CHAMPIONING PROFESSIONAL ARTISTRY & CREATIVITY
MY MEMORABLE MELODY
Your tools are the instruments; your nail techniques create the rhythm. Paint the music of your soul on your fingertips.
If nails are a concert hall, then nail drills, lamps, and gel colors are the instruments in an artist’s hands, used to compose moving visual music that fills the space with rhythm and emotion. The word 'Melody' in MelodySusie is more than a name; It represents the rhythm of creation, the frequency of tools in motion and the visual resonance a finished design brings to the viewer. Through this challenge, we want you to break the boundaries of technique and infuse nail art with emotion, memory and soul.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION & DIRECTION: visualising melody
Music is an art of time, while nail art is an art of space. When a memorable melody plays in our minds, it often evokes specific colors, textures, and emotions. Is it a gentle lullaby from a childhood afternoon? The neon rhythm of a city experienced for the first time? Or the triumphant music that played when you won your first nail competition? We invite nail artists to capture the melodies that echo in their memories and transform them into miniature visual landscapes on the fingertips.
THE TASK:
Create a five-nail design that functions like five movements of a musical composition. Each nail should have its own beauty, but the overall design must form a cohesive visual story. Nails can be whatever shape you desire, and the minimum length of each should be 5cm from the cuticle area to allow sufficient space for detail.
- Use professional tools, such as MelodySusie nail drills, lamps and gel systems, to execute complex compositions with precision and control.
- Consider how auditory memories (sound) can be translated into a visual form through color, form, texture and structure.
- Share the story behind your chosen melody to create an emotional connection with the nail community, adding depth and meaning to your work.
DESIGN RULES & REQUIREMENTS:
The design must include at least three of the following techniques:
- 3D construction: Use of builder gel, 3D sculpting gel, acrylic powder or similar materials to create dimensional elements.
- Color rendering: Advanced use of ombré, marbling, hand-painted art or layered color techniques to express rhythm and emotional flow.
- Texture contrast: Creative combinations of matte, glossy, chrome, or mirror finishes to simulate musical tones or instrument textures.
- Detail work: Fine line work executed with detail brushes for precision and refinement.
Product use:
- Designs must include at least three MelodySusie-exclusive colors, along with other MelodySusie nail products.
- You may use other products during creation; however, only MelodySusie products should be pictured in your submitted photos and video.
“We are not only looking for technical excellence - we are searching for artists whose work allows us to hear the image. Make sure your design communicates rhythm, tempo and emotional depth through visual language.”
DELIVERABLES:
- Up to 15 high-quality photos of your nail design on a WHITE background: a close-up of each nail and photos with all 5 nails in view. Submit from the top, side and front angles. Do not alter or retouch these photos.
- A reel-style video (up to 5-minutes long) demonstrating your creative process, pro tips and techniques. The video must feature the melody corresponding to the artwork
- Write-up: Share a written explanation or story behind your nail design. (800 words max.)
Answer the following in your video or write-up:
- The name of the music or a description of the melody behind the design.
- Why this melody is memorable to you.
- How you translated the melody into color, texture, and form.
- The main MelodySusie tools and products used & how you used them to express your nail work (e.g. specific drill models, gel color numbers).
DEADLINE:
Images, write-up and video must be submitted by 17.00 PST on January 14.
If you have issues with the entry form, please submit the required content via WeTransfer to competitions@scratchmagazine.co.uk and await a confirmation.
Questions? Email competitions@scratchmagazine.co.uk
SEASON 2 IS SPONSORED BY:
