Graphic Contest

75th Anniversary Graphic Design Competition

School of Packaging 75th Anniversary Graphic Design Competition
 
Celebrate 75 Years of Packaging Excellence
 
The School of Packaging at Michigan State University invites students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the public to participate in the design of a commemorative graphic celebrating the School's 75th Anniversary. This graphic will be used in promotional materials, merchandise, websites, social media, events, publications, and other communications throughout the anniversary year.
 
Prize:
$300 Award
The selected designer will receive a $300.00 prize and recognition from the School of Packaging.
Design Requirements

It is important to remember that we are not replacing the official School of Packaging signature. The anniversary graphic should be designed to highlight the 75 year anniversary and work in conjunction with but not combined with the official signature.

The graphic should:

  • Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the School of Packaging

  • Reflect the history, innovation, leadership, and impact of the School of Packaging

  • Be visually appealing and suitable for both print and digital applications

  • Maintain a professional appearance consistent with Michigan State University branding

  • Be scalable and readable at both small and large sizes, such as a “vector file”.

  • Work effectively in both color and black-and-white formats

  • Be designed to accompany, not replace, the School of Packaging official signature

  • Follow MSU Brand guidelines

The graphic may not include:

  • Any registered marks or icons of the university (Spartan helmet logo, Block S, Michigan State University wordmark, Sparty, Beaumont Tower, etc.)

  • The words School of Packaging

Suggested elements may include:

  • "75 Years" or "75th Anniversary" or “75 Years of Packaging Excellence” 

  • Packaging-related imagery or symbolism

Submission Specifications

All entries must be submitted electronically and include the following:

Required File Formats (one of the following)

  • AI (.ai) Vector File in outline form

  • EPS (.eps) Vector File in outline form

  • SVG (.svg) Vector File in outline form

Required Design Standards

  • Vector-based artwork only

  • All fonts converted to outlines

  • Color version and black-and-white version

  • Minimum resolution for raster files: 300 DPI

  • Files must be editable and production-ready

Recommended Artboard Size

  • 10" × 10" square artboard

Submission Package

Each submission should include:

  1. Graphic design files in all required formats

  2. A brief design statement (250 words maximum) explaining:

    • Design inspiration

    • Meaning of visual elements

    • Connection to the School of Packaging's 75-year legacy

  3. Font names used

  4. Designer's name, email address, and affiliation (student, alumni, faculty, staff, etc.)

Intellectual Property and Ownership

By submitting an entry, participants acknowledge and agree that:

  • The winning design shall become the exclusive property of the School of Packaging at Michigan State University.

  • The selected designer will be required to sign a Copyright Assignment and Release Agreement transferring all rights, title, and interest in the design to the School of Packaging.

  • The School of Packaging shall have the unrestricted right to reproduce, modify, distribute, adapt, and utilize the winning design in any format or medium.

  • The designer waives all claims to future compensation, royalties, or licensing fees beyond the contest award.

  • The School of Packaging reserves the right to make minor modifications to the winning design as needed for branding and marketing purposes.

Judging Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated on:

  • Creativity and originality (30%)

  • Representation of the School of Packaging's history and mission (25%)

  • Visual impact and professionalism (20%)

  • Versatility across multiple applications (15%)

  • Technical quality and adherence to submission requirements

Important Notes

  • The School of Packaging reserves the right not to select a winner if submissions do not meet expectations.

  • Multiple submissions are permitted.

  • All entries must be original work and may not infringe upon any existing copyrights, trademarks, or intellectual property.

  • Entries generated entirely by artificial intelligence may be disqualified at the discretion of the review committee.

  • Selected winner may be contacted to make modifications.

Prize Award

One Grand Prize Winner: $300.00

Help us celebrate 75 years of leadership, innovation, and excellence in packaging education by creating a graphic that honors our past and inspires our future.

If the prize is awarded to a Non-Resident Alien (NRA hereafter), Form W-8BEN from the must be collected to receive prize.

Click Here to Submit Your Design

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

STUDENTS

RESEARCH & TESTING

ALUMNI & GIVING