Sticker Design Contest

Are you interested in creative design, illustration, and art’s intersection with science? Natural Sciences Council and the College of Natural Sciences invite students to participate in a college-wide sticker design contest, wherein all students may illustrate a Texas Science-themed sticker. The winning design will be sold on the CNS Store and credit is given to the winning artist.

All profits will go to the CNS Student Emergency Fund which connects students to services that support their well-being and offers support for food-insecure students and others with financial or emergency concerns.

The deadline is March 22nd, 2026. Be sure to review the guidelines below before submitting.

Email designs to the NSC Public Relations Chair (nsc.pr.chair@gmail.com) and the UT Box submission folder.

Guidelines/Rules

  • Let your imagination loose as you create a Texas Science themed sticker. There is no strict restriction on theme, as long as your design is connected to science.

  • Do not use any UT Protected Marks:
    • The University of Texas at Austin™
    • The University of Texas®
    • University of Texas®
    • Texas®
    • Longhorn(s)®
    • Longhorn Silhouette
    • CNS Seal
    • UT Austin Seal
    • UT System Seal
    • UT Austin Wordmark
    • UT Tower
    • “What Starts Here Changes the World” Tagline
    • Bevo
    • Hook 'em Horns Slogan
    • Hook 'em Hand Sign
    • Hooked on Texas / Students Hooked on Texas
    • Block T
    • Interlocking UT
    • Running Mascot / Longhorn Caricatures
    • Helmet Logo
    • Texas with Longhorn Design
    • Get Hooked™
    • Any other copyrighted visual material or element

  • Aim for a 2.5”x2.5” or 3”x3” design or similar. You don’t have to be exact in sizing; we’ll determine the exact size based on your artwork. Acceptable shapes include simple shapes such as circles, squares, ellipses or die cut, which includes any outlined shape.

  • For best print quality, we recommend uploading vector artwork or high-resolution images at 300 PPI or better. JPG and PNG formats are also acceptable, as long as they are designed with the minimum 300 PPI.

  • If your submission is hand-drawn, make sure it is the minimum 300 PPI by following these steps:
    • Scan it at a resolution of at least 600 PPI to capture enough detail for a high-quality final file.
    • Import the scan into a program like Photoshop or Illustrator
    • Set the canvas size in inches.
    • Ensure the image is a high-resolution export (like a 300 PPI PNG) to maintain clarity and quality when printing.

  • If you have a die cut sticker, you must upload your artwork with a transparent background. For procreate users, simply unselect the background layer!

  • For clean, sharp lines that actually show up the way you want, we recommend a minimum line thickness of 1 pt.

  • You may use any software to design the sticker. Please use whatever resources are available to you and be creative.

  • Title your final design files with your first and last name.

  • The use of AI in any shape or form to produce your artwork submission is prohibited and will not be reviewed. We want to see your personal interpretation of the theme, your art style, your expression of creativity, and ultimately your own creation!