Welcome to the 2026 HOPE Youth Art Design Contest: Official Guidelines
Your creativity has the power to inspire. Design an original piece that reflects HOPE’s mission, celebrates the impact of our programs, and honors the strength of our community. The winning artwork will be professionally produced on official donor appreciation gifts for HOPE’s 2026 Alumnae Fundraising Challenge and shared with supporters across our network. We can’t wait to see what you create!
This guide provides everything you need to successfully participate in the contest, including eligibility requirements, contest rules, design and branding guidelines, submission requirements, judging criteria, important dates, prizes, and frequently asked questions.
Contest Purpose:
The HOPE Youth Art Design Contest celebrates the creativity and leadership of HOPE alumnae. Through this contest, one talented alum has the opportunity to create a meaningful artwork that supports HOPE’s mission while recognizing the supporters who help make our programs possible.
Who Can Participate?
To be eligible, participants must:
- Be a graduate of the HOPE Youth Leadership Program (HYLP) or HOPE College Leadership Program (HCLP).
- Are currently a college/university student.
- Submit one original design.
- Participants may use standard digital design tools but may not use generative AI to create, modify, or substantially enhance any part of the artwork.
- Certify that the artwork is their own original work and does not infringe on any copyrighted material
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.
Contest Theme
Create an original design inspired by the theme “Leading with Purpose.”
Your design should reflect one or more of the following ideas:
- Leading with purpose by using your voice, talents, and experiences to create positive change.
- The strength and resilience of leaders.
- Building stronger communities by uplifting, supporting, and growing together.
- Celebrating the impact of HOPE and the lasting connections.
We encourage participants to interpret the theme creatively while staying true to HOPE’s mission of leadership, civic engagement, education, and community.
Designs should be:
- Inspirational
- Creative
- Inclusive
- Visually Engaging
- Suitable for printing on promotional merchandise
Key Information
Important Dates
Contest Opens: July 17, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT
Judging Period: August 17–29
Winner Announced: August 31, 2026
Prize:
The winning artist will:
- Have their artwork featured on official HOPE appreciation gifts.
- Be recognized on HOPE’s 2026 Alumnae Challenge website, in email communications, and across social media channels.
- Receive recognition as the featured artist, where appropriate.
- Receive a printed item showcasing their winning design.
- Receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card.
Design Guidelines and Considerations
Each participant must submit:
- One original artwork file
- High-resolution artwork (PNG, AI, PSD, or PDF preferred)
- A short artist statement (100–150 words) describing the inspiration behind the design
- Current college or university name
- HYLP or HCLP graduation year
- Full name
- Email address and phone number
Your artwork should:
- Be original and created by you.
- Be appropriate for audiences of all ages.
- Be designed with printing in mind.
- Remain clear and recognizable when scaled to different sizes.
- Reflect HOPE’s mission and values.
Your artwork may include illustrations, graphics, typography, or other creative elements, provided they follow the contest rules.
Colors: Hex Code
Dark Purple: #342856
Light Purple: #C8B3EE
Teal: #179B9E
Yellow: #F8CF40
Orange: #FF604A
Designs may be created in RGB or CMYK. Whenever possible, incorporate HOPE’s official brand colors.
Additional complementary colors may be used, but should not overpower the HOPE brand.
Choose fonts that are:
- Clean
- Modern
- Easy to read
Avoid decorative or difficult-to-read fonts.
Your artwork should communicate:
- Leadership
- Community
- Growth
- Opportunity
- Collaboration
- Hope for the future
The overall feeling should be:
- Empowering
- Inclusive
- Optimistic
- Professional
- Welcoming
Please submit your artwork in one of the following formats:
- PNG (preferred)
- Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
- Adobe Photoshop (.PSD)
Resolution:
- Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
- Submit the highest-quality version of your artwork to ensure it prints clearly.
Canvas Size:
There is no required canvas size. However, we recommend creating your artwork on a square or letter-sized artboard (at least 8″ × 8″ or 8.5″ × 11″) at 300 DPI. Your design should be scalable and adaptable for use on a variety of official HOPE appreciation gifts.
Transparency:
If your design does not require a background, please submit a version with a transparent background.
Printing Considerations:
Keep in mind that your artwork may appear on a variety of appreciation gifts. Designs with simple, bold shapes, balanced composition, and strong contrast typically reproduce best across different materials and printing methods.
Scalability:
Your design should remain clear and visually effective when resized for different appreciation gifts. Avoid very small details, thin lines, or text that may become difficult to read when reduced in size.
All artwork must be your own original creation.
Submissions may not:
- Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate artwork
- Include copyrighted images, illustrations, or graphics without permission
- Copy or closely imitate another artist’s work
By entering the contest, you confirm that your submission is your original work.
Each participant must submit:
- One original artwork file
- High-resolution artwork (PNG, AI, PSD, or PDF preferred)
- A short artist statement (100–150 words) describing the inspiration behind the design
- Current college or university name
- HYLP or HCLP graduation year
- Full name
- Email address and phone number
Your artwork should:
- Be original and created by you.
- Be appropriate for audiences of all ages.
- Be designed with printing in mind.
- Remain clear and recognizable when scaled to different sizes.
- Reflect HOPE’s mission and values.
Your artwork may include illustrations, graphics, typography, or other creative elements, provided they follow the contest rules.
Colors: Hex Code
Dark Purple: #342856
Light Purple: #C8B3EE
Teal: #179B9E
Yellow: #F8CF40
Orange: #FF604A
Designs may be created in RGB or CMYK. Whenever possible, incorporate HOPE’s official brand colors.
Additional complementary colors may be used, but should not overpower the HOPE brand.
Choose fonts that are:
- Clean
- Modern
- Easy to read
Avoid decorative or difficult-to-read fonts.
Your artwork should communicate:
- Leadership
- Community
- Growth
- Opportunity
- Collaboration
- Hope for the future
The overall feeling should be:
- Empowering
- Inclusive
- Optimistic
- Professional
- Welcoming
Please submit your artwork in one of the following formats:
- PNG (preferred)
- Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
- Adobe Photoshop (.PSD)
Resolution:
- Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
- Submit the highest-quality version of your artwork to ensure it prints clearly.
Canvas Size:
There is no required canvas size. However, we recommend creating your artwork on a square or letter-sized artboard (at least 8″ × 8″ or 8.5″ × 11″) at 300 DPI. Your design should be scalable and adaptable for use on a variety of official HOPE appreciation gifts.
Transparency:
If your design does not require a background, please submit a version with a transparent background.
Printing Considerations:
Keep in mind that your artwork may appear on a variety of appreciation gifts. Designs with simple, bold shapes, balanced composition, and strong contrast typically reproduce best across different materials and printing methods.
Scalability:
Your design should remain clear and visually effective when resized for different appreciation gifts. Avoid very small details, thin lines, or text that may become difficult to read when reduced in size.
All artwork must be your own original creation.
Submissions may not:
- Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate artwork
- Include copyrighted images, illustrations, or graphics without permission
- Copy or closely imitate another artist’s work
By entering the contest, you confirm that your submission is your original work.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Creativity & Originality: A fresh, unique concept.
- Connection to the Theme: Reflects HOPE’s mission and contest theme.
- Visual Impact: Strong composition and overall design.
- Print Quality: Clear, scalable artwork suitable for production.
- Audience Appeal: Appropriate for HOPE’s multi-generational community.
Winner Responsibilities
The winning artist may be asked to:
- Provide editable artwork files if available.
- Make minor revisions to prepare the artwork for production.
- Participate in promotional opportunities highlighting their work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Access the HOPE Youth Art Design Contest Submission Form
Need Help?
Have a question that isn’t answered above? We would be happy to help. Contact Natalie Gomez, Senior Manager of Operations & Finance, at ngomez@latinas.org
If you have any questions about donations or memberships, please contact Johanna Bonillo, Senior Director of Operations & Finance, at jbonillo@latinas.org