The 2026 Designathon is the first-ever national design competition uniting Adobe Student Ambassador chapters across the U.S. in a single simultaneous event. Target UI UX and Branding Design, students are encouraged to collaborate and come up with solutions to 3 different startups. We have 3 final winners, $1000 dollar in total for prizes.
What is it? A designathon focused on UI/UX and graphic design. Teams will tackle a design challenge using Design tools and submit their work for judging by a panel evaluating creativity, craft, and communication.
Who is it for? Any students who are interested in design, branding, and UI UX design. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just getting started with Figma and Illustrator, this competition is built for you.
Schedule (all times EST / PST)
| Competition Kickoff | 5:00 PM EST / 2:00 PM PST — April 10 |
| All Tracks + Info Released | 6:30 PM EST / 3:30 PM PST — April 10 |
| Competition in Progress | April 10 – April 12 |
| All Submissions Due via Devpost | 11:59 PM EST / 8:59 PM PST — April 12 |
| Judging Period | April 13 – 14 |
| Awards Ceremony | 5:00 PM EST / 2:00 PM PST — April 14 |
| Decisions Released | 5:15 PM EST / 2:15 PM PST — April 14 |
Requirements
All submissions must be made through Devpost before the deadline. One team member creates the project and invites all teammates via email — teams can be formed any time before the submission deadline.
Each submission must include all of the following:
1. Description + Info
Write your design process in the Devpost project description. Explain your concept,
your design decisions, and specifically how you incorporated Adobe Express.
2. Final Design Files
Upload your completed work. Accepted formats: images, video, interactive prototypes,
or any other file representing your final design.
3. Slide Deck OR Pitch Video (one required, not both)
Option A — Slide Deck / Pitch Deck: cover the problem, your solution, and design rationale.
Option B — Demo / Pitch Video: Cover problem, solution, and demo. (3 Minutes MAX)
Submissions missing any required component will be disqualified.
Prizes
Overall Winner
Choice of 400 dollar worth of gift or gift card.
Branding Overall Winner
Choice of 300 dollar worth of gift or gift card.
UI UX Design Overall Winner
Choice of 300 dollar worth of gift or gift card.
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Madeline Persson
Senior Graphic Designer at Situation
Christopher Sun
Senior UX Designer @ Adobe Lightroom
Cassandra Reffner
Data Designer Stf at Lockheed Martin
Marti Lang
Art Director at Situation
Praneetha Kotla
Lead RPA developer at Johnson & Johnson
Tanvi Pisal
UX designer at Apple
Cherish Alston
Soleluxe
Christos Zoukos
Altrovia
Victoria
Gray Studios
Jiyun Yao
Chance AI
Shuyan
Chance AI
Judging Criteria
-
Accessibility & Inclusivity
Does the design consider diverse users? Is it accessible across different abilities, contexts, and devices? -
Branding Criteria
Visual Design, UX and Flows, Adobe Express Integration, Accessibility and Inclusivity.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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