Digital Media Arts Competition
Teachers, showcase your students’ creativity and artistic talent in our Digital Media Arts competition! Students create and submit original artwork to creatively express themselves through the use of digital media
technology.
Students can enter artwork in 1 of 6 categories:
Digital Arts Categories
- Graphic design pieces are two-dimensional pieces that are created using a combination of
- graphic elements, including typography, graphics, and computer-generated imagery that is used
- for printed materials. Some examples of graphic design pieces include logo design, illustrations,
- advertising posters, and fine art illustration. Graphic design entries should be submitted using a
- JPEG or PDF file format.
- With 3-D & 2-D animation, all elements are created using 3-D and 2-D computer graphics
- software. This kind of animation is used when individual elements interact with each other to tell
- a story using time and motion. Animation techniques, animation controls, storytelling methods,
- and time-based motion are all part of the judging criteria for this category. All animation entries
- should be uploaded to YouTube and be no longer than 5 minutes in length.
- Successful website entries are complete, functional web pages that have good, consistent
- layouts, use of hypertext links, images, and use web coding. Website entries should include the
- link to the website. The site being used to market a product is encouraged.
- Photography is a single image that uses photographic imagery that is combined to create a
- composition. Successful photography entries are photos that have some aspect of digital
- manipulation, such as airbrushed, collage, and manipulated using various digital techniques.
- Photography entries should be submitted using a JPEG or .PDF file format. All photos must be
- shot by the photographer, not taken from the internet or another source.
- Successful Short Film entries show visually creative ways of expressing a story using time and
- motion. Techniques used to create film, such as camera operation, storytelling techniques,
- lighting, and editing will be part of the judging criteria. Film entries must be uploaded to
- YoutTube to qualify as an entry and should be no less than 3 minutes and no longer than 10
- minutes.
- Music Composition entries are original audio works created using digital production tools. This
- includes instrumental, electronic, or vocal tracks made using DAWs (Digital Audio
- Workstations). Judging criteria will include musical structure, production quality, and overall
- creativity. Entries must be submitted as MP3 or WAV files (or linked YouTube videos) and must
- be between 1 to 2.5 minutes in length. Students are encouraged to explore basic digital
- production techniques such as volume balancing and panning, use of EQ and filters to create
- clarity, avoiding clipping/distortion, and exporting high-quality audio.
Teacher Registration Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026
○ Registrations must be submitted online at: 2025-2026 DMA Competition Teacher Registration
● Student Artwork Submissions Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026
○ Student submissions must be submitted online at: 2025-2026 DMA Competition Submissions
● Semi-Finalists announced Friday, February 20, 2026
○ Semi-Finalists Notified: (via email provided on entry form)
● Semi-Finalists will be invited to the VIP Celebration in March 2026 where Vital Link
Dennis at dennis@vitallink.org
Kaly at Kaly@vitallink org
2025 DMA WINNERS
Graphic Design
Evelyn Tiburcio
Ocean in My Room
El Toro High School
Animation
Ellie C.
BELEAF
Trabuco Hills High School
Website Development
Madison Jun
Chemistry Website
JFK High School
Photography
Emily Nguyen
Past Reflections
Arnold O. Beckman High School
Short Film
Sean D.
Santa’s Naughty List
El Toro High School