Faculty Interactive Multimedia & Emerging Technologies Competition

Please read this information carefully, as our categories and entry requirements have changed

The Faculty Interactive Multimedia and Emerging Technologies Competition recognizes excellence in content creation and visual storytelling that demonstrates creativity and innovation in interactive, multimedia and emerging technology. 

“Interactive” refers to content that involves active participation by the intended audience, allowing the user to have some control over the engagement experience. Examples may include but are not limited to websites, kiosks, mobile apps, fixed media, or other projects.

“Multimedia” refers to content that incorporates two or more different types of media to accomplish a communication goal. Examples may include but are not limited to breaking news, feature or sports reporting, expansive social media campaigns, or other projects.

“Emerging Technologies” may include but are not limited to virtual, augmented or mixed reality; games; transmedia; geo apps; or other projects that employ emerging technologies and delivery systems in significant ways. Examples may include but are not limited to virtual or augmented reality, 360-degree imagery, games, apps, transmedia, or other projects.

The genre of the content accepted in this competition is not restricted. Examples of content may include but are not limited to news, strategic communication, sports, narratives, promotional or marketing content, religious, documentary, games and entertainment, simulations, or other content.

The intention of this competition is to review and reward faculty creative work. The categories are intended for faculty who are authors and/or hands-on producers of projects; projects utilizing professionals, or professional in-house or external production entities to create content may not enter this competition. With the exception of the mixed category, all categories in this competition are intended for projects created by faculty without the involvement of undergraduate or graduate students, except as logistical support. If students had the primary production role, the projects should be submitted to the student competition. If students were involved in the entry, please pay careful attention to the portion of the entry form requesting information about the contributions of students and provide detail about their role in the entry description.

If you are uncertain if your entry is appropriate for this competition, please don’t hesitate to contact the chair or vice chair of this competition.

Competition Categories:

Multimedia Storytelling – This category accepts entries of any stand-alone or embedded visual story incorporating multiple media, delivered via any interactive platform (including fixed media) in an innovative, interactive way. Media content, such as text, audio, video, graphics, photos and/or animation, would likely be part of these entries. Entries in this category may be published on a website or app that is or is not owned by the entrant, one that is based on a template, or stories delivered via single or multiple posts on social media platforms. The most successful entries incorporate more than 2 types of media content. Entries comprised primarily of audio content or video content without other media or significant interaction should be entered in the Festival of Media Arts Audio or Video competitions, or competitions related to the genre of the piece, even if the entry originally premiered on an interactive platform. Examples of entries in this category include but are not limited to: news stories incorporating text, video, photos and audio; photo essays incorporating digital photos, user navigation, text, and animated captions; social media stories or campaigns including text, videos, graphics, and interactive polls; audio or video podcasts incorporating art and interactive graphics; and, documentaries incorporating text, video and interactive infographics. Any story that may be difficult to locate online, such as social media, or that requires the use of specialty hardware or software, may require the entrant to create materials to showcase the work, as detailed in the competition submission requirements.

Website – This category accepts entries of any website or microsite developed to deliver interactive content serving a specific community, client, topic or need. Entries in this category may be template/theme based only if significant and effective modifications have been made to the aesthetic and interactive components of the template/theme. It is recommended that template-based entries include screenshots of the original template and other relevant information to illustrate customization. Responsive websites should be entered in this category. Videos and other multimedia elements contained within an entry will be judged, but only with regard to their contribution to the entire presentation.

Interactive Reality – This category accepts entries that create immersive, interactive realities, including but not limited to virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, or 360 photo/video production. This category may be appropriate for an entry utilizing mobile and wearable technology if the technology is required to provide functionality. Content created for wearable technology that does not provide an immersive or interactive sense of reality is likely better suited to the Mobile/Apps category of this competition. Any entry that may be difficult to locate, view, or that requires the use of specialty hardware or software may require the entrant to create materials to showcase the work, as detailed in the competition submission requirements.

Mobile/Apps – This category accepts entries that have been created exclusively for a mobile device or located in an out-of-home situation. In addition to phones and tablets, mobile devices might include wearable technology such as watches or glasses, or placed-based technology, like kiosks, displays, simulators, or a combination of technologies. Responsive websites intended to be viewed in a mobile browser, rather than a stand-alone app, should be entered in the Website category of this competition. Apps or other mobile development projects that create an immersive or altered sense of reality may be better suited to the Interactive Reality category. Any entry that may be difficult to locate, view, or that requires the use of specialty hardware or software may require the entrant to create materials to showcase the work, as detailed in the competition submission requirements.

Emerging Media & Technology – This category is suitable for any developing technology and/or media innovation that doesn’t fit the categories above. This includes but is not limited to games, transmedia, fixed media menu systems, interactive graphics or other projects that employ emerging technologies, media and delivery systems in significant, innovative ways. Any entry that may be difficult to locate, view, or that requires the use of specialty hardware or software may require the entrant to create materials to showcase the work, as detailed in the competition submission requirements.

Mixed – This category is intended for any type of project incorporating interactive media or emerging technology that was created by a combination of faculty members and students (both undergraduate and graduate). Any entry that meets the description of the above categories but utilized both faculty and student work in a significant manner must be entered in this category. Include a description of the role of faculty and the role of students in the entry description field of the entry form. If the students had the primary production role, the projects should be submitted to the student competition. Any entry that may be difficult to locate, view, or that requires the use of specialty hardware or software may require the entrant to create materials to showcase the work, as detailed in the competition submission requirements.

If you are uncertain which category is appropriate for your entry, please don’t hesitate to contact the chair or vice chair of this competition.

Submission Requirements:
Submissions should not be changed, except for required content updates, between December 15, 2022, and February 15, 2023.

Fixed media entries that cannot be submitted to the online competition portal, must be submitted on CD, DVD or USB flash drive. Fixed media must be clearly labeled with only the title of the entry (as listed on the entry form). To ensure an effective blind review process, labels should not contain any information that points to the identity of its author(s).

Send four (4) copies of your fixed media project to:

Dr. Ed Youngblood

School of Communication & Journalism

217 Tichenor Hall

Auburn University, AL

36849

Mailed entries should be postmarked by December 8, 2022, and received by the Faculty IMET Competition Chair by December 15, 2022. Entries received by mail will not be returned.

If you have questions about your entry, please don’t hesitate to contact the chair or vice chair of this competition.

Please read the Faculty Competition Rules to verify that your entry meets all eligibility requirements for submission.