Theme for the Competition
Mobile Mishaps – troublesome experiences with mobile phones
Previously, the objects we used in our day-to-day lives were easy to use and predictable in behavior. We used to wind our watches to set time, turn on a switch to light up a space, turn on a radio and set stations with a knob, attend to a call by just picking up the receiver of the phone, etc., But now with the introduction of computing; the objects we use come with many behaviors.
Mobile phones so far have had a much larger impact in our lives than anticipated. From being just a piece of communication tool, it has achieved a status of an object of desire, an object to possess. If some use it just for telecommunication, some have gone to the extent of making it their most personal gadget to rely in every need. They come in different shapes, sizes and some look even like being made for multi- purpose usage akin to cracking nuts. Some of them even confuse us, as they share amazingly similar looks with a television remote control. Most of them are pleasing to look at and offer great features but are rarely of any use.
Most of us have had various kinds of experiences with this so-called most essential gadget. It alerts us, excites us, pleases us, surprises us, enthralls us, scares us and also troubles us.
The objective of this competition is to identify troublesome moments we experience while using mobile phones in a specific context or even out of context and depict it in the form of a hilarious cartoon.
Awards and Acknowledgements
A jury will select the top 6 winning entries, the cartoonists will be granted a cash prize award of
- First prize Rs.25,000/- (Rs. Twenty five thousand only)
- Two second prizes of Rs. 10,000/- (Rs. Ten thousand only) each and
- Three Third prizes Rs. 5,000/- (Rs. Five thousand only) each
- Five Special mention awards
An exhibition of the winning and short listed entries will be held and UMO will publish an exhaustive works report.
The jury and the judgment criteria
We are in process of putting a jury of well-known professionals and socially active personalities. The names will be announced in due course, depending on confirmation.
For Judgment jury will use criteria such as creativity, humor, visual communication, presentation, persuasiveness, originality, cleverness, relevance of content and execution to identify the winner.
Deadline for Submission

Cartoons will be accepted through November 3rd, 2006 .
Rules and Regulations
Entries : up to 3 cartoons per person
Size (snail mail) : A4 (210 X 297 mm) or A3 (297X410)
Size (digital) : 300dpi and in dimensions that are suitable for printing
Technique : free
Entries in hard-copy/paper will not be returned. Entries in digital format may need to be re-posted if the resolution is not found good for printing.
Exhibition and Prize distribution
On World Usability Day, November 14, 2006, at Hyderabad.
Submitting your entries
Mail your cartoons keeping the competition name in subject line to usabilitymatters [at] gmail [dot] com.
If you are sending through the snail mail, use the following address:
          UMO- International Cartoon Contest'06
          www.UsabilityMatters.Org
          Plot no.12, Penthouse, ICRISAT colony,
          Road no.11, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. India.500 045
          ph: +91-0-9849301500
Please mention a little background information about yourself that may help identify you with your work and the email id that will help us get back to you with any communication.

11/10/2006