Dash of Inspiration: MAY 2024 Design Challenge
Hope everyone is able to enjoy some spring weather, wherever you call home. Let’s get some new cards into a category with very few.
……………………………………………………………
Theme: Gold Star Father’s Day
Requirements:
- Create a brand new design for the Gold Star Father’s Day category. This special day is celebrated on November 9th each year.
- Write your own verse/message, be creative and write a message that clearly speaks to your imagery, occasion and recipient.
- No Stock card creations will be accepted.
- Blank verse will not be considered for entry in this challenge.
……………………………………………………………
Entry Deadline: Friday, May 31st
……………………………………………………………
How to Enter: Post the PID (card number) of the NEW CARD – AND – the PID of the OLD CARD with the URL (public storefront link of BOTH the old and new versions – please WAIT for the new card to be available in the public marketplace, please DO NOT post a link to your Manage Cards area) as a post in the challenge blog. We’ll forward your entry to the jury.
……………………………………………………………….
Category:
Holidays > Gold Star Father’s Day Cards
…………………………………………………………….
Rules:
- Submission must meet GCU’s Submission Guidelines and be Approved through the usual Review Cycle– Fast Track your submission with this in the Notes to Reviewer: May Design Challenge Submission – AND – include the PID of the card it’s replacing, here is the link to the blog post: (include THIS blog post URL)
- Only ONE card per artist per challenge.
- Submissions must be NEW, no existing designs.
- Your entry must meet the Challenge Requirements or it will not be included in the challenge.
- Stock Card Creations entries will not be accepted.
……………………………………………………………………
BLIND Judging: We hope each of you enters every month. Entries are submitted anonymously for judging by the GCU Challenge Jury which means that before and during the challenge, judges do not have any way of knowing what artist is behind each entry. This eliminates any and all concerns with ‘favoritism’. Results will post on the Community Blog. The jury will judge the entries on the following criteria:
- How well the card meets the Challenge Requirements and Theme.
- How well the card make over appeals to the marketplace.
- Creativity, Execution, Professionalism and Marketability.
……………………………………………………………………
Winners: 1st Place:
- The winning designer’s card and store will be featured on the GCU Public Blog – the blog which customers view and follow.
- As well as featured on the GCU Public Facebook Page – over 55,000 followers, now THAT’S exposure!
- The winning card will be Design of the Day following the announcement of the winners (within 48-hours).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- The winning card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board – currently GCU’s Pinterest Page followers: 13.34k!
- The winning card, should the artist choose, may be referenced in a new series by the winning artist and he/she may Fast Track all cards in the new series (being sure to give the Challenge URL and winning card PID in your Notes to Reviewer for each card in this series).
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
-
Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.6k followers and counting!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
- 10 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2024!
2nd Place:
- Your submission will be Design of the Day the following week of announcing the Challenge winners (within 7-days).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- Your card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board.
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
-
Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.6k followers and counting!
- 5 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2024!
………………………………………………………………………
Tips:
………………………………………………………………………
Be inspired to create and learn something new!
Discover our Green earth Clipart Watercolor Collection exclusively available on TheHungryJPEG.com! This eco-friendly art bundle features 10 high-quality JPEG and PNG files, showcasing nature-inspired illustrations perfect for your creative projects. From lush greenery to earthy tones, these sustainable graphics are ideal for Earth Day designs, environmental campaigns, and any project promoting a green lifestyle.


There is no time limit on this free download.
Comes with complete commercial license.
Nuts & Bolts: 35th Louie Award Winners

The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
Wanted New Cards: 50th Birthday Daughter in Law with Photo
Wanted Cards – 50th Birthday Daughter in Law with Photo
Shoppers love photo cards – such a personal and easy way to make a special card that is personalized.
Please consider creating photo front cards for a Daughter in Law turning 50.
They should go here:
Birthday >> For Family Relation Specific >> Daughter in Law >> Age Specific cid#9068

Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
NOTE: be sure to follow the superscript guideline for ordinal numbers if you use (50th) in your design.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Introducing the Enchanted Bonds Watercolor Collection on TheHungryJPEG.com! Dive into a world of magic with our vibrant and whimsical watercolor artwork. This premium collection features 20 JPEG & PNG files, including mystical illustrations, fantasy-themed clipart, and enchanting patterns. Perfect for digital projects, these high-quality assets will add a touch of charm to your designs. Explore the magic today!


Available for free download for 6 more days, so don’t miss out!
Comes with complete commercial license.
Freebie Wednesday: Free Nomad Odyssey Watercolor Collection
Embark on a visual journey with our Nomad Odyssey Watercolor Collection, exclusively on TheHungryJPEG.com. Discover 37 JPEG & PNG files featuring captivating watercolor wanderlust art. From vibrant travel scenes to nomadic illustrations, each piece invites you to explore the world through the eyes of an artist. Transform your projects with these adventurous watercolor creations today!


Available for free download for 4 more days, so don’t miss out!
Comes with complete commercial license.
Wanted Cards – Humor Wedding Congrats for Parents of the Bride
A daughter’s wedding is filled with moments of pride and joy. There is certainly plenty of room for humor!
Please consider creating humorous Wedding Congratulations cards for the parents of the Bride. They should go here accordingly:
Occasions >> Congratulations >> Wedding / Marriage >> For Parents of the Bride …
>> General / Both Parents cid#6172
>> Father of the Bride ci#6174
>> Mother of the Bride cid#6173

Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Also refer here for some tips on when to capitalize a relationship (Aunt or aunt).
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Freebie Wednesday: Free Baby Dino Illustrations
Discover the enchanting charm of our Baby Dino Watercolor Collection by TheHungryJPEG Crafts. Delightful and vibrant, these 36 PNG files feature adorable illustrations of baby dinosaurs in captivating watercolor art. Perfect for nursery decor, kids’ room accents, or crafting projects, each image exudes playful charm and timeless appeal. Add a touch of whimsy to any space with these irresistible dino artworks.


Available for free download for 6 more days, so don’t miss out!
Comes with complete commercial license.
Wanted New Cards: Mother’s Day for Aunt from child
Wanted Cards – Mother’s Day for Aunt from child
There are general Mother’s Day cards for an aunt, and then at GCU shoppers will also find Mother’s Day cards to an aunt from a nephew, and from a niece as well as from a combination of nephew(s) and niece(s).
We could use new designs from younger children. Since nieces and nephews come in all ages, be sure to design some from different ages and fortify your metadata accordingly for age range.
Please consider creating cards specific to these new sub-categories. They should go here accordingly:
Holidays >> Mother’s Day >> For Aunt >> From Niece(s) cid#38014
Holidays >> Mother’s Day >> For Aunt >> From Nephew cid#38016
For a combination of nephew(s) and nieces(s) should go in >> Other cid#38020

Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Also refer here for some tips on when to capitalize a relationship (Aunt or aunt).
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Nuts & Bolts: 2024 Trade Show NOTED SF

The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager



