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The Challenge
Rethink the Windows-based PC experience today and the role it plays in people's
lives. Envision how form factor influences the digital lifestyle-from personal
productivity at work or home, to entertainment, mobility and lifestyle. Think
big, be bold, be inspired, but pay attention to sustainable technologies, and
ecological and environmental innovation.
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Competition Timeline
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March 27, 2006:
Competition announced, entry kits available for download.
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August 15, 2006 through December 18, 2006, 11:59 pm EST:
online entry submission is open. Entries must be submitted online by 11:59 pm
EST.
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January 5, 2007:
A hard copy of entry materials must be received by Microsoft by close of
business day.
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January 6, 2007 through February 5, 2007:
Entries will be judged and qualifying Finalists will be selected by a
distinguished panel of IDSA-member judges from the International PC and
industrial design community.
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February 9 - March 23, 2007:
Finalist entries will be posted on www.nextgendesigncomp.com visitors will be
invited to vote for their favorite entry to determine the Public's Choice
Award.
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May, 2007: Winners will be announced at the 2007 WinHec
Conference.
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Who can Enter?
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Open to amateur, student and professional industrial designers who are 14 years
or older at the time of entry, however residents of the following countries are
ineligible to participate: Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.
Students do not need to be enrolled in an industrial design program to
participate and student entries can be submitted in any category, even if the
design is in research or corporately funded.
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Employees of Microsoft Corporation, IDSA and their immediate family members
(sibling, child, parent, spouse or anyone living in the same household as an
employee) are not eligible to enter.
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Employees of organizations and students at schools represented on the jury may
not participate in the competition. Judges will be named on or around April
14th, 2006.
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Multiple people may collaborate on an entry (so long as all meet the
eligibility requirements stated above), however, only a single person may
submit an entry and the prize will only be awarded to that person. Microsoft
and the IDSA are not responsible for any decisions regarding re-distribution of
prize money within a team.
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Entries may be sponsored by corporations, but no entries may be in production
during the course of the competition.
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Design Categories
Designs for practically any Windows-based PC design concept may be entered;
however challenges of manufacturability should be considered. Entrants may
submit one unique entry per category (for a total of 4 entries per person)
based on primary role/benefit of the design as related to the digital lifestyle
challenge and reinforced in the essay questions:
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Personal Productivity
(at work, at home or on the go)
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Entertainment
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Communication & Mobility
(at work, at home or on the go)
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Living and Lifestyle**
**Living and lifestyle category provides for a more free-form exploration,
reducing emphasis on manufacturability as judging criteria to focus on more
forward-looking scenarios.
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Judging Criteria / Judging Process
All eligible entries will be reviewed based on the criteria listed below, each
to be weighted equally. Each entry will be scored on its own rating sheet based
on how well it meets the criteria of design excellence described below. Those
entries which in the judge's sole opinion best meet the criteria listed below
will be named Finalists and posted online for public voting.
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Innovation:
is the design new and unique?
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User Experience/Interaction:
in what ways does the design make the PC easier to use?
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Aesthetics:
how does the appearance enhance the emotional appeal of the product?
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Technical ability:
how is the design enhanced with new technologies?
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Ecology: how is the design environmentally responsible?
Other judging considerations:
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Manufacturability including thermal cooling and noise reduction
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Market viability
Any Peripheral component design concepts included with an entry (e.g. Cell
Phone, Digital Media Receiver, Printer, Portable Media Player, etc) will be
considered during the judging process to help aid in answering the challenge
statement.
The judging is blind: the designers, their names and the names of their
consulting firms or schools may not appear anywhere in the entry kit other than
the Design Credit List.doc. Failure to abide by this rule results in
immediate disqualification.
The decisions of the judges are final and binding in all matters related to
this contest. The judges reserve the right to not award a prize if in their
sole opinion no entries meet the minimum standards of the criteria listed
below.
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Prizes
A total of five (5) winners will be selected from among qualified entries in
all categories:
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Judge's Award 1st, 2nd & 3rd place- Prize $25,000 US, $15,000 US,
$10,000 US
Selected by a distinguished panel of IDSA-member judges from the International
PC and industrial design community.
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Chairman's Award - Prize $25,000 US
Selected by Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect, with
the assistance of his advisory committee.
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Public's Choice Award - Prize $10,000 US
Selected via public vote.
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Educator Award: If a student entry wins, the faculty advisor
named in the entry will receive a $2,500 US prize, or a $2,500 US grant will be
awarded to their school, in compliance with public sector gift rules.
All prize values in U.S. Dollars. Any applicable taxes on the prize or expenses
not listed herein are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). Prizes may be
subject to U.S. withholding taxes and non-U.S. winners may be required to
complete an IRS W8-BEN. No barter, transfer, or assignment of any prize
permitted, except by Sponsor at its sole discretion.
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Publicity & Exposure
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Microsoft, as sponsor, will promote finalists' and winners' designs in press
and industry outreach, as well as sustain the website after launch as a
resource for the industry at-large and enthusiast browsing.
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Winners will be showcased online on Microsoft properties including but not
limited to www.nextgendesigncomp.com,
with attribution.
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At the completion of judging, the site will serve as a virtual directory of ID
talent, connecting businesses with entrants who explicitly opt-in during time
of submission.
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Winners will be showcased jointly by Microsoft and the IDSA at the 2007 WinHec
Conference and the 2007 Icsid/IDSA Connecting '07 World Design Congress.
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Winners will be published in the Summer 2007 issue of Innovation and in IDSA's
other print and web media.
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Submission Process
1. Review All Entry Requirements
Please download the entry kit and review all materials provided as well as
Entry Rules & Terms of Use prior to submission. Be sure to review all items
in the Entry Kit including tips and resources for additional inspiration and/or
consideration.
2. Submit online Entry
Submission will take place in two parts. Both parts are necessary for your
entry to be accepted.
Online submissions will be open between August 15, 2006 and 11:59 pm EST,
December 18, 2006. Details on online submission criteria can be found in the
Entry Kit.
An entrant may submit an entry in each of the four categories, however, each
entry must be substantially unique, and may only be submitted in a single
category. In other words, you may NoT submit the same entry in multiple
categories. If a single entry is submitted in multiple categories, it will be
disqualified from the competition.
By submitting your entry, you agree that any or all of the material may be
published and utilized by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA),
Microsoft, and any other party authorized by IDSA and/or Microsoft in
connection with the awards.
Designs must adhere to entry kit criteria. Entrant names and the names of their
consulting firms or schools may not appear anywhere in the entry kit.
Use of Microsoft and/or IDSA and/or ICSID branding, the Microsoft Windows flag,
and/or copyrighted Microsoft elements not provided for in the entry kit are
strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification. All Entry materials
must be submitted in English. The application must have been created solely by
the entrant(s), and the entrant(s) must have a non-restricted right to submit
it in this Competition. The entry cannot defame or invade publicity rights or
privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any
person's personal or proprietary rights. Modifying, enhancing or altering a
third party's pre-existing work does not qualify as entrant's original
creation. Entry may not be offensive, as determined by judges in their sole
discretion. Any entrant whose work includes likenesses of third parties or
contains elements not owned by the entrant (such as, but not limited to
depictions of buildings, trademarks or logos) must be able to provide legal
releases for such use including Sponsor's use of such entry, in a form
satisfactory to judges.
Entries not complying with all rules are subject to disqualification.
Required
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Entrant must obtain a free Windows Live ID.
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Completed Entry Questions (Word .doc or RTF in English language)
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Completed Designer Credit List (Word .doc or RTF in English language)
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One Thumbnail glamour shot*
image (.jpg or .gif, 120px x 120px, 72dpi)
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One .zip compressed file containing up to ten (10) color or black and white
photo illustrations, in Web-standard .jpg format (no larger than 72dpi, 800px
x600px) or single .jpg/.gif image glamour shot meeting above. Note: Submissions
showing a monitor with a display must contain either the enclosed wallpaper
image or a black screen.
* A glamour shot is an illustration or photo that best represents the
design—the one picture you would show if you were limited to one.
Optional
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One-page research summary attached to Entry questions.
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Windows Media Video (WMV) not to exceed 2 minutes and 3 MB in size; a longer
WMV will be accepted via mail-in CD media. You must indicate clearly on the
hard copy that there is a video in the materials.
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Images containing peripheral component design concepts (e.g. Cell Phone,
Digital Media Receiver, Printer, Portable Media Player, etc.) may be included
if they help to support but not to exceed total of 10 images submitted.
Once your entry is submitted for review, you will receive an Entry Kit ID
number for tracking your submission.
The names of the designers, or school or company affiliations should not
appear anywhere on the submission material except in the Design Credit List
doc. The Entry Kit ID number that you get when your submission is
accepted should be used to identify your mail-in printed materials. Failure to
comply with this rule will result in immediate disqualification.
3. Await Confirmation E-Mail
You will receive a confirmation e-mail with approval status once your entry has
been reviewed. Most submissions are reviewed for compliance with entry rules
within 4-7 business days. Entries are not to be considered eligible for judging
until 1) A confirmation email with unique entry number is received, noting that
all entry kit requirements have been met and 2) CD/DVD submission of
print-ready images plus hard copies of all entry materials has been received.
If your submission is declined, you will receive an e-mail detailing the
eligibility requirements not met. If the deadline for online submissions has
not yet passed, you may make adjustments to your entry from the My Entries
page, without re-entering all of your information.
Hard Copy Mailing: once a submission is approved, a
confirmation email will be provided with an entry ID number and the mailing
address for your hard copies via traceable courier. Do not send your material
to IDSA. Mail-in material must be received by Microsoft to the address provided
by January 5, 2007, 11:59 pm EST without exception or extension. Details on
requirements are listed in the Entry Checklist section of this document.
You must submit your entry online between August 15, 2006 and 11:59 pm EST,
December 18, 2006, followed up with print and supplemental materials mailed to
the Microsoft address specified in your submission approval email by January 5,
2007 at 11:59 pm EST. Please factor this deadline into your submission. Both
online and mail-in materials must be provided. The hard copy materials must be
exactly the same as the online materials, and must indicate clearly if there is
a video in the materials. Please read the Competition Rules for complete
details below. No registration fee is required.
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Place your Entry Kit ID # on the envelope of your entry. This is how your
design will be identified. You may include a printed paper with the ID number
in your kit to ensure readability.
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All materials included in the online submission must be printed out and
included. All materials must be exactly the same as those submitted online.
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Two (2) CD or DVD discs containing Windows XP PC-readable images (300dpi,
1280px x 1024px minimum) including the glamour shot in a compatible format
(e.g. .PNG, .JPG .PSD)
Please make sure to put your entry kit number on your pictures and
supporting material and be sure not to include your name or your design firm's
name anywhere. No physical models will be accepted.
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General Conditions
The laws of the State of Washington in the United States govern this
Competition. All federal, provincial, state, and local laws and regulations
apply. Potential winners may be required to execute and return an Affidavit of
Eligibility and Liability Release and where legal, Publicity Release, within 14
days following the date of issuance of notification. Non-compliance within this
time period or return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may
result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Acceptance of
prize constitutes permission for Microsoft Corporation, IDSA and their agents
to use winner's name and likeness for advertising and promotional purposes
without additional compensation unless prohibited by law. By entering,
participants release and hold harmless Microsoft Corporation and its respective
subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotions agencies, prize suppliers,
and all of their employees, officers, directors, shareholder's and agents from
any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from
or in connection with this Competition, the use of any entry, or the acceptance
or use of any prize won.
By entering, each entrant grants to Microsoft (including its affiliates,
employees, agents, and contractors), IDSA and the Competition Judges an
irrevocable, royalty free, fully paid up, worldwide license to use, review,
assess, test and otherwise analyze the Application and all its content in
connection with this Competition. Microsoft shall be free to use for any
purpose the residuals resulting from access to or work with the Entrants'
Applications. The term "residuals" means information in intangible form, which
is retained in memory by persons who have had access to the Applications,
including ideas, concepts, know-how, or techniques contained therein. Microsoft
shall not have any obligation to limit or restrict the assignment of such
persons or to pay royalties for any work resulting from the use of residuals.
However, this paragraph shall not be deemed to grant to Microsoft a license
under the Entrants' copyrights or patents. The intellectual rights of the
resulting designs remain the property of those directly responsible for the
design and its submission. Microsoft retains an exclusive first right of
refusal on acquisition of any of the resulting designs submitted into the
competition at negotiated rate. Should Microsoft or related party wish to
acquire the rights to produce or otherwise utilize a design beyond the
immediate scope of the Competition, those involved in the direct results of the
work agree to assign all rights, including patent rights, in the work to
Microsoft or the related party for compensation at a level comparable to a
normal professional fee. IDSA shall not be involved in any dispute and shall be
held harmless and free of any liability in any dispute regarding intellectual
property rights or compensation or payment for any professional competition or
program that it endorses.
The Applications or any part of the Entry must not be, in whole or in part,
governed by an Excluded License. An Excluded License is any license that
requires, as a condition of use, modification and/or distribution of software
subject to the Excluded License, that such software and/or other software
combined and/or distributed with such software be (a) disclosed or distributed
in source code form; (b) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works;
or (c) redistributable at no charge. Permission is also granted for Sponsor to
promote winning entries in perpetuity in any medium it may see fit including,
but not limited to, website, television, radio and/or printed materials.
Entrants shall not receive any compensation or credit for use of entries, other
than that disclosed in these rules. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of
these conditions.
The use of any automated launching or entry software or any other mechanical or
electronic means that permits the participant to automatically enter or vote
repeatedly (as solely determined by Sponsor) is prohibited. If for any
reason this contest is not capable of running as planned due to infection by
computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical
failures, uploads of malicious files or viruses, or any other causes beyond the
control of Microsoft Corporation which corrupt or affect the administration,
security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Microsoft
Corporation reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry
or any individual who tampers with the entry or voting process, and to
cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and select winners using all eligible,
non-suspect entries and/or votes received as of the date of termination. Microsoft
assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption,
deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line
failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of,
entries. Microsoft is not responsible for any problems or technical
malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line
systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any
e-mail or entry to be received on account of technical problems, human error or
traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination
thereof, including any injury or damage to participant's or any other person's
computer relating to or resulting from participation in this contest or
downloading any materials in this Contest. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY
DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A
VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE,
MICROSOFT CORPORATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM
ANY SUCH PERSON (S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW.
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FAQ
What is the Next-Gen PC Design Competition?
The Next-Gen PC Design Competition is designed to spotlight the developers of
innovative PC industrial designs, as well as increase awareness among consumers
and businesses about the importance of industrial design and the digital
lifestyle in the development of PCs. Envision how form factor influences the
digital lifestyle—from personal productivity at work or home, to entertainment,
mobility and lifestyle. Each entrant submits their best hardware design-PC
concept (software and UI design are not part of this competition) for judging.
A total of five (5) prizes will be awarded -- Judge’s Award, 1st, 2nd
and 3rd place, Chairman’s Award, and Public’s Choice -- based on the
design’s innovativeness, aesthetics, user experience, and eco-responsibility.
Submissions will be accepted between August 15th and December 18th
2006.
If you would like additional information on the industrial design industry,
please check out IDSA’s website at:http://www.idsa.org/
Why is Microsoft hosting this competition?
Microsoft is working with the IDSA on this competition to encourage ongoing
Windows PC enthusiasm by engaging the imagination and creativity of the
industrial design community and delivering a resource for the PC industry
at-large. Whether you’re an established design team, an independent designer,
or a student here’s your chance to help shape the future of the Windows-based
PC experience, win cash prizes, the recognition of the industry, and a
distinction unlike any other.
The point is to identify great talent and spur a dialogue between the ID field,
the PC industry, and our shared customers regarding what makes a great PC that
fits their digital lifestyle. Categories include PCs designed primarily around
Personal Productivity (at work or on the go), Entertainment, and Living and
Lifestyle- a freestyle interpretation of how the PC fits into your digital
lifestyle rather than the other way around.
Can I send in more than one entry?
Entrants are allowed to submit one unique entry per category, for a total of 4
entries. This means that a specific concept is only eligible in one category.
If the same entry is submitted in multiple categories it will be disqualified
and will not be considered in any of the categories.
What do you mean by next generation PC? 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years?
There are no limitations as to how far in the future the PC should be designed
for. Designs can be conceptual but should be an evolution of current
technology. Manufacturability will be considered in the judging criteria,
however, the Living and Lifestyle category provides for a more free-form
exploration, reducing emphasis on manufacturability as judging criteria to
focus on more forward-looking scenarios.
Can I submit a design that is based on technology that doesn’t exist today?
Yes, as long as the concept PC meets the 5 key judging criteria listed above.
There are no requirements to follow existing manufacturing standards.
Can I include UI as part of the hardware?
Software and UI design are not part of this competition and PC designs will be
judged on their innovated hardware design. If your illustration contains a
screen shot, the rules state that the screen must be either black or it can
show the provided wallpaper image only. Entry questions and a research summary,
as well as annotated illustrations can be used to describe functionality. A
conceptual illustration or movie that shows the PC's method for handling
information would be acceptable as long as the UI is not shown specifically.
Do I have to present a working prototype?
You don’t need to submit a prototype for this competition. Entry requirements
call for illustrations only.
Will Microsoft own the designs?
No. As is standard industry practice in design competitions, the designs will
be owned by their creators, however Microsoft will retain first right of
refusal on acquisition of designs entered into the competition at standard
industry rates for the purpose of conceptualizing designs.
Will my entry be posted on www.nextgendesigncomp.com regardless if I win?
All eligible entries will be posted in the design directory following
completion of this competition. However, during the competition, only the
finalists (as determined during pre-judging) will be posted and eligible for
the Public’s Choice Award.
When do my materials need to be in by?
Online submissions must be submitted by December 18th 2006, hard copies must be
received by Microsoft by January 5th 2007. Do not wait until December 18th to
submit your entry. Please allow enough time – up to 4 to 7 business days for
review of your submission. If for any reason it is declined after December
18th, you will be ineligible for consideration.
What materials do I need to submit in hard copy by January 5, 2007?
The acceptance confirmation e-mail will include details—including a mailing
address—for submitting your hard copy materials via traceable courier. The hard
copy materials must be exactly the same as the online materials (minus the
Designer Credit List) and must indicate clearly if there is a video in the
materials. Additionally please provide two (2) CD or DVD discs containing
Windows XP PC-readable images (300dpi, 1280px x 1024px minimum) including the
glamour shot in a compatible format (e.g. .PNG, .JPG .PSD). Please make sure to
put your entry kit number on your pictures and supporting material and be sure
not to include your name or affiliation anywhere. Mail-in material must be
received by Microsoft to the address provided by January 5, 2007, 11:59 pm EST
without exception or extension.
This sounds great, how do I enter this competition?
Go to www.nextgendesigncomp.com and
follow the entry form instructions.
Do you have any tips to avoid mistakes or disqualification?
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Put your ID number on your mail-in material Do not put your name or the name or
brand element of Microsoft or another company on your design.
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Do not wait until December 18th to submit your entry. Please allow enough time
– up to 4 to 7 business days for review of your submission.If for any reason it
is declined after December 18th you will be ineligible for consideration.
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Only use the wallpaper provided if you wish to show a display—or leave it
black.
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4.
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Submit answers to entry questions and other supporting information in English.
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Have fun!
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