Put Your Design Skills to the Test

Create the Next Membership + Conference Theme for SkillsUSA Florida

SkillsUSA Florida is a nonprofit organization serving students in CTE programs in Florida by developing the personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics that are needed for career success within the skilled trades. Each year, student members are invited to create a cohesive design package that reflects the theme, the state, and the organization. The winning design is selected by members during the annual Fall Leadership Conference. This year’s theme is “SkillsUSA Florida: Storming Up New Opportunities.”

Some ways that the designs can be used:

  • T-shirts and trading pins are distributed to conference participants during the State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC).
  • The conference app homepage graphic will be used on SkillsUSA’s Instagram story during the state conference.
  • The banner will be displayed during events and carried during the annual Parade of States during the 2022 National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC).
  • At NLSC, trading state pins is a popular activity among attendees, and the winning pin design will be provided to the state delegation.
  • Publications like the Tuesday Times newsletter, membership recruitment, and partnership materials will include the design.

SkillsUSA Florida has a reputation for high-quality, student-produced designs, and this year is no different! Check out previous designs below and submit yours by October 15!

 

Use this link to submit your design by October 15, 2022!

Submit My Design!
Submit My Design!

THE RULES:

SkillsUSA Florida student members are invited to submit a design package for consideration. Review the rules below carefully, as they may have changed from previous years. Failure to adhere to the rules may result in disqualification.

  1. The package should consist of one trading pin, one t-shirt, one banner, and conference app homepage (portrait orientation only).
  2. Design packages should reflect the state theme, SkillsUSA and its mission, and the state of Florida.
  3. All submissions must follow the criteria listed below. Design packages must follow the same pattern of work (font, style, color, etc.) and must include the year (“2023”) and the words “Florida” and “SkillsUSA” in each design.
  4. Designs must follow the National Brand Standards. The official SkillsUSA Florida logo must be used where indicated. Visit skillsusabrandcenter.org for official logos and Brand Standards. Failure to follow National Brand Standards is grounds for disqualification.
  5. Gradient colors are permitted on the banner and conference app homepage only. Gradient may not be used in the t-shirt or pin design.
  6. Copyright material may not be used, except for the SkillsUSA logo. All work must be original and prepared by the student member.
  7. All four designs must be submitted on one high resolution .pdf file for judging. Submit your file with your name, email address, school, advisor name, and advisor email using this form: https://form.jotform.com/212144300360033. DO NOT include this information printed on the .pdf file for submission. Files should be named “[LAST NAME].[SCHOOL].pdf”.
  8. All designs must be received through the online form on or before OCTOBER 15, 2022 to be considered for judging.
  9. The winning design must submit original design files (.ai or .eps format) within 1 week of notification.

Trading Pin Design

  • Final production size: no more than 1.25”. Avoid the use of fine detail, which may be lost in production.
  • Submit an enlarged design to view detail, and actual size (no larger than 1.25”).
  • No more than 4 colors may be used. The use of gradient colors is not permitted.
  • For die struck pins, the metal color may be used as an additional color. The metal color must be identified as such to not count toward the 4-color maximum.
  • Include special instructions, such as color type, CMYK or RGB spot color, special features (shape, finish, etc.). Indicate whether the pin is screen printed, die struck, embossed, or other production method.
  • Do not use the SkillsUSA logo, as the detail is too intricate to reproduce on the pin.

 T-Shirt Design

  • No larger than 8.5” wide by 11” tall. Design may be printed on the front or back of the t-shirt.
  • Indicate t-shirt color. If no color is indicated, the design is assumed to be on a white shirt.
  • Must include the SkillsUSA Florida logo (may be used as sleeve art) and theme (“Storming Up New Opportunities”).
  • No more than 4 colors may be used. The use of gradient colors is not permitted.
  • Include special instructions, such as color type, CMYK or RGB spot color.

Banner Design

  • Printed Size: no larger than 4’ x 8’ with 1/2” bleed, if necessary. Final shape must be square or rectangle.
  • Must include SkillsUSA Florida logo and theme (“Storming Up New Opportunities”).
  • Proof must be proportional to the final production size.
  • Full color designs are permitted.
  • Include special instructions, such as color type, CMYK or RGB spot color

 Conference App Homepage Design

  • Final design should include one vertical graphic. Graphic must be 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels tall.
  • Must include the SkillsUSA Florida logo, theme (“Storming Up New Opportunities”) and event name (“State Leadership and Skills Conference”).
  • Full color designs are permitted.
  • App homepage design must be submitted in RGB.

METHOD OF SELECTION: The State Director will screen all entries received for appropriateness and eligibility. All qualified entries will be reviewed during the Fall Leadership Conference and through social media channels. Students and teachers may not campaign for votes towards any particular design (online or in person) but may promote general voting. Depending on the number of entries, a preliminary round of voting may occur to narrow the field and select finalist designs. The State Director will verify the results and notify the winning student and instructor.

ELIGIBLE DESIGNS: Eligible designs will meet the following criteria:

  • Maintain branding standards of SkillsUSA: Designs that violate these standards may be disqualified. Please review the standards at skillsusabrandcenter.org
  • Meet the requirements outlined above: Designs that do not meet these standards, such as exceeding color limits or size requirements may be disqualified.
  • Include the words “SkillsUSA” and “Florida,” as well as additional wording requirements as outlined.
  • Submitted electronically and created using professional design software, such as Adobe products. Any professional software may be used, provided it can create the necessary vector files and pdf files.
  • Submitted in the proper format
    • 1 page only, 8.5” x 11”
    • No identifying marks or writing, such as name, school, region, etc
    • High resolution .pdf file named “[LAST NAME].[SCHOOL].pdf”

OTHER CONTESTS: The Branding Contest is a separate contest and does not conflict with the Pin Design Contest, the T-Shirt Design Contest, or any other SkillsUSA Championships event at the Regional, State, and National levels. Students are permitted to enter the Branding Contest, as well as an additional contest during the SkillsUSA Championships. Designs submitted for the branding contest may be used for the Regional, State, and National events, provided it meets all other criteria outlined by the contest.

AWARDS: First place winner will be provided complimentary registration to the State Leadership and Skills Conference and will be recognized during the Opening Ceremony.

COMPENSATION: By submitting a design, you agree that all entries become the property of SkillsUSA Florida, and the designer relinquishes any and all rights to compensation for the use of the design(s). Submitted designs may be used by SkillsUSA Florida for any purpose at any time.

USE OF DESIGNS: The first-place design will be featured at the 2022 SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Conference in Jacksonville, FL, and at the 2022 National Skills and Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA. SkillsUSA Florida reserves the right to adjust or make alterations to any artwork that is submitted. If in-person events are not possible, the design will be used during the corresponding virtual events. Participation in the contest does not guarantee a minimum level of use or exposure.

ACCOMPANYING FILES: A submission is one digital standard (8.5” x 11”) page with all four designs in high quality .pdf format. Submissions are not accepted by email and must be uploaded by the deadline using the online form at https://form.jotform.com/212144300360033. The winning submission will be required to submit vector (.eps or .ai) images of all artwork, fonts, backgrounds, and other necessary files within one week of selection. Specific instructions for submitting additional files will be provided to the winning student and their advisor.

Past Winners