If you are an active internet user, you must have seen that Google replaces its logo with a Doodle on its homepage to celebrate special occasions like public holidays, birthdays of famous personalities, events, etc. in particular countries. But did you know that one of the Google Doodles you see each year is designed by a child? Yes, you read it right. Every year, Google selects a Doodle designed by a K-12 student through a competition called Doodle4Google and features the Doodle on its local homepage.
But, what exactly is Doodle4Google?
Doodle for Google, popularly known as Doodle4Google is an annual art contest held by Google in various countries for K-12 students. Through this contest, students have the opportunity to display their own creative Doodle on the Google homepage as well as win various scholarships and monetary rewards for their education.
Doodle4Google Prizes
Doodle for Google winners receive exciting prizes. The prizes are given to national winners, national finalists, and state and territory winners.
If you are a national winner, your Doodle will be displayed on the Google homepage for 24 hours. Your school/non-profit organization will get a technology package of $50,000. Besides that, you’ll receive,
- A college scholarship of $30000
- Google hardware
- Fun Google swag
Five students are shortlisted as national finalists each year. If you are one of the four national finalists who did not win, your Doodle will be featured in the Doodle for Google gallery. Moreover, you’ll receive benefits like,
- A college scholarship of $5000
- Google hardware
- Fun Google swag
Alongside national winners, Google also announces 54 state and territory winners. If you are among them, you’ll receive,
- Google hardware
- A congratulatory message from Google
- Fun Google swag
Doodle4Google 2022
In the past couple of years, the uncertainties driven by the pandemic have impacted students in many ways. There have been numerous changes in the way students learn, socialize, as well as approach their own physical and mental health. Considering this, Google decided to set self-care as the theme for Doodle4Google 2022—its 14th Annual Doodle for Google contest. The theme is “I care for myself by…” It invites students to share how they take care of themselves as they go through new challenges and opportunities every day.
The elite panel of judges for Doodle4Google 2022 is passionate about self-care and mental wellness. The panel includes Selena Gomez—a renowned artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist; Elyse Fox—a Director, model, and mental health activist; and Juliana Urtubey—the 2021 National teacher of the year. March 4 was the deadline for submitting the Doodles for the contest and the results are yet to be disclosed.
Previous Three Contests: Themes and Winners
1. Doodle for Google 2021
“I am strong because…” was the Doodle for Google 2021 theme. The contest was won by Milo Golding from Kentucky. In his artist’s statement, Milo wrote, “I am strong because I have hope. I once asked my father how he overcame obstacles and became who he wanted to be. He replied, “Hope, hope keeps me strong.”
2. Doodle for Google 2020
The theme for Doodle for Google 2020 was, “I show kindness by…” The winner of the contest was Sharon Sara from Texas. She shares in a statement, “I show kindness by sticking together with my friends in tough times. I drew people coming together and not thinking about the outside but being together because of their personality.”
3. Doodle for Google 2019
“When I grow up I hope…” was the theme for Doodle for Google 2019. The contest was won by Arantza Pena Popo from Georgia. “When I grow up, I hope to care for my mom as much as she cared for me my entire life,” she wrote in her statement submitted with the Doodle.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can get started with the contest by following these steps: Download/print the entry form- create the Doodle with any material you want- write the artist’s statement- get the entry form signed by the parent/guardian- submit the form.
Yes. A Teacher or leader of non-profit organizations can enter the contest on behalf of a student. The only condition here is that the entry form must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian.
No. Since, this is an individual competition, Google does not accept Doodles created by multiple students.
Google accepts only one original Doodle per student. However, teachers or leaders of non-profit organizations can submit multiple Doodles on behalf of several students.
A student can create the Doodle by using any material or medium. Although students can create a Doodle in 3D form, the Doodles will be scanned and reviewed in 2D format. Materials such as pencils, crayons, paint, markers, chalks, charcoals, pastels, etc. will be accepted. Computer-generated images will also be considered eligible.
The winner of the contest is decided based on three parameters—artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication.
Yes. After all the entries are accepted and the best 54 Doodles are shortlisted, the public is invited to vote online. The voters are asked to pick their favorite Doodles from each grade group.
Google has the right to disqualify Doodles that are not original and contain copyrighted or trademarked images and logos. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, only one entry per student will be accepted. The additional Doodles will be disqualified.
Childhood is the age that shapes one’s personality, areas of interest, creativity, etc., and contests like Doodle4Google are exactly what they need at that age.
Also Read: History of Google – From 1996 to 2021
