Annual Report Cover Design Competition

Course: Annual Report Cover Design Competition
Date: Closes 12pm, Monday 17 August

Design the front cover of The Gordon's 2026 Annual Report 

Win a $500 voucher, receive professional design credit, and see your work published in one of The Gordon’s most important public documents.

What does The Gordon mean to you?       

A fresh start? A second chance? A place to grow, connect and create? A launchpad for the life you’re building?

This is your chance to turn that story into a powerful visual concept.

Each year, The Gordon’s Annual Report is formally tabled in Parliament and shared with industry and our broader community. It tells the story of who we are, what we achieved, and the people behind that work. For the 2026 Annual Report, we want a student voice to lead the cover.

The theme: Your Gordon

This is not about drawing logos or making an advertisement. It is about expressing what The Gordon means to you.

You could explore:

  • where The Gordon has taken you
  • who you have become while learning here
  • the future you are building
  • the people, places or moments that have shaped your experience
  • the feeling of starting again, finding confidence, learning a skill, or becoming part of a community

Your concept might use photography, illustration, collage, hand-drawn elements, digital design, pattern, texture, colour or something more unexpected.

We are looking for concept, heart and originality — not perfection.

What makes a strong cover?

A strong Annual Report cover is usually:

  • visually striking from a distance
  • simple enough to work with a title and logo
  • meaningful without needing too much explanation
  • suitable for print
  • original and clearly connected to the theme

Please avoid designs that look like posters, flyers, advertisements or logo treatments. We are looking for a cover concept.

You do not need to create a finished, print-ready cover. We want to see your idea. If your entry is selected, The Gordon’s Design Team will work with you to refine the final artwork.

What you'll win?

  • a $500 gift voucher
  • professional design credit in the published Annual Report
  • the opportunity to collaborate with The Gordon’s in-house Design Team to refine your concept
  • a published portfolio piece, with your name and design featured in the official Annual Report

How to Enter

  • Prepare a concept image (sketch, mock-up, collage—whatever best shows your idea) and short explanation about your inspiration and connection to the theme. 
  • Submit your entry via this online form by 12 pm (midday) on Monday 17 August 2026.
  • Ensure you have read the full terms and conditions below.

Terms and conditions

General

  • This competition is promoted by The Gordon. 
  • The competition will open AEST 9am Monday 13 July 2026 and will close at 12pm (midday) on Monday 17 August. Entries received outside of this time will not be considered. 
  • Entrants must agree with the Terms and Conditions at the time of entry. 

Eligibility

  • Entry is open to all current students at The Gordon from any course
  • To be eligible for the prize the entrant’s fees must be up to date.
  • Entrants must agree and acknowledge that their submission (and any part thereof) is their own work and does not include copyrighted or third-party material. 
  • Entrants must advise if they have used AI to assist with the design

Design Guidelines

  • Prepare a concept image design (sketch, mock-up, collage—whatever best shows your idea) and short explanation about your inspiration and connection to the theme.   The designs should submitted should be: 
    • either PDF, JPEG, or PNG format for initial judging.  If selected, we’ll work with you to prepare the final artwork.
    • High resolution (minimum 300 DPI)
    • Size/Dimensions: A4 (210mm x 297mm)
  • Designs should not include slogans or taglines – check out our previous annual reports here
  • Finalists may be asked to submit editable source files (eg. PSD, AI or INDD)
  • Both The Gordon logo and title will be added on the report cover. Entrants may do this, or we will assist the Winner if the chosen design doesn’t yet include it.

The prize

  • The eligible winner will receive a $500 visa gift card 

Selecting the winner

  • Entries will be judged by a panel (‘The Panel’)of 3 staff members from The Gordon.  
  • The Panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • The winner will be informed by email and/or phone by Monday 24 August 2026.
  • A judging panel of 3 will determine the winner, based on the following criteria: 
    • unique and innovative design
    • relevance to the theme
    • simplicity and visual appeal
    • suitability for printing

Privacy and publicity

  • By entering, you grant The Gordon permission to adapt and publish your design as part of the 2026 Annual Report and related promotional materials if your entry is selected as the winning design.
  • The Gordon will collect, manage, use and disclose personal information under all relevant legislation and standards as per the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The Gordon will not sell any part of the information collected or posted as part of the competition, nor will we disclose it to any outside organisation unless approved by you or as authorised under law. The Gordon will take reasonable steps to securely store your information provided as part of this competition from loss, misuse and unauthorised access. 
  • By entering, you also acknowledge that the winning artwork may used by The Gordon for future promotions.
  • The name of the winner will be published on The Gordon's Student Connection newsletter and The Gordon’s social channels.     
  • Please contact The Gordon at studentexperience@gordontafe.edu for further information.