what is the HBCU design challenge?

The HBCU Design Challenge is a competition to design t-shirt artwork & graphics for the Target 2022 Black History Month campaign.

what are the benefits of participating?

broaden your design skill set

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Target's design process and exposure to our best-in-class design team. You'll have an opportunity to demonstrate your creativity and design acumen to help Target reach a relevant design solution.

impact the guest experience

Your creative solutions to this invitation could impact thousands of guests in 700+ stores and on Target.com.

engage with Target's design + merchandising leaders

After you submit your entry, senior Target leaders will host a webinar to provide useful insights about the business of design, their roles and how we bring product to life at Target. Ask them questions, and engage in an exclusive opportunity to learn more about Target and the design process.

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 April 1, 2021 until 11:59 PM CST on April 30, 2021. 
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 2021 HBCU Design Challenge to propose creative design solutions the 2022 Black History Month collection".

judging criteria:

what you win:

There are a total of nine (9) Contest Finalist Prizes:

First Place Prize Winners (3) - Total Value $11,405:

• $3,000 Cash prize
• 1 per) Apple MacBook Pro 16” (Space Gray) 2.4GHz 8-Core | 32GB RAM | Intel i9 Processor Turbo Boost up to 5.oGHz | 2 TB SSD Storage AMD Raedon Pro 5500M w/8GB of GDDR6 (Value $3,899.99)
• Snapchat Spectacles 3 AR Glasses: Capture your world in 3D (Value $380.00)
• One-year license for Sketch (Value $99.00)
• General Assembly On Demand UX Design Course (Value $3,950.00)
• Lurzer’s Archive Student (Value $77.00)
• Premium membership to NAL Media. The membership includes access to a mentor, chat functionality, opportunity to job listings, and a Talkspace discount.
• Exclusive 1-hour consultation with Target senior design leaders
• Possibility of having their winning design included in the Target Black History Month product assortment for sale in 2021
• Their story will be featured in our Black History Month marketing program

Runner-Up Prize Winners (6) - Total Value $3,425:

• $1000 Cash prize
• Apple iPad Pro 12.9” Display (Space Gray) Wi-Fi | 512GB Storage (Value: $1,299.00)
• Individual license for Sketch (Value $99.00)
• General Assembly Part Time UX Design Course (Value $950.00)
• Lurzer’s Archive Student (Value $77.00)
• Premium membership to NAL Media. The membership includes access to a mentor, chat functionality, opportunity to job listings, and a Talkspace discount.

All Participants Receive:

• An invitation to join Studio Connect, Target’s exclusive guest engagement app
• Access to view Target HBCU Design Challenge exclusive videos and webinars as a virtual introduction to Target’s product development process and team
• The opportunity to add Target HBCU Design Challenge as a line item on their resume

Winner Selection & Notification:

• Contest Finalists will be notified by email on approximately May, 15, 2021.
• First Place Prize Winners will be notified by email on approximately June 30, 2021
• Prizes will be awarded on approximately September 1, 2021.

For more on what it's like to work at Target, hear from a few of our past interns and recruiters.

more about us

Target is one of the world’s most recognized brands and one of America’s leading retailers. We make Target our guests’ preferred shopping destination by offering outstanding value, inspiration, innovation and an exceptional guest experience that no other retailer can deliver. Fueling the continued success of our brand is our distinctly capable, creative and innovative Owned Brand Product Design & Management organization. Innovation is part of everything we do—and it all comes together with exclusive products that make our shopping experience unlike any other.

We thrive on the magic of discovering that just-right thing, and we infuse everything we do with our passion for affordable chic. We concept, develop, make and deliver the stylish new favorites that Target guests expect and deserve. We are uber-savvy trend and style experts who stay ahead of the curve, proactively identifying our market’s needs and exceeding them, every time. Our dynamic and inventive teams to influence the style, quality and value that decisively position Target above the competition. Your input will have a direct and positive effect, and you’ll be close to the action of dreaming up and bringing to life the product that surprises and gratifies our guests..

For more on what it's like to work at Target, hear from a few of our past interns and recruiters.