Below are some frequently asked questions about the Design Awards to help you prepare your portfolio binder.

Is the deadline received by or post marked by?
When will I receive the submission packet?
What is my submission number?
How is my portfolio returned to me?
My project could go in more than one category, which one do I use?
If I can't put my name on the portfolio how will AIANYS know who it is from?
What should I put in the project narrative page?
What needs to be in the "Concealed Information" envelope?
What needs to be on the cd?
If submitting multiple projects can they all be on one cd?
Why did I send my registration to one address and am sending the portfolio to another?

Q: Is the deadline received by or post marked by?
A: Post marked is fine.

Q: When will I receive the submission packet?
A: AIANYS does not send out submission binders or packets, you can use your own binder and follow the guidelines on the website http://www.aianys.org/design_guidelines.html

Q: What is my submission number?
A: AIANYS will assign a random number to the portfolio when we receive it.

Q: How is my portfolio returned to me?
A: Just include a shipping envelope/label with the portfolio and we will return them after the competition. Do not use a meter mail machine as they are dated. FedEx or UPS are preferred, but if you want us to mail it back, use stamps. If your project is one of the winners we will keep the binders until after the convention. CDs of the projects will not be returned.

Q: My project could go in more than one category, which one do I use?
A: Many projects can fit in more than one category. Try to pick the best category for your project. If you have it narrowed down to a couple of categories and still can't decide which to submit as, try to fill in this blank. "And winning an Award in the ________ category is My Project." Since one of the benefits of winning is the publicity and notoriety, what kind of work would you like your firm to be known for?

Q: If I can't put my name on the portfolio how will you know who it is from?
A: Please include the checklist attached (paper clip or small piece of tape) to the cover of the portfolio, which we will remove as we receive the portfolios. But the portfolios themselves can not have any names in the project description or in and of the photos, except for the concealed information in the sealed envelope. If the jury finds an architects name in or on the binder the project will be disqualified.

Q: What should I put in the project narrative page?
A: The first page of the portfolio is for the project narrative. This page will give a brief overview of the project. You should state the project name, location, completion date, category, and description of the project. Please keep the descriptions short, remember that the jury will be looking at hundreds of portfolios, and a full page of 8 point calligraphy font might look pretty, but the jury can only read so many of them. Hit the high points, Why this project is different, What makes it stand out, What were the unique challenges of the project/building/space/location and how did you solve them. There are no rules as to what you can put in the description, but you have a few paragraphs to talk about what excites you about this project to convey that to another architect.

Q: What needs to be in the "Concealed Information" envelope?
A: The concealed information should be in a plain envelope in the back of the portfolio, typed on company letterhead; it should include:

• Identification of the architect(s), full design and construction credits listed in the manner desired to appear on a citation or photo caption.
• Credits listed must include name and address of all design firm(s) and persons substantially contributing to the design of the project including:
  • client's name
  • contractor's
  • construction manager's name(s)
  • firm name and address of consultant(s)
  • project's name and location
  • photo credits.

Q: What needs to be on the cd?
A: The CD will have all the information for the project.

• Word document of the project narrative
• Word Document of the concealed information
• Word Document of the photo credits
• jpg images of the project

Q: If submitting multiple projects can they all be on one cd?
A: Yes, this not only makes it easier for you, but helps us and saves disks. Please place each project in a different folder on the disk, give the folder the same name as the project. CDS will not be returned.

Q: Why did I send my registration to one address and am sending the portfolio to another?
A: We moved. As of May 4th the new office of AIANYS is located at 52 South Pearl Street, 3rd Floor, Albany, NY 12207. US Mail will be forwarded to our new office; FedEx, UPS, and other delivery companies will not forward your packages. Please be sure to use the new address when sending the portfolio.

If you have a question that is not listed here please feel free to call us at 518/449-3334 or email at aianys@aianys.org