2025 HBCU Design Challenge Project

What’s the challenge for 2025? 

New this year, we have engaged with HBCU professors in support of their students' ambitions and development to evolve and scope the challenge. As a result, not only have some of the contest deliverables evolved, but also professors from winning schools will be able to meet our teams and take part in product and design development conversations.

For the 2025 Challenge Design Project, you are asked to design one artwork appropriate for feature in our Black History Month 2026 Collection. See Student Design Brief details below.

BHM 2026 Student Design Brief:

Theme:

Nostalgic Joy

Objective:

Create designs that celebrate the theme *Nostalgic Joy*, highlighting the unifying power of Hip Hop and Black culture. The goal is to honor Black history while offering a modern take on the joy, pride, and creativity that continue to uplift the Black community today.

Design Guidelines:

Inspiration: Your artwork should reflect the spirit of *Nostalgic Joy*, drawing from elements of Hip Hop, Black cultural traditions, and the community’s influence on fashion, music, and daily life.

Key Concepts:

Heritage: Incorporate nostalgic elements from Black history and culture that have left a lasting mark. Think music, food, family gatherings, barbershops, and beauty salons.
Joy: Your design should evoke a sense of pride, positivity, and celebration of Black excellence and unity.

Design Elements:

Use bold, creative visuals that reflect Black traditions with a contemporary twist.
Consider incorporating color schemes, art, and patterns that speak to the history and evolution of Hip-Hop and Black culture.

Deliverables:

1 Artwork submission that can easily be placed on t-shirt, tote bag or sweatshirt.
Artwork reflects the theme of the brief above.

As in the past, design submissions will need to adhere to our RULES and be appropriate and goaled to drive sales and traffic with our Black History Month guest.

*Finalist Designers will work with Target to finalize their artwork to be production ready, cost and execution viable for our stores.

HBCU Design Challenge 2025 Project Design Direction

Theme is Nostalgic Joy

Hip Hop has been a unifying force within the Black community, shaping music, fashion, and culture while bringing people together. For Black History Month, we’re celebrating more than just the joy found within our homes—it's about reconnecting with the nostalgic moments that tie us to our heritage. Whether through the rhythm of music, the warmth of soul food, the laughter and stories shared in salons and barbershops, or the expressive clothing that defines our style, these experiences bring us comfort and pride.

This celebration honors not only the cherished memories of the past but also the cultural impact that continues to uplift us. Our aim is to both commemorate history and pay tribute to the vibrant culture that fills our lives with joy and inspiration every day.

Review the above direction and use it as inspiration to create your design submission.   

Designs should align with Target's purpose of bringing joy to all families.

Designs should be inclusive, for adults and/or children.

Designs must (1) be original (2) not infringe on copyrights or other intellectual property rights, and (3) not be in use or for sale elsewhere.

Artwork must be designed to be printable or executable for apparel or accessories items.

Please limit number of colors in your artwork and total design to 12 colors or less.   For photo real artwork, more than 12 colors is acceptable, but garment color may be impacted and revisions may be necessary for production.

Final files should be high resolution (150dpi+) and to scale. Low resolution submissions may need to be resubmitted if the applicant reaches the finalist phase of the competition.

Acceptable formats include: jpg, tiff, .pdf, .ai, .psd, or .png.

Target prefers that participants not use AI tools. However, AI tools may be used as long as the following conditions are met: (1) your design must have significant contributions from you, (2) you must disclose which AI tool you used, (3) you must disclose the original AI generated design, and (4) you must ensure that the terms of service for the AI tool allow you to own the design, transfer ownership to Target and allow commercial use.

How do I submit my design? 

Submit your entry via the online submission form. Entries can be submitted beginning October 13th 2024 until 11:59 PM CST on November 15th, 2024. By submitting your entry, you’re confirming that you have read and agree to the contest RULES. 

Who is eligible? 

he HBCU Design Challenge Contest (“Contest”) is open to residents of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, 18 or older at the time of entry, who are currently enrolled in a Historically Black College or University (‘HBCU”). Employees of Target, its affiliates, subsidiaries and their immediate families are not eligible to participate in the Contest. Void where prohibited by law. 

*Please see RULES for additional essential details

Key Dates:

HBCU Challenge Launch – Submissions Open: 10/13/2024

HBCU Challenge – Submissions Deadline: 11/15/2024

HBCU Challenge – Finalists Announced: 12/02/2024

HBCU Challenge – Finalists Artwork Due for Judging: 01/25/2025

HBCU Challenge – Winners Announced: 02/03/2025

Prizes

There are a total of four (4) Contest Prize winners.

First Place Prize Winners (2) - Total Value $6,000:

$4000 Cash prize
$2000 minimum as Marketing compensation (“Marketing Prize”). Our Marketing team may request winner participation in Marketing. This prize represents that minimum payout regardless of participation.
Exclusive total 2-3 hour total consultations with Target senior design leaders as submissions are finalized and prepped for production. 
A final production quality sample of their winning design(s).
All items for this HBCU Design Challenge will potentially be featured in Target’s Black History Month assortment that will be available for sale in 2026
School and Winner Credit on all winning product packaging featured in the BHM assortment.

Runner-Up Prize Winners (2) - Total Value $1000:

$1000 Cash prize
Exclusive total 1-hour total consultations with Target senior design leaders to collaborate on final submissions.

All Participants Receive:

Access to view Target HBCU Design Challenge exclusive videos and webinars as a virtual introduction to Target’s product development process and team. 
Eligibility to be invited to Bullseye Insiders, Target’s exclusive guest engagement platform.
The opportunity to add The HBCU Design Challenge as a line item on their resume.

Winner Selection & Notification: 

Contest Finalists will be notified by email on approximately December 2, 2024.
First Place Prize Winners will be notified by email on approximately January 28, 2025.
Cash prizes will be awarded and apprenticeship notification by September 1, 2025. 
Marketing Prizes will be awarded by December 31, 2025.

Legal Disclaimer

By submitting your entry you are confirming that you have read and agree to the contest RULES.

By submitting your design, you acknowledge that Target has many projects currently under development. Therefore, it is possible that the design you submit may be somewhat similar to something that is already under development. Target always strives to have unique product solutions and respects intellectual property rights. 

Participation in the HBCU Design Challenge is entirely voluntary and does not create an employment relationship with Target. Individuals who do choose to participate will not be compensated for the time spent on their submission or for their submitted artwork.

By participating in this Contest, Participants are confirming that you understand that submitted concepts may or may not be part of Target’s previous, current or future business endeavors. By uploading a submission, you agree to give Target a royalty free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, license for incidental use of your submission in any form, media or technology now known or later developed, only for historical, promotional or marketing purposes.