THE MAKER VERIFIED STANDARD

A standard for keeping creativity human.

The Maker Verified Standard is founded on a core principle: when creative work is represented as human-made, the defining ideas, artistic expression, creative judgment and decisions behind it should come from the artist or maker, not generative AI.

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS

The Standard focuses on the defining creative process.

The Maker Verified Standard addresses the ideas, artistic expression and creative decisions that give a work its identity. It establishes what artists and makers must continue to control when representing their creative work as human-made under the Mark.

The creative process

The Standard applies to the conception, design, meaningful development and creation of work represented as human-made.

Outside the creative process

Business administration, accounting, scheduling, fulfillment and other operational tools remain outside its scope when they do not generate or materially direct creative content.

A consistently applied standard

Every applicant is reviewed against the same published requirements for a human-made creative process and truthful representation.

HUMAN-MADE CREATIVE WORK

The creativity remains with the artist or maker.

Work is human-made when the defining ideas, artistic expression and creative decisions remain with the artist or maker rather than being generated by AI.

Human-made does not mean technology-free.

Artists and makers may use tools, software, equipment, machinery and repeatable processes. The Standard requires the person to remain responsible for the creative decisions that give the work its identity.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Four principles guide every certification decision.

Together, they define what certified artists and makers remain responsible for and what the Maker Verified Mark communicates to the public.

Human intent

The defining creative intent originates with the artist or maker.

Creative control

The artist or maker remains responsible for the artistic expression and decisions that shape the work.

Truthful representation

The artist or maker accurately represents their process, tools, collaborators and relevant use of generative AI.

Public clarity

The Mark carries a consistent meaning wherever it appears, giving buyers and partners a claim they can understand and verify.

WHAT THE MARK MEANS

A defined meaning, with defined limits.

The Maker Verified Mark helps people recognize a reviewed creative practice in which the defining ideas, artistic expression and creative decisions remain human-made. Its meaning is specific so the claim remains useful and trustworthy.

What the Mark represents

The certified artist or maker met the Maker Verified Standard at the time of review and remains responsible for the defining creative work presented under the Mark.

What the Mark does not represent

The Mark does not evaluate artistic quality, establish financial value, determine legal originality or separately certify every artwork, product, edition or collection.

Certification status

Certification may become inactive, be suspended or be revoked if a creator no longer meets the Standard or materially misrepresents their process. The public registry reflects the certification’s current status.

GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

The documents behind the Mark.

The Standard is supported by formal documents that define the requirements, the creator’s declaration and the continuing terms of certification.

Maker Verified Standard

The published requirements used to evaluate human creative authorship and truthful representation.

Review the Standard

Human Authorship Declaration

The formal declaration each applicant signs regarding authorship, disclosures and continuing responsibilities.

Read the Declaration

Certification Agreement

The agreement governing certification status, authorized use of the Mark, renewal and ongoing compliance.

Read the Agreement

UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARD

Clear answers about the scope of the Standard.

The Standard is intentionally focused on the defining creative process. These distinctions explain what it requires, what it permits and what remains outside its scope.

Does the Standard prohibit all technology or software?

No. Artists and makers may use tools, equipment, software, machinery and repeatable processes. Administrative and business uses of AI are outside the scope when they do not generate or materially direct creative content.

Does certification apply to every individual artwork or product?

No. Certification applies to the individual artist or maker and the creative practice reviewed under the Standard. It does not separately inspect or certify each artwork, product, edition or collection.

Does certification evaluate artistic quality, originality or value?

No. The Standard addresses the defining creative process and truthful representation. It does not assess artistic quality, establish financial value or determine originality in a legal or commercial sense.

Can certification be suspended or revoked?

Yes. Certification may become inactive, be suspended or be revoked if a creator no longer meets the Maker Verified Standard, materially misrepresents their process or fails to disclose a material change affecting eligibility.

KEEPING CREATIVITY HUMAN

A clear way to recognize human-made creative work.

The Maker Verified Mark helps people recognize artists and makers whose creative processes have been independently verified against the Standard. It makes the person behind the work easier to see, while giving certified artists and makers a clear way to stand behind their process.

Apply for Certification