11, 2010, you will be able to submit questions in the categories listed below and we will post the answers here bi-weekly beginning January 28, 2010. The last day to submit questions is March 5, 2010.
Questions may be emailed to: info@F3awards.com
Check back here for the most recent postings of questions and answers.
GENERAL F3 AWARDS INFORMATION
Q: Who should enter the F3 Awards_Student Design Furniture Design Competition?
A: Undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in an Interior Design and Architecture program from an accredited 2 or 4-year college or university on or before the March 12th registration deadline.
Q: What does F3 mean?
A: F3 stands for Form, Function and Furniture.
Q: Do I need to pre-register before submitting my project?
A: Yes. To be eligible, you must send in your completed registration form by email to info@F3awards.com on or before 3.12.2010. The Registration form will be available for download on the Info and Downloads page on 1.6.2010.
Q: Is there a fee for entering?
A: No. There is no fee for entering. F3 Foundation, a private foundation, is waiving the entry fees.
Q: Is there a CAD drawing of the Airstream?
A: Please use the detailed PDFs and specifications on the Information page.
BEFORE I SUBMIT
Q: What information will I need to complete the Application?
A: The application will require contact information, project title, design concept summary (50 words or less), branding concept summary, and supporting visuals by submitting 8.5”X 11” spiral-bound presentation booklet using F3 presentation template including drawing template and title block. To download an application form and presentation template, go to the Info and Downloads page.
Q: How do I submit my project?
A: Your completed project CD and presentation booklet (including application form and completed project per the deliverables) must be received by 6pm on 4.16.09.
It must be mailed to:
F3 Awards
5419 Hollywood Blvd. Suite C373
Hollywood, CA 90027
Q: Does this mean that with our presentation booklets we are able to submit a video of our model or a small physical model?
A: Absolutely. If you are submitting a model, please send or deliver it to:
F3 Awards
dTank Headquarters
7635 San Fernando Road, Building 8C
Burbank, CA 91505
Q: Can we group the submissions from one class and ship them together in one package (each with their own identifying registration number and disk)?
A: Yes.
Q: Is it okay to submit a CD-R instead of a DVD-R?
A: As long as you are not submitting a video, CD-R is okay.
Q: It says in the packet that "with the exception of the Personal Information section of the application, nowhere in your application, images, or supplemental material should your name or likeness appear" ... so if I wanted to submit an extra video supporting my design (which was encouraged to get "extra bonus points"), I could not show my face or "likeness" in that video?
A: The DVD with your image is acceptable. The DVD needs be labeled with your registration number. Also, consider that the jury will be looking at how well the video or supplemental material contributes to the overall concept and presentation.
Q: Are we allowed to duplicate the pages in the presentation booklet template to allow for more information to be presented? or are we unable to change the amount of pages in the original template?
A: Of course. Please keep in mind that we’re looking at the overall presentation – more isn’t necessarily better but we will leave that to you.
Q: I am also aware that the PDFs need to be a certain size, but does that mean when all the pages have been merged into one PDF file or each of the separate pages need to be no larger than 10MB (and if we are able to submit a video does the 10mb limit apply to that as well?)
A: 10mb is per page. Video is not limited to 10 mb.
Q: If the F3 logo on the template is not a complimentary color scheme to my design, am I able to gray scale the template in order to display my design in its best light? Or will that be detrimental in the judging process?
A: The template was created so all of the presentations are consistent. The presentation template and the color are to remain as uploaded to the website.
ABOUT THE DESIGN BRIEF
Q: Can the design the concept be based on one musical artist?
A: Yes. But keep in mind that it needs to be reconfigurable and mobile for another artist.
Q: Can the shape of the Airstream be changed?
A: The integrity of the airstream footprint needs to be observed. What can be applied to the outside and what can be cut out is cool, as long as it’s technically feasible.
Q: I was just wondering if we could use multiple airstream trailers for the Competition and how far we could go with redesigning the physical appearance of it. I was thinking of morphing possibly 3 trailers so that they intermesh with one another.
A: There is no limitation on how many Airstreams or on altering the physical appearance. Be prepared to defend that in your concept statement why you have chosen to morph 3 trailers. It still needs to be recognized as an Airstream. Please see note below for prototyping.
Q: Do you have a detail drawing of the airstream structure (both vertical and horizontal bars)? Right now the PDF drawings you provided only show the vertical frames which we can't alter. However, what about the horizontal bars? Where are they located and can we alter/remove them?
A: We do not have the detail drawing of the airstream structure. The basic framing structure verticallyt or horizontally cannot be altered. For the purposes of this competition, the height and placement of door and windows may be altered based on the location of existing framing structure – horizontal or vertical. Please see note below for prototyping.
Q: Are we allowed to change the shape and placement of the airstream windows?
A: You are allowed to change the shape and placement of the airstream windows for conceptual and schematic design. Please note that during prototyping, the windows may need to go back to the original shape and placement.
Q: Do all the functions/programs have to be inside the trailer? (for example, can the transaction area, retail be outside, etc.)
A: The programming is not limited to interiors. However. The elements that are outside must be designed to fit back in the Airstream. In other words, the Airstream isn’t a moving trailer for the furniture pieces. It all must be designed to integrate.
Q: I was just trying to figure out what kind of tank sits on top of the hitch. Can it be removed? Or placed elsewhere if we allow for the proper dimensioning?
A: Typically, the tank is a propane gas tank for the stove. Unless your concept involves a stove, it’s safe to remove it or relocated it.
Q: Can you clarify what you mean by the terms "pop-up" and "instantly reconfigurable" as they relate to this design project? Does instantly reconfigurable mean that all the furnishings would be removed and replaced, or just re-worked somehow? Can you shed some light on what you are looking for and please be specific, it is hard to design in a vacuum.
A: Pop-up refers to a mobile music store that can pop up anywhere. MUV is about creating a pop-up music store to promote a musical artist of your choice and creating a concept meeting all four programming requirements. We suggest that you focus on one musical artist but the entire MUV must be instantly reconfigurable on sight for another musical artist. Let say Black Eyed Peas have a concert on a Friday night at Staples and the the MUV will be located there, but the following night, the MUV would be relocated to Anaheim for Lady Gaga on Saturday. Are there digital display or removable panels that could be reconfigured? I hope that helps. You do have to kind of “make it up.” All of the programming requirements are listed and also winning criteria will shed some light as to what we’re looking for.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Q: Is there a live competition on May 21?
A: Yes, the five finalists will be chosen out of all the eligible submitted entries and will be asked to do a 5 minute presentation in front of our all-star jury and invited guests. All the finalists will be sent Final Presentation Instructions for the presentation once the finalists are announced.
Q: Who will be choosing the finalists?
A: A separate jury comprised of an interior designer, architect, industrial designer, music/entertainment industry executive, and branding/marketing director from major firms and companies will judge the entries and choose the top five finalists.
Q: How will the five finalists be notified?
A: F3 will notify the finalist by phone, email, and post them on this site.
Q: If I’m not a finalist, am I invited to the live competition?
A. F3 will be sending out invitations to all of the entrants, design directors, design principals, industrial designers, department heads of schools and of course our all-star jury.
Q: Is it possible to have a two person team?
A: The scope and size of the MUV is such that there can only be one person submitting for the competition.
Q: It says that it's opened for 'undergraduates', and I just wanted to verify if it's exclusive to undergrads.
A: Yes, the competition is open for undergraduates only. As long as you have not registered for a "masters program" by the March 12 deadline and are still enrolled in a design program, you are still eligible.
Q: I'm interested in applying to the F3 competition and was curious about my eligibility to participate. I am currently enrolled in a Certificate program for Global Sustainability with concentration in Design-- However I am not an Arc_ID Student. I am a working professional but not in the area of furniture or interior design/architecture. I understand if this disqualifies me, but wanted to make sure before submitting my registration.
A: You don’t have to be necessarily enrolled in an Arc_ID program as long as you are a student. However, the deliverables required in the Presentation Booklet are in a format that’s typically taught in Arc-ID programs. We encourage you to talk to your program advisor if you have the necessary skills to enter. Having said that, if you are up to challenge and meeting the deliverables, you are welcome to participate.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Q. What if I have additional questions?
A: Please email to info@F3awards.com. See below for schedule:
1.11.2010 Question & Answer Period opens (updated biweekly)
2.28.2010 Last day to submit questions
3.5.2010 Final update posted to Questions and Answers
