I Call it "Prospecting"

by Steve Ciarcia

esign contests have always been a big deal at Circuit Cellar. There really is a difference in the way we do them. Most magazines, especially the trades, treat contests simply as another advertising contract with the sponsor. Rarely do they provide more than minimal management and contestant entries usually involve describing design ideas rather than physically building a project. In truth, when the objective of the contest is to promote the sponsor's name and get designers to look at a new product, there is no better way than saying, "Here's a $50,000 car. All you have to do is describe how you'd use an XYZ A/D converter!" Simple, sweet, and direct, but not our cup of tea.

We approach contests differently. I look at design contests as an incentive bonus plan for potential Circuit Cellar authors. Design contests are a "prospecting" venture, not an advertising contract coup.

Every project entered is looked at by our editorial staff and evaluated for its publishing value (within the IP limits you grant us, of course). If you win, we'll note that when your article is published, but winning isn't critical. Getting published in Circuit Cellar is based on the application value of your project, not how it compares to the competition. If it's good, we want it, period.

Being a winner in a Circuit Cellar contest, however, can be beneficial for your career. Companies seeking good designers view our contests as an accurate test of your credentials and ability to finish what you start. More than a few entrants have received job offers as the result of entering a Circuit Cellar design contest.

Finally, besides being the ultimate resume builder, some contestants have reported that winning provided the incentive they needed to launch their own business or product. With free publicity, the contest entry often is the first product. Basically, winning in a Circuit Cellar contest is a confidence builder.

So what am I leading up to? Well, how about climbing the hill one more time?

Soon we'll announce the winners of our Microchip PIC2000 contest. The Philips Design2K contest just ended and the projects are still in the judge's hands. But, don't unplug your soldering irons yet. On August 1, our Zilog Driven to Design contest starts for all you Z180 fans. And, if we haven't hit your favorite processor yet, just wait a minute, we'll get to it eventually. Atmel steps up to the plate as a sponsor in early 2001. With all of these contests in the pipe, subscribers can count on many terrific project articles covering a variety of great processors in the issues to come.

Of course, we continue tuning the process. With each successive contest, we try to make it easier for you to enter. One criticism we occasionally hear is, "I can't get the part." Or, "the distributor has a $75 minimum order." The reason is straightforward if you understand semiconductor companies. Contests are expensive! Usually the company group with the marketing money to afford a contest is the same group responsible for the latest and greatest chip. Unfortunately, it's often the most difficult component to find, too.

I've been fairly successful convincing companies to broaden the spectrum to include tried and true chips along with the hot new stuff. That's one reason our Zilog Driven to Design contest includes the whole Z180-series and not just the Z183 (the new guy). To facilitate even more entries, I added another provision to our contest agreements. If the sponsor supplies us with sample components (which is in the company's best interest considering the cost of sponsoring a contest), I'll pay to ship parts to contestants anywhere. I don't want a simple problem like not being able to find the key component in Beijing to stop you from entering.

Perhaps it's because we're so serious about making contests good for both readers and sponsors, that there's a waiting list for Circuit Cellar contests. Companies are putting money on the table to reserve space for 2002 already. As a Circuit Cellar reader, you don't have to worry. We'll make it a good one!