Ritvik’s winning banner inspires change

When creativity meets purpose, magic happens! Ritvik, a Class 10 student at Apeejay School, Saket, recently claimed first place in a national online creative banner-making competition—and he did it with nothing but pure hand-drawn art! His vibrant, thought-provoking banner promoting vegetarianism stood out for its impactful message and artistic brilliance. In this exclusive interview, Ritvik takes us behind the scenes of his winning creation, his artistic process, and the exciting moment of victory.  

Tell us about your experience participating in this competition.

Honestly, it was an incredible experience! When I first heard about the competition, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to merge my love for art with a meaningful message. Designing the banner took a lot of thought, and submitting it online felt a bit nerve-wracking—I wasn’t sure how my work would compare to others. But when I found out I had won first place, I was overjoyed! The recognition has truly boosted my confidence.

What was your banner about? Take us through the creative thought process behind it.

My banner focused on the theme “Go Vegetarian” with the tagline “Small Choices, Big Impact.” The central image featured a smiling person holding a vibrant assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, symbolising health and sustainability. Surrounding this figure, I added small illustrated bubbles highlighting the benefits of vegetarianism—such as conserving water, reducing waste, improving health, and protecting the environment.

The idea was simple yet powerful: even small lifestyle changes, like choosing plant-based food, can create a lasting impact. I wanted my artwork to feel warm and inviting rather than preachy, so I used bright, cheerful colors to make the message visually appealing and inspiring.

How did your school support and encourage you throughout this journey?

Apeejay School, Saket has always been incredibly supportive of creativity and innovation. My teachers encouraged me to participate and provided valuable feedback that helped refine my concept. Knowing that my school was backing me up gave me the confidence to push my artistic boundaries. Their support made the entire experience even more special.

Did you use any digital tools for the banner, or was it completely hand-drawn? How long did it take to create?

No digital tools—just pure hand-drawn art! I used colored pencils and markers to bring out the vibrancy in the design. It took me around 4-5 hours to complete the entire piece because I wanted every detail to be perfect. I focused a lot on shading, creating a smooth background gradient, and ensuring that the message was clear at first glance. The process was time-consuming, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

Winning a national-level competition is a big achievement! How did your teachers and friends react to your success?

The competition was organised by the Quality Council of India (QCI) under the Government of India’s Gunvatta Pakhwada initiative, and the level of competition was quite high. When I won, my teachers and friends were thrilled! I received so many heartfelt congratulations, and my achievement was even celebrated within the school. Their encouragement meant the world to me. This experience has inspired me to continue using art as a tool to spread meaningful messages, and I can’t wait for the next creative challenge!