Unleash Your Creativity: Join Aralia’s Visual Art Competition Prep Classes
1. What is Doodle for Google?
Started in 2008, Doodle for Google invites students in grades K-12 to create a Google Doodle for a chance to be featured on the Google homepage, and win awards and scholarships. Students are encouraged to create their unique artwork based on a given theme each year.
What is the purpose of Doodle for Google?
Doodle for Google’s main purpose is to celebrate young and rising artists. Talented students can earn the chance to have their artwork displayed on Google.com, along with other valuable prizes for them and their schools.
2. What's Doodle for Google theme for 2025-2026?
The Doodle for Google theme is “My superpower is….” Students have the freedom to imagine anything possible and express their creativity through their chosen medium.
3. When does Doodle for Google 2025 start?
The competition is accepting entries from now until December 17, 2025, 8:00 pm Pacific Time (PT).
Details about the competition timeline are as follows:
- Submission Deadline: December 17, 2025, 8:00 pm Pacific Time (PT).
- Online public voting: One week before May
- National Finalist Announced: May 31, 2026
Is Doodle for Google free?
Yes, participating in the Doodle for Google contest is free of charge.
4. What format is accepted?
Students may create a Doodle using any medium or materials. It’s important to keep in mind that all Doodles will undergo review and scanning in a two-dimensional (2D) format. Should students opt to create a three-dimensional (3D) Doodle, it is advised to capture a clear photograph of the artwork and submit the photograph rather than the original. Here are some suggested mediums for artistic expression:
- Paint, pencils, crayons, markers, chalk, pastels, charcoal, oil pastels
- Clay, building blocks, found objects (rocks, paper, plants, etc.)
- Film and stop motion (see below for more details on video submissions)
- Virtual reality and digital art
Does Doodle for Google take digital art?
Yes! Students can submit artworks in mediums of digital art, including virtual reality paintings, videos of stop-motion, songs, and poems.
Please note that to participate in audio or video submissions, students must be 13 years or older. These submissions should not include people other than the student entering the contest, and should be considerate of people’s privacy – for example, the submission should not include any content that could compromise the student’s privacy (including, for example, filming in private spaces in their home or indicating their home location).
5. Who’s eligible for the competition?
Students from kindergarten to 12th grade are welcome to submit their artwork. Students are only allowed to submit one Doodle each. All students must be enrolled in a U.S.-based school (including homeschool) or a school in Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and freely associated states, or The District of Columbia.
Children of military personnel abroad can enter this year, and will be judged with applications from their home state. Students enrolled in homeschools are also eligible to participate in the contest.
Can international students in the U.S. participate in the competition?
In addition to being enrolled in a U.S.-based school, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. legal residents. Proof of legal permanent residence, such as a “green card,” may be required.
Is Doodle for Google International?
Yes, the Doodle for Google contest is not limited to the United States but also takes place in other countries. This article only covers the Doodle for Google competition in the United States. The specific rules, eligibility criteria, and timelines may vary for each country’s contest, so students should refer to the official Doodle for Google website or relevant sources for information specific to a particular country’s contest.
6. How to enter Doodle for Google?
To enter the competition, students must submit:
- A Doodle using any materials and media.
- A description of 50 words or less
- Fill out the rest of the required information and have a parent or guardian sign the entry form.
7. How is Doodle for Google evaluated?
Doodles will be judged on the following three criteria:
- Artistic merit: This aspect evaluates the level of artistic proficiency demonstrated within the doodle. Judges will examine elements such as composition, color, technique, and overall visual appeal.
- Creativity: This criterion focuses on the representation of the theme, integration of the Google logo, and the originality of the doodle.
- Theme communication: This criterion gauges how effectively the contest theme is conveyed through the artwork and the accompanying written statement.
8. What is the Doodle for Google voting process?
After the entry period is closed and the judges have selected the top 55 Doodles, the public will be invited to vote online. This means that individuals can participate in the voting process by visiting the designated platform and casting their votes for their favorite Doodles.
9. What are Doodle for Google competition levels?
In total, there are three levels of judging to select finalists for each level: State and Territory Winners, National Finalists, and a National Winner.
Level One: 55 State and Territory Winners
The guest Judges will select the best Doodle from each of the 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and freely associated states, The District of Columbia, and U.S. military bases as the State and Territory winners.
State and Territory Winners will be notified on or before June 30th, 2024
Level Two: 5 National Finalist Level
From 55 State and territory winners, a total of 5 national finalists will be selected through public voting and Google doodler artists.
Online public voting will last for a period of 13 days, from May 22nd, 2024, 11:59 pm PDT to June 4, 2024 11:59 pm PDT.
Level Three: 1 National Winner Level
Using above criteria, a panel of Google Employees will then choose 1 National Winner from among 5 National Finalists.
85% of Aralia students win prizes visual arts competitions
10. What is the Doodle for Google scholarship?
The Doodle for Google contest offers various prizes to winners at different levels. Here’s a breakdown of the prizes according to the provided information:
National Winner:
- Artwork displayed on Google.com for 24 hours
- $45,000 college scholarship
- $50,000 tech grant for their school or non-profit organization
National Finalists (5):
- Doodles featured on the Google homepage (U.S.) for up to 24 hours
- $10,000 college scholarship
- Chromebook (about $244 value)
State and Territory Winners (55):
- Doodles featured on the Doodle for Google gallery
- Google hardware and fun Google swag
- Congratulatory message from Google
When are Doodle for Google winners announced?
Google announces the National Winner of the Doodle for Google contest in June, after two weeks of public voting.
Who are Doodle for Google’s previous winners?
Here is a website for you to access previous winners from every year: https://doodles.google/search/?topic_tags=doodle%20for%20google
11. Who judges Doodle for Google?
The judges for Doodle for Google for the past couple of years have been people from creative backgrounds, including actors, authors, illustrators, and musicians who have excelled in their respective fields. In 2021, one of the judges for Doodle for Google was Selena Gomez! Every year, Doodle for Google invites the National Teacher of the Year to be one of the judges. For 2023, the National Teacher of the Year is Rebecka Peterson, so look out for that!
12. Is Doodle for Google competitive?
In 2022, Doodle for Google in India received 115,000 entries from over 100 cities, and there was only 1 national winner. While we’re not sure about the total number of entries in the U.S., we can see that Doodle for Google is a highly competitive contest with a low chance of winning. However, even if students don’t win, it’s an extremely valuable learning process to help them embrace the creative process. Furthermore, students can also use this as a portfolio piece when applying for college.
13. What are some ideas for Doodle for Google?
The theme for this year is “My superpower is…” which is very broad and allows for countless ideas. Your “superpower” doesn’t have to be something like flying or invisibility, it can be a real strength, value, or ability that shapes who you are and how you impact the world.
One effective way to approach this theme is by exploring your “superpower” through different types of relationships: with yourself, others, society, and the world around you.
For relationships with oneself, an angle you can target is to illustrate inner strength and personal growth. Your superpower could be something like perseverance, confidence, creativity, or self-belief, and your Doodle can show how that power helps you grow.
For relationships with family and friends, your superpower might be how you connect with and support others. You could illustrate:
- Kindness, empathy, or love
- Helping friends or family through difficult times
- Bringing people together
This shows that your strength lies in how you make others feel and the relationships you build.
For a relationship with society, think about how your superpower can make a difference in the larger community. Your Doodle can show how even small actions can create big impact.
14. How to win Doodle for Google?
With the 3 judging criteria of artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication, it’s important for students to stick to those criteria as a foundation to be creative. Below are some helpful tips to increase your chance of winning Doodle for Google:
- Make sure your artwork and written statement are related to the theme to strengthen the coherence and impact of your submission. Ensure that both aspects of your entry effectively convey your message or narrative. Incorporating storytelling into your submission can further enhance its depth and engagement, allowing you to connect with the audience more personally.
- Get inspiration from various sources, but ultimately, be true to yourself: sources such as past winning entries are a good starting point to discover different artistic styles and further fine-tune your own. However, remember to stay true to yourself throughout the creative process. Your doodle should reflect your unique voice, perspective, and creative vision. Embrace your individuality and let it shine through in your artwork, ensuring that your doodle genuinely represents who you are as an artist.
- Pay attention to details– every aspect of your artwork, from line work to color and medium choice, contributes to its overall impression.
- Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or trusted individuals to gain valuable insights and perspectives on your submission. Their constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your artwork and written statement further.
2024 Doodle for Google Winners
This year’s Doodle for Google National Winner is Maisie from Washington, D.C., with her Doodle titled “Family Dinner.” Maisie’s heartfelt artwork earned her a $55,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for her school.
The five national finalists showcased their creativity and values, envisioning a brighter and more innovative future.
Here are the winners and their awards:
- Imagination Award: Katherine, Hawaii (K-3 Grade)
- Planet Award: Vivian, New Jersey (4-5 Grade)
- Good Neighbor Award: Sophia, California (6-7 Grade)
- Tech Whiz Award: Jia Xin Sophia, Idaho (8-9 Grade)
- Biggest Smile Award: Maisie, District of Columbia (10-12 Grade)
These young artists demonstrated remarkable talent and optimism, inspiring us all to dream big for the years to come!
15. Participate in Aralia’s Art Program
Aralia offers various creative programs and competition preparation programs for students. Aralia’s Art Program allows students to submit their artwork as well as guiding students to embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and connection.
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