50 Years - Competition
SAE Creative Media Institute is celebrating 50 years of shaping the future of creative media. With a global presence spanning 47 campuses in 20 countries, SAE empowers over 12,500 students annually to push the boundaries of animation, audio, computer science, creative industries, design, film, games, music, VFX, and virtual production. To mark this milestone, we are launching a student-led creative competition that will define the look and sound of our 50-year anniversary across our global network.
This competition will develop three key creative assets:
1. A Soundmark – A signature sonic identity representing SAE’s past, present, and future.
2. A 50-Year Commemorative Logo – A visual evolution of SAE’s brand identity, marking this historic year.
3. An Animation – A motion piece merging the soundmark and logo to be used across SAE’s global marketing assets.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for SAE students to showcase their talent on an international stage, with winning works featured across SAE’s North American, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and African campuses.
The Creative Challenge
- Honor the past – Reflecting SAE’s pioneering role in creative media education since 1976.
- Celebrate the present – Showcasing SAE’s global, innovative, and diverse creative community.
- Inspire the future – Embodying SAE’s bold, transformative vision for the next generation of creatives.
Competition Deliverables/Categories
- Soundmark (Audio Branding)
- A short, distinctive sound signature (3-5 seconds)
- Must be versatile and dynamic, adaptable to different media formats
- Should capture SAE’s spirit of innovation, technology, and creativity
- Can incorporate elements from music, sound design, voice, or abstract audio
- 50-Year Commemorative Logo
- A special edition logo that builds upon the existing SAE brand identity
- Should balance heritage and modernity, representing 50 years of creative excellence
- Needs to be adaptable across print, digital, and motion applications
- Animated Logo & Soundmark Integration
- A 10-15 second animation merging the soundmark and logo
- Should reflect SAE’s global presence, cutting-edge technology, and creative energy
- Must be optimized for use in video intros, social media, and digital campaigns
Students may select to submit ONLY ONE of the above for judging. Commendations for each separate category may also apply.
Who Can Enter?
🌍 North America (USA & Canada)
🌍 Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, Netherlands, Greece, France, Italy, Spain)
🌍 Asia-Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia)
🌍 Middle East & Africa (Jordan, UAE, South Africa)
🌍 Latin America (Mexico, Serbia)
We encourage interdisciplinary collaboration between audio, design, film, animation, games, and VFX students to create truly groundbreaking work.
Students are encouraged to form a creative team to enter – and teams with members across countries and borders are especially encouraged, with additional judging considerations applied. However, it is NOT compulsory to form a team to enter a submission.
Selection Criteria
Entries will be judged based on:
✅ Creativity & Originality – How well does the work stand out and reflect SAE’s spirit?
✅ Brand Alignment – Does it complement SAE’s visual and sonic identity?
✅ Technical Excellence – Is it well-executed and industry-standard?
✅ Versatility – Can it be used across various formats and platforms?
The Prize
- Cash Prize students will win a prize of $XXXX
- Return trip to Germany to be awarded the winner’s prize at the 2025 Annual SAE Global Alumni Student Convention!
- Global recognition with their work featured across all SAE 50-Year marketing and content
- A professional showcase opportunity on SAE’s international platforms
- Industry mentorship from leading professionals in design, animation, and sound branding
Exclusive SAE swag and a certificate of achievement
Submission Guidelines
- Format requirements will be shared upon registration
- Entries must be original and aligned with SAE’s brand tone and style
- Submit your work via [submission portal link] by [deadline date]
Timeline
📅 Launch Date: [Insert Date]
📅 Submission Deadline: [Insert Date]
📅 Winner Announcement: [Insert Date]
