MESA Day Prepared Design Template Submittal Assistance - Google Docs

Sep 11, 2026

Step-by-step guidance for submitting a prepared MESA Day design template using Google Docs. Covers taking clear, properly lit photos with multiple views so prototypes are not cropped, inserting regular images via the template’s blue placeholder, and inserting images with callout-style comments using the Drawing tool. Includes instructions for opening the correct master file, making a copy to edit in Drive, renaming with school and team details, downloading the submission as a PDF, and saving the completed file for upload.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Picture Tips

Opening the Google Doc File and Saving to Your Drive

Saving a File as PDF from Google Docs

Inserting a Regular Picture into the Submission Template

Inserting a Picture WITH COMMENTS into the Submission Template

MESA Day Prepared Design Template Submittal Assistance Google Documents (Docs) Help Picture Tips: 1. ) Ensure there is space around the image your are trying to capture so that when inserted into template, part of your prototype is not cut off. 2. ) Ensure proper lighting and picture quality so the picture(s) can be viewed properly. 3. ) Take multiple shots and save to your computer with distinct file names to help with inserting into template. 4. ) Remember you need multiple views-front, back,(2) sides. Opening the Google Doc File and Saving to Your Drive: 1. ) Click on the link below or on the event website to go to the Master File for the correct category. This file is only available for view. 2. ) Go to the File Menu and Click on Make a Copy. 3. ) Change your File Name to your school and team name. Example: MESA Middle School Team 2. 4. ) Also, Select the appropriate file to save to your Google Drive. You should now be able to edit the document in your Drive. Saving a file (Your Submission Template) as PDF from Google Docs: 1.) Rename your Document at the top to your full name and school. Example: MESA Middle School Team 2. You might have already done this step when opening the file. 2. ) Go to the File Menu and Click on Download. 3. ) Click on the Arrow Menu and Download as PDF. 4. ) The file should show up at the bottom of the screen or in Downloads. 5. ) Open the file and save to your computer in a file location to upload. Inserting a Regular Picture into the Submission Template in Google Docs: 1. ) A blue square should be in the template as an image placeholder. Any pictures you want to add should already be saved in your computer documents or your Google Drive. 2. ) Left click on the Blue Square It should highlight. 3. ) Right click on the Blue Square and go to Replace Image. 4. ) Arrow to the right location where your picture is saved at (Upload from Computer or Drive) . a. From Computer: Find the folder, Select the image, Click Open. b. From Drive: Your photos should pop up, Select the image, Click Replace. 5. ) Your picture should automatically load into the template. Inserting a Picture WITH COMMENTS into the Submission Template in Google Docs: 1. ) A blue square should be in the template as an image placeholder. Any pictures you want to add should already be saved in your computer documents or your Google Drive. 2. ) Left click on the Blue Square It should highlight. 3. ) With it highlighted, got to the Insert Menu and select Drawing. Arrow to +New. *** 4. ) The Drawing Board should appear. Click the Image icon (Square with Mountains) . 5. ) Insert your saved picture into the Drawing Board. Adjust the size as needed. Click on the board to unselect the image. 6. ) Select the Shape icon (the circle and square) . Go to Callouts and select your shape. 7. ) Use the square grid to place the shape where you want and drag the shape to desired size. If needed adjust the Pointer End by dragging the yellow diamond to where you want to point to. 8. ) Type the term/concept you want to label in the Callout Shape. Adjust/move the shape as needed. 9. ) Repeat as needed until all items are labeled on the image. Select Save and Close in Upper Right of Drawing Board. 10. ) Drawing should insert into your template. Adjust the size as needed to fit the given space by adjusting the corners of the shape. 11. )To edit the Drawing, Double-Click the image. ***This is the standard method. If you have an education version of Google Documents, it may have the Insert Shape function in your toolbar. If so, you will just edit a regular picture. Example:

FAQs

How should you take pictures for the MESA Day template to avoid cropping?

Ensure there is space around the image so the prototype part is not cut off when inserted into the template. Use proper lighting and picture quality, and take multiple shots with distinct file names.

How do you open the master Google Doc and start editing?

Open the correct master file for the category, then use File > Make a Copy. Rename the file with your school and team name and choose it to save in your Google Drive so it becomes editable.

What steps are used to download the submission template as a PDF?

Rename the document at the top to your full name and school, then go to File > Download. Choose the Arrow menu and select Download as PDF, then save the downloaded file for upload.

How do you add a labeled image with comments in the template?

Replace the blue placeholder by inserting your picture into a Drawing: Insert > Drawing > +New, then add the image icon, resize as needed, and use callouts/shapes to label concepts. Save and close the drawing, then adjust it in the template; double-click to edit later.

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn Holloway