Civic Projects Lab Postcard Contest

CPL Banner for Postcard competition

Applicants are encouraged to submit a postcard illustrating their submission in the ethos of working across disciplines, skill sets, and novel teams; however, applicants are not required to participate.

 

All postcards are due by February 1, 2025 and will be exhibited and celebrated on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.

 

Prizes will be announced in the spring. Please note: Winning a prize for a Futures postcard, does not imply automatic approval of the related proposal.

 

• One postcard per proposal •

 
DEADLINE
Received by the CPL before 5 pm on February 1, 2025   

FORMAT
Digital or physical postcard (4 x 6 inches) as a visual representation or graphic interpretation of proposal intent.  Submissions will be printed and exhibited in the CPL for public viewing, and various prizes will be announced for exemplary and creative submissions.
 
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Hand-drawn postcards are welcome.  Digital submissions will be printed by The Cooper Union as submitted. 
 
Dimensions
• Standard U.S. postcard size—4 x 6 inches
• Account for bleed (.125" to 0.25" on all sides)
 
Resolution
• 300 dpi (dots per inch) for high-quality printing (your design file should be at least 1200 x 1800 pixels)
 
Color Mode
• CMYK color mode (standard for printing)
This ensures that the colors you see on your screen will closely match what is printed
 
File Format
• Save your design as a print-ready format, such as PDF, TIFF, or high-resolution JPEG
• If using PDF, ensure fonts are embedded to avoid any issues during printing
 
Typography
• Use legible fonts, and ensure that the text is adequately sized (usually at least 10 pt for readability)
• Consider using a limited number of fonts to maintain a cohesive design
 
Margins and Safe Zone
• Keep important text and images within a "safe zone" (.25" from the edges) to prevent them from being cut off
 
Design Elements
• Use high-quality images and graphics that are at least 300 dpi
• Ensure that any logos or graphics are vector-based or high-resolution to prevent pixelation
• Consider including both front and back designs, especially if you want to provide information like the address, return address, or a message
 
Proofreading
• Thoroughly check for spelling and grammatical errors
• Verify that all contact information and URLs are correct
 
Test Print
• If possible, do a test print on a regular printer to check layout, colors, and overall design 
 
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your postcard design will be suitable for high-quality printing and will effectively convey your intended message.
 
Send your digital submissions here.
Physical submissions should be sent to:
Civic Project Lab/The Cooper Union
41 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003
 
The CPL reserves all rights in respect of recognizing merit. 
 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.