Celebrate a decade of marine conservation with LAMAVE
We are excited to launch the' Art for Advocacy' Design Competition to celebrate 10 years of the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines’s (LAMAVE) dedication to marine conservation. This initiative aims to unite creativity and conservation by inviting everyone to showcase the incredible marine species central to our research and protection efforts. This competition highlights the species that define our work, from the majestic manta rays to the graceful whale sharks and sea turtles.
The winning artwork will be featured on limited-edition LAMAVE merchandise, celebrating a decade of research, community outreach, and species protection.
By participating, how are you contributing to the cause?
Your art will not only help raise awareness but will also support our mission to ensure the survival of these marine giants for generations to come. By participating in this competition, you can contribute your talents to support marine conservation and research, turning your creativity into real-world impact. Finalists will have their designs featured on our limited-edition anniversary merchandise, worn by LAMAVE supporters. The winner will see their design printed on our collection and be featured to receive special recognition on our website, social media, and newsletters. As a token of our appreciation, winners will also receive a special gift pack with the final merchandise and exclusive LAMAVE goodies!
Theme: Coexistence
The theme "Coexistence" represents the harmonious relationship between humans and the marine environment. It reflects the idea that humans and marine species, like manta rays, whale sharks, and sea turtles, can share the same ecosystems in a way that benefits both. Coexistence is about acknowledging the importance of biodiversity and every species’ role in maintaining the ocean's health while emphasizing the need for responsible actions to ensure their survival.
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Eligibility Criteria
Open to Filipinos aged 18 and above
Open to all artists and non-artists. Participants are limited only to individuals — no group, institution, or company submissions will be accepted.
Participant must be a resident of the Philippines
Artwork
Focus: The artwork should focus on marine megafauna that LAMAVE studies, such as manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles, sharks, or other marine species found in the Philippines. You can learn more about LAMAVE's work here: https://www.lamave.org/our-programs
Originality: Submissions must be the original work of the participant and not previously published or used commercially. Plagiarism or the use of copyrighted images without permission will result in immediate disqualification.
Medium: All submitted entries may be in the form of, but not limited to graphics, picture art, painting, etc. Keep in mind that your work will be used for merchandise such as t-shirts, rashguards, or hoodies, so designs should be bold, impactful, and visually appealing for these mediums.
Specifications: Participants should submit their work in a digital format. Acceptable formats include high-resolution JPG, PNG, TIFF, and Illustrator or Photoshop File. Physical artwork can be scanned and submitted in a digital format. Entries should be submitted with the following specifications: Minimum dimensions of 1800 pixels on the short side, 300 ppi. For initial submissions, files should be a maximum file size of 10MB; and must be a static image. If you are chosen as a finalist, we may request a higher-resolution file of the artwork.
Design
Specifications: The design must not exceed a border of 3300 x 4800 pixels. Any color may be used, as long as it complements the color of the shirt. Make sure that the chosen colors are bold and contrasting enough to stand out against the selected background (black). Keep in mind the size, detail, and placement so it will look appealing when printed on clothing. Consider how it will appear centered on clothing, and avoid designs that are too small or excessively off-centered.
Background: Designs should be made with a black background in mind. Your design needs to complement the background color but should not include elements that rely on the background to work effectively.
Complexity: Complex, intricate details may not translate well onto clothing, especially in smaller sizes. Keep your design clean, bold, and easy to recognize from a distance. Avoid using gradients, shading, or very fine details that may not transfer well onto fabric. Stick to flat colors that can be easily printed in high quality.
Text: If you include text, make sure it’s legible and relevant to the conservation theme. Avoid overly complex fonts that may be hard to read on clothing. No explicit or discriminatory text.
Submission Process
How to Enter: Must be following LAMAVE on both platforms (Facebook and Instagram). Submit your artwork and accompanying a statement through our application form.
Deadline: All entries must be submitted by October 28, 2024, 11:59 pm. Late submissions will not be considered.
Number of Entries: Each participant is only allowed to submit one entry.
Fees: Submission to the competition is free. There is no entry fee.
Naming Convention: Submitted files must follow this naming format: LastName_FirstName_ArtworkTitle (ex. Luna_Juan_Spolarium.jpeg)
Judging Criteria
Creativity: How well the entry interprets the theme of marine vertebrates in an original and imaginative way.
Relevance: The artwork’s connection to marine conservation and how well it represents LAMAVE’s work.
Visual Impact: The overall aesthetic appeal of the piece, including how well it can be adapted to merchandise.
Feasibility: The artwork must be adaptable for use on clothing.
Selection Process
Finalists: The finalists will be selected by a panel of judges with the final selections announced within the first week of November 2024.
Winner: After the finalists have been chosen, their works will be posted through LAMAVE's social media pages (Facebook & Instagram). The winner will be chosen by the audience through the most number of likes on their dedicated post (on LAMAVE's official account). Public voting details are to follow.
Voting Mechanism (For the Audience)Platform: Voting will take place on both Facebook and Instagram. Each finalist's artwork will be posted on the official LAMAVE account, and voting will be based on likes received on each post.
Voting: The winner will be determined by the total number of likes on their original artwork posted on LAMAVE’s platforms. Shares and comments will not count towards the final score. Voting will be open for a specific duration (to be announced).
Fairness: Each participant is encouraged to share the post with their networks to gather likes. However, participants and voters should avoid any unethical methods of gaining likes (e.g., using bots or paid services). Any suspicious activity may lead to disqualification.
Prizes and Recognition
Winning Artwork: The winning artwork will be featured on LAMAVE’s official 10th anniversary merchandise (e.g. t-shirts)
Exposure: The winner will be featured on LAMAVE’s website and social media channels.
Additional Prizes: The winner will receive a goodie bag from LAMAVE including clothing with their design.
Others
Rights: By submitting, the participant agrees to give LAMAVE the right to reproduce and distribute the artwork for promotional and commercial purposes related to LAMAVE work.
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Please complete the following form to officially submit your artwork for the Art for Advocacy Design Competition. Ensure that you provide accurate details regarding your personal information, a brief description of your submitted artwork, and its relevance to marine conservation.
You will be asked to upload your artwork file (in high-resolution JPG, PNG, or PDF format), along with a short statement (200 words or less) explaining how your piece relates to marine conservation.
10th-Anniversary Merchandise
Our 10th-anniversary merchandise is not just a celebration of our work—it's a tribute to the incredible marine species to which we have dedicated our research and conservation efforts over the past decade. This limited-edition collection will feature artwork created by one of you through this initiative, with designs inspired by the very species we strive to protect, such as manta rays, whale sharks, and sea turtles.
Each purchase directly supports LAMAVE’s mission, funding our ongoing research, conservation initiatives, and educational outreach programs. By wearing this merchandise, you’ll become an ambassador for marine conservation, showcasing beautiful art that reflects the diversity and beauty of the ocean. Join us in celebrating a decade of impact, and help us continue making a difference in the years to come!
Picture Your Design Here
10 Years of Conservation
For the past decade, LAMAVE has been focused on marine conservation in the Philippines. Our team has contributed to important research and education efforts centred on protecting manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles, and other marine species. From collecting valuable data to advocating for better protection through policy and education, our journey has been dedicated to creating a safer, healthier ocean. Learn more about our work here.
Some of our spotlight species:
