Graphic Design contests (NSMC 23-26)

NSMC 23 to 26: Graphic Design contests

See full breakdowns and requirements for each contest below.

Policies for all Graphic Design contests

  • One student per school may enter each contest.
  • These are online contests, which means that after the student registers, they will need to create an entry that follows the provided prompt, and submit it online through the contest system before the listed deadline.
  • Students competing in an online contest category are also required to attend their contest’s in-person critique session during the convention, from 4-6 p.m. Friday. Attendance is mandatory to maintain award eligibility.
  • The day NSMC registration opens, online contest prompts and materials will be made available here. Contestants should closely adhere to all instructions on the provided prompt. Be careful not to download the material for the prior convention.
  • Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances, so please plan ahead and submit online entries early to avoid potential delays due to things like internet issues, power outages, illness or emergencies.
  • Learn how to prepare your online design entry here.

– – – – –

Prepare materials before the convention and upload a PDF to the National Student Media Contest site. The day NSMC registration opens, the contest prompt and materials, including downloadable art, for the contest will be available. Be careful not to download the material for the prior convention. All contestants must attend the mandatory critique session Friday at the convention or the entry will be disqualified.

This is a general overview of the contest. Read all the instructions/rules on the prompt carefully.

Using any available software, design a square logo in both full color and black-and-white (grayscale). The logo will be for a business or organization, and the information will be provided on the contest prompt. Include both logos on the same 8 1/2-by-11-inch page.

Do not design a full advertisement, just a logo. You may come up with a slogan if you want. A logo traditionally combines art with text.

Only use the information provided on the prompt to create the logo, but you do not need to include all of the information. You may use any styles, fonts and sizes that you deem appropriate.

Only use the images provided for Contest 23 to create the logo. No other images may be used, but you may manipulate or edit the images.

REMINDERS:

  • Entries that use images or material other than what JEA provides will be disqualified.
  • Do not include your name or school name on the design.

WHAT THE JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR: Professional typographic details; fonts, art and/or photos in the logo work well together; shows originality, creativity and innovation; work is clean and well executed; follows current design trends.

HELPFUL LINK: Preparing online design entries

– – – – –

24: GRAPHIC DESIGN: INFOGRAPHICS (ONLINE SUBMISSION)

Prepare materials before the convention and upload a PDF to the National Student Media Contest site. The day NSMC registration opens, the contest prompt and materials, including downloadable art, for the contest will be available. Be careful not to download the material for the prior convention. All contestants must attend the mandatory critique session Friday at the convention or the entry will be disqualified.

This is a general overview of the contest. Read all the instructions/rules on the prompt carefully.

Using any available software, design one full-color infographic about the topic provided. The infographic should fit on one 8 1/2-by-11-inch page.

If using software made for graphic design creation (like Canva), contestants are encouraged to use blank templates rather than pulling pre-designed templates. Though it is not specifically banned, judges can easily spot “canned” templates and give greater award consideration to more original designs. During the critique session, contestants may be asked to discuss their process for creating the infographic.

Use ONLY the information provided on the prompt to create the infographic. No other outside facts/statistics may be used. You do NOT need to use all of the information, but provide proper attribution for the information you choose to use.

Use ONLY the images provided for Contest 24 to create the infographic. NO OTHER IMAGES MAY BE USED, but you may manipulate or edit the images.

Use any styles, fonts and sizes that you deem appropriate. Use correct spelling and AP style on any text elements you use.

REMINDERS:

  • Entries that use images or material other than what JEA provides will be disqualified.
  • Do not include your name or school name on the design.

WHAT THE JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR: Contains proper attribution for information; visually makes a point; uses appropriate format/design; typography fits topic or content; artistic details fit topic or content; design is original and follows current design trends. Includes credit lines to indicate source of information; text follows proper spelling/grammar conventions and follows AP style.

HELPFUL LINK: Preparing online design entries

– – – – –

25: GRAPHIC DESIGN: ADVERTISING (ONLINE SUBMISSION)

Prepare materials before the convention and upload a PDF to the National Student Media Contest site. The day NSMC registration opens, the contest prompt and materials, including downloadable art, for the contest will be available. Be careful not to download the material for the prior convention. All contestants must attend the mandatory critique session Friday at the convention or the entry will be disqualified.

This is a general overview of the contest. Read all instructions/rules on the prompt carefully.

Using any available software, design a 5 x 7-inch advertisement in black-and-white or color for a high school newspaper using the business information provided on the prompt.

Use ONLY the information provided on the prompt for Contest 25 to create the advertisement. You do NOT need to use all of the information. Use ONLY the images provided for Contest 25 to create the ad. NO OTHER IMAGES MAY BE USED, but you may manipulate or edit the images.

If you use software made for graphic design creation (like Canva), contestants are encouraged to use blank templates rather than pre-designed templates. Though it is not specifically banned, judges can easily spot “canned” templates and give greater award consideration to more original designs. During the critique session, contestants may be asked to discuss the process they used for creating their ad.

Use any styles, fonts and sizes that you deem appropriate, and be sure to use correct spelling and AP style on any text elements you use.

REMINDERS:

  • Entries that use images or material other than what JEA provides will be disqualified.
  • Do not include your name or school name on the design.

WHAT THE JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR: Typography and artistic details fit topic or content; follows current design trends; creative and imaginative concept; considers what motivates audience. Includes appropriate pitch, business, event or organizational identification; design moves reader’s eye through the ad.

HELPFUL LINK: Preparing online design entries

– – – – –

26: GRAPHIC DESIGN: ILLUSTRATION (ONLINE SUBMISSION)

26: GRAPHIC DESIGN: ILLUSTRATION (ONLINE SUBMISSION)

Create original artwork either by hand or using an Apple Pencil/Tablet and illustrator software like Procreate, Illustrator etc. to accompany a news/feature story provided on the contest prompt. All elements of the illustration must be created by the contestant. The illustration may be black-and-white and/or color. It must fit in an 8 1/2-by-11-inch space.

Be sure to only use images you created. No stock photos/copyrighted material may be incorporated into the photo illustration that you submit.

REMINDER: Do not include your name or school name on the design.

WHAT THE JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR: The work is an accurate design to illustrate the context of the copy; uses a creative approach with an effective conveyance of the story content; exhibits control of the medium, design and artistic techniques.

HELPFUL LINK: Preparing online design entries