Adobe MAX 2025 Creativity Awards

Celebrating innovation, impact, and excellence with Adobe tools.

Enter for a chance to have your work showcased in the MAX 2025 keynote.

Share your amazing work.

The second annual Adobe MAX Creativity Awards celebrate outstanding creativity and innovation, recognizing individuals and teams who push the boundaries of what’s possible with Adobe tools.

You’re invited to submit recent work for consideration by a panel of Adobe judges. Honorees will be given a MAX pass, airfare, plus hotel accommodations, and your project will be featured in the MAX keynote in Los Angeles.

Enter your creative project by June 26. One entry per category only. View judging criteria and rules by category.

Enter your work View 2024 honorees

Award categories

  • We’re looking for bold, strategic design work that pushed creative boundaries while solving real-world challenges. Whether for print, digital, or beyond, we’re honoring design that is both visually stunning and smartly executed.

    View official contest rules for Design

    Judging Criteria

    • Concept and innovation: Does the design introduce a fresh perspective or innovative approach?
    • Visual impact and aesthetic execution: How well does the design engage through typography, color, hierarchy, and composition?
    • Scalability and adaptability: How effectively does the design scale across different platforms and applications?
    • Brand storytelling and cohesion: How well does the design reinforce the identity and values of the brand or project?
    • Functionality and usability: Does the design effectively communicate its intended message and serve its purpose?

  • This category recognizes artists who push creative limits and express their vision through beautifully crafted, highly imaginative imagery. It’s where concept, technique, and storytelling meet.

    View official contest rules for Image Making

    Judging Criteria

    • Creative concept and originality: Does the image offer a fresh perspective, unique style, or conceptual depth?
    • Technical execution and craftsmanship: How well are digital painting, compositing, 3D modeling, or mixed media techniques applied?
    • Narrative and emotion: Does the image tell a compelling story or evoke a strong emotional response?
    • Use of Adobe tools and techniques: How effectively are Adobe’s digital painting, compositing, 3D, or generative tools utilized?
    • Composition and visual impact: Does the image demonstrate strong composition, color use, and focal balance?

  • Great motion work goes beyond aesthetics — it communicates, captivates, and transforms static visuals into emotionally engaging experiences. We’re looking for work that is bold, rhythmic, experimental, or narratively rich, created for any platform, format, or audience.

    View official contest rules for Motion

    Judging Criteria

    • Emotional impact and creative intent: How effectively does the motion work evoke feeling, mood, or atmosphere?
    • Technical execution and animation quality: Are animation principles such as timing, weight, and movement applied effectively?
    • Use of motion design elements and principals: How effectively are typography, shapes, graphics, character animation, and transitions used to enhance storytelling?
    • Pacing, flow, and use of time: Does the animation use time effectively to guide the viewer’s experience?
    • Use of Adobe tools and innovation: How effectively are Adobe motion and animation tools leveraged to enhance the final product?

  • This category celebrates those who see the world through a distinct lens. Whether staged or spontaneous, bold or intimate, we’re looking for work that turns observation into unforgettable imagery.

    View official contest rules for Photography

    Judging Criteria

    • Composition and framing: How thoughtfully are framing, perspective, and spatial relationships used to support the subject or message of the image?
    • Lighting and exposure: How effectively is natural or artificial light used to enhance mood and clarity?
    • Authenticity and perspective: Does the image showcase a fresh, unique perspective or visual style?
    • Storytelling and emotional impact: Does the image convey a message, evoke emotion, or capture a unique moment?
    • Technical execution and post-processing: Are retouching, color grading, and editing techniques used effectively?

  • Whether narrative, documentary, commercial, or experimental, we’re looking for work that combines thoughtful storytelling, compelling visuals, and intentional pacing to create an emotional or thought-provoking experiences.

    View official contest rules for Video

    Judging Criteria

    • Narrative strength and emotional impact: Does the video tell a compelling and engaging story?
    • Cinematography and visual composition: How well are framing, lighting, and visual aesthetics used to enhance storytelling?
    • Editing and pacing: Are the cuts, transitions, and rhythm effective in maintaining engagement and driving the story?
    • Sound and music integration: How well does the sound design, voiceover, or music enhance the storytelling?
    • Art direction and design consistency: Is the video’s overall aesthetic, color palette, set design, and styling cohesive and intentional?
    • Video formats and platform adaptability: How well does the video translate across different platforms and aspect ratios?

Award levels

New this year: awards will be given in three different levels per category.

  • Professional Work: This level is for projects created as part of a paid engagement, client brief, or work done within a professional, agency, or organizational context.
  • Personal Work: This level is for self-initiated, passion-driven projects created outside of a client or commercial setting.
  • Young Creators: This level is open to individuals who were between the ages of 18 and 22 when they created the project—whether as part of a class, internship, portfolio development, or independent exploration.

Frequently
asked questions

  • What are the Adobe MAX Creativity Awards?

    The Adobe MAX Creativity Awards celebrate exceptional creative work from individuals and teams around the world who are using Adobe tools in bold, inspiring, and innovative ways. Finalists and honorees are recognized at Adobe MAX.

    Who can enter?

    Anyone age 18 or older who lives in an eligible country and meets the project requirements can enter. See the eligibility section for details.

    What are the award categories this year?

    The 2025 categories are:

    • Design – Innovation in Design and Branding
    • Motion – Expressive Movement
    • Video – Cinematic Storytelling
    • Image Making – Bold Expression
    • Photography – Captured Perspectives

    What are the award levels and how do I know which one to choose?

    Submissions are accepted in three levels:

    • Professional work – Projects created for a client or commercial purpose
    • Personal work – Self-initiated or passion-driven projects
    • Young creators – Projects created by someone age 18–22 at the time of the work

    Is there a cost to enter?

    No, submission is free.

    What are the prizes for honorees?

    Honorees will receive:

    • Two MAX passes
    • Roundtrip airfare, for one traveler
    • One hotel room near the MAX venue, for up to four nights
    • A custom designed trophy
    • Recognition in the Adobe MAX keynote
    • Access to an exclusive reception in Los Angeles during the MAX conference
    • Project featured on the Adobe MAX website

  • When do submissions open and close?

    Submissions open on April 24, 2025 and close on June 26, 2025 at 11:59pm PT.

    When will winners be announced?

    Winners will be publicly announced live onstage at Adobe MAX on October 29, 2025.

    When will I be notified if I’ve been selected?

    Honorees will be contacted by early September. Please ensure your contact info is accurate during submission.

  • Can I enter if I’m under 18?

    No, all entrants must be 18 or older at the time of submission.

    Can I enter if I live outside of the eligible countries?

    Unfortunately, only residents of eligible countries may participate. If your country is not listed in the dropdown, you are not eligible this year.

    Can I enter if I’m an Adobe employee or contractor?

    No, current Adobe employees, contractors, and anyone submitting on behalf of Adobe or affiliated entities are not eligible.

    Can I submit team work or collaborative projects?

    Yes. One person should submit on behalf of the team, and all contributors should be credited in the submission.

    Can I submit for multiple awards?

    Yes, you may submit multiple entries, but only one project may be submitted per category. Choose the category that best reflects the core focus of the work.

    Can I submit work that was done for a client if they own the rights to it?

    If the client has granted you the rights and permissions to submit the project in this context, you may submit that work.

  • What file types and formats can I submit?

    You can share your work via links to cloud-hosted files (e.g., Dropbox, Behance, Google Drive, Adobe Portfolio, Vimeo). Please ensure all links are public and accessible.

    For still images:

    • Please provide files that are 4K or 3840pixels on long edge.
    • Accepted image types include png, psd, jpeg, and TIFF.

    For video:

    • Please provide files that are a min of 1080p or 1920x1080.
    • Accepted file types include Apple ProRes or H264.

    Instructions for submitting files via links:

    • Upload files to a secure cloud storage service. Ensure that files are properly organized and named for easy identification.
    • Adjust the link sharing settings to allow access to anyone. Ensure the sharing link is set to "Anyone with the link can view" to avoid any access issues.
    • Copy the sharing link and paste into the designated field on the submission form.
    • Before final submission, test the link yourself to ensure that it opens correctly and that all files are accessible without any additional permissions required.
    • If links are not set up to be accessible to anyone the submission may be disqualified.

    Do I need to include process work or documentation?

    It’s optional but encouraged. Judges appreciate insight into your creative process when available.

    What Adobe tools must be used?

    At least one Adobe Creative Cloud product or service must have been used in the creation of the project.

    Can I use non-Adobe tools in my project?

    Yes, but Adobe tools must have played a significant role in the creative process.

  • Who will judge the awards?

    A panel of respected creative professionals, industry experts, and Adobe team members will evaluate submissions.

    What are the judging criteria?

    Each category has its own set of criteria, but all entries are judged on creativity, execution, originality, and alignment with the category focus.

    How are winners selected?

    Finalists are selected by reviewers and judges through a scoring process. Tie-breakers may include additional evaluation of emotional impact, execution, or originality.

    Will I receive feedback on my submission?

    Due to the volume of entries, we’re unable to provide individual feedback.

  • How do I submit my work?

    Visit the official submission form(opens in a new window) select your category and level, and complete the required questions. Provide links to your work and submit before the deadline.

    Can I edit my submission after it’s been submitted?

    You cannot edit a submission once it’s been finalized, so please double-check everything before submitting.

    Will I receive confirmation when my submission is complete?

    Yes, you will receive an email confirmation once your submission is successfully received. Also, a notification should appear on the page underneath the nomination button.

    What if I have technical issues with the submission form?

    If you encounter any problems, contact our support team at support email

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  • Will winners be announced publicly?

    Yes, winners will be recognized live at Adobe MAX, featured on the event website, and across Adobe’s social channels.

    Can I share that I’ve been selected before the announcement?

    If you’re selected, you’ll be asked to keep the news confidential until the official announcement at MAX. After the official announcement is made, you may share freely.

    Will my work be promoted by Adobe?

    Selected honorees may have their work featured in Adobe blogs, social channels, and promotional materials.

I’m passionate about using design as a tool to create a positive impact in society, make statements that can strengthen social movements, and celebrate my culture.”
— Lia Ferreiro, 2024 honoree, Digital Design