Nengajo Contest

We’re looking for a creative member to design our organization’s official 2026 Nengajo (Japanese New Year’s Card)! The winning design will be sent digitally to all our members, and the artist will receive a fantastic prize package.

The Prize

The winning artist will receive:

• A FREE 1-year Individal Membership to the Japan America Society of Colorado.
• A $25 Gift Card to Kokoro, a quick and yummy Japanese restaurant!

Design requirements

To be eligible, all submissions must meet the following criteria:

• Year: Must clearly feature the year 2026
• Zodiac: The design must include the Chinese Zodiac for 2026, which is the Horse
• Logo Placeholder: Include a blank box or outline on the design indicating the desired size and placement of the JASC logo. The logo itself will be added by our team after the winner is chosen. (Centered logo = 1067 x 733 px | Horizonal logo = 1738 x 340 px)
• Greeting: Must include an appropriate Japanese or English New Year’s greeting (i.e. あけましておめでとうございます / “Happy New Year”
• Size: Design must be sized precisely for a standard 4” x 6” postcard
• File Type: Acceptable file formats are PNG, PDF, high-quality JPEG
• Originality: Artwork must be your own original creation

Extra Consideration for Bonus Themes

Designs that creatively integrate themes, imagery, or cultural elements from both Japan and the state of Colorado will be given extra consideration during the judging process! Show how these two cultures connect!

Submission deadline

All designs must be submitted by: November 30th. → Extended to December 10th

Please submit your final design file and your contact information using the form directly below.

We can’t wait to see your incredible designs! Good luck!