GEF/Flint Group Technical Writing Competition

2012 GEF/Flint Group Technical Writing Competition

For Technical Achievement, encouraging scholarly inquiry into technical subjects related to the gravure printing process. 

Entry Deadline: March 16, 2012

Click here to download the 2012 GEF/Flint Group Technical Writing Competition Brochure and Entry Form.

Eligibility for Submitting:

All full-time college or university students in either an undergraduate or graduate program are eligible to submit technical research papers. All work must be completed prior to graduation.

Competition Guidelines:

• Contestants submit technical research papers that address any aspect of gravure technology.
• The selected topic must be addressed comprehensively and in detail.
• Use of graphs and illustrations is strongly encouraged.

Technical Paper Organization:

The formal write-up for each Technical Writing submission should be organized as follows:

• Executive Summary: A brief summary of the problem, solution, and recommendations. The summary should be less than 300 words.
• Introduction: A description of the problem at hand and the possible courses of action that could be taken. The introduction should not include any technical or numerical data (or a minimum of such data).
• Methodology: A description of the problem data and the modeling techniques that will be used to solve the problem. This section is where the bulk of the technical and numerical data belongs.
• Results: The results should be presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format.
• Concluding Remarks: This is where the case is "wrapped-up." State that you have adequately addressed the problem at hand, discuss implementation of the solution, and state whatever concerns you may have about the recommended course of action.
• References: Material citations are to be placed here. Whichever citation style is chosen should be used consistently throughout the work.
• Appendix: Extra material such as pictures, graphs, etc., should be placed in this section.

Paper length should be approximately 10 pages or less excluding graphics and appendix. Microsoft Word document, 11 pt. font, double-spaced, and 1-inch margins.

Submission Format:

Competition submissions should be in both hard-copy and electronic formats, accompanied with a completed entry form.

Judging Criteria:

Only papers that are relevant to the gravure printing process will be reviewed. A panel of experienced persons in the gravure industry will be convened to evaluate the entries. Winning papers will be selected based on the following criteria:

• The relevancy of the topic to gravure
• The depth and comprehensiveness of the research
• The organization of material
• The clarity of presentation

Read Technical Writing: A Judge's Perspective, to learn what the judges are looking for when judging entries.

Awards

Three winners will be selected.  In addition to a cash prize, all winners will receive the Award for Technical Achievement, which includes the following:

• Invitation to 2012 Educators Breakfast
• Publication of the paper on the GAA website
• Aclnowledgement in GRAVURE Magazine

Cash prizes will be distributed as follows:

• Graduate Student Winner - $1,500
• Undergraduate 1st Place Winner - $1,000
• Undergraduate 2nd Place Winner - $500

Please note in the past, high-quality, non-winning papers were also selected for publication.

Congratulations to the 2011 Contest Winners

First Place Graduate Winner - Awadhoot Shendye, Western Michigan University - Metamerism and Color Inconstancy for Spot Color Printing

Awadhoot Shendye is graduate student of Western Michigan University. He has completed his research under Dr. Alexandra Pekarovicova. He has completed his bachelor’s degree from PVG’s COET Pune University India. He has worked in Flint Group and Hostmann-steinberg. Currently he is working in Daetwyler R & D as an intern. His interests are ink formulation, color and printed electronics.

First Place Undergraduate Winner - Daniel Triassi, CalPoly - Wallpaper

Daniel Triassi graduates in June 2011 from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a double major in Journalism and Graphic Communication. Prior to learning about Graphic Communication, his time was spent writing words that he now understands the processes behind how they are printed and produced. Originally from the Bay Area, he plans to venture back there after graduation to pursue a career in print design and production. Daniel spends most of his non-working hours perusing his favorite blogs on the Internet, traveling with friends and family and consuming his favorite Thai dishes.

Second Place Undergraduate Winner - Tessa Libby, CalPoly - Efficient and Economical Production of Electronics: Gravure Printing to Manufacture Printed Electronics

Tessa Libby was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. Since graduating high school in 2007, she has attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and will be graduating in June 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Communication. Additionally, she has a concentration in Graphics for Packaging and a minor in Packaging. While attending Cal Poly, Tessa has held various positions at UGS (University Graphic Systems), Cal Poly's student run printing company, including Marketing Intern, Marketing Manager, and Production Manager.

Congratulations to the 2010 Contest Winners

• First Place Graduate Winner - Sangmule Sangameshwar, Western Michigan University - Digital Proofing of Spot Color for Specialty Printing
• First Place Undergraduate Winner - Sarah Willis, CalPoly - Effects of Press Temperature on Print Quality
• Second Place Undergraduate Winner - William Andrew Walker, Clemson University - Sleeves, Useful for More Than Just Arm Covers?