Earlier this year, we launched our first Audio Maker Competition where we invited you to record and submit your very own audio creations to Yoto Space. Well, fun was clearly had by all! We were so impressed with the things you made that we have decided to do it all again!
So for the summer months (or winter if youâre in the southern hemisphere), weâre inviting you to get creative and let your imaginations loose on a piece of original audio to share on Yoto Space, with prizes for the best entries.
Categories
Excited? So are we. This time around is a bit different though â your entry should fall into one of the following categoriesâŚ
Yoto for everyone â These are entries that support the kinds of uniqueness that are common to all families. Maybe your entry works well for children with busy brains, who see and move through the world in unique ways, who spend time away from home having treatment, who have issues sleeping and so much more.
Learning with Yoto â This category is reserved for those entries with learning in mind. Whether youâre a teacher, a homeschool family, or just looking to harness the power of audio in your childâs education adventure, Yoto can be super helpful. So why not show us what it can do?
Activity and those summer days â For entries that encourage getting out and about. That could be anything from exercise, games, exploring nature⌠the sort of things we do when the days are longer and warmer.
Think outside the audio box â Ingenious ways to create audio+ experiences specifically for a Yoto player and its unique superpowers. Join the conversation on what that could mean over on the Maker Space.
To the victor, the spoils.
First prize wins $1,000 (or equivalent in your currency)
2nd prize wins $500
3rd prize wins $400
4th prize wins $300
5th prize wins $200
6th prize wins $100
Submissions are open now! But donât wait around, the closing date for entries is September 10th. Submit your entry here.
Inspiration station
You might know exactly what you plan to make, or you might think this is right up your street but not know exactly where to start. Either way, weâve got a few prompts to help you get going:
Teamwork makes the dream work. So join the conversation on the Maker Space, the dedicated spot to chat with other creators, swap tips, and find collaborators. If youâre an excellent narrator, go find a story writer. Pixel art letting your entry down? Go find a 16 x 16 pixel artist to work with.
Check out our Helping Families case studies here on Yoto Space to see how SEN families are using Yoto right now.
If you are new to making audio, we have lots of simple guides for getting started over on the MYO Tips & Ideas page.
Listen to the winner of the first contest we held, an interactive story with over 20 endings. Itâs a great inspiration for pushing the boundaries of what you can do on a Yoto player.
The cheat sheet
Itâs not all about the audio. Making your entry stand out from the crowd takes ingenuity. Donât worry though, weâve got you covered. Just donât tell your competitors!
Make a plan but donât stick to it. You might find a magic door half way through your project. Feel free to follow the magic and walk through that door!
Good audio helps a lot: Try to minimize background noise, and if you can, use a mic that plugs into your phone or computer. It doesnât need to be Abbey Road quality.
Add some sparkle: Upping the production quality isnât as hard as you might think, and can make all the difference. Find our free to use sound effects library here or check out our editing how-to guide here.
Do judge a book by its cover: The first thing people will see is the card art. Read these tips from the Yoto design team on how to make your Yoto Card pop. (Size wise, save out your card image at 638 pixels wide âĂâ1011 pixels high to match how we do it)
Pixel art for the win: Our 16x16 display is pretty unique and can elevate your entry to the next level. This entry from our first contest (tap the listen and add to your library link to see the pixel icons) is a great example of this â here, and here, and here are some tips for becoming a pixel art pro.
A good blurb: Make sure to add a description to the title. This is your elevator pitch that tells everyone why your entry is worth listening to.
Audio preview: Find your favourite part of your audio creation and save it out to tag onto your entry in the submission form. This is the number one way to get people to try your entry, so make sure itâs a highlight!
But most of all -â cheesy moment alert â have fun! It can be a bit daunting to get started, but the most heartwarming thing about our first contest was all the feedback we got from people saying they had tried something for the first time, or learned something new, or just had a blast making some great audio for their kids. Well worth getting over the hump for in our book! Or should that be âcardâ...?
We will be adding som more inspiration over the coming days, with ideas to get you started, and you can carry on the conversation on the Maker Space. Weâll be there answering your questions all the way through the submission period.
Best of luck and happy audio adventures!