The identity of African-American culture is rooted in the historical experience of Pan-African and African-American people. However, Black History Month is not just a celebration of black America’s past achievements and stories — it’s part of a total expression of appreciation for the African diaspora including its present and future possibilities. The culture is both distinct and enormously influential on modern American and global worldwide culture as a whole.  

Wellbeing has a distinct resonance within the Black community. Notions of empowerment, pride, beauty and health are key modern focuses within Black History Month due to the impact of historical inequities. 

This project is meant to be a modern expression of what it means to celebrate blackness through the lens of well-being. 

design project option #2: 

For Design Project Option #2, you are asked to design a placed graphic/illustration or allover print design that that celebrates the modern day lives and culture of African-Americans and/or the African diaspora through the lens of well-being. Your design should promote physical, emotional, financial or spiritual health and well-being within the Black community. Your solution can be overt or subtle, abstract or literal but in the end an authentic, wearable interpretation of the challenge. 

Review the inspiration board and color direction and use them as guidance to create your design submission.

• Designs should align with Target's purpose of bringing joy to all families.
• Designs should be inclusive, for adults and/or children. 
• Designs must be original and not infringe on existing copyrights or intellectual property ownership. 
• Artwork must be designed to be printable on a standard t-shirt knit top. 
• Files should be high resolution (150dpi+) and to scale. Low resolution submissions may need to be resubmitted if the applicant reaches the finalist phase of the competition.  
• Acceptable formats include: jpg, tiff, .pdf, .ai, .psd, or .png. 

preparing your entry:

1. Review the design project descriptions, associated resources (mood board, palette, reports and articles) and program FAQs for additional context to inform your proposed solution(s). 
2. Develop a design for one or both design project option(s). 
3. Submit your entry via the online submission form. Entries can be submitted beginning May 7, 2020 until 11:59 PM CST on June 13, 2020. (Note: By submitting your entry you are confirming that you have read and agree to the contest RULES).  
4. You are welcome to also submit a maximum 1-page note giving additional context for your design. This is optional. 
5. Entries will be reviewed and evaluated by a cross-functional team based on the judging criteria below. 

After submission of your entry you can add the HBCU Design Challenge to your resume using the following language: "Competed in Target's inaugural HBCU Design Challenge to propose creative design solutions the 2021 Black History Month collection"

judging criteria: