Behind the Curtain: Tips for Improving Your Juried Application

Recently, I was a juror for an exhibition using CaFE for entry and for review of the submissions.

It was a real eye opening experience to be on the other side of the CaFE curtain discussed in previous posts here on Crafthaus and ASK Harriete.

In SEVERAL posts on ASK Harriete , I will make specific suggestions to help artists improve their juried application on CaFE.

For Crafthaus, I will include an abridged version.

The most important point is that if artists and makers don't do everything they can to fine tune their juried application, they are hurting their chances of selection.

As a juror on many occasions, I am heart broken when I see applicants make obvious errors that most likely mean they are "out." Here are links to posts on this topic including a review of Craig Nutt of Zapplication.

Zapplication: Behind the scenes by Craig Nutt

Photo Comparisons and Descriptions - Now Optimize Your Submission

Juried Submissions: What information do jurors really take into con...

Behind the CaFE Curtain: Tips to Improve Your Statement Information

Behind the CaFE Curtain: Submit Images Early to Improve Your CaFE A...

CaFE, Behind the Curtain: Tips for Improving Your CaFE Juried Appli...

CaFE, Behind the Curtain: Challenges for a Juror Using CaFE

CaFE, Behind the Curtain: Insights as a Juror Using CaFE

The Professional Guidelines includes a document titled:

TOP TEN TIPS for Getting Into a Juried Exhibition, Show, Book or Ma....

This documents was prepared with the guidance of many experienced professionals.
The first four tips are critical to success.

TIP #1. DAZZLE THE JURY WITH AMAZING IMAGES!
TIP #2. DYNAMIC DETAIL IMAGES ARE KEY.
TIP #3. DO NOT SEND A BAD IMAGE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
TIP #4. CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE ARRANGEMENT OR ORDER OF THE IMAGES CHOSEN.

Read the TOP TEN TIPS for Getting Into a Juried Exhibition, Show, Book or Ma... for more explanation.

The first two tips seem obvious. Fabulous photos are your most important step to success. I've talked myself blue in the face....but why would anyone waste money on jury fees with bad images.

Detail images need to offer information, information, information.

Make sure that the detail image will be shown after the full view. This is where TIP #4. is sooooo.... important. CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE ARRANGEMENT OR ORDER OF THE IMAGES CHOSEN.

Don't count on the juror being able to look back and forth with the previous image on CaFE. Te detail image is a wasted opportunity to impress the juror.

THE VERY UNFORTUNATE REALITY is that the jurors on CaFE are looking at 500 x 500 pixel images. This is very small. Why in the world are artists required to upload 1920 x 1920 pixels if the jurors only see a 500 pixel maximum. Insult after injury!

Summary of recommendations when submitting images to CaFE:

Submit an image that is 1920 x 1920 (without a black mask on the edge.)
Submit images that are properly lit with clearly defined edges.
A lighter background for your image might look better than a dark background on CaFE.
If you need to create a black mask for your CaFE images the edges should be solid black.

If you want to improve your success in juried situation print the TOP TEN TIPS and study the document.

THINK about how you can applying these principles to your application.

STRATEGIZE and PLAN. Being an artist or maker is not an "easy A "in high school.

WORKING SMART are incredibly important.

TOP TEN TIPS for Getting Into a .... Juried Exhibition, Craft Show,...

TIP #1.   DAZZLE THE JURY WITH AMAZING IMAGES!
TIP #2.   DYNAMIC DETAIL IMAGES ARE KEY.
TIP #3.   DO NOT SEND A BAD IMAGE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
TIP #4.   CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE ARRANGEMENT OR ORDER OF THE IMAGES CHOSEN.
TIP #5.   AVOID AMBIGUITY IN YOUR IMAGES, DESCRIPTIONS AND APPLICATION
TIP #6.   CONSIDER YOUR ENTRY THOUGHTFULLY AND STRATEGICALLY.
TIP #7.   FILL OUT THE APPLICATION NEATLY AND COMPLETELY.
TIP #8.   ALWAYS LABEL YOUR IMAGES.
TIP #9.   PLAN CAREFULLY TO MEET ALL DEADLINES.
TIP #10.  BOOTH IMAGES NEED TO BE FANTASTIC!