Judges are not uniform. One show I saw had a jusging form including:
Overall impression
Use of color/value
Complexity of design
Quilting complements design and is uniform...This does not mean you can't leave appliques unquilted, for example.
Technical quality This includes square corners, binding even with no gaps in stitching, with mitered corners, all corners/points correct, overall flat surface. The simpler the quilt, the more perfect it has to be. No loose threads.
Not all judges consider originality.
Someone I know who is a professional quilter had a quilt disallowed in one show then it won best of division in another large show. If the judge likes your work, well and good. If not, remember that is one person's opinion. Not all shows critique quilts. My guild's show has open judging. I have learned a great deal by listening to judges' statements (and recording them for the makers). If you are allowed to observe the judging, do so.