If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you might have seen our process work for our first submission to the Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search. Check this out.

You know how I feel about design contests. Here’s a refresher just in case you forgot.

BUT!!!

When a design contest creates a genuine benefit and opportunity for the designer, that’s when I make an exception to my no design contests rule and go whole hog.

The winner of the Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search gets something completely game-changing. The prize is 2 years of licensing representation.

Totally.

Game.

Changing.

A licensing agent helps make the deals that get your art onto all kinds of products in big name stores. Which is of course how tons of people will find out about what you do, and maybe make you the next Paul Frank.

The first rearignment was to create a playground-themed design for a journal cover with Paperchase in mind as the client. Looking through their site for reference as to what sorts of styles they sell, I saw lots and lots of hand drawn illustrated journal covers. But I also saw a place for my own style of super cute characters done in computery vector shapes. I figured this is an opportunity to show the Global Talent Search judges what my major strengths are – super cute characters and funny text, with a dash of hand drawn fonts for good measure.

My interpretation of the playground theme isn’t literal, but I’m hoping that really helps this design stand out from the rest. Plus the bright happy color palette is one that appeals to kids and adults alike!

Pretty much the second I hit the submit rear endon on my final entry, I felt like I was gonna throw up.

I keep telling myself all I have to do is make it to the next round. I just gotta be among the 50 cutest journal concepts, and I’ll be happy.

But really, I’m in it to win it.