Putney residents have a chance to see their artwork displayed on one of London’s most iconic landmarks this Christmas with anyone aged four and up able to design a festive tree for projection onto Battersea Power Station’s famous chimneys.
The competition follows previous years’ Christmas displays by David Hockney and Aardman Animations, giving local artists the opportunity to join prestigious company with their designs visible from across the area, including Putney riverside.
Twenty-four winners will be selected from entries across the entire UK, with designs projected onto the power station’s river-facing chimneys and wash towers throughout December. The winning trees will appear alongside designs from celebrity participants including Stephen Fry and humorous artist David Shrigley.
How to Enter
Apple is running the competition and is offering free 30-minute sessions at all 39 of its UK stores, including the Battersea Power Station location, where staff will teach participants how to create and submit their designs. No experience is needed but the push is to use an iPad and the paid-for Procreate app.
The workshops cover four different drawing apps: Procreate, Adobe Fresco, Concepts, and Sketchbook. There is a specific template so entries have the correct dimensions for projection mapping onto the building’s distinctive architecture. Putney.news has mocked one up using our colours which we will send in.
Sessions at Apple Battersea Power Station run through 22 November, with additional sessions continuing through 22 December.
Design tips for better projection
Apple’s official guidance emphasizes several key factors that will help designs show up clearly when projected onto the massive chimneys.
Use bright colours rather than dark ones. Light, vibrant shades will create more striking projections visible from distance. Dark colours won’t show up well against the building’s facade.
Create your design using multiple separate layers for different elements, colors, and shapes. Winners’ designs will be animated for the display, and the layered structure allows for more dynamic projection effects. Keep your original layered file after submitting because Apple will need it if your design is selected.
Stay within the template guidelines provided during the sessions or downloaded from the competition website. The template ensures your tree will map correctly onto Battersea’s distinctive chimney shape, including its stepped base and tall narrow format.
Make your tree as festive as possible while keeping in mind that judges will assess creativity, visual expression, and suitability for large-scale projection. Avoid including personal details, text, or any imagery that could be considered controversial or offensive.
Timeline and selection
The competition closes at midnight on 23 November, leaving just under two weeks to take part. Winners will be announced on 4 December at 5pm, when the selected designs are unveiled on Battersea Power Station’s chimneys. The projections will remain on display throughout December, creating a festive landmark visible from Putney Bridge, the riverside paths, and across the local area.
Comedian and presenter Munya Chawawa is hosting the competition, adding entertainment value to what Apple describes as an initiative bringing art and technology together for the festive season.
Community creative opportunity
The competition is a fun opportunity for local artists of all ages and skill levels to see their work displayed at architectural scale on one of London’s most recognisable buildings. The barrier to entry is minimal.
Parents or guardians must enter on behalf of children under 18, but the competition is otherwise open to all UK residents aged four and up. Full terms and conditions are available at your-tree-on-battersea.com.
