General Questions
Q: What is the goal of the CERtoon competition?
A: So much doom and gloom surrounds environmental issues! We thought it was about time to use humor as a way to educate people about conservation. CERtoon's goal is to raise awareness about carbon emission in a creative, unusual way.
Q: What is Harvard's Greenhouse Gas Goal?
A: Harvard is aiming to reduce it's greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below 2006 levels by the year 2016. They hope to to a majority of the reductions through improving energy efficiency, behavioral change and infrastructural improvements. They are also looking into renewable energy opportunities on campus, like the solar panels on the Science Center and the wind turbines on Holyoke Center. Learn more about Harvard's greenhouse gas goal.
Q: How will the cartoons be used?
A: The cartoons will be made into a traveling art exhibition that will visit the schools, departments, residence halls, administrative offices and social spots around campus. In addition, the works will be exhibited in public spaces, such as cafes and libaries, around Cambridge. They will also be used for REP study breaks and various FAS Green Program and OFS publications. We hope the cartoons will be an effective tool to broaden the 'green' audience at Harvard.
Q: Who is allowed to enter the competition?
A: The CERtoon competition is open to all Harvard FAS students and staff. Each individual is allowed to be associated with up to three entries.
Q: When is the deadline?
A: 5:00PM, Thursday, March 5th, 2009
Q: When will the winners be chosen?
A: The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Mid April, location TBD.
Q: Who is going to judge the cartoons?
A: Submissions will be first reviewed by a 4-member Office for Sustainability committee. The 30 best artworks will then pass to the 2nd round, where a 7-person committee comprised of diverse members of the Harvard community will judge it based on topical relevance, use of humor, aesthetic appeal, creativity, and uniqueness. During a two-week voting period (March 9th-23), all students will have an opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite entries in their house. The judging panel will factor in the results of the student vote.
Q: What criteria will the judges use?
A: Cartoons will be judged on their topical relevance, creativity, uniqueness, use of humor, and aesthetic appeal. If you have a great idea for a cartoon but do not draw well, we encourage you to find a partner who does - your likelihood of being in the top 15 will be higher.
Q: What kinds of prizes are available?
A: The top prize is an Ipod Touch. The second and third place winners receive either an 8GB Microsoft Zune or $200 in Cash. The rest of the 15 won gift certificates to a variety of local businesses. There is one prize per winning entry. For more information on this year's prizes, visit the Sponsor page.
Technical Questions
Q: What media can I use to create my cartoon?
A: Cartoons can be computer-generated or created using traditional media like paper, pencil, ink or paint. If your cartoon falls into the first category, please convert the file into a .jpeg, .pdf, or .gif file before sending Brandon_Geller@harvard.edu. This year we will accept flash animations but we will need a storyboard with each flash animation in order to display the submission in our exhibitions. Be creative!
Q: How can I submit my cartoon?
A: You can mail or hand deliver your entry (paper
or CD) to Brandon Geller, Office for Sustainabilility, 46 Blackstone Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, or email your electronic file to Brandon_Geller@harvard.edu.
If you email your entry, make sure to fill out and email the submission form as well. Please make sure you label each submitted cartoon carefully
including your name(s) and the title of the entry. Please be sure to keep a digital or paper copy of your cartoon and completed submission form!
Q: What information needs to be submitted along with my cartoon?
A: Please include your name and ID number on the back of the cartoon itself in addition to filling out the submission form. Please sign or initial your artwork in the lower right hand side corner.
Q: Are animations
allowed?
A: Yes, this year we will accept Flash animation.
Please don't forget to send the submission
form with your animation file. We also will need a storyboard in cartoon format with each animation file in order to display the entry with the other CERtoons.
Q: Can I work with someone else on the cartoon?
A: Yes, we are accepting joint entries. However, cartoons must be original and attributable to FAS students and staff.
