3. Get some GREAT photos. Good quality photography
is important - don't simply take photos on your iPhone. Get a
professional in and offer to share the costs and the results with the
builder. Use the photos for both yours and your builders own marketing
and give your client a copy of the portfolio. It costs very little to do
this and the cred that you gain is huge. You'll need at least 12 unique
for your entry, so get in early and book a session! Not sure where to
find a great photographer? Ask your fellow BDAQ members - many will have
a 'go-to' photographer they use and will be happy to pass their details
on.
4. Take care when answering entry questions. As
part of your entry process, you'll be asked several questions about your
project. Write your answers in full sentences and aim them towards
someone who is not familiar with your project. Judges have a limited
time to look over entries - make their job as easy as possible! Get a
staff member, colleague or friend to look over your wording to ensure it
makes sense to read - we all need a 'sanity check' sometimes!
5. Sell your work! Point out to the judges what's
unique & special about this project. Don't waste your words by
pointing out obvious things - our judges work in the industry and know
what they're looking out. Sell the judges on why THIS project should
win.
6. Probably most importantly... be proud of the work that you do. As
designers we have a tendency to be a little introverted. We all run
businesses and businesses need work to survive. If you don’t tell others
that you are good at what you do then others are unlikely to do so
either.