Design a Package Locker Competition - Win a Gift Card and Bragging Rights!

Columbia Mail is adding smart lockers for packages in new campus locations this winter. Students can help design a wrap for the lockers. Photography, graphic design, illustration – you name it! Follow the submission guidelines below and your design could be displayed on one of the new package lockers on campus. Winners will also receive Columbia Bookstore gift cards (in addition to bragging rights). Honorable mentions to receive prizes too! 

October 31, 2024
Package locker currently located in the lower level of Wien Hall

Design Contest Do’s and Don’ts: 

  • Submit original artwork showing Columbia spirit, whatever that means to you!  
  • Locker banks vary in size. Submissions can be designed to fit: 
    • 11 w x 17 h  – or –  17 w x 8 h    
  • One “panel” will be a key pad, placement varies across locker banks (see photo). 
  • Leave space in the bottom right corner for the Columbia Mail logo. 
  • Don’t include logos, brands, or recognizable faces of people who haven’t given permission to use their likeness. 
  • Prepare files in vector format whenever possible (e.g., AI, EPS, PDF) to ensure scalable, high-quality printing. 
  • If using raster images (such as photographs), ensure they are at least 150-300 dpi at full scale and saved as high-quality TIFF or JPEG files. 

See more below for instructions on how to prepare files. 

How will the winners be chosen? 

  • The Columbia Mail team will select their preliminary favorites. 
  • The shortlist will be presented anonymously to your peers in the Housing Advisory Committee who will pick the final winners. 
  • Please note minor revisions may be requested prior to production. 

Where will the locker art be displayed? 

  • The new lockers and wraps will be installed in Carlton Arms, Schapiro, Wien, John Jay and Lerner Halls 

How to submit designs 

Fill out the submission form and upload a JPG version of your art. Winners will be contacted later for the hi-res images or packaged design files. 

Timeline

  • Please submit all designs by December 2.  
  • Winners will be notified on December 6. 
  • A final email will go out to all participants with information about the winning art/artists. 

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 212-854-0100. Thanks in advance to all who participate, and good luck!

  1. File Format
    • Prepare files in vector format whenever possible (e.g., AI, EPS, PDF) to ensure scalable, high-quality printing.
    • If using raster images (such as photographs), ensure they are at least 150-300 dpi at full scale and saved as high-quality TIFF or JPEG files.
  2. Locker Layout and Measurements
    • Use the locker dimensions provided.
    • Set your design file to these exact measurements, with a scale of 1:10 if needed for ease.
  3. Bleed and Safe Area
    • Include a bleed area of at least 2 inches (5 cm) on all sides to cover edges and prevent visible gaps due to slight misalignment.
    • Place essential elements (like text and logos) within a “safe area,” keeping them away from edges, seams, and hardware sections.
  4. Color and Print Settings
    • Set your design to CMYK color mode to ensure compatibility with print standards.
    • Specify Pantone colors for exact brand matches if required and provide a printed color reference if available.
  5. Fonts and Text Handling
    • Convert all fonts to outlines to prevent font issues during printing.
    • Ensure text is placed away from doors, seams, and hardware sections to maintain readability.
  6. Artwork Scanning and Size Limitations
    • If including scanned artwork, please ensure it does not exceed 17 x 11 inches. We can output these scans as part of the final design at high resolution.
    • For larger elements, consider creating digital vector versions or dividing the artwork across multiple scanned sections that can be pieced together digitally.
  7. Layers and File Organization
    • Organize your file in layers (background, images, text, logos) to make adjustments easier for the printer.
    • Clearly label layers, especially for elements with specific placements (such as logos near screens or key design elements that need special alignment).
  8. Alignment and Design Placement
    • Avoid placing critical design elements (e.g., text or logos) over door seams, edges, and hardware like screens, handles, and locks.
    • Ensure that logos and essential information are not obscured or distorted by locker doors or uneven surfaces.
  9. File Delivery and Compression
    • Bundle the final design file with any additional linked images and original font files (if outlines weren’t created) into a compressed ZIP file.
    • Submit JPEG through form on Mail site for initial review. Final files will be requested using a secure file-sharing service (e.g., WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive) for efficient transfer if the files are large.

Students selected will be asked to meet with Columbia Print to review and prepare files for production.