Event Overview

China is a unified multi-ethnic nation. For thousands of years, horses have been an integral part of people’s lives, whether in the agricultural societies of the Central Plains or the nomadic tribes of the northwest. They have played crucial roles in agriculture, transportation, warfare, and postal communication, serving as important companions to humans. Numerous outstanding works themed on horses appear in various art forms such as ancient classics, paintings, and sculptures, all reflecting the Chinese people’s fondness for these majestic animals. As a dynamic symbol in traditional culture, the horse represents not only strength and beauty but also embodies the Chinese values of loyalty, justice, optimism, and resilience. Many Chinese phrases incorporate the image of the horse, reflecting the unique values, aspirations, and aesthetic tastes of the Han people.

The year 2026 is the Year of the Horse (Bing Wu) in the Chinese lunar calendar. As documented in The Book of Songs— “On an auspicious day, Geng Wu, I prepare my horse”, this phrase suggests that Geng Wu is a fortunate time for riding out to hunt. This is one of the earliest references linking “Wu” with “Horse”. The “Wu” horse embodies the unyielding strength and perseverance of the Chinese nation, echoing the philosophy that “as Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous, so must a person of noble character ceaselessly strive along”.

The Global Zodiac Design Competition (The Year of the Horse), co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau and the Central Academy of Fine Arts, continues to invite design submissions from around the world, focusing on the image of the Chinese zodiac horse. A committee of renowned experts from both Chinese and international backgrounds will review the submissions. The winning works will be showcased and disseminated on a broader international cultural exchange platform.

We warmly invite you to convey your understanding and interpretation of the Chinese zodiac horse through design. We encourage you to explore the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese zodiac culture, breathing new vitality into it for the modern era!

Entry Categories

1 /Graphic Design

Participants are invited to create graphic designs inspired by the imagery and symbolism of the Year of the Horse. Submissions should embody positivity, creativity, and a distinct Chinese aesthetic. The format is flexible and may include 2D, 3D, web design, UI design, or app design.

(1) Series-based graphic designs around the Year of the Horse.

(2) Logos, theme posters, and VI (Visual Identity) design extensions for the “Happy Chinese New Year” campaign in the Year of the Horse.

(3) IP character designs around the Year of the Horse.

2/ Product Design

Participants can design cultural and creative products inspired by the imagery and symbolism of the Year of the Horse. Designs can incorporate elements of Chinese New Year, traditional crafts, and zodiac culture. Submissions should strike a balance between heritage and innovation, offering both a retrospective and forward-looking perspective on traditional zodiac culture. Priority will be given to series-based cultural and creative product designs for the Year of the Horse.

(1) Zodiac horse designs integrated into cultural and creative products or traditional crafts.

(2) Zodiac horse designs merged with modern lifestyles and cultural entertainment.

(3) Zodiac horse-themed clothing, accessories, and textiles.

(4) Zodiac horse-themed home go household items, office supplies, stationery, toys, and electronic products.

3/ Chinese Zodiac Series Design

Participants are required to create a series of twelve designs, each representing one of the Chinese zodiac animals. The works should integrate traditional cultural elements with modern aesthetics, showcasing the unique symbolism and charm of each zodiac animal. Submissions must align with the theme, evoke resonance, and feature a coherent, executable design concept.

Submissions may take any form, including but not limited to graphic designs, product designs, illustrations, or 3D models. Innovation is highly encouraged.

4/ Three Mountains and Five Gardens Design

“Three Mountains and Five Gardens” collectively refers to the historical and cultural legacy of royal gardens in the northwest suburbs of Beijing, epitomized by the imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty. The “Three Mountains” encompass Wanshou Mountain, Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan), and Yuquan Hill, while the “Five Gardens” consist of Yuanmingyuan, the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), Jingyi Garden, Jingming Garden, and Changchun Garden. Three Mountains and Five Gardens stand as a pivotal focus within Beijing's preservation system for historical and cultural landmarks, representing a significant cultural hub where the Xishan Yongding River Cultural Belt, and the Grand Canal Cultural Belt converge.

Participants are encouraged to incorporate the imagery and significance of Three Mountains and Five Gardens into their creations, spanning diverse genres such as graphic design, product design, multimedia, and interactive design. They should delve into the cultural nuances associated with Three Mountains and Five Gardens, emphasizing a central theme rooted in zodiac culture. Building upon this foundation, participants are encouraged to explore applications and innovations while considering the potential for the implementation and transformation of their design creations within the context of Three Mountains and Five Gardens.

Competition Timeline

Duration of Competition: February 15, 2025 - September 31, 2025

Work Solicitation: February 15, 2025 - July 31, 2025

Work Submission: 00:00, February 15, 2025 - 24:00, July 31, 2025 (Beijing Time)

Work eva luation: August 2025

Winner Announcement: September 2025

Registration

Colleges/universities, companies, design studios and independent designers from all countries and regions can register either as groups or individuals for the competition within the specified time online or onsite. For specific submission methods, please visit the " Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center – 2026 Auspicious Zodiac Design Competition (Bing Wu, Year of the Horse)" section.

Awards (All amounts are pretax)

Awards for Graphic Design (All amounts are pretax)

First Prize,[1],RMB10,000[pre-tax],1st Prize Certificate

Second Prize,[2],RMB5,000[pre-tax],2nd Prize Certificate

Third Prize,[3],RMB2,000[pre-tax],3rd Prize Certificate

Excellent Prize,[10],RMB1,000[pre-tax],Excellent Prize Certificate

Finalist Award,[20],Certificate of Finalist Award

Awards for Product Design (All amounts are pretax)

First Prize,[1],RMB10,000[pre-tax],1st Prize Certificate

Second Prize,[2],RMB5,000[pre-tax],2nd Prize Certificate

Third Prize,[3],RMB2,000[pre-tax],3rd Prize Certificate

Excellent Prize,[10],RMB1,000[pre-tax],Excellent Prize Certificate

Finalist Award,[20],Certificate of Finalist Award

Awards for Twelve Zodiacs Design (All amounts are pretax)

First Prize,[1],RMB20,000[pre-tax],1st Prize Certificate

Second Prize,[1],RMB10,000[pre-tax],2nd Prize Certificate

Third Prize,[1],RMB5,000[pre-tax],3rd Prize Certificate

Excellent Prize,[5],Excellent Prize Certificate

Awards for Three Mountains and Five Gardens Design (All amounts are pretax)

First Prize,[1],RMB10,000[pre-tax],1st Prize Certificate

Second Prize,[1],RMB5,000[pre-tax],2nd Prize Certificate

Third Prize,[1],RMB2,000[pre-tax],3rd Prize Certificate

Excellent Prize,[5],Excellent Prize Certificate

Professional Organization Award

The competition also provides a Professional Organization Award for 10 groups of teachers from art academies with the most entries based on the quality of the design works submitted. Each winning group will be awarded RMB 2,000 (pretax) and a prize certificate.

Design Requirements

1. All design works, in content and form, shall comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as relevant policies, without offending public order, good morals or social ethics.

2. All design works, in content and form, shall not involve pornography, violence, infringement of others’ privacy or any content unsuitable for publicity.

3. All design works, in content and form, shall not violate any specific religious taboo.

4. All design works, in content and form, shall fully exhibit Chinese cultural elements, possess a certain capacity of international communication, and express positive values and Chinese cultural connotations.

5. All submissions must be original and closely related to the competition’s theme, and show unique creativity, appeal and sound visual effects.

6. Group works may involve up to three authors per piece (maximum five authors for 2D or 3D animations). A series of works shall be regarded as one piece (set).

7. AI-generated or AI-assisted works are not recommended. Participants must retain source files for potential post-award development and refinement.

Submission Specifications

1. The design style, appearance, and presentation format are unrestricted, and any design software may be used. Submissions shall be in electronic format, with a width of no less than 500px and a height of no less than 600px. Files must be in RGB mode and submitted in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format, with a maximum file size of 15MB.

2. A brief explanation of the design concept shall be provided, outlining the inspiration, design intent, and any cultural symbols referenced, with a minimum of 200 words (in text or word format). For animation works, character designs, scene layouts, and story outlines shall also be included.

3. Product design submissions shall include the product name, renderings, a design description document (text or word format), and details on materials and craftsmanship. Renderings shall showcase the overall and detailed features of the design.

4. Submissions shall not contain any information identifying the authors, including institutions, names (including English ones or abbreviation), logos, graphics, or other identifiers.

5. Authors shall compile the core elements of the design onto an A3 layout (297 × 420 mm. A portrait orientation is recommended, and landscape orientation is acceptable if it better suits the design). The file shall have a resolution of 300–350 dpi, be in CMYK mode, and be saved in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format, with a maximum size of 15MB. This file will be used for on-site eva luation to ensure proper presentation and eva luation of the work.

Naming standard: “A3+Name+Category” (e.g. “A3+Zhang ××+Graphic Design”).

6. Authors shall retain bitmap or vector source files at 300 dpi (e.g. AI, CDR, PSD, PNG formats) suitable for media dissemination and print production. These files may be requested by the organizers for offline promotional purposes if the work is selected.

Requirement for Work Uploading

1. Please register online and log on the competition’s official website to upload works in electronic format.

2. For multiple submissions by the same participant, each work shall be uploaded separately to generate a unique link for each entry.

3. The registration form (electronic version) shall be filled in online.

Notice (Copyright Declaration)

In accordance with China’s relevant laws and regulations, participants or authors who voluntarily submit their works are deemed to have made the following irrevocable declarations regarding the copyrights of their submissions:

1. Originality statement: All submitted works, including representative pieces, must be original creations of the participants without infringement of any patent, copyright, trademark right or other intellectual property right of any third party; These works have not been published in any newspaper, magazine, website or other media, and have not applied for any patent or been registered for copyright, or participated in other competitions or entered commercial channels in any manner. Non-compliance will result in disqualification, revocation of awards, certificates, and prizes, and may lead to legal action by the organizing committee.

2. Ownership of the intellectual property right of submissions:

(1) The full copyrights of design works winning First, Second, Third Prizes and Excellent Prizes shall be transferred to the organizing committee. Winners are required to assist in signing Copyright Transfer Agreement, granting the organizing committee full rights to re-design, produce, sell, display, and publish the design works. Without the permission of the organizing committee, the authors shall not authorize or sell the aforesaid prize-winning works to any individual or organization for commercial purposes, but they shall permanently reserve the authorship of their works.

(2) The copyrights of design works winning the Finalist Award or winning no prizes shall be held by their authors, but the organizing committee has the right to display and use those works for promotional and publicity purposes. For commercial purposes such as follow-up development, production and sales, the organizing committee shall obtain their authors’ written permission and act as the agent to promote relevant works in the market. A separate Copyright Authorization Agreement will be signed between the organizing committee and the author.

(3). Before submission, participants shall have carefully read, fully understood and acknowledged the above terms and clauses. Otherwise, the organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify their participation, shortlist and awards, and revoke the prizes and certificates awarded. The organizing committee reserves the final interpretation rights for all matters related to the competition.

Sponsors

Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau

Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA)

Organizers

Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center

Collaborative Innovation Office,CAFA

Visual Art Innovation Institute, CAFA

Beijing Haidian District Cultural Development Promotion Center

Supported by

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Mexico

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Belgium

Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York

China Cultural Center in Paris