Annual Report Cover Design Competition

Course: Annual Report Cover Design Competition
Date: Closes 12pm, Wednesday 8 October

Design the front cover of The Gordon's 2025 Annual Report to win a $500 voucher. 

What does The Gordon mean to you?       

A fresh start? A second chance? A place to grow, connect, create? A launchpad for the life you’re building? This is your chance to turn that story into something powerful.

Each year, The Gordon’s Annual Report is formally tabled in parliament and shared with industry and our broader community. It’s how we show the world who we are and what we stand for. And this year, we want your voice to lead the way.

We’re inviting one student to design the front cover—bringing their lived experience, creative vision, and personal perspective to a place of real impact.

The Theme: Your Gordon

This isn’t about drawing logos or ticking boxes. It’s about expressing what this place means to you.

  • Where has The Gordon taken you?
  • Who have you become while learning here?
  • What future are you building?

You might respond with bold colour, layered textures, hand-drawn shapes, photography, collage, or something totally unexpected. We’re looking for concept, heart, and originality—not perfection.

What You’ll Win

  • $500 Gift voucher
  • Professional design credit. Collaborate with The Gordon’s in-house team to refine your concept and bring it to life
  • Portfolio power. Your name and cover will be featured in the official Annual Report, shared across Victoria and beyond 

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 Wednesday 8 October. 
  • 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 1 September and will close at 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 8 October. 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 Wednesday 15 October, 2025.
  • 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 2025 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.