How to Win Doodle for Google Prize: Tips & Tricks
by
Indigo Research Team
&
Published:
October 2, 2024
Last Updated:
November 12, 2024
The Doodle for Google competition is an exciting opportunity for students to draw on the most visited website in the world: Google.com. Every year, children from kindergarten to the 12th grade submit their doodles to have them featured on the Google homepage.
Doodle for Google offers rewarding prizes such as Scholarships and tech packages. So, artists not only get a platform to express themselves but their creativity is rewarded with opportunities that could change the winner's life. Whether you are an amateur creative or an aspiring artist with great ideas to share, this guide will explain to you what it takes to contribute and be noticed.
Doodle for Google is an annual art competition, where students from Kindergarten up to 12th grade from across the United States can participate. The goal is simple: design a new and artistic representation of the Google logo that relates to a given theme, which changes each year. Students are encouraged to submit the doodle with a bio describing the concept of the doodle.
What makes this competition even more interesting is the fact that the winning Doodle for Google is placed on the Google homepage for 24 hours where millions of users can see it. Also, students compete for attractive Doodle For Google prizes which include college scholarships and $50,000 worth of technological packages for their schools. The grand prize winner gets to take home a $55,000 college scholarship and the five runners-up get scholarships valued at $5,000 each. State and territory winners also get some prizes which include Google hardware and Google swag. Note that these prizes change from year to year.
Besides the prizes, Doodle for Google is a great opportunity for students to show their creativity, tell their stories, and possibly get heard by many people. It encourages artists of different perspectives and artistic styles, so participants can freely perform at an international level. This implies that anyone, regardless of their skill level can benefit from the contest and use it as a platform to express their creativity.
Before you start drawing, make sure to follow these crucial Google For Doodle rules so you can submit your design. Here's a step by step guide on how to participate:
The competition is for students in US schools, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Participants will be divided into 5 divisions based on grade:
Make sure you fit into one of these categories before proceeding.
Parents or legal guardians who wish to enter their child must go to doodle4google site during the contest period for a complete list of the official rules. Next is to submit the official entry form. You'll find it under the ‘How it Works’ tab. Download and complete the official entry form and electronically upload a new Doodle created for the year’s theme along with the student or parent’s first name, last name, mailing address, email, phone numbers, and the student’s school name and state or province.
Google picks a theme for the competition every year. It's often based on self-expression, creativity, or plans for the future. Here's a list of themes used in recent years alongside the winning entries for the highest category:
The theme is crucial since your doodle has to embody it. So, while you make a Doodle for Google, think of how to convey the theme through your artwork in a unique and personal way.
When making a doodle, you can use crayons, pencils, paints or even go for clay, building blocks, and simple objects like rocks and paper. Computer-generated graphics are also allowed. Regardless of how you choose to create your Doodle for Google Designs, make sure to include the letters of the Google logo within the design.
Also, check the resolution to guarantee the image is clear. If you’re scanning a picture you’ve drawn by hand, make sure that your scan is sharp and the edges are properly aligned so your original sketch comes through.
Along with your doodle, you must provide a brief statement about the art, in no more than 50 words. Parents and teachers or afterschool programs can submit entries on behalf of their children or students. This statement should explain why you made the design and how it fits into the theme. Judges need to have an idea of what the artist wants to achieve, and a good artist statement can assist them in doing so.
Once the Google for Doodle entry form is completed, you can submit it digitally through the website. Or as a hard copy on an 8.5” x 11” piece of light-coloured paper that is sent via mail. Make sure that you submit your entry by the deadline: this is usually in March. Any entries that are submitted after the deadline won’t be accepted.
You don't have to be a professional artist to win the Doodle for Google competition. While creativity and skill are important, the judges look for these three key qualities:
In most innovative projects, the main thing judges lookout for is the creativity that participants bring to the table in relation to the given theme. This means thinking outside the box and coming up with an idea that is unique from your worldview. Avoid overused concepts and think about new ideas that have not been used before in the type of project being considered.
Even though the competition is open to players of all skill levels, an excellent design will put you several steps ahead of the others. Make sure your doodle looks neat and aesthetically pleasing, regardless of whether you drew it using paint and pencils or through a digital platform. Every detail matters: be it the position of the objects or the colors used.
A good submission should easily convey the outlined Doodle For Google theme. The panel of judges will assess how appropriate your design is to the given theme. Does your artwork tell a story? Does it convey a message or express an emotion? Your doodle should entertain the viewer and at the same time, stay true to the theme.
Consider the following tips to increase your chances of winning the Doodle for Google competition:
Doodle for Google comes with an annual theme that forms the basis of your artwork for the design contest. For your doodle to be effective and stand out, it would need to relay the theme in a meaningful way. Spend time to reflect on the prompt and carefully think about how it's connected to your life, goals, or beliefs. Don't feel restricted to its conventional meaning, feel free to put your twist. Of all the aspects that the judges will look at, the most critical factor is the ability to establish a good link to the theme.
Your doodle has to relate to Google and should creatively contain its logo. Instead of drawing or outlining the letters, consider how you can incorporate them into your overall design. The letters should be recognizable but can be used as a part of a character. For instance, the Letter "G" may be drawn to represent a smiling face while the Letter "O" can be part of a landscape.
An outstanding doodle isn’t just a pretty picture, it is also a message. It tells us the story of the doodle in relation to the main subject. The lines and shapes from your pencil that make up your doodle should have a coherent meaning, a purpose – to convince the logical part of your viewer to think deeply about the meaning of your creation.
It will be wise to spend some time going through examples of Google Doodles that made it to the homepage. This will help you have a feel of what is effective and the extent of ideas that are appreciated by the judges. It is always useful to look at how previous artists reinterpreted the theme, which colors they chose, and how they used the logo. The idea here is not to copy anybody else, but studying previous designs will help you understand what makes the winning Google Doodles special.
Before making your Google for Doodle submission, ask friends, family, or your teachers to review it. It is always easier for someone else to review your work and point out that your art could use improvements or that your theme might not be clear enough. Make slight adjustments to the doodle if the feedback will create a more positive perception. However, don't stray too far from your original vision.
If you are involved in creative competitions such as Doodle for Google and you have a passion for research, you can enhance your passion by participating in a research program. With our research program, you can interact with professionals, work in teams and get a second opinion on their assignments. These activities train and nurture your creativity and problem-solving skills!
