Calling All Creatives!

Fall 2026 DukeYOU T-shirt Design Contest Guidelines

Calling All Creatives!
Have you ever had a great idea for a t-shirt design? Ever walked through The University Store and thought about having your original design for sale? Now is your chance! Submit your design now through September 20 at 11:59pm, and you could win:

• Six (6) FREE shirts featuring your design,
• iPad and an Apple Pencil,
• and bragging rights as the official 2026 contest winner.
• PLUS, we’ll feature your t-shirt in The University Store and online.

CONTEST GUIDELINES:

• The contest is open to currently enrolled Duke students.
• Designs should be single-sided. The design can be as small as across the chest, to as large as a full panel print (12″ x 17″).
• By submitting a design for consideration, you confirm that, to the best of your knowledge, the design you are submitting is your original work and that no other persons or parties can claim ownership.
• All artwork must be original and created entirely by the student submitting the design. AI-generated designs, templates, or artwork created using artificial intelligence tools are not permitted. This contest is about celebrating student creativity and showcasing your unique ideas.
• Any pre-existing logos used must be from Duke only. Logos from other schools are not allowed.
• Up to two designs may be submitted per person.
• Designs should be submitted electronically via the form below. Original design files should be labeled with your first and last name. If you have submitted multiple designs, please add a 1 or 2 to your file name. (Ex. LastName_FirstName_2).
• All submissions must be in Ai, EPS, SVG, JPG, or PDF format.
• Any font used in our designs must be converted to outlines. Select the Text > Right Click and then Select Create Outlines.
• Hard copies of hand-drawn designs are also accepted and can be turned in at the Customer Service desk located at the Bryan Center entrance to The University Store.

GUIDELINES for the USE of TRADEMARKS:

• Duke trademarks may not be altered in any way.
• Duke trademarks may not be used in conjunction with the name or trademark(s) of any other entity.
• Duke’s trademarks may not be used in any way that discriminates or implies discrimination against any persons or groups based on age, ancestry, belief, color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status, or in any other way that would be a violation of Duke’s anti-discrimination policies or practices.
• All uses of Duke trademarks on products will incorporate the appropriate trademark designation symbols, i.e., all designs using Duke trademarks will include ®.
• Coaches and player likeness may NOT be used.
• Art depicting or implying the use or endorsement of
• alcohol;
• illegal drugs;
• tobacco products;
• firearms or other weapons;
• racist, sexist, hateful, demeaning, or degrading language or statements;
• profanity;
• sexual acts;
• statements impugning other universities.

JUDGING and VOTING:

A panel of judges will narrow the submissions to 4 finalists, and the Duke community will vote on and select the winner.
All designs will be selected based on the following criteria:

• How well does the design/slogan reflect Duke University?
• Whether the design/slogan is eye-catching, powerful, and unique.
• Whether the design/slogan is in keeping with the Duke’s code of conduct.
• In compliance with Duke’s trademark licensing regulations.

For any questions about designs or submissions, please send an email to dukeuniversitystores@duke.edu.

All entries become the exclusive property of Duke University Stores.

Duke University Stores may alter artwork of the winning designs to meet production and design guidelines and to remain consistent with Duke University’s Trademark Licensing guidelines. We reserve the right to modify and amend these guidelines at any time without notice.