Multimedia
Conference Reports
Images
Award Images
Articles
PowerPoint
Event Calendar Listings
Submitting CDs


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Guidelines for Multimedia on the AIA.org
(Revised 06/02/05)

Although not a streaming video server, the AIA Web site can host audio and video clips. The emphasis here is on clips—i.e., audiovisual selections no longer than five minutes in running length. When considering a video segment for posting on the site, always remember that the Internet is not television. The user will have to wait at least several seconds for the video to load and play, considerably longer if he or she is accessing the site via dial-up. For this reason we have established the following rules for creating and posting video files to AIA.org:

• All clips should be in Windows Media (.wmv) format.

• Optimize your video for the following settings in the Windows Media Encoder:

Distribution method:  web server (progressive download)
Video quality:  VHS tape
Audio quality:  FM audio

A five minute clip at these settings will be approximately 6 mb in size and can take up to nine minutes to download.

The AIA will not accept copyrighted material for posting on the Web site without permission from the original copyright holder.

The Windows Media Encoder is a free product from Microsoft.  It can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/encoder/default.aspx.

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Guidelines for Submitting Conference Reports


1. All products must be submitted on Windows/PC-compatible media.
2. Written documents must be in either Microsoft Word or ASCII text formats.
3. Portable Document Files (PDFs) must be no more than 5 mb in size.
4. All images should be embedded in the corresponding PDF file.
5. Descriptive text for each document must be submitted; 100 words maximum.
6. An executive summary or introductory text for the document must be included, no more than two paragraphs.

Based on the above guidelines, here is an example of displaying conference reports that are useful to the user:
http://www.aia.org/tap_crp_20031016 

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Guidelines for Submitting Images

(The following guidelines are not for award images.)

• All images should be in .JPEG or .JPG format.
• .GIF files are not acceptable.
• All images should be optimized at 72 dpi and saved with a minimum quality setting of 60 percent
• Recommended minimum image size: 6 x 8 inches (432x576 pixels)
• Recommended maximum image size: 8 x 10 inches (576x720 pixels)
• Recommended minimum file size: 768K
• Recommended maximum file size: 1.25 mb
• Blurred, distorted, pixilated (blocky), underexposed, or overexposed images will not be accepted for posting.
• The submitter must own the publication rights, or have procured the publication rights to the material, prior to submission to AIA for publication.
• All photographs must include a photo credit .
• AIA reserves the right to crop or resize images as necessary for use on AIA.org.

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Guidelines for Submitting Award Images

Two sets of images are required for awards:  one set optimized for print publication, the other set optimized for judging and web publication.

• One CD containing a minimum of five and a maximum of twelve digital images is required.
• At least four exterior views and one interior view are suggested.
• Please provide at least one image of the site plan and the floor plan.
• Please provide an image of the firm principals or design team responsible for the project (this image can be in addition to the 12 maximum). Should your project be selected as a recipient, the firm image will be used for the AIA Web site. The images will be retained by the AIA Library and Archives as part of its permanent collection.
  

Image Resolution:

Should your project be selected as a recipient, the higher resolution images will be used for publication purposes. The lower resolution images will be used during jury deliberations to evaluate your entry, and on the AIA Web site.

Label the CD-ROM with your Binder Entry Number. Please create a list of images with thumbnails including:

• The Binder Entry Number
• Images numbered in the order in which they should be viewed
• A brief one-sentence description of the image
• Photographer credit

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Guidelines for Submitting Articles

Style
• You are writing a feature article for the Internet, not a printed report. Your readers are looking for a good read, something that will be short yet informative and useful as they think about the many issues involved in their daily work.
• Strive for an informative, approachable style in your writing. Stay away from the passive voice.
• Please keep in mind that not every reader will be familiar with some well-used acronyms and terms used among practicing architects.

Format
• Your article should be no more than 1000 words. Your readers will not have time to wade through a long, complex article.
• Your article should show an orderly development and coherent flow. As a rule, your conclusion should answer the reader’s question, “Why did the author want me to read this?”
• For greater Web readability, separate full sentences with one space, not two spaces.
• Use targeted yet creative headlines, and use subheads to break up long sections of text.
• Photos and illustrations are welcomed but are not accepted when embedded in the text. Each illustration or photo should be submitted as a separate file in .jpg format (see guidelines for submitting images). Please include photo captions in a separate Microsoft Word file.
• Your article should include a short (50 words or fewer) biographical sketch of each author.

Submissions
• Send Microsoft Word or otherwise PC-compatible files as to an e-mail attachments.
• All referenced Web sites and e-mail addresses in articles must be validated by the author prior to submission .
• The author assumes full responsibility for the accuracy of all information in the articles.
• AIA reserves the right to edit all articles.

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Guidelines for Submitting CDs

Please make a copy of any CD before submitting it to the AIA.

• The AIA is not responsible for CDs and they will not be returned.

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Submitting PowerPoint Files

• PowerPoint files (.ppt) cannot exceed 10mb.
• Decide what the final use of your PowerPoint presentation will be:
• • For download so the user can give a presentation
  • For information.
• If it is for information, please convert the PowerPoint presentation to a PDF file. This can reduce the file size considerably.
• Do not use hi-res photos in your PowerPoint presentations.
• Make your PowerPoint presentations useful to users. If it is full of photos but doesn't tell the user what importance these photos have, it is not useful to anyone.