The Materials Visualization Competition (MVC) is an annual scientific and artistic visual competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) and the Materials Research Institute (MRI). Created to celebrate the quality of research in materials at Penn State, this competition increases awareness of materials science through the creativity and visualization of our researchers.
About the MVC
Eligibility
Entry is open to all Penn State undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty and staff working on materials-related topics.
Awards
Judges will award the following:
- Best of Show $500
In the Scientific category
- First place $250
- Second place $100
- Third place $50
In the Computational/Modeling category
- First place $250
- Second place $100
- Third place $50
In the Visual category
- First place $250
- Second place $100
- Third place $50
People’s Choice Award
All entries will be available online for the public to view and vote on electronically. The image that receives the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award and $100 prize.
All MCV winners will also be published online. All images will be judged by a panel defined by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute.
Category Judging Criteria
Best of Show
Images in this category are meant to convey the passion for the work and the intention of showing the significance of visual art in materials. The image should have a visual power that draws the audience to it, as well as scientific integrity. Image may be submitted to only this category or entered in multiple categories.
Images in the Best of Show category are judged on:
- Effective communication—image should represent anticipated materials concepts
- Visual Impact—engaging, aesthetics, attractiveness, 'wow' factor
- Originality—imagination and creativity
- Scientific importance—context and relevance
- Science—demonstrate or explain the science visually
Computation/Modeling
Images in this category are meant to convey the power of simulation and modeling software to demonstrate materials and materials systems. The image should be computer generated and visually appealing with a message for the viewer.
Images in the Computational/Modeling category are judged on:
- Scientific importance—context and relevance
- Effective communication—demonstrate or explain the science visually
- Originality—imagination and creativity “Wow” factor
- Science—image should represent anticipated materials concepts
- Visual Impact—engaging, aesthetics, attractiveness
Scientific
Images in this category should be submitted in their purest form. Images may be cropped and adjusted for exposure/contrast - but should otherwise not be altered/retouched.
Images in the Scientific category are judged on:
- Scientific importance—context and relevance
- Effective communication—demonstrate or explain the science visually
- Technical capability—the image demonstrates exemplary use of technology
Visual
Images in this category should be visually compelling and may be altered to enhance the work. Examples of acceptable enhancements include altering color, cropping, adjusting saturation or contrast, and adding color to black and white images. The final work should maintain the scientific integrity of the original image.
Images in the Visual category are judged on:
- Visual impact—engaging, aesthetics, attractiveness
- Originality—imagination and creativity “Wow” factor
- Effective communication—demonstrate or explain the science visually
- Artistic awareness—why is this image visually stimulating
Official Rules
- Limit of one image as an individual and limit one image as a group member; may enter images into as many categories it fits the criteria of, and all entries are encouraged to enter Best of Show.
- Entries must be a result of the participant’s efforts in research. If necessary, participant must provide evidence of research upon request.
- Only original work may be submitted, and all noteworthy parties must be included on entry form. If the image has been published, appropriate written permission from the journal editor is required.
- If you are a student, submitted work must be approved by a faculty adviser, who will be notified once the Entry Form is submitted online.
- All artwork must meet image requirements.
Image Requirements
Images must be submitted at required size of:
- 20 inches x 16 inches or
- 6000 pixels x 4800 pixels or
- 50.8 centimeters x 40.64 centimeters
Image resolution must be 300 pixels/inch. File types accepted and can be uploaded to application: tif, eps, jpg, png, gif, pdf, ai, psd
Tips: Below are links on file formats for reference.
- https://www.bourncreative.com/common-graphic-design-file-formats-explained/
- https://its.ucsc.edu/fitc/tutorials/webimages.html#print
If you have questions regarding the above requirements please contact Heather Dehnel, hbj100@psu.edu.
Entries are now closed for 2022 MVC14
Tips: Entries must include the following:
- Caption/Title (300 characters or less)
- Scientific Process Statement (1,000 characters or less)
- Artist's Statement (1,000 charcaters or less)
For more information on writing an artist's statement visit:
- https://mymodernmet.com/how-to-write-an-artist-statement/2/
- https://www.agora-gallery.com/advice/blog/2016/07/23/how-to-write-artist-statement/
If you have questions regarding the above requirements please comntact Heather Dehnel, hbj100@psu.edu.
Image Usage Rights
By selecting 'agree' on the MVC Entry Form, the participant acknowledge that all contributors are acknowledged within the designated area of the entry form, and that the entry sole belongs to those individuals. While the participant retains copyright of his or her work, entry in this competition constitutes agreement that the Penn State University, Materials Research Institute (MRI) and Materials Science and Engineering department (MatSE) may use any work submitted for promotional purposes. For example, these images may be used in graphic material such as posters, brochures, newsletters, etc., and may be posted on the Penn State, MatSE, and MRI websites.
