The BIJI Buddy Bash: IP Character Poster Design Contest stands as a sucessful showcase of how brands can engage with creative talent through a well-executed campaign. Organised by Hide & Seeds, the brand owner of BIJI Buddy, the contest was designed to uncover young creatives' storytellng and design capabilities through original character IPs.
With Rtist supporting the execution of the contest and Dasein Academy of Art sponsoring the venue for the award ceremony, this initiative highlights the potential of brand-led contests to build awareness, talent engagement and artistic community development.
Contest Objective: Creating Original IP Characters Through Poster Design
The core idea of the contest was to challenge participants to design their own original intellectual property (IP) character and bring that character to life.
Participants were required to:
- Introduce their character visually and narratively.
- Develop a unique storyline or message.
- Translate the concept into an impactful poster.
Hosted and promoted with the help of Rtist.co, the contest attracted a wide pool of emerging design talent.
Kickoff and Onboarding: Live Zoom Briefing with Contestants
To ensure clear communication and equal understanding, a Zoom briefing session was conducted to introduce the contest’s brief, expectations, judging process, and timeline.
This digital onboarding, supported by Rtist, allowed participants from various locations to gain confidence and clarity before beginning their creative work.
Phase 1: Poster Submissions
In the first phase, participants submitted their original IP character poster designs, each featuring:
- A fully imagined character.
- A story or core message.
- Strong visual composition and thematic cohesion.
All entries were collected through the Rtist platform, which also served as a public gallery for discovery and appreciation.
Finalist Selection & Public Voting
After reviewing the submissions, Hide & Seeds — with Rtist’s coordinated support — selected its Top 25 finalists. These finalists were announced on Facebook, with public voting opened to increase reach and engagement.
This phase introduced public participation into the campaign, helping the artists reach a wider audience and deepening the campaign’s visibility.
Phase 2: Pitching Video Submissions
The Top 25 were then invited to submit a 5–10 minute video pitch, presenting:
- The story and concept behind their IP character.
- Their creative and design process.
- The core values or message they hoped to convey.
This step added a storytelling and presentation layer to the contest, helping participants build real-world pitching experience. Rtist provided backend support in managing and collecting the videos to ensure a smooth delivery process.
Award Ceremony Organised by Hide & Seeds
The campaign culminated in a grand award ceremony held on 14th June 2025 at Dasein Academy of Art, which served as the venue sponsor. This event was fully organised by Hide & Seeds, bringing together the finalists, their supporters, industry guests, and the creative community to celebrate the contest’s conclusion.
The event highlights included:
- Recognition and announcement of the winners.
- A public exhibition of the Top 25 poster designs.
- Talks by two invited speakers from the creative and IP development space.
🎤 Speaker Highlights
This award ceremony offered not only recognition but also valuable networking and inspiration for all attendees.
Check out the top 25 finalists and the winners here
Why Brands Choose This Contest Format
For companies like Hide & Seeds, contests like BIJI Buddy Bash offer a creative and strategic way to:
- Activate and engage creative talent.
- Build awareness around a brand or IP.
- Collect high-quality content for marketing and storytelling.
- Create buzz through both online and on-ground touchpoints.
With Rtist’s support in contest management and talent engagement, brands can focus on the vision and outcome, while leaving the execution and coordination in capable hands.
Final Thoughts
The BIJI Buddy Poster Design Contest demonstrated how a brand can launch a creative, well-structured initiative that highlights young talent and strengthens community visibility. Thanks to the leadership of Hide & Seeds, the support of Rtist, and the sponsorship of Dasein Academy of Art, this campaign successfully brought art, branding, and community together.
For businesses considering their own creative initiatives, the BIJI Buddy Bash offers a valuable case of how to organise and execute a full creative campaign — from idea to impact.
Meanwhile: Check Out Previous Rtist Contests Here
