About the competition
HUAWEI nova 15 Competition is not just a task, but an opportunity to take a refreshing look at the visual language of a modern brand and the role of technology in creativity. We invite you to go beyond something familiar and explore how design and mobile photography shape our perception of reality today.
nova is about self-expression, boldness, and relevance. It’s about a generation that doesn’t separate online and offline life, but creates its own aesthetic in every moment. In this contest, what matters is not only what you create, but also how you think: the meanings you embed, the emotions you convey, and the new forms you discover.
This is a space for experimentation, dialogue, and finding your own visual voice.
«Shot on HUAWEI nova» nomination is about the ability to see and feel the moment. The smartphone becomes a tool that is always at hand, which gives you the opportunity to capture life as it is. Here, not only technique and quality matter, but also the idea, attentiveness, and the author’s own perspective.
About HUAWEI
HUAWEI is one of the world’s largest companies in the field of telecommunications, development and production of smartphones, laptops, wearable electronics, audio devices, and mobile broadband equipment.
HUAWEI nova symbolizes youth, confidence, and style.
Competition task
Main Theme: «Where design meets genuine emotion.»
Theme: portrait photography
Objective We believe that the best portraits reflect a person’s true essence. Using any HUAWEI smartphone, create portraits that radiate «Vitality» (dynamic energy, genuine emotions, micro-expressions) and «Airiness» (natural lighting, natural skin texture, harmony between the subject and the environment).
Move beyond stiff poses and excessive filters — show us living, breathing beauty.
The «Shot on HUAWEI nova» contest direction will also be part of the Russian HUAWEI XMAGE competition.
Project requirements
Each submission must be unique. All works must be 100% original. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
Each work must be accompanied by a concept description (100–300 words) explaining the source of inspiration.
Special Requirements
Mandatory tool: All photos MUST be taken using a HUAWEI smartphone.
Format: Editing rules: Basic post-processing (color correction, cropping, exposure adjustment) is allowed. However, significant manipulation, compositing (such as adding/removing major elements), or intensive beauty filters that distort the skin texture (its «naturalness») are not allowed.
Quantity: The number of works submitted by a single participant is limited to 10.
The content of the images must comply with the laws of the Russian Federation, meet ethical and moral standards, and not violate the rights of third parties. If the image of a specific person is the main subject of use, the participant must obtain their consent to the disclosure and further use of the image, including for participation in this Competition, and provide it to the Organizer upon request.
The subject matter of the works cannot be related to religion, alcohol, or 18+ topics.
Competition stages
Stage 1: Contest Opening and Submission Period Dates: April 16 — May 30, 2026 Task: Submit your digital works or photographs through the official competition platform
Stage 2: Expert Evaluation and Public Voting Dates: June 1 — June 10, 2026 The period of jury members work. Simultaneously, online voting will be opened, where everyone can vote for their favorite project.
Stage 3: Announcement of Finalists Date: mid-June Announcement of the top 50 finalists.
Stage 4: Grand Finale Date: June 20 Action: Announcement of the contest winners.
For the «Shot on HUAWEI nova» nomination winners
🥇1st place: 50 000 RUB 🥈2nd place: HUAWEI nova Pro series smartphone 🥉3rd place: HUAWEI headphones
License to use: By submitting an entry, the participant grants HUAWEI and the HSE DESIGN LAB a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to publish, display, and use the submitted works for the purpose of promoting the contest (on social media, websites, and at offline exhibitions) without additional compensation.
Participant requirements
Age: Participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.
Professional Status: Everyone can participate in the competition — from passionate amateurs to experienced professionals. We strongly encourage students, graduates, and faculty members of HSE, as well as creative individuals from all other universities and design communities, to participate.
Citizenship and Residency: The contest is open to citizens and legal residents of the Russian Federation and CIS countries.
Team Participation: Individual participation is expected. In the case of a submission on behalf of a creative duo or team, one participant must be designated as the primary representative for communication and prize receipt.
Contact us
HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL Moscow, Malaya Pionerskaya st., 12 creativeopen@hsedesign.ru