DESIGNERS
YOUNG
COMPETITION
RE:IMAGINE - DESIGNING THE FUTURE
A creative design competition for young people across Melbourne to imagine, create & share original ideas.
AGES
5 — 18
Open to all experience levels.
ENTRY FEE
$20
per entry.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
28 NOVEMBER 2026
CELEBRATING YOUNG CREATIVITY
PRIZES
Finalists will have their work displayed at the VDA Fashion & Creative Showcase, where the Young Designer of the Year will be presented at awards night on 10 December.
-
One winner will be selected from each age division × design category, creating 9 Category Winners across the competition.
Each Category Winner will receive a Prize Package valued at $500+, including:
· Official Winner Certificate
· VDA Creative Experience Voucher — valued at $499
· Featured presentation at the VDA Young Designers Finalists Exhibition & Awards Presentation
· Sponsor Prize Pack, including selected art & design products and vouchers
-
Official Winner Certificate & VDA Young Designer of the Year Trophy
One-Year VDA Program Scholarship — valued at $2,400
Featured presentation at the VDA Young Designers Finalists Exhibition & Awards Presentation
Major Sponsor Prize Pack, including premium art & design products and vouchers
Exclusive industry experience or mentoring opportunity
Finalists
Outstanding entries from each age division and design category will be selected as VDA Young Designers Competition Finalists.
Each Finalist will receive:
· Official VDA Finalist Certificate
· Opportunity to exhibit at the VDA Young Designers Finalists Exhibition & Awards Presentation
· Finalist Goodie Bag, including creative materials, VDA merchandise and selected sponsor products or vouchers
-
Your School could also WIN an exclusive Design Hub Excursion Experience for 20 students valued at $800!
Give your fellow students a creative, hand on day at the GVD Design Hub in Blackburn, where they can explore the world of design, creativity and future careers.
Your school can experience any of the following excursion options:
· Fashion Design
· Graphic Design
· Architecture Design
Students will:
· Explore creative careers and future opportunities
· Discover study and career pathways
· Take part in engaging, hands-on design workshops
· Experience Design, Innovation, Creativity and Education (DICE) in action.
· Available for Junior to Senior year Levels!
PRIZE VALUE at $800
Valid: Term 1, 2027 – Term 4, 2027
Travel not included. Terms and conditions apply.
THE THEME
IMAGINE.
CREATE.
REIMAGINE.
VDA invites young creators aged 5-18 to turn their imagination into an original design. Whether you are passionate about fashion, interiors, architecture or digital design, this is your chance to share your ideas, challenge the ordinary and show us what is possible.
THREE WAYS TO REIMAGINE
CHOOSE YOUR DESIGN CATEGORY
01 — FASHION DESIGN
How might we dress in the future?
Reimagine fashion for the future. Explore new ideas inspired by changing lifestyles, sustainability, materials and technology.
- Clothing or fashion accessories
- Wearable or technology-inspired fashion
- Sustainable or upcycled fashion
- Innovative materials and textiles
- Fashion for future lifestyles or environments
02 — INTERIOR & SPATIAL DESIGN
How might we live in the future?
Reimagine the spaces where we live, learn, work, connect and play. Think about how design could make future spaces more creative, functional and sustainable.
You could design:
- Homes or bedrooms
- Classrooms and learning spaces
- Retail or creative spaces
- Community or public spaces
- Sustainable future environments
03 — DIGITAL & VISUAL DESIGN
How might we communicate in the future?
Explore how visual and digital design could help us communicate, tell stories and connect with others in new ways.
You could create:
- Posters or visual campaigns
- Digital illustrations
- Branding or visual identities
- Digital storytelling
- Interactive or digital experiences
- New forms of visual communication
AGE DIVISIONS
WHO CAN ENTER
Ages 5 — 10
JUNIOR DESIGNERS
Ages 11 — 14
EMERGING DESIGNERS
Ages 15 — 18
YOUNG DESIGNERS
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
01 — FINAL DESIGN
Submit one digital presentation
of your final design. ie. A fashion design piece, 3D model, video, artwork etc.
02 — DESIGN PROCESS
Submit one digital process page showing how your idea developed.
03 — DESIGN STATEMENT
Explain your design and how it responds to the theme.
Junior: 50 - 100 words
Emerging: 100 - 200 words
Young: 100 - 200 words
IDEAS, CREATIVITY
AND COMMUNICATION
JUDGING CRITERIA
Entries are judged on their ideas, originality and development - not simply on drawing ability or access to professional design software.
Creativity & Originality
30%
Response to the Theme
Design Thinking
20%
20%
Visual Communication
20%
Development & Effort
10%
BRING THE COMPETITION
INTO YOUR CLASSROOM
FOR TEACHERS
Looking for a creative opportunity for your students?
The VDA Young Designers Competition invites students aged 5–18 to explore design, develop original ideas and imagine solutions for the future.
It's an opportunity to encourage creative thinking, design exploration and visual communication across fashion, spatial and digital design.
Encourage your students to enter, share the competition with your classes, and give your school the chance to win an exclusive design experience.
Share the link to your students!
Competition Page
