visual DESIGN
Visual Design provides members with the opportunity to showcase their skills in designing. This competitive event consists of a presentation component where the use of design principles are shared with the judges.
Event Overview
Division: High School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Pre-judged and Presentation on the state level
Event Elements: Pre-judged and Presentation with a Topic on the state level
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up, 7-minute presentation time, 3-minute question & answer time
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Marketing & Sales
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Technology
Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code, Technology and presentation items
Items Provided by FBLA: Table for final round presentation
2025-2026 Topic
Make Your Mark: Rethink the Recruitment Booth and Design Beyond the Tri-Fold
Design a visually compelling and modern FBLA recruitment booth, using this year’s theme of Make Your Mark, for a school or community Organization & Club Fair. Go beyond the traditional tri-fold display by exploring elevated design elements.
Your booth design should:
· Capture attention and reflect what makes your chapter unique
· Align with FBLA’s official brand guidelines (colors, fonts, and logos)
· Clearly communicate the benefits of joining FBLA
· Include visual components that could be used across print and digital formats
Think creatively: How can you turn your booth into an eye-catching, informative, and on-brand experience that leaves a lasting impression?
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· 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 in the official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
· Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
· If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule. The decision is solely up to the judges.
· 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 5.
Event Administration
· This event has two parts: pre-judged project and final presentation.
· Pre-judged Project (first round of competition)
o Submission Deadline: The pre-judged portion must be uploaded in the conference registration system by the date specified in the State Conference registration packet.
o Project Specifics
§ The project must address the given topic.
§ Participants may not use any words, diagrams, clipart, and/or artwork that are not public domain.
§ Graphics and sketches must be computer generated.
§ Graphics must be saved in jpeg, gif, eps or other image format. Graphics and sketches must be computer generated and will need to be saved as individual files in one Zipped folder. The Zipped folder will need to be uploaded as instructed in the SLC registration packet.
o Competitors must prepare projects. Advisers and others are not permitted to prepare project. Projects must be original, current, and not submitted for a previous SLC.
o The project is pre-judged before the SLC.
o Pre-judged materials will not be returned.
· Final Round—Presentation
o Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o Internet Access: Not Provided
o The presentation is judged at the SLC. Presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o Based on the results of the preliminary competition (pre-judged), the highest pre-judged project scores, a maximum of five individuals or teams will be selected to make an oral presentation at the State Leadership Conference. The individuals or teams selected will be notified prior to the State Leadership Conference…only those five will participate in the final round of competition. Competitors who do not make it to the final round are not entitled to a conference registration fee refund.
o Technology
· Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
· If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the presenters.
· Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not bring their own.
· Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
· External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting device(s).
· Electricity will not be available.
o Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may be used.
o Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
o No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
o Restricted Items: Animals (except authorized service animals), Food (for display only; may not be consumed by judges during the presentation), Links and QR codes (for display only; cannot be clicked or scanned by judges before, during, or after the presentation)
o Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
o Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly documented.
o If performing as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the presentation.
o Event Specific Information: Competitors should incorporate the following aspects in response to the topic
· Apply Design Principles: Use balance, contrast, alignment, and other design principles to create visually strong and purposeful layouts.
· Demonstrate Technical Skills: Use digital design tools effectively, showing knowledge of proper formatting, file setup, and software features.
· Communicate Visually: Design visuals that clearly communicate a message, meet audience needs, and support the purpose of the project.
· Explain the Creative Process: Describe how ideas were developed, refined, and brought to life, including how problems were solved along the way.
· Present Work Professionally: Organize and present design work clearly, using correct terminology and justifying design decisions with reasoning.
Scoring
· The prejudged score will determine the finalists.
· The final presentation score will determine the winners.
· Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final. 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.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
National
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/