Voteforart is a new site that is a bit like Threadless but for University and College Apparel. Anyone can enter the design competitions to create a t-shirt design targeted at specific colleges/universities. The winning t-shirt designer will get a cash prize and their design will printed on t-shirts and sold in the University Book Store. For example one of the current design competitions is shown below:
The University Of Maryland is looking for a cool, never-before-seen design for their basketball fans, and you’re gonna give it to them! Whether you’re a fan or not, blow the Terps away with your creativity and originality for a chance to see your winning design in the “Maryland Book Exchange” and earn $500 cash. All artists no matter where they are from and what school they go to can submit designs into the contest.
I asked Jeremy Parker, president of VoteforArt a few Questions about his new business
How did you come up with the idea for the T-shirt Design Competitions?
I came up with the idea while at the university of Maryland bookstore. I didn’t see any designs that I liked. I felt that if given the opportunity, artists from all over the world would create a lot more creative designs. I also felt this could be a way for unknown artists to break into an industry and get their work seen by thousands of people and make money in the process.
I thought that Universities and Colleges already had their own mascots and logos, how creative can artists and designers be?
Universities have there own marks and logos but our design contests allow artists to retouch logos (color, position) and create intricate designs around the already established school logos.
Do the Winning Artists and Designers also get a royalty on their designs in addition to the cash prize?
For specified contests, artists also earn a percentage of sales that take place through our online store (2% of online sales).
Find out more at http://www.voteforart.com
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8 Comments
I hope this project works out. The only reservation that I have is that from my experience people buy the shirt with the official logo / university coat of arms on them, just as the interviewer pointed out. Though I dare say thing may have changed an awful since my time studying 20 years ago!
I hope they are successful in creating a market for these complementary logo designs.
Interesting project. I am curious how it will work out: (from what i see now, its working well)
I wish them good luck.
I may enter this as I’ve done some tee-designs before.
I like how it’s open to a global field of designers, rather than just being localized like a lot of products I’ve noticed recently.
Is the market big enough? I’m eager to see how this churns out.
Can existing designers on Zazzle with designs participate?
Hi I guess you would have to look on the vote for Art site and contact them.
I tried using the link but it didnt work for me is the competition still open, i have a uni project this would be perfect for.
Creative thinking, But not all colleges would like to change or redo their age old identity,New ones can opt for this one
Regards
Smita