Chemistry Creative Contest

The GCC Chemistry department invites you to create an original Chemistry-themed drawing or design that depicts what chemistry means to our past and future.

We will award food cards for the Palms Café and Gaucho Café - 1st prize winner $50, 2nd prize $25, and 3rd prize $10.

 

Contest rules and criteria

Design Contest Theme: “The Curious World of Chemistry: Then and Now”

Contest Rules

  • Open to all currently enrolled GCC students.
  • Individual or team submissions allowed (max. 3 members per team).

Submission Requirements

  • Must be an original, student-created design (no AI-generated or copyrighted material).
  • Design should be adaptable for multiple uses (t-shirts, flyers, web, banners, etc.).
  • Submit as a PDF. If selected as a winner, we will need the artwork in a high-resolution digital format (preferably Vector format) .AI, .EPS or .SVG. Acceptable: .PNG, or .JPEG at 300dpi.
  • Include a description of your design concept and how it connects to the theme (no more than 150 words).

Content Guidelines

  • Must incorporate chemistry-related imagery, symbolism, or concepts (historical and/or modern).
  • Should reflect GCC’s culture of care, curiosity, and community.
  • Should be inclusive, professional, and appropriate for an educational setting.
  • Avoid complex details that won’t reproduce well on fabric or small prints.

Deadline & Submission

Entries are due by October 24, 2025. If you have questions, contact Beth Jordan at 623-845-3675

Submit Your Design

Ownership & Use

By entering, participants grant the GCC Chemistry Department the rights to use the winning design for promotional and outreach purposes.

Credit will be given to the student(s) whenever possible.

 

Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged by a panel of faculty, staff, and students using the following rubric:

Creativity & Originality

  • Fresh, innovative approach to the theme.
  • Avoids clichés and overused imagery (e.g., generic flasks or atoms without creative integration).

Relevance to Theme

  • Clearly connects to “The Curious World of Chemistry: Then and Now.”
  • Demonstrates chemistry’s role in both history and modern society.

Visual Impact

  • Eye-catching, memorable, and professional in appearance.
  • Balanced design that works at multiple scales (shirt, flyer, social media).

Clarity & Simplicity

  • The message is clear without being cluttered.
  • Works in both color and black-and-white.

Representation of GCC Spirit

  • Reflects GCC’s values: curiosity, care, community, and student success.