Illustration Begins with Human Creativity.

The MUSE Illustration Awards exists to recognize illustrators whose creative decisions shape the final work.

Creative tools may support the process, but meaningful artistic authorship should remain with the entrant. Our focus is not the software used, but the originality, artistic judgment, and creative contribution demonstrated through the finished illustration.

What We Mean by Authorship.

For the purposes of the MUSE Illustration Awards, meaningful creative authorship refers to work in which the entrant remains the primary creative force behind the submitted illustration.

Meaningful authorship may include creative decisions involving:

• Original concept development
• Composition
• Visual storytelling
• Character creation
• Worldbuilding
• Style development
• Color and lighting
• Artistic interpretation
• Drawing or painting
• Illustration execution
• Significant transformation of source material
• Final creative judgement

The overall artistic contribution should clearly belong to the entrant.

Technology May Support the Process.

The MUSE Illustration Awards recognizes that many illustrators use digital technologies throughout their creative workflow.

Examples may include:

• Color exploration
• Reference generation
• Image enhancement
• Background extension
• Object removal
• Upscaling
• Texture exploration
• Workflow automation
• Other creative assistance

These tools may be used where the entrant remains the primary creative author of the final illustration.

The use of AI-assisted tools does not automatically affect eligibility or judging.

Help Us Understand How Your Work Was Created.

Entrants are encouraged to briefly describe in their entry description how their illustration was created, including the medium, techniques, and any traditional or digital methods used.

During entry submission, entrants must indicate whether generative AI or AI-assisted tools were used in creating the submitted work.

Where such tools have been used, entrants must identify the tools, explain their role in the creative process, and specify which elements were generated, modified, enhanced, or otherwise supported through AI. The disclosure must also explain the entrant’s own artistic contribution, including how AI outputs were developed or incorporated into the final work.

Entrants are responsible for providing complete and accurate information in accordance with the competition’s AI and authorship policies.

This disclosure supports transparency and helps us understand the creative process. It is not a separate judging criterion; all entries remain subject to the competition’s eligibility requirements and judging criteria.

Transparency Supports Fair Recognition.

Where generative AI has materially contributed to the submitted work, entrants should disclose its use during submission.

Disclosure allows the jury and competition administrators to better understand the creative process.

Disclosure alone does not influence judging results.

However, failure to disclose material AI use where required may affect eligibility.

What the Main Categories Do Not Recognize.

The MUSE Illustration Awards is intended to recognize illustration created through meaningful artistic authorship.

Work may be considered ineligible where it primarily consists of:

• Prompt-generated imagery with minimal artistic development
• Fully AI-generated work without substantial human artistic contribution
• Work that misrepresents authorship
• Work submitted without the necessary rights or permissions
• Work that infringes copyright or intellectual property

Eligibility decisions remain subject to the official competition rules.

The Entrant Remains Responsible.

Entrants are responsible for ensuring that:

• Submitted work is original or appropriately authorized
• All necessary permissions have been obtained
• Third-party rights are respected
• AI use is disclosed where required
• Submission information is accurate

Regardless of the software or technology used, responsibility for the submitted work remains with the entrant.

Fairness Through Transparency.

Where questions arise regarding authorship, originality, or AI disclosure, the MUSE Illustration Awards may request additional supporting information.

Examples may include:

• Sketches
• Work-in-progress images
• Layered working files
• Process documentation
• Development studies
• Other supporting materials

This information helps ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process where clarification is necessary.

Is AI completely prohibited?

No.

AI-assisted creative workflows may be used where meaningful artistic authorship remains with the entrant and the work complies with the official competition requirements.

Can I use AI for reference or ideation?

Yes.

AI may be used for concept exploration, reference generation, workflow assistance, or other supporting purposes where the entrant remains the primary creative author.

Can I submit a fully AI-generated image?

No.

Illustration created primarily through prompt generation without substantial human artistic development or transformation is not eligible within the main illustration categories.

Will AI disclosure reduce my judging score?

No.

Judging focuses on the quality of the submitted illustration.

The Creative Process Declaration and AI disclosure are intended to improve transparency rather than influence evaluation.

Can I use Photoshop Generative Fill or similar AI-assisted editing tools?

Yes.

AI-assisted editing tools may be used where the entrant remains the primary creative author of the final illustration.

How will MUSE verify authorship?

Where appropriate, the competition may request additional supporting materials such as sketches, work-in-progress images, layered files, or other documentation that demonstrates the creative process.

Why does MUSE have an Authorship Policy?

The policy supports fairness, transparency, and meaningful recognition for illustrators while acknowledging that creative technologies continue to evolve.

The MUSE Illustration Awards celebrates the illustrator's vision, judgement, and artistic contribution above any specific software or workflow.