AI Art & Design Competition

• Registration opens – April 24, 2025 (TBD)
• Submission deadline – September 14, 2025
• Judging period – Mid-September 2025
• Winners announced – Late September 2025
• Exhibition
  • Mid-November 2025 (November 10 – 16, 2025) at Iowa State University (First Floor, Student Innovation Center)
  • Late-November 2025 (November 17 – 21, 2025) at Iowa State University (First Floor, College of Design)
  • Online – College of Design website

• Must be 18 years old and older.
• Must be a college student (individual) in the United States.
• Entries must fall into one of the three categories: Art, Graphic Design, or Environmental Design.
• Projects must use at least one AI tool as part of the creative process.
• Agree to the terms and conditions (required)
• Agree to Informed consent form (optional)

• Registration: Participants must complete the registration form via Qualtrics, including the Terms and Conditions and Informed consent form. Registration is free.
• Submission: Final files must be submitted via Cybox (Iowa State University’s file-sharing platform). You will receive the Cybox link after your registration.

• AI-generated image
  • Size: 2 ft. x 3 ft. (horizontal or vertical)
  • Format: JPG, 150 dpi
  • Filename: participant number-A.jpg (123456-A.jpg)
  • Content: AI-generated image only
• Artist statement and process documentation
  • Size: 1 ft. x 3 ft. (horizontal or vertical)
  • Format: JPG, 200 dpi
  • Filename: participant number-B.jpg (123456-B.jpg)
  • Language: English
  • Content:
    • Project title – 15 words max, font size 70 pt.
    • Artist statement – conceptual thoughts beyond the image, 200 words max, font size 24 pt.
    • Process – diagrammatic expression of the creation process can include images, charts, tables, keywords, and a short description.
    • AI prompts – the exact prompts used to generate the AI-assisted work; participants may include this information in the process.

Guidelines:

1. If the AI-generated image is horizontal, the process documentation should also be submitted in a horizontal format (same for vertical).
2. Any identifiable information must not be included on both submissions (AI-generated image and artist statement & process documentation).
3. For an AI-generated image, participants are required to use at least one AI to make the image, and you are allowed to use any digital program or hand sketch for the image.

• Innovation and originality – Does the work push the boundaries of AI-assisted art and design while showcasing a distinct creative perspective?
• Emotional engagement and culture of care – Does the piece evoke emotional resonance and demonstrate empathy, inclusivity, or a broader sense of care for the human experience?
• Representation versus simulation – Does the submission transcend typical AI-generated aesthetics, offering meaningful human-centered representation rather than mere simulation?
• Technical execution & AI integration – How effectively are AI tools integrated into the creative process? Is the final work well-crafted, refined, and seamless in both concept and execution?

A total of $1,800 will be awarded to winners across the three categories (Art, Graphic Design, and Environmental Design). The winners will receive Electronic Gift Cards. Winners may be required to submit the Iowa State University Property Receipt (PRF) form.

Prize breakdown per category:

• 1st Place: $300
• 2nd Place: $150
• 3rd Place: $50
• Honorable mentions (4 per category): $25 each

Additionally, your work will be part of the AI Art & Design Juried Exhibition at Iowa State University in 2025 and may be featured on an online platform.