Courtesy of Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia, the Bright Awards Design and Creative Technology competition highlights emerging talent across secondary schools in Australia.
Overview
A celebration of creative Year 10, 11 and 12 students, the Bright Awards recognise up-and-coming designers and tech enthusiasts, and supports the future of the arts in high schools across Australia. Whether you’re just tapping into your talent or keen to show off your well-developed skills, Billy Blue College of Design’s Bright Awards competition gives you the chance to have your work recognised by industry experts. Plus, monetary prizes for both students and schools go towards kick-starting creative dreams.
Meet our 2023 winners
Categories and prizes
What’s on offer? By entering the Bright Awards competition, you could win:
- A Category Finalist spot, earning yourself $1,000 plus a complimentary Creative Cloud licence* from Adobe (valued at $1,055).
- All Category Finalists are then put forward, where one could win the Pinnacle Award in Creativity & Innovation Excellence earning a 50% scholarship* to study design and creative technology, and $5,000 for your school.
The Bright Awards are not just about the fame and kudos – although that can be great - but are about taking that first step towards a career in design and creative technology.
We're looking for original ideas, demonstrated research and planning which results in a quality submission. We would love to see how your creative submission has been considered from a social, environmental or economic perspective too.
All category finalists will be in the draw for the Pinnacle Award in Creativity & Innovation Excellence.
Need inspiration? Download our Design Thinking Workshop Guide.
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3D Animation
Evaluation Criteria About this Category This category is open to anyone who has created anything from a concept for a 3D character, right through to an animated short film. Concept We’re looking for anything from a concept for a 3D character, a mechanic or a scene, right through to a fully completed animated clip.
A submission for this category should showcase your talents as either a 3D modeller, sculptor, animator, rigger, environment, storyteller or character artist.
We’re looking for innovation, high concepts, big ideas, slick motion and beautiful aesthetics.
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces include .mp4 files, YouTube or Vimeo links. If you want to make your video private, you’ll need to send us the password to view your video. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work done during the project.Suggested resources TBlender, Cinema4D, Houdini, Maya, Substance, MidJourney, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve -
Fashion
Evaluation Criteria About this Category We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a fashion/textile designer. These can be in traditional or digital art forms and can include illustrations, textiles and garments. Submissions can be in one, two or all three mediums. Concept Create a collection or piece inspired by the environment and scenario.
We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a fashion/textile designer. These can be in traditional or digital art forms and can include illustrations, textiles, and garments. Submissions can be in one, two or all three mediums..
Judges will look at the aesthetics of your design ideas (what it looks like visually), the development process, technique, creativity and presentation (layout).
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces may include illustrations, photos of physical artefacts, digital fashion renders, videos, PDFs. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work made during the project.Suggested resources Canva, Adobe Draw, Adobe Sketch, Adobe Illustrator, Clo 3D, Milanote, Smartsheet -
Film and Video
Evaluation Criteria About this Category We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a video or film creator. Entries can create a short film or video, just be creative and show us what you got. Concept Create a storyboard, short film or video visualising your solution.
A submission for this category should showcase your talents as either a storyteller, cinematographer, editor, motion designer, director, sound designer or drone operator.
We’re looking for innovation, high concepts, fluid timing, big timing, big ideas and beautiful aesthetics.
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces may include .mp4 files, YouTube links, sketches, renders. If you want to make your video private, you’ll need to send us the password to view your video. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work done during the project.Suggested resources Canva Storyboard Creator, Adobe After Effects, Premiere Elements, Vimeo, DaVinci Resolve -
Games
Evaluation Criteria About this Category This category is open to all aspects of gaming. You may wish to design a character and outline their characteristics and powers, design or concept a game environment in sketch form, 2D or 3D, outline the rules of a game, or even develop an entire game demo. Concept Create a game idea that reflects your solution.
This category is open to all aspects of gaming. You may wish to design a character and outline their characteristics and powers, design or concept a game environment in sketch form, 2D or 3D, outline the rules of a game, or even develop an entire game demo.
Judges will look at both the aesthetics of your design ideas (what it looks like visually) and the user friendliness and functionality of your concept.
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces may include .mp4 files, YouTube links, Steam links, sketches, renders. If you want to make your video private, you’ll need to send us the password to view your video. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work made during the project.Suggested resources Unity, Unreal Engine, SketchUp, Game Maker Studio, RPG Studio, My Craft -
Graphic Design
Evaluation Criteria About this Category We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a graphic designer. These can be traditional or digital art forms and can span anything from works that create a visual identity for a person or organisation (such as logos, typefaces, letterheads or posters), magazine covers or layouts, product packaging and design, designs for T-shirts or apparel, or illustrations. Concept Create a series of graphic design assets that reflects your solution.
We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a graphic designer. These can be traditional or digital art forms and can span anything from works that create a visual identity for a person or organisation (such as logos, typefaces, letterheads or posters), magazine covers or layouts, product packaging and design, designs for T-shirts or apparel, or illustrations.
Judges will look at both the aesthetics of your design ideas (what it looks like visually) and the user friendliness and functionality of your concept.
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces may include illustrations, photos, final artwork, PDFs, JPGs, PNGs. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work made during the project.Suggested resources Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign, Smartsheet -
Interior Design
Evaluation Criteria About this Category We’re looking for pieces that represent you as an interior designer. These can be hand-drawn/made or digital, and can include drawings, models, pictures or conceptual renders. Submissions will be accepted in one or a combination of these formats. Concept Create a space or series of spaces visualising your solution.
We’re looking for pieces that represent you as an interior designer. These can be hand drawn/made or digital, and can include drawings, models, pictures or conceptual renders.
Judges will look at the aesthetics of your design ideas (what it looks like visually), the development process, techniques used, creativity, 3D spatial awareness, an understanding of the elements and principles of design, and presentation (layout).
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces may include illustrations, photos of physical artefacts, digital interior renders, videos, PDFs. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work made during the project.Suggested Resources Canva, Adobe, SketchUp, 3DS Max, Auto CAD -
Photography
Evaluation Criteria About this Category We’re looking for images that showcase your photography skills. Photographs can show anything: architecture, landscape, nature, portrait, still-life, street photography… you name it, we’ll accept it. Concept Create a series of images inspired by the environment and scenario.
We’re looking for images that showcase your photography skills. Photographs can show anything: architecture, landscape, nature, portrait, still-life, street photography… you name it, we’ll accept it.
We’ll be judging your work based on your creativity, the composition of the shots and the story or narrative behind them.
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Please submit 3-5 individual images, or a PDF Folio with up to 5 pages. The smallest image size we recommend you submit is 1MB and the largest size 5MB. Ideally, we’d like your images to be in JPEG or PNG format in RGB colour mode. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work made during the creation of your work.Suggested Resources Canva, Adobe, Pinterest, Milanote -
UX and Web Design
Evaluation Criteria About this Category We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a web or interactive designer. Entries can plan anything from functional websites or mobile apps to interactive installations and UX projects – or even concepts for any of the above. Concept Design a digital solution solving the scenario problem.
We’re looking for work that represents you as an interactive designer. Entries can propose anything from functional websites or mobile apps to interactive installations and UX documentation.
We’ll be judging your work based on innovation, high concepts, big ideas, digital relevancy, user-centric and beautiful aesthetics.
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces can include any digital format, but may include Figma links, URLs to a hosted submission, YouTube links, sketches. Think about the UX for the judges in viewing your design problem, solution and proposal. If you want to make your submission assets private, you’ll need to send us the password to access. It’s a great idea to also add any sketches or preparation work made during the project.Suggested Resources WordPress, Wix, SquareSpace, WebFlow, Figma, Miro, Adobe XD, Sketch, ChatGPT -
Coding and Robotics
Evaluation Criteria About this Category We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a network designer or software developer. Entries can plan anything from concept of a robotic or coding visualising the scenario and outcome. Concept Present your ideas in documentation form, or create a working robot or component of code that solves a problem identified in the scenario.
Think cyber security, artificial intelligence, machine learning or any smart ICT solution.
We’re looking for pieces that represent you as a Data Specialist, Network Designer or Software Developer.
Entry Requirements Submission Entries will be judged on the originality of the idea, and ideas that address social, environmental or economic impact, demonstrated preparation and planning work, the overall quality of your submission.
Suggested submission pieces can include documentation, diagrams, code file, or working code application. If you want to make your submission assets private, you’ll need to send us the password to access. It’s a great idea to also add any preparation work made during the project.Suggested Resources C++, Python and JavaScript, Scratch, Code.org, Microsoft Applications
Showcase your creative talent
Meet our judges
Robyn Latimer
Head Judge
Practising design in multiple sectors for 25 years, Robyn has owned a studio, directed a company, managed and designed countless community projects and for the past 15 years has maintained a governance role at Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia.
Head Judge
Practising design in multiple sectors for 25 years, Robyn has owned a studio, directed a company, managed and designed countless community projects and for the past 15 years has maintained a governance role at Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia.
Russell Ponting
Fashion Design, Marketing & Textiles
Specialising in fashion marketing and branding, Russell has spent more than 20 years in the fashion industry, using his skills as a designer and educator to empower individuals and organisations to achieve results.
Fashion Design, Marketing & Textiles
Specialising in fashion marketing and branding, Russell has spent more than 20 years in the fashion industry, using his skills as a designer and educator to empower individuals and organisations to achieve results.
Ivan Kintanar
Animation
Animation
Ivan has worked in the 3D industry for more than 15 years as a VFX, 3D and games artist.
Liam Key
UX and Web Design
UX and Web Design
Liam has freelanced in industry for the past 10 years, working with clients such as ABC and Queensland Government.
Andrew Marsh
Film and Video
Film and Video
Andy Marsh is an education professional with over twenty years of experience within the international private education sector.
Daniel Coelho
Photography
Daniel has been a professional photographer for over 20 years, working with DDB, BBDO, Leo Burnett advertising agencies, and clients such NAB, Coles, Luxottica, Manly Council, University of NSW, and Blackmores.
Photography
Daniel has been a professional photographer for over 20 years, working with DDB, BBDO, Leo Burnett advertising agencies, and clients such NAB, Coles, Luxottica, Manly Council, University of NSW, and Blackmores.
Melissa O'Brien
Architecture & Interiors
Architecture & Interiors
Melissa is an interior architect, designer, decorator, stylist, researcher, and educator with 15 years' experience across these fields.
Elicia Simon
Graphic Design
With 20 years of experience in the creative sector, Elicia has managed a variety of design organisations and design teams.
Graphic Design
With 20 years of experience in the creative sector, Elicia has managed a variety of design organisations and design teams.
Associate Professor Tony Jan
Digital Technology
Tony holds a PhD in machine learning in network security and a bachelor’s in computer engineering, and has been responsible for the accreditation of prominent IT education.