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EAST CONFERENCE 2027

March 16-18, 2027

Hot Springs, AR
Sponsor Packet

EAST NovelTee Competition

Hosted by EAST

Competition overview

Calling all creative EAST students! This is your chance to make your mark on EAST Conference 2027 by designing an original graphic T-shirt that celebrates the spirit of EAST—innovation, collaboration, problem-solving, and positive community impact.

This year the EAST NovelTee Competition will take place in two rounds. Participants will develop a design inspired by one of the provided prompts or an original EAST-themed slogan. Selected finalists will then work directly with an EAST designer to refine their concepts for the final round.

One winning design will be professionally produced and sold in the EAST Gear Store at EAST Conference 2027. The winning designer will also receive recognition at #EASTcon27!

Let your creativity shine and show us what EAST means to you.

Design Prompt

Create an original EAST graphic T-shirt using one of the prompts below, or create your own EAST-inspired slogan:

  • Ctrl + Alt + Create
  • Locked In
  • Nacho Your Average Problem Solver
  • Ideas Brewing
  • Create Your Own EAST Slogan: Write a short, school-appropriate phrase or pun inspired by EAST, then pair it with original artwork that visually represents your idea.

Your design should combine words with original artwork or illustrations that bring the phrase to life. We are looking for a complete graphic tee design—not simply words placed on a shirt.

Your design may highlight creativity, technology, teamwork, problem-solving, community impact, or what EAST means to you. Think creatively about the characters, objects, scenes, symbols, and visual details that could help communicate your idea.

Most importantly, create a T-shirt that EAST students would be excited to wear!

How the Competition Works

Round 1: Initial Design Submission

Choose one of the provided prompts or create your own EAST-inspired slogan, then transform it into an original graphic T-shirt design. For Round 1, designs should be:

  • Black and white
  • Submitted in any file format
  • Created using any software or design method

Your design does not need to be perfectly polished at this stage. We want to see your idea, your creativity, and how your artwork brings your chosen phrase to life. All sections of the online application, including the project description, must be completed for your submission to qualify. This information will be considered as part of the judging process. Round 1 submission deadline: October 5, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. CST

Finalist Design Workshop

A group of finalists will be selected from the Round 1 submissions and invited to develop their designs further. During individual meetings held October 12–16, 2026, finalists will work directly with an EAST designer to:

  • Refine their artwork and overall concept
  • Add color to the design
  • Select a shirt color that complements the artwork
  • Re-create and prepare the design in Adobe Illustrator
Round 2: Develop Your Design

Following the design workshop, finalists will submit their completed, full-color designs for final consideration. The finalist designs will then be reviewed to select the competition winner.

Round 2 submission deadline: October 20, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. CST

The Winning Design

One winning design will be selected from the Round 2 finalists. The winning T-shirt will be professionally produced and available for purchase in the EAST Gear Store at EAST Conference 2027. The student designer will also be recognized at #EASTcon27.

Important reminders

  • The design should be suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds, something everyone would be excited to wear.
  • The design must be 100% original. No copyrighted material or previously published designs are allowed. No use of AI.

Please note: Due to the wide-open nature of this competition, it is limited to 10 submissions per EAST program. If more than 10 submissions are received, EAST will only consider the first 10 submissions.

Submission instructions: Round 1

Please note: The submission form will automatically close at 3:30 PM CST on each deadline date. If you are in the middle of submitting a form at this time, your submission will NOT be received. Please remember that upload speeds can vary depending on file type, school bandwidth, etc. Deadline days have high submission traffic, which can also cause delays in uploading files and submitting applications. If you encounter an issue on the day of a deadline, EAST staff may only have limited availability to assist. EAST staff will not grant a deadline extension. It is recommended that you DO NOT wait until the last day or the last minute to submit your application.

Step 1 - get ready

Before submitting your application, make sure you have all the required materials:

  • Design Files
Step 2 - Complete the online application

Make sure you explain why your design is a great representation of EAST. Include how it reflects the themes of creativity, teamwork, technology, and community impact.

Note: You will upload the items from Step 1 in the online application.

Step 3 - upload design files

Upload a PNG image of your completed design directly to the application.

Step 4 - Submit

After completing the online application, click the "Submit" button. Once you see the "Submission Received" page, you will not be able to make any changes. If you do not receive an email confirmation, assume there was an error and your submission was not completed. Please go back and complete the online application again. If you still do not receive an email, please contact events@EASTstaff.org.

Apply Here