
CRYSTAL CANVAS '20 RESULTS
Thanks to everyone for all of the amazing submissions to the 2020 Crystal Canvas competition!
We have received applications from Italy, Lebanon, Poland, Serbia, Ecuador, Russia, Greece, Vietnam, Brazil, Philippines, United States, Czech Republic, Canada, Thailand, Germany, Colombia, Belarus.
After long consideration and voting across the global panel of judges we are now very happy to announce that the finalists have been selected:
FIRST PLACE WINNER Ognjen Sporin
SECOND PLACE WINNER Dahlia Khodur
THIRD PLACE WINNER Karolina Jędrzejak
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Natalia Isaicheva
Alberto Nicolini
Xavier Cuenca
Magdalena Orzech
Alessio Sordini, Bartlomiej Jedrzejewski, Christos Marmeris, Dawid Jezierski, Ivan Miskalo, Jairo Guerrero, Kuba Mirocha, Martin Treschl, Nolan Brewer, Piotr Gajda, Treepol Phromyog, Vasburg.
THANK YOU to our incredible Judges: David Mullich, Jakub Różalski, Kate Edwards, Kutay Cengil, Phillip Zhang and Renee Gittins for making the tough decision and thanks once again to everyone who participated!
CRYSTAL CANVAS
DIGITAL ART CONTEST
The competition is open to all artists worldwide, who devote themselves to create concept and promotional art for video games, as well as to the artists who create digital art not directly connected to computer games.
The awards ceremony and the exhibition will take place at the Poznan International Fair during the biggest gamedev event in Central and Eastern Europe – Poznan Game Arena in Poland, 20.11.2020 – 22.11.2020.
The vernissage will take place at the Game Industry Conference. The post-competition exhibition will take place at the OFUTURE zone.
The theme of the Competition is “Water”. The task of the Participants is to create concept and promotional graphics. For more details please read the regulations. Participation in the Competition is free of charge.
Deadline 20.10.2020
First Place Prize – 600 EUR
Second Place Prize – 300 EUR
Third Place Prize – 200 EUR
The Game Industry Conference will fund Developer Pass for 19 selected artists.
The qualified projects will be presented on free-standing boards in the format of 100 x 250 cm.
The costs of 19 qualified printouts for the exhibition shall be covered by the Poznan Game Arena.
Finalists will be invited to join 80 Level RFP the premium job-matching service connecting video game creatives with top companies at no charge to the artists.
The aim of this competition is to promote art created with the use of digital techniques, as well as to attract attention to the fact that computer games are a form of modern art themselves. Computer games are not only a commercial phenomenon but can also be of artistic and philosophical nature. The name CRYSTAL CANVAS refers to artists turning to other media for expression: from traditional canvas to the liquid one, the crystal display. Digital painting used in design and promotion of computer games, combining the world of art and technology, broadens the discussion of image as a medium for expression and content. The unique phenomenon that firmly developed on account of computer games is concept drawing. For a long time traditional drawing also had not been recognized as an independent form of visual art. Drawings were made to encapsulate the artist’s idea on a sketch in preparation for a painting or a sculpture. Similarly, nowadays, concept art is the introduction and the basis for developing the real games assets; it designs the atmosphere, the characters and the environment of the virtual world. Those elements will affect gamers emotionally or even physically, as they identify themselves with video games heroes. Due to this immersive character of computer games, in addition to creating possibilities, a great responsibility lies on the shoulders of game designers.
CRYSTAL CANVAS JURY

DAVID MULLICH
David Mullich is an accomplished game designer and producer best known for managing product development for pioneering educational software publisher EduWare Services and its line of core curriculum tutorials and intellectually-stimulating games, including the cult-classic 1980 adventure game “The Prisoner” and directing The 3DO Company’s “Heroes of Might & Magic” development team for 5 years, producing 2 best-selling AAA titles and several expansions in the hit strategy game franchise. In 1987, David was hired as the first game producer at The Walt Disney Company, where he produced “DuckTales: The Quest for Gold” for personal computers and “DuckTales” for the NES. Other notable games he has produced include Harlan Ellison’s “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” for Cyberdreams, and “Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines” for Activision. He also formed his own company, Electric Transit, which developed 3D simulations in collaboration with NASA/JPL scientists and was Electronic Arts’ first affiliated label publisher. David also led the Game Production degree program at The Los Angeles Film School. He is currently Game Producer at CineMoiWorld and Game Design Adjunct Professor at Art Center College of Design.
twitter/David_Mullich
JAKUB RÓŻALSKI
Jakub Rozalski, also known as a Mr. Werewolf. Independent concept artist, storyteller & illustrator, creator of the 1920+ world. Jakub is a Polish visual artist, born in 1981, in Koszalin. Professionally works as a concept artist, illustrator & designer since 2002. The best known as a creator of the World of 1920+ (Scythe, Iron Harvest), as well as from dark, full of storytelling and very evocative paintings. He is most inspired by history, folktales, myths, countryside, and wild nature. He works both traditionally and digitally. From 2014, focused and works only on personal projects.
artstation.com/jakubrozalski


KATE EDWARDS
Kate Edwards is the Executive Director of the Global Game Jam, as well as the CEO and principal consultant of Geogrify, a consultancy which pioneered content culturalization. She is also a Board Member of Take This and is the former Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) from 2012 to 2017. In addition to being an award-winning advocate who serves in several advisory roles, she is a geographer, writer, and corporate strategist. Following 13 years at Microsoft, she has consulted on many game and non-game projects for BioWare, Google, Amazon, Facebook, LEGO, and many other companies. Fortune magazine named her as one of the “10 most powerful women” in the game industry in 2013 and in 2014 was named by GamesIndustry.biz as one of their six People of the Year. Besides being awarded by several events for her advocacy work in the global game industry, she was most recently honored with the Ambassador Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards at GDC 2020. She is also profiled in the December 2018 publication Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play.
www.globalgamejam.org
KUTAY CENGIL
Kutay Cengil is a Turkish 3D modeller, digital sculptor and texture painter for the entertainment industry. He graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the Izmir University of Economics. He also studied New Media and Video Design at Istituto Europeo di Design in Barcelona. He started his artistic journey from producing short movies, music videos and curating art exhibitions. His motion graphics were exhibited in Museum of Modern Art New York, Art Basel, Sonar Festival and in many more museums and festivals around the world. Back then Kutay has decided to take his love for 3D art to a professional level. He worked at TaleWorlds, one of the leading independent game development studios in Turkey. He was awarded 3D Total Excellence Award and CG Society-Editors Choice. Kutay worked at Method Studios as a 3D modeller and texture painter on such hit movies as Avengers-infinity war, Godzilla- King of Monsters and Fantastic Beasts-Crimes of Grindelwald.
www.kutaycengil.com


PHILLIP ZHANG
Phillip Zhang is a California based artist who currently works at Riot Games, where he builds fantasy worlds with concepts, models, and hand-painted textures. Born and raised in China, Phillip’s artistic journey started in the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing. He later transferred to Laguna College of Art and Design, United States, and graduated with a degree in fine arts. Since then Phillip has worked at Wormhole Games, Disney ABC Television, Blizzard Entertainment, and Riot Games. He has helped to ship multiple video game titles which includes: Tank Nation (Mobile Game), Disney Grand Prix XD (Mobile Game). World of Warcraft – Legion, World of Warcraft – Battle for Azeroth, World of Warcraft – Shadowlands, Team Fight Tactics – Galaxies, League of Legends – Rise of Elements.
artstation.com/phillipzhang
RENEE GITTINS
Renee Gittins is the Executive Director of International Game Developers Association (IGDA), and a multi-disciplinary leader with expertise in software engineering and creative direction. She is a passionate advocate and connector for developers and diversity in the game industry, with a background that spans across engineering, design, and production. She is outspoken about initiatives to increase diversity both within the game industry and gaming overall to help the game industry grow and improve for everyone. Renee was named as part of the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2020 in Games.
igda.org

SAMPLES FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS
PETRU POSTOLACHI
Moldova
ALEJANDRA GALADI LEIVA
Spain
JENS KUCZWARA
Austria
LILY AURELIE BERNARD
Ireland
BAGUS HUTOMO
Indonesia
DAWID JUREK
Poland
MAREK RAKUCAK
Slovakia
JORN SIBERIAN
Russia
ANH LE
United States
MARCIN BASTA
Poland
MAGDALENA WĘGIEL
Poland
MAKSIM VORONTSOV
Belarus
FAQ
We generally look for the projects created specifically for the contest. However, it is possible to apply with an old design if it perfectly matches the theme.
The Competition cannot accept submissions from studios or teams of artists. Nonetheless, in specific situations, a singular artist may submit their designs, created for a published or under development commercial project, on the condition that the artists have full copyrights to the submitted artwork.
At the first step of application to the competition, the submission should consist of three elements: concept sketches, final illustration and a brief description of the idea for a video game related to the concept of water. The 19 selected artists will be provided with a template for the Expo banner. The Finalists will be obliged to transmit the submitted concept art, final illustration and description of the project to the template. The arrangement of these elements and colouring is at the artist’s discretion. For more information please read the regulations. We recommend checking the gallery from the previous editions on our social media.
PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION
Do you want to participate in competition?

REGULATIONS
CRYSTAL CANVAS 2020
§ I General Provisions
1. The Organizer of CRYSTAL CANVAS Competition is the Czapski Art Foundation with its registered office in Poznan, National Court Register Number 0000475309, Szubińska 18 Street, 60-114 Poznan, Poland.
2. The Originator and Curator of the Competition is Aleksandra Lison.
3. The partners of Competition are: PGA – Poznań Game Arena, GIC – Game Industry Conference, IGDA – International Game Developers Association, Indie Games Poland Foundation and Belgamedev.
4. The media partners of Competition are: 80 LEVEL, gram.pl, PIXEL, Out of Mana.
5. Objectives of the Competition:
- recognition of interesting artistic attitudes that may influence the computer games market by creating innovative game concepts
- promoting the art created with digital techniques
- drawing attention to computer games, and in particular to concept and promotional graphics, as an independent type of modern art
6. The best projects will be presented at the Poznan Game Arena and Game Industry Conference.
7. The post-competition exhibition will take place at the OFUTURE Zone Gallery by Czapski Art Foundation.
§ III Conditions of the Participation
1. In order to take part in the Competition, it is necessary to send an application to the following e-mail address: crystal.canvas@ccprize.com. The submission must be made by 11.00 pm (CET) on the 20th of October, 2020.
2. The Participant will receive a return e-mail confirming acceptance of the application.
3. You can send in one author’s design made by yourself, to which the Participant has full copyrights, personal and property rights along with the application form available at www.crystalcanvas.eu
4. The Competition is open and international.
5. Participation in the Competition is free of charge.
6. Results of the Competition are not subject to an appeal.
7. The Competition cannot be participated in by employees or management of the Competition Organizer or by persons directly involved in the preparation and conduct of the Competition.
8. The Competition cannot be participated in by teams of artists.
§ IV Thematic Area and Requirements
The theme of Crystal Canvas 2020 is “WATER”.
The concept of water is intended to be used only as an inspiration. The creators can present their world of the game vision in any real or fantastic space-time and in any interpretation.
The task of the Participants is to carry out the project and send an application consisting of three elements:
1. A single chart with all the concept sketches or up to six separate images consisting concept art (300 dpi, jpg)
2. well-developed illustration – promotional graphics, e.g. character or environmental design (300 dpi, jpg)
3. a brief description of the idea for a video game related to the concept of water (in the application form to be downloaded from the contest website).
The graphic part can be made using any digital technique and style and transmitted in the form of 2D graphics. The images may be created in vertical or horizontal orientation.
All the projects qualified for the exhibition will be presented on free-standing boards in the format of 100 x 250 cm. The 19 selected artists will be provided with a template for the Expo banner. The Finalists are obliged to transmit the submitted concept art, final illustration and description of the project to the template and send it back to the Organizer. The arrangement of these elements and coloring is at the artist’s discretion.
If you have any questions, write us an email at the crystal.canvas@ccprize.com or info@czapski.art.pl
§ V Schedule
1. Deadline for online receipt of applications – 20.10.2020.
2. Jury proceedings and selection of winners – 25.10.2020 – 01.11.2020.
The Organizer shall immediately inform the winners of the Competition results via e-mail or phone.
3. Online receipt of 19 Finalists Expo banners – 02.11.2020 – 07.11.2020
4. Publication of the Competition results – 10.11.2020.
5. Exhibition of finalist’s works as a part of PGA and GIC on the area of the Poznan International Fair:
- 20.11.2020 – vernissage during the GIC
- 20.11.2020 – awarding of prizes on PGA Main Stage
- 19.11.2020 – 22.11.2020 – exhibition on PGA
§ VI Jury
The jury of CRYSTAL CANVAS 2020 will consist of: David Mullich, Jakub Rozalski, Kate Edwards, Kutay Cengil, Phillip Zhang, Renee Gittins.
§ VII Awards
1. The Organizer shall establish the following statutory awards:
- First prize 600 EUR
- Second prize 300 EUR
- Third prize 200 EUR
The prize will be transferred to the winner’s account within one month from the end of the Competition exhibition.
2. The costs of 19 qualified printouts for the exhibition shall be covered by the Poznan Game Arena.
3. The Game Industry Conference will fund Developer Pass for 19 selected artists.
4. Finalists will be invited to join 80 Level RFP the premium job-matching service connecting video game creatives with top companies at no charge to the artists.
5. 19 selected artists will receive invitations for PGA Party.
6. Attending the PGA, GIC and CC exhibition is optional.
§ VIII Copyright
1. The Participant, at the moment of submitting the project for Competition, grants the Organizer and the Partners the right to:
free, unlimited in time and territory, use of the submitted works or their fragments in the following fields of use:
- reproduction of the work submitted for the Competition on the websites and in other media as a part of promotion and advertising of the Competition or the Organizer,
- recording and reproduction by any means, including printing, and digital technology,
- dissemination in any other way, including through public display and exhibition,
- use of selected works for educational purposes.
2. The Organizer and the Partners, may use the rights included in the first point on condition that the author of work is indicated.
3. Personal copyrights to works shall not be transferred to the Organizer as a result of the Competition.
§ IX Personal Details
1. The Participant provides his data voluntarily, but if they are not provided, it prevents from taking part in the Competition.
2. Taking part in the Competition shall be tantamount to giving consent to the processing of Participant’s data for the purposes of Competition organization.
3. The Participants have the right to access their data, correct and delete them after the Competition.
4. The Participants agrees to give their name and surname as a part of the list of Winners on the Organizer’s website, as well as to publish them on the exhibition, in catalogue and video report from the event.
§ X Final Provisions
1. Taking part in the Competition is tantamount to accepting the terms of these regulations.
2. Taking part in the Competition is tantamount to the Participant’s liability for claims of third parties against the competition organizer in the event of infringement of copyright by the Participant in the submitted project or providing incorrect data.
3. The Organizer has the right to postpone the exhibition, for reasons beyond the control of the Organizer.
4. In all matters not regulated by these Regulations, the provisions of Polish law shall apply.
SEND YOUR
PROJECT TO
crystal.canvas@ccprize.com
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