Mascot Contest

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Help shape the future of CAVE! 

We’re inviting our artist vendors to design the official mascot for CAVE 2027!

The Winning Design will represent our event, our community, and the creativity that brings us all together for the duration of the 2027 event year.

The design will be featured across a wide range of event materials, including the website, promotional flyers and posters, advertisements, merchandise, badges, and more—bringing your creation to life as part of the CAVE experience.

Deadline : 

TBA

Prize : 

The winning artist will receive a FREE Artist Alley booth at CAVE 2027, plus revenue share from any/all retail sales of merchandise items including the mascot, along with online recognition across our platforms.

Voting Process :

The winner will be determined through a vote conducted by CAVE staff over a two-week voting period.

Voters will choose their favorite(s), and results will be tabulated after the voting period has ended.

* In the event of a tie, the final winner will be selected from among the tied entries at the discretion of CAVE Staff, or through a public tie-breaker, as deemed appropriate at the time. *

Annoucement :  

Following the voting period, a gallery of the entries will be released for viewing (before announcing the winner). The official winner of the CAVE Mascot Design Contest will then be revealed during the event’s Closing Ceremonies. 

By entering, you agree to abide by all contest rules and terms, including the intellectual property provisions outlined above

• All entries must be original work created by the submitting artist.
• Designs should not include copyrighted or trademarked material that the artist does not own or have permission to use.
• Artists may submit up to 2 entries maximum.
• Full submission details and deadlines will be provided on the application page.
• The use of AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork is strictly prohibited. 
• Minors may enter but must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.

Restriction

• You may not enter if you are a CAVE board member or a CAVE staff member directly involved in the running of this contest. All other individuals are welcome to participate! 
• The winning mascot entry is intended to uniquely represent CAVE 2027 and be used as part of CAVE’s official branding and publicity. For this reason, submitted designs must be original and not previously used, published, or designated as a mascot, branding character, or official representation for any other organization or entity. This also includes entries that have been submitted to or selected in other contests where intellectual property rights are transferred or assigned.

By entering, artists confirm that their submission is eligible for exclusive use by CAVE if selected as the winning design.

Each submission must include:

• One adult-aged mascot design
• One chibi model of the same design

The design must incorporate:

• The CAVE kitsune mask motif (The design of CAVE's Kitsune mask is unique & intentionally designed, be sure to use the design appropriately)
• Fit the character vibe/theme of "Kitsune Baddie"
• Las Vegas–inspired theme colors (Primarily black, white, red, gold, and blue)

Artwork MUST have a transparent background.

Files must be submitted at 300 DPI and/or in a vector format (e.g., AI, SVG, EPS).

We love supporting our artists and want you to continue sharing your work!

Artists are welcome to display, share, and include their submitted designs in portfolios, social media, and personal shops. You may also sell your non-winning designs, as long as they are not presented or marketed as Official CAVE Merchandise or affiliated with the event.

If your design is selected as the winner, you may still showcase it in your portfolio and personal platforms for self-promotion. However, because the mascot becomes an official part of CAVE, the winning design (and its elements) may not be used to create or sell merchandise independently.

We simply ask that any use of your work respects CAVE’s official branding and avoids implying an official partnership unless explicitly approved.

Upon official announcement of the contest winner, the selected entry, including any existing and future derivative works (created by either the artist or CAVE), will become the sole property of CAVE. This includes all rights, titles, and interests, including, but not limited to, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property rights.

By submitting an entry, participants agree to this transfer if their design is selected as the winner and confirm that they have the legal right to make such a transfer.

Once the winner has been officially announced, all non-winning participants are released from this obligation and retain full rights to their respective submissions.

Artists retain ownership of their work unless selected as the winner.

By entering the contest, artists grant CAVE permission to showcase submitted designs for promotional purposes (such as social media, website galleries, and event displays).

The winning artist agrees to transfer full rights of the selected design to CAVE. This allows CAVE to use, reproduce, and adapt the mascot for branding, merchandise, and promotional materials. The artist will be credited whenever reasonably possible.

Please submit your artwork via email to Contact@ CosplayAnimeExpo.com

PNG, PDF, etc.