Competition Information FAQs

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  Submission Rules
  • All mural submissions must be original works of digital art, digitized art, or graphic design created entirely by the artist(s). This contest specifically seeks digitally crafted and digitized artwork to celebrate students' skills in design and creativity.
  • AI-generated and AI-aided submissions are not permitted. This includes AI-generated images, concepts, or design elements. Any mural submission containing AI-generated content will be disqualified. This contest intends to share students' talents with the world. You are to embrace your creativity and let your light shine. 
  • All mural submissions should be original and free from the use of copyrighted or Creative Commons (public domain) materials. 
  • Participants may submit as groups. Groups can work together to create and submit a mural. If the group submission wins, then the allotted prize will be evenly distributed among participants. One member of the group will submit on behalf of the team. A maximum of five members per team is allowed. All members must be current students at BYU.  
  • The mural will be printed on a vinyl wrap and not painted.
  • Digitized artwork is allowed. 
  • All participants must be currently enrolled, degree-seeking students at the time of submission to participate. Non-student submissions will not be considered. 
  • All submissions should align with the dimensions shown on the Mural Competition File Dimensions page. Designs should be created in a format that can be scaled to the size of the provided Illustrator File.
  • All submissions must be titled correctly. The submitted vector file should include the title of the design and the name of the submitter. For example: if Jay Smith was submitting his design "Light on a Hill" his file would be labeled: jay-smith-lightonahill. Submissions must be submitted as both an Adobe Illustrator file and a PDF.
  • All murals must comply with the BYU Honor Code. Designs that do not adhere to these standards will be disqualified. 
  • By submitting your mural, you agree that BYU may use your submission for any purpose. 
  • BYU reserves the right to deny any entry. 
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  Judging Criteria

  All designs must be submitted by the deadline (March 13th, 2026 at 11:59 pm). Judges will score the designs according to the criteria noted below:
  

  1. Honor Code Compliance: The mural must comply with all aspects of the BYU Honor Code. Submissions that do not comply with the Honor Code will not be considered.
  2. Theme Interpretation: The mural should effectively capture the theme. It should reflect the concept of "Traditions Building Legacies of Light", literally or metaphorically, as it relates to BYU’s campus, community, values, and history.
  3. Original and Creative Design: The design should be original and showcase creativity. It should stand out by presenting a unique perspective and reflect personal style. The design does not include any copyrighted or public domain materials and is original to the submitting student(s).
  4. Technical Quality: The mural should demonstrate strong technical quality. The design is sharp, detailed, and must be adequately scaled to the wall's dimensions.
  5. Collaborative Effort (For Group Submissions): If submitted as a group, the mural should reflect effective teamwork. The design should show a unified vision with seamless integration of ideas from each member. The contributions of each member should be evident and balanced.
  6. Relevance to BYU: The mural should connect specifically to BYU’s rich history, traditions, values, and/or achievements.
  7. File Submission Requirements: All submissions must be digital art, digitized art, or graphic design in vector format, and must be adequately scaled to the wall's dimensions. Ensure your file is correctly formatted to avoid disqualification. A PDF must be submitted alongside your vector file.
  8. AI-Generated Content Prohibition: The use of AI-generated or AI-aided content is not allowed. This includes AI-generated images, concepts, or design elements. Any mural containing AI-generated content will be disqualified.
  9. Eligibility: Only currently enrolled, degree-seeking BYU students are eligible to participate. Submissions from non-students will not be considered.
  10. Submission Rules: Every submission must follow all listed guidelines and rules. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in disqualification.
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  Can I see where the mural will go?

  The mural will be displayed on the wall to the right (east) of the Cougar Express in the Wilkinson Student Center. We encourage all participants to view our photos of the space linked here or come to the Dean of Students Office (3500 WSC) during office hours (8 - 5 pm) to be shown the wall for better reference.

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  Is there a specific look to adhere to?

  There is no specific look required for the digital mural competition. While your design should align with the theme, you have the creative freedom to interpret this theme in your own unique way. All submissions must be original digital art or graphic design, created entirely by the artist(s), and must comply with the BYU Honor Code. For more detailed information, please refer to the mural rules, theme, and judging criteria above.