2025 Contest Winner
Thank you to everyone who submitted artwork to this year's USC holiday card design contest, and congratulations to the winner: MaKayla Rippy, graphic design manager, Communications and Marketing, Student Affairs and Academic Support!
Contest Details
Who May Enter
The contest is open to all University of South Carolina Columbia and School of Medicine (Columbia and Greenville) staff members who hold a full-time, part-time, time-limited or research grant position. Multiple entries from the same artist are acceptable. Submitted entries must be the original work of the staff member who is submitting the work.
How to Enter
Artwork must be submitted electronically with the completed entry form. Submissions without the entry form will not be considered. Submitted entries must be the original work of the staff member who is submitting the work.
Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Artwork must be submitted electronically with the completed entry form.
Design Specifications
- Artwork should fit standard card dimensions: 11 x 14 inches. The file size limit is 14 MB.
- Acceptable file types are JPG, PNG, PDF and EPS.
- If creating digital art using the university's garnet, the official color is CMYK: 9,100,64,48.
- No photography, religious themes, AI artwork or stock images may be submitted.
Reproduction Rights
Artwork files may be edited to reflect final language, messaging and university brand standards. The university also reserves the right to alter the submitted artwork to ensure it meets accessibility standards and other parameters. The university will retain all reproduction rights to submitted artwork, with credit given to the artist. The University of South Carolina agrees not to sell any of the artwork or any reproduction of the artwork. Artists warrant that they are the sole proprietor of the artwork and agree to assign all copyright and other intellectual property rights in the artwork to the university. Entries must be original work and must not infringe on the protected rights of other artists or violate any copyright laws.
Judging
All entries will be reviewed by the Staff Senate general body and Executive Committee. Artwork will be judged on creativity, artistic expression, merit and how it applies to the contest theme(s). The winner will be notified by email on or before April 4. If you have any questions, please contact StaffSenate@sc.edu.
FAQ
Do the dimensions of my art matter? Does it have to be in a horizontal or vertical format?
There are no restrictions on the size or orientation of submissions. The image will be reproduced on giveaway items such as, but not limited to T-shirts, rally towels, cards and posters.
Can I create a design without any words, or should I include any specific messaging?
What you submit is entirely up to you. It can include words, but it does not have to. If you include words, make sure they are readable. The artwork will be featured on print items as well as on the Staff Senate website.
I am supposed to ensure that the work I submit is my own, but can I use university logos and/or symbols in my design?
Yes, you are welcome to use any of the university's marks and logos in your personal design. You are not required to do so, however.
Are all staff members eligible to participate?
Yes! As our criteria above state, the contest is open to all University of South Carolina Columbia and School of Medicine (Columbia and Greenville) staff members holding a full-time, part-time, time-limited or research grant position.
May I submit artwork on behalf of someone else?
No. Submitted entries must be the original work of the staff member who is submitting the work. Any design that is created by an artist other than the staff member who is submitting it will be disqualified. All designs submitted must be the work of current USC Columbia and School of Medicine (Columbia and Greenville) staff members holding a full-time, part-time, time-limited or research grant position.
Submit your design