Thank you to our 2024 IOR Participants.
All 2024 submissions and semi-finalists can be viewed on our virtual gallery.
Technical Requirements for Submissions
All Entry Submissions must be high resolution, as semi finalist and winning entries will be printed for the Images of Research Exhibition.
To qualify for the competition, your image must be at 200 dpi using our online Image and Resolution Tool (12"x18" or 15"x15" image size).
- Should you have questions about your file, please contact Jay Friesen, PD Instructional Designer (GPS) at jayf@ualberta.ca
Other considerations include:
- The images can be .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .tiff file formats only
- Your image quality needs to be at a minimum of 200 dpi, as per the tool above
- If your image does not correspond to the above aspect ratios, the IOR Team will resize the image only for printing. For the purposes of judging and online display, your image will remain consistent with your submission
The following tips ensure the best image quality for your submissions:
- Do not resample your submission in Photoshop (or similar) to increase the size or dpi
- Avoid digital zoom when taking photos; instead, rely on optical zoom. To learn more, consult this resource
- When shooting, try to stabilize the camera as much as possible to avoid blurring
- Choose appropriate lighting conditions that help enhance the colour and clarity of the image
- Make sure to send in the highest-resolution version of your image
- When using your phone, use the “JPEG max” or “Original Size” settings to avoid compression
You can also watch recordings of:
Additional Requirements
Title and Short Description
All Entry Submissions must have a title and be accompanied by a short description (max.1200 characters), including what the image portrays and how it relates to your research.
The title you choose for your image and your description should effectively communicate their relationship to your image and your research. Consider the following questions:
- Do the title and description clearly relate to the image?
- Does the image effectively represent your research according to the accompanying description?
- Does the entire package (image, title, description) make sense in the context of your research?
The Creation Process
Additionally, a critical aspect of your submission should be a detailed discussion about the creation process of the image (max.1200 characters). This should involve an explanation of the techniques, tools, or methods used in creating the image. It's important to articulate how these aspects of the creation process are connected to your research. This additional information can provide valuable context and depth, helping the judges understand the connection between your image and your research more thoroughly.
Alt Text Description
To enhance the accessibility of the Entry Submission, each must also include an Alt text (alternative text) description. This description should succinctly convey the essence and details of the image for those who are unable to view it, such as individuals using screen readers. The Alt text must be clear and concise (max. 125 characters), ensuring it effectively communicates the visual aspects relevant to the research depicted in the image.
Competition Criteria and Judging
Images that have met the technical requirements will be judged according to the following competition criteria:
- Overall originality/creativity
- Aesthetic appeal of the image
- Relationship between image and the Entrant’s research
- Clarity of the written description and title
Within the context of the above criteria, all aspects of qualifying Entry Submissions are considered, including typos, exceeding maximum word length, etc.
DISCLAIMER
It is your responsibility to ensure that your submission meets all required specifications. Entry Submissions not fully meeting the required specifications will be returned to the competitor, along with the criteria required to fix their submission within five (5) business days.