Entrants are invited to express personal style by customizing sneakers in The You Design Contest, an annual showcase that spots bold ideas and crowns creativity with real rewards. The prize includes a subscription to The Magazine and the chance for winning entries to be featured on the contest site and in official coverage, giving designers a moment in the spotlight. Participants can begin by saving a sneaker image to their computer and printing it to sketch ideas, or they can jump straight into a preferred digital design program and iterate there. When the design is ready, submissions follow the official channel set by the organizers. Digital entries can be scanned and emailed with the exact subject line THE YOU DESIGN CONTEST, while printed designs may be mailed through the postal route described in the published guidelines. The process is designed to be accessible and free of charge. Entries should comply with the published rules and respect privacy, while the organizers make the submission path straightforward. Winners consent to the use of their entry along with their name and city in a winners list that appears on the official site and in The Magazine’s coverage. The contest nurtures visual experimentation, personal storytelling, and the idea that sneakers can become a canvas for a message, a style statement, and a moment of recognition.
The official rules page expands on how to prepare a submission, including recommended file formats, image resolution, and color considerations to ensure designs translate well from screen to print. The process rewards originality, clear concept development, and thoughtful execution that respects the sneaker’s silhouette while letting the design breathe. Submissions are accepted through the designated channel, and the organizers reserve the right to verify originality and to adjust the prize roster if needed. The program emphasizes fairness, accessibility, and respect for intellectual property, inviting designers across the North American region to participate under consistent guidelines. Winners are publicly acknowledged and may see their entry and name featured in related coverage by The Magazine. The overall experience encourages designers to present a coherent story through color, texture, and form, with emphasis on craft, impact, and resonance with a broad audience.