‘Doodle 4 Google’: Search Engine Giant Reaches Out to Students with Logo Contest

Editor's note: WRAL Local Tech Wire has added another feature with the launch of the "Innovation Exchange." Noah Garrett, former executive director of communications for the North Carolina Technology Association, is a creative spirit, from writing music to news stories, who recently launched his own communications firm. The focus of the Innovation Exchange is just that – creating a Web community through which people can exchange ideas and foster creativity.

Participate in the Exchange. Send ideas and feedback to: noah@thinkngc.com

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – The Innovation Exchange came across an inspiring idea last week developed by Google - its "Doodle 4 Google" competition.

Google is inviting school children to design a Google logo inspired by the question, "What If ...?" The winning student's doodle will be displayed on the Google homepage on May 22. The champion "doodler" also will win a $10,000 college scholarship and a $25,000 technology grant for his/her school.

“Doodle 4 Google is a great opportunity for students to explore the intersection of art and technology, while sharing their talents and creativity on a national scale,” Google’s Webmaster Dennis Hwang told The Innovation Exchange in an interview.

“We chose the theme ‘What If...?’ because at Google, we like to dream big, and we can't think of anything more important than asking students to do the same.”

The competition is open to U.S. students K-12. Entries will be judged on artistic merit, creativity and representation of the theme. Panels of regional judges will select 40 top doodles across age groups, from which the public will help select the final four. The grand-prize winner will then be selected by Google and announced at an event hosted at Google's headquarters on May 21. The doodle will be displayed on the Google homepage the following day.

The customization of the Google logo started in 1999, and is now designed almost exclusively by Google Webmaster Dennis Hwang (or Hwang Jeong-mok), whose work is seen by millions every time he exhibits on the Google homepage. The 29-year-old calls his drawings "doodles" and has built up a huge following of his work on the Web over the years.

Dennis has creatively depicted worldwide events, anniversaries and holidays with doodles that incorporate the Google logo for the world of users to celebrate. He designed his first logo for Google in honor of Bastille Day, July 14, 2000, at the request of Google head-honchos, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and has been designing the specialty logos ever since

The Innovation Exchange caught up with Dennis last week to talk a little more about the "Doodle 4 Google" competition and its significance.

Who came up with this campaign and why?

At Google we are delighted to encourage and celebrate the creativity of young people, and are excited to see the range of creative doodles that are submitted. As our chief doodler, every day I am asked by users to do some doodle or another, and with this competition, one of these users has the opportunity to do it for him or herself.

What are the goals of Doodle 4 Google?

Doodle 4 Google is a great opportunity for students to explore the intersection of art and technology, while sharing their talents and creativity on a national scale. We chose the theme "What If...?" because at Google, we like to dream big, and we can't think of anything more important than asking students to do the same. Through this program we hope participants will have fun, think creatively and learn something new all at the same time.

What other ways is Google promoting the development of a knowledge workforce and 21st century students?

Google has supported teachers and students through its "Google for Educators" website (see the "On The Web" section for the link), which offers ideas and classroom activities incorporating free Google products to enhance learning for students. We have always looked for opportunities to encourage youth to pursue studies in math, science and engineering. Efforts include our K-12 program for girls and underrepresented minorities and our financial and people support for technology programs such as the Sally Ride Science Festival, FIRST Robotics and Citizen Schools.

Are you planning to take this campaign to a global scale – meaning outside of the U.S., if it is successful?

We've done the Doodle 4 Google Competition in other countries in the past (UK and Australia). We've been amazed and inspired by the doodle submissions in every competition, and are very excited to host this competition in the U.S. We don't have anything to announce regarding future Doodle 4 Google competitions at this time.

How can I found out how many schools are participating in the campaign specifically in North Carolina and in Region 4?

After the deadline for registration (March 28) has passed we will have a better idea about how many schools are participating in each state.

Thank you for sharing your time with the Innovation Exchange, Dennis, and keep up the good work.

Thank you and have a great weekend.

To find out more, visit the official "Doodle 4 Google" competition page.