Made For More Design Contest
Here's Everything You Need to Submit Your Design
Deadline: Friday, January 30 2026
Good luck! We can't wait to see your creativity!
Quick Checklist:
Before You Submit
Before clicking that button, make sure you have:
✅ Logo design with variations (horizontal, vertical, icon-only versions)
✅ Color palette (3-5 colors with hex codes clearly specified)
✅ Typography (primary and secondary font choices with examples)
✅ Design concept (brief explanation of your vision)
✅ Short bio (a few sentences about you and your design background - we'll use this if you're a finalist!)
✅ Follow @madeformoreny on Instagram (this will come in handy if you're selected as a finalist!)
Not ready yet? No problem! Bookmark this page and come back when you're ready to submit.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Friday, January 30 2026
What Happens Next:
February 2026: Our expert judges review all submissions and select 5-7 finalists based on design excellence. All designers will receive an update about their design and finalists will be announced on our website and Instagram
Mid-February 2026: Community votes on our website to help judges choose the winner
March 2, 2026: Winner revealed!
Follow us on social
Follow us now - it'll come in handy if you're selected as a finalist!
Our expert judges will review all submissions and select 5-7 finalists. Then, the community helps the judges choose the winner by voting!
If you're a finalist, we'll feature your design across our Instagram feed and stories throughout voting week! It will also be shared on LinkedIn and our newsletter.
This is your chance to:
Share our posts featuring YOUR design with friends and family
Get your network to vote for you
Build excitement and drive votes
Get tagged in all our finalist features
Following us now means you'll:
✅ See all contest updates and behind-the-scenes content
✅ Be ready to share if you're selected as a finalist
✅ Watch as we showcase all finalists and build to the big reveal
Follow us on Instagram: @madeformoreny
Follow us on LinkedIn: MADE FOR MORE NY
What We're Looking For
Brand Design Requirements
Your submission must include ALL of these components:
1. Logo Design
Main logo (at minimum) needs to include "Made for More" in the main logo design
Made for More, Inc. is the official registered name
Made for More New York (or Made for More NY) is used on social channels
You may include
Horizontal version
Vertical/stacked version
Icon-only version (if applicable)
Provided final designs as high-resolution PNG file or laid out and uploaded as a PDF
2. Color Palette
No more than 3-5 colors, colors should work together cohesively
Hex codes specified for each color
Show how colors work in various combinations - use whatever palette best serves your concept!
Submitted as image or PDF displaying all colors with codes
3. Typography
Primary font (for headings and main brand usage)
Secondary font (for body text and supporting content)
Examples showing hierarchy and usage
Fonts must be properly licensed for commercial use OR free fonts that are readily available for web and email
4. Design Concept Description
150-250 words explaining your vision
Why did you make your design choices?
How does your brand design reflect Made for More's mission and/or values?
Brand Values to Reflect
Your design should capture these core values:
Authentic & Empowering
Speaks to people at the life stages we currently support — from recent graduates to mid-career professionals
Optimistic & Purposeful
Conveys possibility, hope, and meaningful direction
Welcoming & Inclusive
Feels approachable and inviting, not exclusive or elite
Confident & Professional
Polished and memorable, but NOT corporate or stiff
Service-Oriented
Reflects community connection and using your gifts to serve others
Design Guidelines
Must Have:
"Made for More" text integrated into main logo design
Works in digital AND print formats
Scalable (readable at small sizes, impactful at large sizes)
Functions in full color, black & white, and reversed
Logo, colors, and typography work together as a unified system
Design Philosophy: clarity + inspiration + warmth + cohesion
This brand identity should make someone say, "That looks like a place where I belong."
Avoid:
Corporate/banking-style imagery (too cold)
“Childish” or overly playful aesthetics
Generic nonprofit clichés (hands, globes, hearts)
Trendy elements that will quickly feel dated
Disjointed systems (logo, colors, fonts should complement each other)
Our three professional graphic designers will review all submissions and select 5-7 finalists based on design excellence and brand alignment. We can’t wait to see what you create!
MEET OUR JUDGES
-
Karla Pámanes
Karla is an award-winning designer, branding expert, and mentor based out of San Antonio, Texas. She has designed for brands such as HGTV, Food Network, Brit+Co, in addition to several other amazing companies. Her focus is on building branding that tells a story and reflects the core values of a company. Her motto is to "be the person you needed when you were younger." She created "The Brand Design Academy" to share the knowledge and experience she has learned over 20 years working with corporate brands and small businesses.
“Great design feels effortless, even though it isn’t.” - Karla Pámanes -
Jared DeGroff
Jared DeGroff is a brand creator who lives in two worlds. By day, he's the strategic Brand Creator for Mohawk Honda, meticulously building and managing the brand's cohesive visual system. By night (and day), he's the founder and creative force behind HeckRaiser Productions, a media house focused on capturing the raw, authentic stories in sports, music, and culture. He believes brand isn't just a logo; it's a gut feeling. His work is built on action, grit, and the relentless pursuit of a story that demands to be told, always aiming to Defy Ordinary. Capture Extraordinary.
“Aesthetic quality is just the start. I look for the story. Does the design have a heartbeat? Does it have grit? Great design isn't quiet; it’s a strategic war cry. It has to be authentic, it has to connect, and it has to work.” - Jared DeGroff -
Paige Murtaugh
Paige Murtaugh is a designer and marketing professional with over six years of experience helping organizations and small businesses strengthen their visual identity and brand presence. She began her career running Paige’s Pages, creating design and marketing materials for local political campaigns in New York’s Capital District. After supporting marketing initiatives at the Capital District YMCA, Paige launched Loey’s Endless Wonders, a woodworking brand inspired by her grandmother’s creativity. This year, she founded Seed to Summit Co., a marketing business dedicated to providing affordable, ground-up branding support to help local businesses thrive.
“Great design begins as a seed; an honest idea rooted in purpose, and grows into something meaningful through creativity, integrity, and intention. I look for work that starts with purpose, stays true to its roots, and is crafted to make a lasting impact.” - Paige Murtaugh
If Your Design Becomes Our Official Identity…
The winning brand identity will be used across:
Website design and all pages
Social media profiles and content (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc)
Email newsletters and communications
Printed materials and merchandise
Marketing and promotional materials
Event signage and presentations
Recognition & Exposure
Press Features - Included in press release distributed to Albany media outlets
Social Media Spotlight - Dedicated posts celebrating you and your design across all platforms, behind-the-scenes content, ongoing tags as we use your brand identity
Newsletter Feature - Full feature introducing you and your work to our entire community
Website Recognition - Permanent recognition as Made for More's founding brand designer with your bio, photo, and portfolio link
Professional Benefits
Portfolio piece with real nonprofit impact
Professional LinkedIn/resume affiliation
LinkedIn-shareable credential
Opportunity for additional design work
Stay Updated
You'll receive email updates about:
Submission deadline reminders
Finalist announcement
Voting information
Winner reveal
Made for More Spring 2026 program launch
Check your spam folder if you don't see emails from us and mark us as "not spam"! Please email us with any questions: madeformoreny@gmail.com.
FAQs
Can I submit multiple designs?
Yes! Submit as many complete brand designs as you'd like. Each requires a separate submission.
What file formats do you need?
Logo files in a high-resolution PNG. Color palette and typography can be PDF.
Do I need to use specific fonts?
No, but all fonts must be properly licensed for commercial use OR be free fonts.
What if I have technical issues submitting?
Email your submission to madeformoreny@gmail.com with the subject line "Contest Submission - [Your Name]" before the deadline.
Is there an entry fee?
No! This contest is completely free to enter.
Other Questions?
We're here to help! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the contest or your submission. Email: madeformoreny@gmail.com
What happens after I submit?
You'll receive email confirmation of your submission. In early February 2026, our judges will review all entries and all designers will receive a status update by mid-Feb 2026.
How will finalists be chosen?
Our three judges will independently score each submission based on brand alignment, visual impact and cohesion, versatility and technical execution, originality and creativity, and practical application. The top-scoring entries become finalists.
How does the winner get selected?
Judges select 5-7 finalists. Then the community votes on our website (one vote per email) to help the judges choose the final winner. This ensures both professional design expertise and community input shape our brand identity.