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OUTSTANDING STUDENT DESIGN AWARD

The Kelli O'Hara Awards celebrates the creativity and innovation of students. NEW for the 2024-2025 Kelli O'Hara Awards, we extend this celebration to young aspiring designers and artists. Submit your unique t-shirt design for the 2025 Kelli O'Hara Awards ceremony. The winning design will become the centerpiece of the award ceremony, worn proudly by finalists on stage. The design will also serve to inspire this year's visual identity, influencing everything from on-screen graphics to programs and merchandise. The winner will also receive an award during the ceremony.

GUIDELINES

  • Design submissions should feature either "The Kelli O'Hara Awards 2025" or "The Kelli's 2025"

  • Designs should fit within a 12" x 12" canvas

  • Designs should be no more than two colors, and sized appropriate for screen-printing.

  • Designs should be school appropriate. Designs using in-appropriate language, imagery, or other elements will be disqualified. "In-appropriate" is subject to interpretation and enforcement by Kelli O'Hara Awards staff.

  • High-resolution files and digital formats are not required to compete. Finalist designs will be reformatted into vector graphics by Kelli O'Hara Awards staff. 

  • Design submissions can be high-quality pictures of sketches, digital art, paintings or other mediums. Photos that are unreadable will not be considered.

  • Designs must be original and created specifically for this competition. Plagiarism and use of copyrighted materials will result in disqualification.

  • Applicants are allowed to submit one (1) design. 

PREVIOUS YEAR DESIGNS

The Kelli's 2022 in a rainbow gradient
Kelli O'Hara Awards repeated 7 times in a vertical box design
The Kelli's 2024 in a hand-drawn block letter font

ADJUDICATION PROCESS

  1. Applications and design submissions must be received by December 31. Designs received after the application deadline will not be considered. 

  2. Kelli O'Hara Awards staff will review all received applications. A vote for the Top 5 Design finalists will take place. Finalists will be selected using the following metrics. 

    1. Creativity and Innovation - How original and unique is the design? Does it bring a fresh perspective or novel approach to the theme? ​

    2. Theme Interpretation - How effectively does the design reflect and interpret the given them? Is the concept behind the design clear and easily understood? 

    3. Aesthetic Appeal - Does the design grab attention and create a lasting impression? Are the elements of the design well-balanced? 

    4. Adaptability - How well does the design translate across various media, including t-shirts, on-screen graphic and merchandise?

    5. Practicality - How well does the design work on a t-shirt? Is the design easy to reproduce in various formats?

  3. The 5 finalist designs will be re-formatted into a vector image. NOTE: If applying for this award, you agree to have your design vectorized by Kelli O'Hara Awards staff. You acknowledge that some aspects of the original design may be altered to suit the application need. ​

  4. Finalist Designs will be posted on OKC Broadway's Facebook and Instagram pages for final voting. The winner will be chosen by OKC Broadway followers through a popular vote.

APPLICATION

If you're having trouble viewing the frame, click this link to open the application in a new window directly.

OKC Broadway

The Kelli O'Hara Awards are a presentation of OKC Broadway and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma.
The Awards are Sponsored by Paycom. 

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