a Furnitologist

Of those who disagree with the jurors selection, did you enter a piece to be judged???

These challanges are nothing new to those who have been at the craft for a while, every exhibition you are in has a best of or best new designer award, these challenges are important to the amateur woodworker. Pressing for more is human nature and may lead to better work by others.

Does the criterior used in judging need to be presented in a clearer fashion prior to any new building challenge, absolutely.

Objectively you can critique each entry by discussing and evaluating the design elements and score each. But what you will never know or understand is that each juror and the challenge itself has a very important subjective component.

Nobody knows what the critior of the subjective element in judging was. Maybe a high priority in judging was visual interest, rhythm, craftsmanship, use of materials, color, layering and the subjective element of judges for the challenge was to present an object of the highest skill level to the woodworking community.

I have no problem with that. Many designers are given the best booth space and have won awards only because the organization wants the Designer to return the following year. His or her work is good for the show long term.

Could it be that Fine Woodworking.com wants to show the skill level that hangs around their web site. Don't we all put our best foot forward.

The final point to building for challenges is, you design to the criterior, break a rule or 2 to twist the jury in the hopes of an extra look, and let the chips fall where they may. That's woodworking maturity.

One last thing, when you all vote in the book case challenge, what criterior are you going to use or will it be popularity contest.

Nice work Gregg Novosad

Neil Lamens
Furnitology Productions.

I posted in my blog and could copy and paste here or just provide the link.

My take isapplied and different than any I've seen. The title is "More tha a Rocker"

http://furnitology.blogspot.com/2009/05/sam-maloof-more-than-rocker.html

Neil

I'll second the Townsend drop-lid block front........covers everything mentioned by previous posters, relief carving, shell carving, the desk above.