foundations of digital design

Foundations of Digital Design challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of basic design principles and tools used in digital communication through an objective test. This event covers topics such as layout, typography, color theory, branding, and the use of digital software to create effective visual content.

Event Overview

Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes

Career Cluster Framework Connection: Arts, Entertainment, & Design

NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Technology

Items Competitor Must Provide: Pencil, Computer, Conference-provided nametag, Photo identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code.

This event is intended for students who are early in their collegiate academic journey and just beginning their study of digital design. Only members who have completed no more than six credit hours on a semester schedule (or the equivalent number of quarter hours) of college-level digital design coursework by May 1, 2026, are eligible to compete.

Knowledge Areas

· Design Principles

· Typography & Layout

· Digital Design Technology

· User Experience & Accessibility

Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.
State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.

·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.

·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.

·         Each chapter may submit six students in this event.

·         On the state level, each member can compete in up to three different events in the following combinations: three objective tests OR two objective tests and one performance OR two objective tests and one production or one objective test and two production OR one objective test, one performance, and one production. Students may enter the Christopher Heider, Rob Kelleher, Who’s Who event, and one Chapter event (Community Service, State of the Chapter) in addition to their above chosen events.

·         Picture identification (physical or digital: driver’s license, passport, state-issued identification, or school-issued identification) matching the conference nametag is required when checking in for competitive events.

·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled. This is at the discretion of the proctor.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 4.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered prior to the SLC. Advisers will be sent information regarding testing requirements.

·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.

·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided through the testing software.

Scoring

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.

·         Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·        Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/ 

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives

This study guide shows the skills and knowledge you’ll be tested on for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are based on the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives also reference MBA Research's Learning Activity Packages (LAPs)—resources with readings, activities, and assessments to help you learn. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA.

Design Principles (30 test items)

1. Describe the elements of design (PR:222) (SP)

2. Discuss 2D design characteristics (e.g., value, texture, contrast)

3. Discuss the use of positive and negative space

4. Explain the rule of thirds

5. Discuss the use of basic design principles (e.g., emphasis, movement, balance, variety)

6. Discuss Gestalt principles in design (e.g., similarity, proximity, continuity, closure, perception, organization, symmetry)

7. Explain the impact of color harmonies on composition (PR:314) (SP)

8. Discuss the psychological and aesthetic impacts of color

Typography and Layout (30 test items)

1. Discuss the nature of typography (PR:295) (SP)

2. Describe kerning, tracking, and leading in typography

3. Discuss the impact of typography on design

4. Explain how typography decisions may be influenced by tone, audience, and purpose

5. Define typography terms (e.g., font, typeface, ascender, serif)

6. Discuss the effects of document design elements (e.g., white space, headings, line lengths)

7. Discuss the use of font pairings and font hierarchies

8. Describe typeface categories and characteristics (e.g., serif, sans serif, script, monospaced, display)

9. Discuss relationships between layout elements (e.g., contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity)

10. Discuss framing concepts in layout design (e.g., cropping, bleeds, margins, borders)

Digital Design Technology (20 test items)

1. Discuss raster software and vector-based image technology

2. Discuss industry standard design software (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign, Blender)

3. Describe digital color concepts (PR:274) (SP)

4. Discuss key terms related to digital images (e.g., resolution, size, resampling, rendering)

5. Discuss types of image files and their characteristics (e.g., JPEG, PNG, SVG)

6. Explain bit depth and color gamut

User Experience and Accessibility (20 test items)

1. Discuss the importance of accessibility in design

2. Describe legal accessibility requirements for websites or other digital products

3. Discuss how design decisions can impact accessibility (e.g., colors, typography, layout)

4. Discuss elements of the design process (e.g., researching, brainstorming, collecting feedback)

5. Describe the importance of user feedback in the design process

6. Identify website design/components (PR:336) (MN)