Graffiti Battle Rules:

• Color
  • Palette Cohesion (10 points): Colors should work well together, creating a visually appealing and cohesive piece. The use of contrast, harmony, and balance in the palette is key.
  • Originality (10 points): Judges will look for unique and inventive color schemes that stand out and demonstrate the artist's creativity.
  • Execution (10 points): The cleanliness of fills, blends, and fades will be evaluated. No drips, overspray, or unintentional color bleed allowed.
• Letter Style
  • Readability (10 points): While Wildstyle's and complex letter forms are encouraged, the word given can still be readable.
  • Creativity (10 points): Points for innovation in letterforms, including but not limited to extensions, connections, and flow.
  • Technique (10 points): The precision of the lines, the crispness of the outlines, and the overall execution of the letter structure will be judged.
• Technique
  • Can Control (10 points): The smoothness of lines, lack of overspray, and the ability to handle the can with precision will be crucial.
  • Complexity (10 points): The difficulty of the piece will be considered, with more intricate and detailed work earning higher scores.
  • Consistency (10 points): The piece must maintain a consistent quality throughout, from start to finish.
• Characters and Background
  • Character Design (10 points): The creativity, originality, and relevance of any characters included in the piece will be judged.
  • Background Integration (10 points): The background should complement the letters and characters, enhancing the overall composition.
  • Overall Composition (10 points): The relationship between characters, letters, and background should form a unified and balanced piece.

Total Possible Points: 120

Each artist will be given a word prior to the battle, which must be the focal point of their piece. Judges will consider how well the word is incorporated into the overall design, and how effectively the artist conveys their interpretation of the word through their graffiti. Participants must bring their own paint & caps.

This year, we’re continuing the focus on Hip Hop, civic engagement, and activism by incorporating Hip Hop element battles in MCing, graffiti, and breakdancing. Battle participants will compete for 1st ($500 gift card), 2nd ($300 gift card), and 3rd ($100 gift card) place prizes in each category. Each battle will have three judges, who are masters of their respective Hip Hop elements. Judges will be announced soon.