This page lists the requirements for sanctioning a graphics-based and multimedia-based competition for the awarding of Clusters of Graphite. All graphics or multimedia competitions that award Clusters of Graphite must go through Herald Staff approval before final approval by the MAA Staff.
Important Note: If a competition is being submitted without the intention of seeking Clusters of Graphite, a competition archetype for that will remain available through regular channels.
Herald Office Competition Approval Guidelines
Required Elements
- Original artwork - This is likely the most important aspect of any graphics or multimedia competition. Organizers must create competitions requiring original drawn, rendered or otherwise created work by the participants. Only competitions with prompts requiring original content connected to the Star Wars universe or the Dark Jedi Brotherhood will be considered eligible for Clusters of Graphite.
Special note: Any photo-manipulation artwork or multimedia project containing fairuse images must include links to source images and credit links to original authors to be considered valid. Disqualifications or invalid entries will not be granted clusters.
- Clear Grading Criteria - While we encourage you to use the official Dark Brotherhood Graphics Grading Rubric v.2.0 (updated on on 03/16/2017) it is not a requirement and, indeed, it is often preferred that the grading criteria suit the particular competition, but it is here for your convenience. As long as the criteria are clearly stated, it will be sufficient for this requirement. These grading criteria must be stated in the public details portion of the competition.
- Separation Between Prompt and Instructions - When submitting a graphics or multimedia competition, there needs to be a clear separation between the prompt and grading criteria and other instructions. This can be through the use of headings, bold/italic text, or other methods to create a clear delineation in the final product. It is suggested, though not required, that all prompt information should be in the Details for Participants section.
DJB Wide Competitions
As DJB wide events tend to have an increased award level and much wider exposure, the Herald office will look at such events with enhanced scrutiny. As such, there will be added requirements for approval of a DJB wide event as detailed below:
- Duration and Timing - the suggested run-time for DJB-wide events is 14-21 days. Events that would run during a Club-wide Vendetta (exp. GJW) may be remanded or rejected due to overlap.
- Prompts - For DJB-wide events, prompts must be applicable and of interest to the entire Brotherhood. Further, they can not offer different options for individual clans as this might give members of one clan an advantage over another.
- Grading Criteria - It is greatly preferred that DJB wide competitions use the official DB Graphics Grading Rubric. Any changes to this formula must be explicitly spelled out in the event description.
- Documentation and Feedback - When DJB wide events are being judged, the grading rubric must be filled out for each entry. These will be subject to verification by Herald Office staff as needed. They should also be made available to those seeking feedback on their work.
Organizer help
Graphics/Multimedia competition subtypes
To help Organizers along, we have developed several graphics or multimedia competition subtypes as drafts and ideas that you may freely use as you wish. These are all suggestions and may be changed at your discretion:
Standard Competition Type
As its name suggest, this is the usual graphics or multimedia template. The objective may be anything from drawing a simple sketch or making a low resolution render, to drawing a full illustration or creating a masterpiece.
Grading: Official Herald Graphics Rubric is suggested.
Tutorial (GFX/Multimedia)
Objective: Create a Tutorial based on a topic. Topics may include: 2d art (drawing, coloring, etc.) or 3D art (sculpting, rendering, etc.) or Multimedia programs and techniques.
Grading: Clarity of information (35%), Effort/Detail (40%), Adherence to theme (15%), Personal artistic preference (10%)
Progression Competition Type
Objective: The objective here MUST BE CLEAR. The purpose of these types of competitions is to see the visual progression and advancement in the artist’s technique. All sub competitions should have roughly the same theme (human body drawings, inanimate objects, landscapes, nature, perspective, etc.
Grading: Visual effort/Detail (50%), Adherence to theme (25%), Technique (15%), Personal artistic preference (10%)
Graphics competition template
This is a standard template the herald staff uses in their competitions. It is here for you to use as you see fit in your own competitions:
- Objective: The prompt, theme or topic of the competition.
- How to Submit: Through the site. Formats: .png, .jpg., .gif.
- How we are Grading: Herald Graphics Grading Rubric
- Important Additional Information: Anything of import not covered in the rest.
- Useful tools are: Suggest tools that members can use to achieve their goal. Usually link freeware graphics programs like GIMP.