Richard Findley
Established Member
Hi all
I thought I would make a post regarding the competitions from the judges (or one of them anyway!) perspective. I thought it might be helpful to those entering the competition (sorry, challenge
) to know what the judges are looking for. Perhaps Paul might like to add to my comments later.
Firstly, any judge in any competition is looking for the 2 Fs, Form and Finish. Whatever you make, you need to ensure that curves flow, straight lines or flat surfaces are just that and that all parts of the design valence and compliment each other. It is also critical that there is no torn grain, crushed grain, tool marks or catches visible on the finished job. These will immediately get marked down if not discounted entirely. On at least 2 occasions, when judging my final 5 (sounds like X Factor doesn't it!?) I have looked more closely at a piece (I can zoom you know!!) and marked them down because I have spotted a tooling issue.
Before you start designing or making your entry take a look at the judge and their work. Does a certain type or style of work appeal to them? For example, if one of the judges is a big fan of colouring and piercing you could go down that route, alternatively, if the judge is an expert in this field he might be more critical of it and so you would need to make sure your entry is top notch. And no, I'm not going to tell you my preferences, that would make it too easy, although if you look back at my comments in past competitions you might well get a feel for what I like and don't like!?
Finally (or at least until I think or anything else to add) I always off to give feedback and constructive criticism of an entry after the judging is over, only one person has ever taken me up on this offer and, without mentioning names, he has massively improved and indeed got some high placed entries. I'm not taking total credit for this but it may have helped don't you think? Take criticism and feedback on the chin and try to take it on board and improve from it. If you can't take it from others then at least be harsh with yourself!
All the best for the new year and the new year of challenges,
Richard
I thought I would make a post regarding the competitions from the judges (or one of them anyway!) perspective. I thought it might be helpful to those entering the competition (sorry, challenge
) to know what the judges are looking for. Perhaps Paul might like to add to my comments later.Firstly, any judge in any competition is looking for the 2 Fs, Form and Finish. Whatever you make, you need to ensure that curves flow, straight lines or flat surfaces are just that and that all parts of the design valence and compliment each other. It is also critical that there is no torn grain, crushed grain, tool marks or catches visible on the finished job. These will immediately get marked down if not discounted entirely. On at least 2 occasions, when judging my final 5 (sounds like X Factor doesn't it!?) I have looked more closely at a piece (I can zoom you know!!) and marked them down because I have spotted a tooling issue.
Before you start designing or making your entry take a look at the judge and their work. Does a certain type or style of work appeal to them? For example, if one of the judges is a big fan of colouring and piercing you could go down that route, alternatively, if the judge is an expert in this field he might be more critical of it and so you would need to make sure your entry is top notch. And no, I'm not going to tell you my preferences, that would make it too easy, although if you look back at my comments in past competitions you might well get a feel for what I like and don't like!?
Finally (or at least until I think or anything else to add) I always off to give feedback and constructive criticism of an entry after the judging is over, only one person has ever taken me up on this offer and, without mentioning names, he has massively improved and indeed got some high placed entries. I'm not taking total credit for this but it may have helped don't you think? Take criticism and feedback on the chin and try to take it on board and improve from it. If you can't take it from others then at least be harsh with yourself!
All the best for the new year and the new year of challenges,
Richard
