Hangeul Day T-Shirt Design Contest
Celebrate Hangeul (the Korean alphabet) Day by unleashing your creativity! The Korean program at the School of Linguistics and Language Studies (SLaLS) at Carleton University invites you to participate in our T-shirt design contest.
UPDATE:
Contest submissions are now closed. Thanks to all who contributed! You can now vote online for your favourite design! One vote per person and you must have a CU account to vote.
About Hangeul
Hangeul is one of the most scientific and creative writing systems in the world. As we live in a digital age, this contest is a unique opportunity to explore your inner artist and design a T-shirt that creatively incorporates the shapes of the Hangeul characters.
Prizes
The top three designs will be awarded cash prizes!
- 1st Prize: $500
- 2nd Prize: $400
- 3rd Prize: $300
Submission Process
Deadline: Noon on October 1st, 2025
Format: Submissions must be a hard copy only. Digital submissions will not be accepted. Please provide your design on a letter-size paper along with the signed Design Consent Form (found at the end of this document).
Drop-off Location: Place your design and consent form in a single envelope or staple them together and drop them off at the SLaLS Department Office (358 St. Patrick’s Building) between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays.
Confirmation: You will receive an email confirming that your submission has been received.
For Inspiration: If you are not familiar with Hangeul, please watch this informative video from the National Hangeul Museum. The video explains the creation principles of Hangeul, covering how the consonants were modelled after vocal organs and vowels were based on philosophical principles of the heavens, earth, and a person [00:02].
Selection Process
The selection process includes two stages: pre-selection and public voting.
Pre-Selection:
All designs will be evaluated by Korean language instructors based on the criteria below. Ten (10) finalists will be chosen and their designs will be digitized for online voting. Finalists will be notified via email, and their designs will be published on the SLaLS website at noon on October 2nd.
Public Voting:
Online Voting: October 3rd – October 8th. The online voting will be open to all members of the Carleton community. The voting process and site will be announced via the SLaLS Newsletter and other relevant email lists. Voters must log in with their Carleton credentials and may cast only one vote.
In-Person Voting: Finalist designs will be showcased at the Hangeul Day Event on October 9th (see below for registration), where attendees can cast additional votes.
Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Excellent (5 pts) | Good (4 pts) | Satisfactory (3 pts) | Needs Improvement (1-2 pts) |
| Creativity & Originality | Design is highly creative, unique, and memorable; stands out clearly from others. | Design shows creativity and some originality. | Design is somewhat original but feels familiar or derivative. | Design lacks creativity or closely resembles existing designs. |
| Cultural Relevance | Strong and meaningful connection to the event’s cultural theme; culturally respectful. | Good connection to the cultural theme; mostly respectful. | Moderate relevance; the cultural aspect could be clearer or deeper. | Weak or unclear connection to the cultural theme; possibly inappropriate. |
| Visual Impact | Eye-catching and well-balanced; strong first impression and visual harmony. | Visually appealing and generally balanced. | Some visual appeal; design may be cluttered or overly simple. | Lacks visual appeal; confusing, messy, or not aesthetically pleasing. |
| Clarity & Reproducibility | Design is clear, easy to read/see, and would reproduce well on fabric. | Design is mostly clear and suitable for printing. | Some issues with clarity or printability. | Difficult to read/see or unsuitable for printing on a shirt. |
| Total (max. points possible: 25) | ||||
Make sure you print and sign the consent form below.
