The jury involves a group of qualified artists who come together to evaluate a finished design or artifact and make constructive and creative suggestions for improvement. It is also a way of evaluating a graphic design job, especially if it is intended for a contest, exam, campaign, commission, etc. In this sense, the jury issues a ruling and awards prizes or points to the works. Elements of the work that deserve the attention of the jury members include the format and orientation of the article, the placement of the text, the headlines, the illustration, the harmony or contrast of colors and the visual appeal.
The jury system does not judge the suitability of a work or award points based on the intuition of the members. However, his considered criticisms are based on some established criteria accepted for competent productions in the area of graphic design. These criteria are explained below.
1. Creativity and originality shown by the artist
Team members look for evidence of originality or uniqueness in the artist’s creation. They wonder ‘What novelty has this artist brought?’ or ‘what has he added to that area of graphic design that he wasn’t there before?’
2. Adaptation of the work to its theme or objective
Usually, when a project work is assigned in the field of graphic design, it comes with a theme. For example, ‘Make a shopping bag to buy a birthday present for a friend.’ Therefore, the final work is evaluated on this topic. The choice of design, colors, lettering style, and package construction should resonate with this theme. If the choice of design does not correlate to the birthday, or is not feminine to be worn by a woman, then the production goal was not achieved.
3. Importance of colors and how they are used
Graphic artists display their supreme knowledge of color psychology and symbolism in their mastery of selecting colors that suit the subject or occasion on which they will be used. For example, the production of items for joyful occasions such as Christmas requires the use of cheerful or bright colors, while products intended for solemn occasions, such as funeral signs, require the use of somber colors such as brown, red, or burgundy. black.
4. Technical competence or finish
This refers to the skill of the artist that is displayed in the use and application of the tools and materials for production. Likewise, it seeks to judge the work based on the rubrics of the designed graphic communication tool. For example, if the product is a poster, does it meet accepted standards of poster design, such as legibility of text, clarity of illustrations, and harmony in choice of colors? In addition, the final appearance must be aesthetically pleasing and attractive, without giving rise to complaints from potential customers.
5. Study evidence (written report including introduction, tools and materials used, processes, illustrations, etc. used for the work)
This is important in projects intended for academic purposes, such as grading students in high school or at tertiary institutions. To want the project to be executed solely by the candidate, the candidate must describe the processes that were carried out to reach the final production in a written report. In addition, it will provide the members of the jury with information on the steps of the procedure, the tools and materials, as well as the finishing technique used by the artist for the production.
A jury team is essential in the full development of the skills of both amateur and mature graphic artists. The points listed below illustrate some of the benefits of a jury.
1. Helps determine the qualification criteria in a competition.
2. Sets the standard for grading work as excellent, very good, good, average, etc.
3. Determines the adequacy of the text, illustration or color to the objective or theme of the project.
4. It serves as a means of analysis, criticism and interpretation of works.
5. It allows designers or competitors to interpret their works.
6. Help recommend the best works for prizes or awards.
7. Encourages critical thinking.
8. Provide a variety of solutions to a pressing need.
9. Improves efficiency.
10. Build capacity for effective evaluation.
11. Build self-image and confidence.
12. Prepares the artist for the world of work.