The Adobe Certified Professional World Championship, an annual global competition organized by Certiport, serves as a platform to spotlight adept professionals proficient in Adobe programs and to uncover the upcoming generation of designers. This year, the championship took place in Orlando, Florida, USA, and Georgia entered the international arena for the first time, joining the ranks of other nations.

Initial Preparations – Charting the Course for Participation

The seeds of Georgia’s participation were sown in the realm of graphic design, a thriving domain within the IT Academy STEP. The notion to include Georgia in the championship sprouted within the confines of “Step.” Collaborative discussions took place between the leaders of IT Academy STEP and BTU – the University of Business and Technology. This synergy led to the materialization of the initiative, a testament to the unwavering and commendable partnership between these two institutions.

In accordance with the stipulations set forth by the international organizers of the championship, and considering the unique context of Georgia’s inaugural involvement, a primary challenge was organizing a regional championship to identify local champions. Consequently, the tasks and responsibilities were delineated and disseminated among the members comprising the championship’s executive team.

Regional Showdown – Participant Selection and Certification

During the initial phase, strategic partners were identified and invited to partake in the championship. Their support proved pivotal, and in certain instances, determinant for the successful execution of the competition. It is noteworthy that the partnership proposition was met with unanimous enthusiasm, with Georgia’s businesses harboring a vested interest not just in their own achievements but also in the nation’s triumph.

A prerequisite for participation was the successful completion of the Adobe certification exam, a practice well-entrenched within the IT Academy STEP’s framework. Notably, while the exam itself incurred a fee, the participation costs for graphic design students of IT Academy STEP were underwritten by “Step.”

In total, 30 budding designers achieved Adobe certification to earn a berth in the regional championship. The competition tasked them with crafting print designs centered around the theme, “Air Pollution – A Menace to Our Planet.” An impartial panel of judges scrutinized the entries against multiple criteria and selected the three most exemplary designs. The laurels went to Alexander Khalvashi, Mariam Baghaturia, and Lizi Nozadze, who represented Georgia in the global championship held in the USA.

World Championship – The Grand Stage in Florida

The pivotal moment arrived, fraught with the challenge of securing US visas for the participants. Overcoming this hurdle, they proceeded with unwavering resolve to brace themselves for the world stage. Notably, the aspiring Georgian designers garnered invaluable experience by participating in both local and international contests, leading them to develop robust portfolios and journey across various US states.

The Adobe Certified Professionals’ World Championship unfolded in the vibrant state of Florida, USA. The competition saw the involvement of representatives from 71 countries, converging to showcase their design prowess. The thematic focus of the contest was “Refugees Welcome – Always.” As the competition culminated, the creme de la creme was identified, with the top 10 participants emerging. Remarkably, Georgia soared to prominence, with #Stepper Mariam Baghaturia clinching a commendable fourth place on the global stage.