As the Rookie Awards continues to grow, it is our priority to make sure the contest remains fair to all artists and schools that participate. To help clear up any confusion, we have updated the rules to better define who is eligible.
The Rookie Awards is open to young creatives who meet the following eligibility criteria:
Minimum Age:
Entrants must be at least 18 years of age or older.
Maximum Industry Experience:
Entrants must have no more than one year of professional industry experience working in the fields of 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Concept Art, Game Development, Visual Effects, Architectural Visualisation, Motion Graphics, Immersive Media, Product Design or Virtual Fashion.
Definition of Professional Industry Experience: Professional industry experience is defined as experience gained by working in a professional environment, such as a studio or agency, as a paid employee or independent contractor, or experience gained by working on projects for clients or customers.
Related Industry Experience: Entrants with a maximum of 3 years of professional experience in industries that are similar or related to the contest categories may be considered for eligibility at the discretion of the Rookie Awards team. Related industries are those that involve skills or techniques that are transferable or applicable to the fields of 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Concept Art, Game Development, Visual Effects, Architectural Visualization, Motion Graphics, Immersive Media, Product Design, or Virtual Fashion.
Example: A professional Graphic Designer with 3 years of experience, but has no 3D Animation industry experience, may be considered for eligibility if our team determines that their skills and experience do not give them an unfair advantage over other entrants.
Exclusion of Internships and Work Experience:
Internships and work experience do not count towards the total experience.
Verification of Experience:
All finalists must be prepared to verify their experience to confirm eligibility to participate in the competition. Verification may include providing evidence of prior employment, such as a signed letter from an employer or a copy of a contract.
Misrepresentation of Experience:
Entrants who are found to have misrepresented their experience or provided false information during the verification process will be disqualified from the competition.
Still not sure if you are eligible? Please visit our helpdesk and submit a ticket by clicking on the yellow chat button located bottom-right of screen.
AI-Generated Artwork
Our team is paying close attention to a critical issue that has come up regarding contests, specifically the Rookie Awards. It has come to our attention that some participants may be inclined to use AI or ML algorithms to create their entries, which goes against the spirit of the competition. As a result, we have updated our rules to include the following clauses:
- All entries must be the original work of the entrant, created without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) algorithms.
- The contest organisers reserve the right to request additional information or documentation from entrants regarding the creation of their entries, including proof that no artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) algorithms were used.
As a team, it is critical that we pay close attention to this issue and implement these rules effectively. By doing so, we can ensure that our competitions remain a showcase for the best and brightest talent, and that our brand continues to be associated with creativity, innovation, and ethical conduct.
How to Report Contest Entries
Our team dedicates countless hours to reviewing every single contest entry to ensure that each contest remains fair and transparent, and all entries are judged on an equal footing.
If at any point you come across an entry that you feel violates our terms, an entrant is not eligible, or the entry contains AI-Generated content, then please use our "Report this Entry" button which can be found bottom-right of every entry page.
Please note that we will not personally respond to you about the report, but we most certainly will review every issue that is flagged, and appreciate your help.