Digital Art Crowder Quill 2026-27 contest

This graphic art category includes digitally generated or altered art or extensively manipulated photographs in order to create special effects.

• Photography with only minor adjustments should be entered in one of the photography categories.
• All entries should have good contrast, composition, and creativity.
• Photo and art creations/manipulations must be your own original work. It is NOT permissible to use other people’s images and/or those posted on a website.
• All entries should have good contrast, composition, and creativity.
• A model consent is included in the submission form to be used for entries using live models. Please do not use children’s names as entry titles.
• The deadline is Feb. 1 each year.
• Individuals may submit up to four entries per category in every category.
• Each entry must be sent separately.
• Failure to meet all guidelines may result in automatic disqualification.
• Contest entrants give their express permission that winning entries will be published in the magazine and may also be used for promotional and educational purposes.
• Email LatoniaBailey@crowder.edu or call 417-455-5410 if you have questions.

Although generative artificial intelligence (AI) can serve a function in graphic design as well as assisting workplace productivity in various industries, AI provides an unfair advantage in a contest based on creative expression of human-generated art and original thought and should not be used for Quill contest entries. Of course, digital technology such as photo editing software may be used as a tool for the digital art category, and the creative process should be clearly explained.

Digital art incudes the following techniques and use of software:

1. Common Photoshop techniques –a few of the most commonly used Photoshop techniques are the ability to manipulate photos, create textures, alter hand-drawn images that are scanned in, add layers to create more dimension, and alter the lighting on an image to make it brighter or darker.
2. Photoshop layers –different sections of the same image that can be altered and moved separately to give the image more dimension.
3. Photoshop filters –an effect that can be used to imitate photographic filters, correct a photo, or apply special art effects that give the image a unique appearance or appear to have been created using a different medium.
4. Sumo Paint software program –a website with a downloadable program for image design, photo editing, and making digital art.
5. InspirARTion software application –an application that allows users to utilize various brushes of different styles, sizes, and colors as well as different symmetry modes to draw or create digital art.  

Traditional 2D and 3D artists are encouraged to participate in the Quill contest by adapting their work into digital formats and expanding their creative skillsets.

For example, a painting can be further altered in an editing platform. A photograph of a sculpture can be digitally altered as well and qualify as digital art. We look forward to seeing creative uses of digital software for the digital art category.