Competitions and live briefs

If you believe there are any barriers to your participation in this opportunity or you have any access requirements (not limited to disability), please get in touch in advance of the deadline. Contact notjustashop@arts.ac.uk to start the discussion and see how you can be supported.

This competition is open to current students from all UAL colleges and courses (including international students).

• We are looking for UAL exclusive designs; designs that have been previously licensed by other retailers are not eligible.
• There is a 3-design limit per student. Do not send colour variations; the panel will request this if the design is successful.
• Students are welcome to collaborate on the design(s). Please note that the prize money will be divided equally between them if their design is selected.
• Designs should be commercially viable and may be required to be adapted to increase suitability (in agreement with the entrant).
• Artwork can be produced in any medium but must be submitted as a high-resolution digital image.
• Winning applicants will need to supply the final artwork to UAL as an Illustrator, EPS or Tiff file and provide a short designer biography.
• The intellectual property of designs submitted but not selected will remain entirely with the students who created them.
• Designs entered must be your own original artwork, of which you hold and will maintain the copyright.
• Christmas card prize of £150 is equivalent to royalties for the production of 96 (16 packs) greetings cards. If we decide to print more, we will contact you to discuss a further fee.
• Birthday card prize of £75 is equivalent to royalties for the production of 50 cards. If we decide to print more, we will contact you to discuss a further fee.
• If a student submits multiple winning designs, they will receive a combined prize. For example, if they submit 1 winning birthday and 1 winning Christmas card, they will receive £225.
• The winning designs will also be used across UAL marketing and advertising materials to promote not just a shop and future competitions. You will be credited whenever the image is used.
• Production of the greetings cards will be managed by UAL.
• The greetings cards will be produced as branded merchandise for UAL. The branded details will be in the back of the greeting card. We will send this over for the winner’s approval.
• The greetings card range will be sold both in-store and through the online shop from November 2026.

not just a shop will produce the greetings card range to be sold in High Holborn store and online from November 2026. Proceeds from the sale of the cards in not just a shop, will be reinvested into UAL’s Careers and Employability department, which provides free support for students and alumni.

Brought to you by the Careers and Employability department, not just a shop sells a diverse range of home, fashion and giftware – all created by those who studied at the University’s six leading arts colleges.

Proceeds from the retail business are reinvested into UAL’s growing enterprise programme, which provides free talks, workshops, funding and one-to-one business advice for the University’s students and alumni.

Proceeds from the sale of the cards in not just a shop, will be reinvested into UAL’s Careers and Employability department, which provides free support for students and alumni.

Brought to you by the Careers and Employability department, not just a shop sells a diverse range of home, fashion and giftware – all created by those who studied at the University’s six leading arts colleges.

Proceeds from the retail business are reinvested into UAL’s growing enterprise programme, which provides free talks, workshops, funding and one-to-one business advice for the University’s students and alumni.