Judging Criteria Background

 

Each exhibit will be judged according to the EIFS category judging criteria please see below. If you require further clarification please contact the Exhibition Manager.

The judges will be informed of any exhibitor which has breached any of the terms, conditions and rules set out in this guide, and this information may be used by the judges in their assessment of the exhibit.
 
Please be aware that judges are likely to walk on to larger exhibits for an ‘up-close’ inspection. A written note should be added to the exhibit brief if there are safety reasons for why this should not occur.
 
Judging will take place at the times and dates set out in the Key Dates section.
 
If an exhibit is incomplete at the time of judging, the exhibit will be judged as it stands at the deadline. The exhibitor will be required to leave the site and Show venue while judging is taking place, but will be able to complete their exhibit at a time organised with the Exhibition Manager. A sign stating “Exhibit incomplete at time of judging” will be displayed on the exhibit, so as to avoid confusion for visitors.
 
Each exhibit will be judged according to the judging criteria of the relevant category, as set out in the table below.
 
The decision of the judging panels is final. 
 
Judging Criteria
 

 
Location
 
Theme/Brief
 
Judging Criteria
 
Marks
 
Exhibition Gardens
 
Plants as the Primary Medium
 
Translation of Design Brief & theme
Emotional impact/WOW factor
Design incl:
Command of space/proportion
Originality & creativity
Use of design elements
Use of hard/soft material incl:
Plant quality and finish
Construction incl:
Quality of materials and finish            
 
TOTAL           
 
 
10
10
 
10
10
15
 
30
 
15
 
 
100
 
Retail Gardens
 
None
 
Please be aware that in this category more leniency is shown to the demonstration of Exhibitors product.
 
Translation of Design Brief & theme
Emotional impact/WOW factor
Design incl:
Command of space/proportion
Originality & creativity
Use of design elements
Use of hard/soft material incl:
Plant quality and finish
Construction incl:
Quality of materials and finish
 
TOTAL
 
 
10
10
 
10
10
15
 
30
 
15
 
100
 
Emerging Designs
 
A design brief for these gardens is included in the category information
 
 
Translation of Design Brief & theme
Emotional impact/WOW factor
Design incl:
Command of space/proportion
Originality & creativity
Use of design elements
Use of hard/soft material incl:
Plant quality and finish
Construction incl:
Quality of materials and finish
 
TOTAL           
 
 
10
10
 
15
15
15
 
20
 
15
 
100
 
Starlight Marquee
 
None
 
 
Translation of Design Brief & theme
Emotional impact/WOW factor
Design incl:
Command of space/proportion
Originality & creativity
Use of design elements
Use of hard/soft material
 
Lighting incl:
Effective use, creativity and lighting integration.
Construction incl:
Quality of materials and finish            
TOTAL           
 
 
10
10
 
10
10
10
10
 
 
 
20
 
20
 
100
 
Floral Art Marquee
 
“A Passion for Fashion”
 
 
 
Design
Use of Colour   
Expression & Suitability           
Distinction & Originality
Condition and Finish                    
 
TOTAL                                
 
40
20
15
15
10
 
100
‘Hort Galore’ Marquee
 
Plants and Planting are the major focus of the exhibits
Overall Impression incl:
Plants & planting, assess impact, engagement, inspiration & sense of theatre.
Plant Quality: health, main plant attributes displayed effectively.
Plant Originality: including newness, distinction and/or rarity.
Design incl:
Originality & creativity
Use of design elements
Construction: presentation & finishing
Interpretation: clear accurate plant identification (via discrete labels or plans).
TOTAL
20
 
 
 
20
 
15
 
 
10
10
15
 
 
10
 
 
100
Zealandia National Flower Bed Competition
An exhibit representing the region.
 
A minimum of 80% of the exhibit is to be plant material.
Translation of theme
Emotional impact/WOW factor
Design incl:
Command of space/proportion
Originality & creativity
Use of design elements
Use of hard/soft material incl:
Plant quality and finish
Construction incl:
Quality of materials and finish
TOTAL
10
15
 
10
15
15
 
20
 
15
100

 
Judges de-brief
 

All exhibitors aspire to the best possible award that they can achieve at EIFS. A particularly relevant way of learning how to achieve this is in discussion with the judges AFTER judging (prior to this Kate Hillier the Exhibition Manager is available for advice. Kate is also an International Flower Show Judge). A judges de-brief will take place (times and dates set out in the Key Dates section) offering exhibitors the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of their exhibit in an open forum or individual discussion with the judge(s) from the relevant judging panel.

 

Further information on criteria

 
Design briefs
 
·        A design brief is to be submitted by exhibitors in all categories, with the exception of the Floral Art Marquee, the Emerging Designs or National Flower Bed exhibits, on or before the dates set out in the Key Dates section. These briefs will be used by the judges during the judging of the exhibits. 
 
·        The design brief (or design statement) is the Exhibitor’s response to the theme, or the Exhibitor’s statement of intent for their exhibit. The brief will be used by judges and visitors as a reference for understanding the exhibit. Exhibitors, when drafting the design briefs, should consider:
 
  • Is the brief clear and concise, and will be easily read and understood by thousands of visitors?
  • Do all aspects of the exhibit work together to give a harmonious, consistent impact?
  • Does the brief relate directly to, and compliment, the exhibit?
  • Does the display of the brief complement the exhibit as a whole?
 
Emotional Impact and Wow factor
 
Like all art, gardens can appeal to or in someway affect our emotions. Do visitors feel emotionally involved or in-tune with your exhibit? Are you courting controversy or creating a generally appealing exhibit?
 
A key aspect of the show is to inspire and amaze the visitors. Will they have a “WOW” reaction when seeing your display.
  • Does your exhibit look like it has always been there and is of a permanent nature?
  • Have you made the best use of space?
  • Does the site look full and complete in accordance with the design?
  • Is the backdrop appropriate and in harmony with the exhibit as a whole?
  • Is the exhibit attractive from all the sides from which it is viewed?
 

Design

  • Command of space/proportion: Does the design capture the space? Does the designer have a clear spatial agenda?
  • Originality and Creativity: Whilst there are always trends within design, have you incorporated originality into the display?
  • Use of design elements such as use of form, line, colour, texture etc.
  • Use of hard and soft material: Are the materials used appropriate to the design?
  • For plant quality, reflect on the plant association, relevance, colour, texture and size.
  • For construction, what is the choice of materials? Is the material appropriately and effectively used?
 

Quality of materials and workmanship

  • Do materials look authentic?
  • Is the structure sound and will it cope with thousands of visitors?
  • Does the display look permanent, solid and substantial?
  • Is all construction safe and finished to a high standard?
  • Does the display conform to Building Consent and OSH requirements?
 
 

Attention to detail and finish

Judges will assess the quality of material used and how it has been assembled. 
They will also assess the quality of hard construction including line, level and finish.
Anything that does not directly contribute to the design should not be visible including tools, construction materials; plant pots or bags; product branding; marquee walls; construction elements etc.
How the exhibit is finished will be a key focus for all judges – attention to the final details can make a huge difference when medals are awarded.
 

Lighting

Judges will look at the effective use of lighting, creativity and originality, also the integration of lighting into the overall exhibit. Assessment will also be made of the glare and light spillage.
 

Plants, Planting and Labeling:

Plants should be a large component and focus of any exhibit.
  • Are the plants of highest quality, appropriate size and well placed?
  • Is your plant placement horticulturaly correct in terms of plants being in their ideal environment, for example, shade, full sun, swamp, sand etc?
  • Are the plants well established and the attributes for which they are being shown obvious i.e. buds, flowers, foliage, fruit or form?
  • Visitors are always interested in the plants – do you have a planting plan available?
  • If you have used labels, are they visible, appropriate to your design, clear and accurate?
  • Please note it is a requirement that all exhibits in the Hort Galore marquee require plant labels or a planting plan.

 

Signage

Does the number of signs/signage size conform to that permitted within the terms and conditions of the show?
Does your signage work with your design and overall look?
Are your sponsors appropriately acknowledged?
Sponsors