Q & A
If you have a question not answered below or elsewhere on this website, please submit to laplus@design.upenn.edu. The only overarching rules relate to the maximum size of the design/island and conformity with the competition template. If your question is about form, function, materiality, or location of your 'island' you are limited only by your IMAGINATION.
Q: Who can enter LA+ IMAGINATION?
A: The competition is open to students and professionals from any discipline and from anywhere in the world.
Q: Can we submit a team entry?
A: Yes; however, teams are limited to a maximum of three (3) persons.
Q: Is there a specified size that the island must conform to?
A: Yes, the island cannot have greater than 1 km2 (10,763,910 square feet) of land surface area is part of the calculation.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Does land or material below sea level count toward the 1 km2 maximum?
A: No, only 'land' surface area is calculated. Submerged reefs, lagoons, and harbors below sea level are therefore exempt from the maximum area calculation.
Q: Can I subdivide my 1 km2 into more than one island?
A: Yes, so long as the total land surface area doesn’t exceed 1 km2.
Q: What material can the island be made of?
A: The material structure of the island is completely at entrants’ discretion. (Non-earth material structures still count towards the 1 km2 maximum surface area.)
Q: Can the island be any form?
A: Yes.
Q: Does the island have to be surrounded by water?
A: No. The New Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed) includes in the definition of island: “A thing resembling an island, esp. in being isolated, detached, or surrounded in some way.” Central Park in New York, The Acropolis in Athens, and the Site of Reversible Destiny in Japan, are just a few examples of ‘islands’ not surrounded by water. See the graphic on this website’s splash page for more examples, both existing and imaginary.
Q: Can my design be located on an existing island or existing land?
A: Yes, so long as the design uses no more than 1 km2 (10,763,910 square feet) of surface area.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Can my island be located somewhere other than planet Earth?
A: Yes.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Can my design have more of a metaphorical, metaphysical even, function/purpose?
A: Yes, your 'island' can have any purpose imaginable.
Q: Are there any requirements for the section on Sheet 2?
A: The section may be cut anywhere and cover any amount of territory. You must include a graphic scale.
Q: What sort of things constitute “supporting imagery” for Sheet 3?
A: Design details, views, supporting data, artistic evocations, illustrations, infographics, anything you like!
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] What's the significance of the margin lines indicated on the Competition Template?
A: Don't worry about the margin lines - they are only for reference. The main thing is that your entry conforms to the page dimensions shown on the template. Sheets 1 + 2 should be 8.75 x 10.5 inches (that's the page size of LA+ Journal) and Sheet 3 should be 17.5 x 10.5 inches (that's a full double-page spread of LA+ Journal). Images can bleed in any direction to the edge of the page. We just request that if you do use margins in your design, you take note of the margin dimensions provided. It just helps visual conformity across the publication.
Q: How important is the supporting statement?
A: The statement is an important part of your submission and will be judged along with your design. It should be under 300 words supporting the design (e.g., the text may include explanation of location, form, function/purpose, materiality, narrative, users, rationale/meaning, inspiration, etc.). The text should be of publishable quality.
Q: Should the statement appear on the image sheets?
A: No. You will be asked to input your statement separately during the submission process.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Can any text at all appear on the image sheets?
A: You can include incidental text such as labels or legends on sheet 2 (plan + section). You can do whatever you want with Sheet 3 (supporting imagery).
Q: What file formats do you accept for image submission?
A: .jpeg, .jpg, .tif, .tiff image files are accepted. Files must be under 10MB each and with a minimum of 300ppi resolution.
Q: Are there rules about anonymity and eligibility?
A: Yes. See the "Enter" page for details. Participants who breach the conditions and non-conforming entries will be disqualified.
Q: Will you accept physical/mailed submissions?
A: No. All submissions must be made digitally through the competition platform: https://laplus.slideroom.com. See the 'Enter' page on this website for more details.
Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: Yes. Payment of the competition entry fee of US $50 is the last step before submission. You'll receive official confirmation of your entry upon submission and payment. Major credit and debit cards are accepted.
Q: How do I submit my entry?
A: See the "How to Enter" section on the "Entry" page on this website. Submissions must be made through our online platform (https://laplus.slideroom.com) before June 2, 2017. You'll be asked to ‘sign up’ to a SlideRoom account to get started. Go ahead and sign up now! You can log into your account to check out requirements and finalize your entry at any time. You'll also have a chance to review your materials before final submission and you don't need to pay the entry fee until you submit.
Q: Can I enter more than once?
A: Yes, you may make multiple entries but you must make a separate application (using a new SlideRoom account under a different email address) and pay a separate fee for each entry.
Q: When will I know if I have received an award?
A: Award-winners will be announced on August 1, 2017. Contact will be made within 2 weeks of announcement to arrange transfer of prize monies.
Q: Will I be able to view the winning entries?
A: Yes, winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this website. They will also be published in LA+ IMAGINATION (spring 2018), along with interviews with each juror and other material. Even if you are not a winner, your entry may be chosen for publication and/or exhibition. See here to subscribe to LA+ Journal for $29.90/yr and receive two beautifully produced, provocative and thoughtful print issues of LA+ each year delivered to your door.
Q: If I did not win an award, how will I know if my work will appear in LA+ IMAGINATION?
A: You'll need to buy the journal in spring 2018 to find out! Select non-winning entries may be published in whole or in part.
Q: If my work is chosen for publication, how will it appear in LA+ IMAGINATION?
A: The way in which entries selected for publication appear in the journal (or associated exhibition or promotion) is solely at the disretion of LA+ Journal and will be subject to considerations of overall layout and aesthetic continuity, among other things. Selected entries may be published in whole or in part. By entering you give LA+ Journal a license to use, publish, exhibit, distribute, and make derivatives of your submitted materials. For further information, see the Conditions of Entry.
Join the LA+ mailing list for news and competition updates.
Q: Who can enter LA+ IMAGINATION?
A: The competition is open to students and professionals from any discipline and from anywhere in the world.
Q: Can we submit a team entry?
A: Yes; however, teams are limited to a maximum of three (3) persons.
Q: Is there a specified size that the island must conform to?
A: Yes, the island cannot have greater than 1 km2 (10,763,910 square feet) of land surface area is part of the calculation.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Does land or material below sea level count toward the 1 km2 maximum?
A: No, only 'land' surface area is calculated. Submerged reefs, lagoons, and harbors below sea level are therefore exempt from the maximum area calculation.
Q: Can I subdivide my 1 km2 into more than one island?
A: Yes, so long as the total land surface area doesn’t exceed 1 km2.
Q: What material can the island be made of?
A: The material structure of the island is completely at entrants’ discretion. (Non-earth material structures still count towards the 1 km2 maximum surface area.)
Q: Can the island be any form?
A: Yes.
Q: Does the island have to be surrounded by water?
A: No. The New Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed) includes in the definition of island: “A thing resembling an island, esp. in being isolated, detached, or surrounded in some way.” Central Park in New York, The Acropolis in Athens, and the Site of Reversible Destiny in Japan, are just a few examples of ‘islands’ not surrounded by water. See the graphic on this website’s splash page for more examples, both existing and imaginary.
Q: Can my design be located on an existing island or existing land?
A: Yes, so long as the design uses no more than 1 km2 (10,763,910 square feet) of surface area.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Can my island be located somewhere other than planet Earth?
A: Yes.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Can my design have more of a metaphorical, metaphysical even, function/purpose?
A: Yes, your 'island' can have any purpose imaginable.
Q: Are there any requirements for the section on Sheet 2?
A: The section may be cut anywhere and cover any amount of territory. You must include a graphic scale.
Q: What sort of things constitute “supporting imagery” for Sheet 3?
A: Design details, views, supporting data, artistic evocations, illustrations, infographics, anything you like!
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] What's the significance of the margin lines indicated on the Competition Template?
A: Don't worry about the margin lines - they are only for reference. The main thing is that your entry conforms to the page dimensions shown on the template. Sheets 1 + 2 should be 8.75 x 10.5 inches (that's the page size of LA+ Journal) and Sheet 3 should be 17.5 x 10.5 inches (that's a full double-page spread of LA+ Journal). Images can bleed in any direction to the edge of the page. We just request that if you do use margins in your design, you take note of the margin dimensions provided. It just helps visual conformity across the publication.
Q: How important is the supporting statement?
A: The statement is an important part of your submission and will be judged along with your design. It should be under 300 words supporting the design (e.g., the text may include explanation of location, form, function/purpose, materiality, narrative, users, rationale/meaning, inspiration, etc.). The text should be of publishable quality.
Q: Should the statement appear on the image sheets?
A: No. You will be asked to input your statement separately during the submission process.
Q: [PUBLIC SUBMITTED] Can any text at all appear on the image sheets?
A: You can include incidental text such as labels or legends on sheet 2 (plan + section). You can do whatever you want with Sheet 3 (supporting imagery).
Q: What file formats do you accept for image submission?
A: .jpeg, .jpg, .tif, .tiff image files are accepted. Files must be under 10MB each and with a minimum of 300ppi resolution.
Q: Are there rules about anonymity and eligibility?
A: Yes. See the "Enter" page for details. Participants who breach the conditions and non-conforming entries will be disqualified.
Q: Will you accept physical/mailed submissions?
A: No. All submissions must be made digitally through the competition platform: https://laplus.slideroom.com. See the 'Enter' page on this website for more details.
Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: Yes. Payment of the competition entry fee of US $50 is the last step before submission. You'll receive official confirmation of your entry upon submission and payment. Major credit and debit cards are accepted.
Q: How do I submit my entry?
A: See the "How to Enter" section on the "Entry" page on this website. Submissions must be made through our online platform (https://laplus.slideroom.com) before June 2, 2017. You'll be asked to ‘sign up’ to a SlideRoom account to get started. Go ahead and sign up now! You can log into your account to check out requirements and finalize your entry at any time. You'll also have a chance to review your materials before final submission and you don't need to pay the entry fee until you submit.
Q: Can I enter more than once?
A: Yes, you may make multiple entries but you must make a separate application (using a new SlideRoom account under a different email address) and pay a separate fee for each entry.
Q: When will I know if I have received an award?
A: Award-winners will be announced on August 1, 2017. Contact will be made within 2 weeks of announcement to arrange transfer of prize monies.
Q: Will I be able to view the winning entries?
A: Yes, winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this website. They will also be published in LA+ IMAGINATION (spring 2018), along with interviews with each juror and other material. Even if you are not a winner, your entry may be chosen for publication and/or exhibition. See here to subscribe to LA+ Journal for $29.90/yr and receive two beautifully produced, provocative and thoughtful print issues of LA+ each year delivered to your door.
Q: If I did not win an award, how will I know if my work will appear in LA+ IMAGINATION?
A: You'll need to buy the journal in spring 2018 to find out! Select non-winning entries may be published in whole or in part.
Q: If my work is chosen for publication, how will it appear in LA+ IMAGINATION?
A: The way in which entries selected for publication appear in the journal (or associated exhibition or promotion) is solely at the disretion of LA+ Journal and will be subject to considerations of overall layout and aesthetic continuity, among other things. Selected entries may be published in whole or in part. By entering you give LA+ Journal a license to use, publish, exhibit, distribute, and make derivatives of your submitted materials. For further information, see the Conditions of Entry.
Join the LA+ mailing list for news and competition updates.
