If your child has ever stared up at the Google logo and wondered what they could do to get their artwork featured, you may have heard of Doodle for Google (sometimes presented as Doodle4Google).
This annual competition gives students from kindergarten through high school a chance to have their work displayed on the Google homepage.
What is Doodle for Google?
Doodle for Google is an annual competition held in the United States. Its goal is to encourage children to be creative, develop their artistic skills, and share their artistic vision globally. The contest winner will have their Doodle featured on Google's homepage.
It's essentially a chance for kids in grades K-12 to show off their artistic skills while helping to reimagine the Google logo. The winner will have the opportunity to see their artwork on the front page of Google and win a $30,000 scholarship plus a $50,000 technology grant for their school.
How Doodle for Google Works
When Google does a doodle, it's usually for a big event or to celebrate the life of someone important. But once a year, they open up the opportunity to doodlers who can submit their work on the Doodle 4 Google website.
Submissions are generally due in early March, and there are four age categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12). To enter, you must submit your Doodle online and a short essay that describes how it represents your theme.
Judges choose regional winners in April, and from those regional winners, judges from Google and various educational organizations will select one national winner.
Submitting Your Doodle Entry to Google
To enter the Doodle for Google contest, you must familiarize yourself with the theme. Next, follow the guidelines for your Doodle and the following steps for submission:
- Step 1: Print and complete the form (Get it here)
- Step 2. Create your Doodle and add it to the form
- Step 3. Submit the form by the due date
Doodle for Google Judging Criteria
Entries on Doodle for Google are judged based on artistic merit, creativity, and how well they communicate the theme. Each segment is assigned a specific weightage contributing to the submitted Doodle's overall score.
- The artistic merit of the Doodle (40%) – Is the Doodle creative and imaginative? Does it convey a message about the theme?
- Relationship of the Doodle to the theme (30%) – Does the artwork show a thoughtful interpretation of the theme?
- Quality of composition, color usage, and creativity (15%) – Does it feature good craftsmanship and skill in its realization?
- Relevance of text to the theme (10%) – Is the text included with the artwork accurate and appropriate?
- Number of votes received on www.google.com/doodles/vote (5%)
Doodle for Google Judges
Each year Google appoints a new set of judges for the Doodle for Google contest. The lineup for the 2022 contest is;
- Selena Gomez
- Elyse Fox
- Juliana Urtubey
Understanding the Themes Set forth Each Year
The themes set by Google each year are remarkably brief. The idea is not to limit students' creativity by imposing overly rigid barriers. The theme for 2022 is “I care for myself by …”
To give you some inspiration and get the creative juices flowing, here are some of the past year's contest winners and what they submitted;
2019 Winner: “When I grow up, I hope …” by Arantza Peña Popo, Georgia
2020 Winner: “I show kindness by …” by Sharon Sara, Texas
2021 Winner: “I am strong because …” by Milo Golding, Kentucky
What are Google Doodles?
Google Doodles are often some of the most fun and lively ways to celebrate holidays, awards, and other special events. They're also a way for Google to visually express itself or its interests. Many people love Google Doodles because they're always colorful, lively, and sometimes clever.
History of the Google Doodle
The first Google Doodle appeared in 1998 and was a stick-figure drawing behind the second O in the search engine's name. The Doodle was intended to tell users that the founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, had gone to Burning Man. Now, almost 20 years later, the first Doodle has been given an upgrade.
The original Doodle, created by Google's co-founder Larry Page, is now on display at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. A replica of the Doodle is on exhibit through November 29th as part of an event called “Talk To Me,” which focuses on “design objects that bridge the gap between people and digital information.” The exhibit also includes other well-known designs like the Polaroid camera and a Tamagotchi.
Final Thoughts on Doodle for Google
While I love Google and its quirky ways, this company can be a real pig when it comes to data privacy. It's always better to use a privacy tool like a VPN when doing anything online. These handy services help mask your IP address, block tracking cookies, and more. Have fun online safely, boys and girls!
