Future Designer Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by CardsDirect
Introduction
At CardsDirect, we aim to capture moments that connect with people and translate them into greeting cards. We’re inviting creative students to design our next best-selling holiday card through the Future Designer Scholarship. The selected artist will receive a $1,000 scholarship payable to a post-secondary institution of their choice and will have their artwork produced and offered for sale on our website. View past winners below for ideas and inspiration.
Important deadlines
- Application deadline: May 1, 2026 (all entries must be received by this date).
- Public voting period: May 8–May 15, 2026.
- Winner notification: May 18, 2026.
How to enter
- Submit your entry by email to scholarship@cardsdirect.com. One entry per person.
- Required with each submission:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Name of the post-secondary institution you are enrolled in or have been accepted to
- Your official artwork (see file specs below)
Eligibility
- Open to U.S. residents age 17 or older. Proof of age and identity may be requested.
- Must be a full-time student currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution (including community colleges and vocational schools), or have an official acceptance to such an institution and plan to begin studies within the next calendar year.
- Not eligible: employees, agents, independent dealers, affiliates of CardsDirect (and their agents or affiliates), or immediate family members of any such persons.
Artwork requirements and format
- Accepted media: original 2D artwork, photographs, or digital/computer graphics. Examples: oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, pencil, mixed media, and digital illustration.
- Originals may be scanned or photographed for submission.
- File must be a JPEG (.jpg), at least 300 dpi, and no larger than 5 MB.
Theme
- Designs should be appropriate for December holidays or seasonal greetings. Suggestions: winter or mountain scenes, Christmas still lifes (ornaments, wreaths), wildlife in snowy settings, Santa portraits, or other festive seasonal concepts. Creativity and a fresh take on holiday imagery are encouraged.
Selection process and voting
- Internal judges at CardsDirect will review all submissions and select five finalists.
- The five finalists will be announced and entered into a public voting round hosted through a CardsDirect voting form. Voters must have a Google account. Voting is anonymous and limited to one vote per person. Use of automated voting tools or third-party software is prohibited and will result in disqualification.
- After public voting ends, CardsDirect’s internal panel will verify the top-voted design. Final selection will be confirmed by CardsDirect.
Judging criteria (for top five)
1. Overall aesthetic appeal, creativity, and originality
2. Quality of execution
3. Adaptability for use as a greeting card
Prize and payment
- The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship in the form of a check made payable to the educational institution listed on the winner’s entry, after the winner has complied with the obligations set out in the official rules.
- Retail value of the prize is $1,000. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
- The winner is responsible for any taxes or additional costs. CardsDirect’s decisions are final and binding. If the selected winner does not attend a post-secondary institution as required, the prize may be forfeited.
Official rules
- Full official rules and detailed terms apply. See the official rules for complete requirements and conditions.
Questions?
If you need clarification about the application process or requirements, email scholarship@cardsdirect.com. Good luck — we look forward to seeing your designs!