Use your creativity and artistic ability to promote your project area or 4-H program.

4-H’ers are encouraged to develop their visual communication skills by also identifying locations to display their created materials as a means to communicate with external audiences about the 4-H program.

Description of Categories

Youth are allowed one entry in the Graphic Design competition. The entry should either focus on promotion of 4-H or a 4-H project.

Levels of Competition

Junior Level I: 9 to 11 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year (compete only at local and regional levels).

Intermediate: 12 to 13 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year (compete only at local and regional levels).

Senior Level I: 14 to 15 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year.

Senior Level II: 16 to 18 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year.

Refer to Alabama 4-H Competitive Events on the Alabama Extension website (www.aces.edu) to review the Competitive Events General Policy and the Age & Eligibility Chart.

Rules for Graphic Design

1. This is an individual event. Entries must be completed by exhibitor, and only one entry per youth participant.

2. The entry must be saved as a pdf file, with the exception of the PowerPoint entries. All files should be saved as follows: Last Name, First Name_County_Age division_Class (ex: Clover, Johnny_Lake County_Senior_Brochure)

3. Graphics become the property of Alabama 4-H upon entry and may be used for promotional purposed by Alabama 4-H.

4. No hand drawn entries will be accepted.

5. The entries will be judged on font style and graphics, flow of design, color, educational components, and clear delivery of message.

6. Use of copyrighted or protected characters or logos is prohibited. Use of the 4-H Emblem must be in accordance to the graphic standards set by the USDA.

7. Senior Level 4-H members must submit a community service report. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Community Service

Telling a great story, showcasing projects at a community library, speaking at the local nursing home, or organizing a community cooking or a building blocks workshop are great opportunities to serve others. Serving others helps build your academic skills, learn civic responsibility, and develop leadership. It may also give you a good opportunity to meet new people, publicize 4-H, and practice your communication skills. Alabama 4-H is now requiring all Senior Level 4-H members to add a community service component to all 4-H Competitive Events. Each Senior Level 4-H member will have to complete the 4-H Community Service Report as a part of their project. 4-H members will be disqualified if the community service report is not included.

It is important that you decide what service you can provide, not have a parent or 4-H leader make this decision for you. Groups of young people are encouraged to work together to discover how they can serve their community.

Score Sheet

View the score sheet for Graphic Design in the corresponding PDF download below.

Joy Scott, Extension Specialist, 4-H and Youth Development, Auburn University.

Revised July 2024, Graphic Design, 4HYD-2241-I