Judging Criteria Background

Each exhibit will be judged according to their EIFS category judging criteria.
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 why this should not occur.

Judging will take place at the times and dates set out in the Key Dates section.

Where 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 tables overleaf.

The decision of the judging panels
is final. 

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 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 pro’s and con’s of their exhibit in an open forum or individual discussion with the judge(s) from the relevant judging panel.

Judging Criteria

Further Information on Criteria

Exhibit Brief

All gardens in the Exhibition, Retail and Starlight Garden categories must provide two types of brief that will be included as part of the judging criteria of the exhibit.  The briefs consist of a technical brief and design brief or design statement.  The format of the technical brief will be provided closer
to show time.

Design briefs are also to be provided by all Hort Galore exhibits.
Floral Art, Emerging Designs and National Flower Bed exhibits are the only categories that are not required to provide briefs.

Design Brief / Design Statement

This is your response to the theme, or your statement of intent for your exhibit.  Judges, and visitors, will use this to clarify your intended message and as a reference for understanding your work as a whole. Things to consider include:

Does your interpretation of the brief give a clear message?

Do all aspects of your exhibit work together to give a harmonious, consistent impact?

Does your written brief relate directly to, and compliment, your finished work?
How is the brief displayed? Does its display compliment the exhibit as a whole? Will it be easily read by thousands of visitors?

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 e.g. 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?