Envato announces winner of international photo editing competition

Akash Kumar aka Zacktick_Artz has won Envato’s inaugural #MadeWithEnvato photo editing challenge.

The India-based creative and Adobe Photoshop specialist was selected from more than 120 submissions from around the world. 

Creatives were tasked with creating original artwork for Instagram, using a selection of eight files from Envato Elements, curated by digital artist Aron Visuals. The assets included photos, textures, brushes, high-resolution backgrounds and even music.

“The level of skill and inspired creativity on display for the #MadeWithEnvato competition was some of the best we’ve ever seen,” said Envato’s Chief Content Officer, Cameron Gough. 

“And reviewing the feedback from both entrants and viewers, it’s clear that these tests of skill have engaged our creative community like nothing else.” 

Almost 1.7 million digital art fans viewed the submissions across social media and the competition page. Reflecting on the process to creating the winning submission, Akash Kumar said:

“I tried to create a sci-fi world and limited myself to using only the stocks provided. I enjoyed creating this art, which took me almost six hours in total to make. 

I have seen lots of other artists making beautiful pieces of work with the stock, this was certainly a tough competition.’

Competition curator Aron Visuals said he was impressed by the diversity of entries utilising the assets he selected. “I didn’t want to see people trying to copy my style, even if I understood they might be using my art as inspiration.”

“When we started I knew that for me the winner would be someone with originality and creativity. I wanted someone to blow my mind, even knowing that my standards are high. That it happened has made me so happy!”

“This was my first challenge as an ambassador and I truly didn’t know what to expect, but my mind is blown away with how many good entries we received. Even selecting 10 artworks for finalists was hard as hell. 

“Congratulations to all of those who took the time to create something special for this challenge, you’re all winners to me!”

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