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Smashing Header Graphics Contest

By Smashing Editorial, February 1st, 2008 in Events, Graphics | 96 Comments | Forum

In many blogs header graphics often takes a prominent position as bloggers try to impress visitors with distinctive and appealing visual elements. In fact, designed properly, header graphics can create an appropriate atmosphere and convey the style the designer has chosen. Well-designed themes can be as useful as templates, particularly if you can download them and experiment with them as you wish. However, you won’t find that many sources on the Web. That’s time to change it.

We’d like to create a small smashing gallery of blog header graphics which every designer could use for free and without any restrictions whatsoever. To achieve this we need the help of our creative visitors. To achieve this we need your help. Which is why we announce a Header Graphics Contest.

Update (02.02.2008): please notice that this contest is not about designing a header for the Smashing Magazine web-site. Your header graphics don’t have to be related to Smashing Magazine at all. This is about sharing your skills with fellows designers and creating a free repository of downloadable header graphics.

What is required?

In order to participate, your design should

contain up to 5 different graphics
have the resolution of 850×200 px
have the max. size of 60 Kb
be in the format PNG, JPG, GIF (if possible, please provide us with the source file as well — such as PSD, EPS, AI etc.)
be your own work — you must own the copyright for the designs you submit.

Send your designs via e-mail at editor at smashingmagazine.com with the subject line [Header Contest Entry] YourThemeTitle, where YourThemeTitle is the title of your theme. Please mention your name, your URL and the country you come from.

If possible, please also provide us with the brief description of the theme and ideas which have been the driving force behind your design. Be creative, use unusual techniques, explore your skills, do whatever it takes — we’d like you to get really excited about it.

Deadline?

We’ll consider all designs we’ll receive until the 1st of March 2008. The best entries will be published briefly after the contest has ended.

Is there a reward?

Yes. First of all we’ll mention your name and your URL in the article which will contain the smashing examples of contest entries. Besides, we’ll randomly award as many participants as possible with tools, services and prizes from our sponsors. (Updated)

Examples

Let’s take a look at some excellent examples of how visually appealing header graphics might look like. The images are clickable and lead to the sites from which they’ve been taken.

Blog Header Graphic

Useful Resources

Besides, here are some useful resources which might help you to design smashing header graphics.

Get creative, folks!

Results

The contest is finished now. You can download the results for free in the post Blog Headers For Free Download.

Published in Events, Graphics, February 1st, 2008
Tags: Graphics, header, weblogs

1.

Oliver (February 1st, 2008, 11:02 am)

Sehr lustig. Ich hatte diesen Post (bzw. eine Roh-Version) schon vor Monaten mal im Google Reader. Habe mich immer gefragt, wann es denn soweit ist.. :)

Liebe Grüße, Oli
2.

bbx (February 1st, 2008, 11:08 am)

I see you’ve picked some of my favorites: gotocss3, webdesignerwall, ndesign… I’ll try to participate, though I’m not a great designer.
3.

readywpthemes (February 1st, 2008, 11:12 am)

Nice idea! But award can be more spectacular!
4.

Creativepayne (February 1st, 2008, 11:22 am)

Sounds fun. Although I like the simplicity of the header at present.
5.

Creativepayne (February 1st, 2008, 11:27 am)

I guess it would help if I read a little closer!
6.

Michael @ Freshome (February 1st, 2008, 11:32 am)

Can’t wait to see the submission …I’m sure there will be a lot of awesome designs.
7.

Tor Løvskogen (February 1st, 2008, 11:45 am)

There should be a Smashing Site-design contest, you need one.
8.

kl3tte (February 1st, 2008, 12:42 pm)

I guess there will be a great field of comitters. Nice idea!
9.

tzHeaderz (February 1st, 2008, 12:43 pm)

A contest all about recognition, who knows maybe in the mean time you guys will throw together some sort of swag bag?
It’s great to see you engaging your readers to participate. I’m guessing there are some great graphic designers out there, whose web design skills would never get them highlighted on “Smashing”. It’s going to be great to see what develops. Big phat header graphics are all the rage!!
10.

superfreaks (February 1st, 2008, 12:48 pm)

Hi !

Could you please provide Smashing Magazine’s logo (PSD format) !
11.

Eddie C. (February 1st, 2008, 1:06 pm)

Ola, from Portugal to all smashing magazine readers!

Great to see our Algarvebuzz header used as an example for inspiration. Gulp, blush……thanks guys!

The competition looks fun, we might just have to get in on the challenge.

Can’t wait t see all the great designs!
12.

Wolf (February 1st, 2008, 1:06 pm)

This is the equivalent of “hey, want to make a design for us? We’re not going to pay you but you’ll get a lot of recognition’.

If you take your website anything seriously you pay a designer you admire to do his thing.
13.

kuldeep (February 1st, 2008, 1:10 pm)

This is very good initiative. Im great follower of Header Graphics…..
You can also check my website….though its not that complex ..I love the feel it gives.

I’ll surely try to participate.
14.

Anon C. (February 1st, 2008, 1:12 pm)

Wow, I sure love your twist on Link [www.no-spec.com]..
15.

evildick (February 1st, 2008, 2:05 pm)

some people can’t even read.
16.

Sacha (February 1st, 2008, 2:13 pm)

Wow ! I’m featured on Smashing Magazine ! Thanks !!

I don’t consider it like doing spec work, for me it’s more like paying Smashing Magazine back for all the great inspiration and tools you provide every week !
17.

Bobby (February 1st, 2008, 2:22 pm)

Wow, we use all our skills and valuable time.. for nothing more than a mention? Sorry, I get paid for my work by people who appreciate my work.

Smashing magazine doesn’t have the clout to interest my services for free.
18.

Michal (February 1st, 2008, 2:30 pm)

Ahh Sacha - so true, about paying back - i’ll do my best.
19.

Cam (February 1st, 2008, 3:57 pm)

It would be nice if you tracked down some sponsors from the creative industry to provide prizes.
Surely Smashing Magazine is big enough to get something for a name mention!
20.

Steven (February 1st, 2008, 4:20 pm)

Again, Link [www.no-spec.com]

This is a TEXTBOOK example of an unethical spec request. Way to treat your loyal readers like a bunch of idiots. :/
21.

no-spec (February 1st, 2008, 5:13 pm)

weak weak weak
do some free work and our mediocre design blog will give you credit
22.

John Faulds (February 1st, 2008, 7:43 pm)

850px wide’s a bit of an odd size isn’t it? Too small for 1024 x 780 but too big for 800 x 600. :?
23.

Cadu de Castro Alves (February 1st, 2008, 9:07 pm)

Nice contest!!!

Curiously, I made a collection with Link [cadudecastroalves.com].
24.

Anonio (February 1st, 2008, 11:23 pm)

Wouldn’t it only be considered spec work if they were using it? These are things they’re going to be offering to everyone for free, not using for themselves. . . I don’t quite see the point of buying something to share when they’re going to turn around and give it (and the PSDs?) away.
25.

Raf (February 2nd, 2008, 2:12 am)

It’s a shame you’re not asking for flash. I really like my header *http://www.herecomesthescience.com) and I’ve been planning to release the code for it.
26.

Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz (February 2nd, 2008, 2:36 am)

Dear readers,

this contest is not about Smashing Magazine header contest. In fact, it doesn’t have anything to do with us. You don’t need our logo and you don’t need to create header graphics for us. We simply offer you an opportunity to share your skills with other developers. It’s not about header contest for Smashing Magazine!

Sometimes it’s useful to read the post before submitting comments.
27.

Naveed Ahmad (February 2nd, 2008, 4:04 am)

hey thanks something nice…will surely put up atleast 5 designs althought i m too not a pro..but will try out my best…
:)
its a great step…i thikn such competitions should took pleace alot..as there is nothing to lose,…only we all gona be having fun and will be sharing different ideas and skills..
Best of luck to all
:)
28.

Amit (February 2nd, 2008, 5:28 am)

Nice Competition for the designers as if they win will gain some credibility from here!!

I will ask my fellow designers to participate in this contest as i am not a designer so, i cannot take part but i wish if i would be a designer then surely have participated.

So, all my wishes are with those designers taking participation in this contest.

May the best Win :)
29.

Creativ Era’s (February 2nd, 2008, 5:33 am)

Nice Competition organized by you it will surely help and motivate the designers to make there best.
30.

Scott (February 2nd, 2008, 5:45 am)

in the 3rd example image….
how would you make the green/purple smoke stuff. Its really awesome!
31.

Paul Enderson (February 2nd, 2008, 6:59 am)

Aw shucks guys… I’m really flattered to be featured on SM again! :D I just wish I had the time to participate in the compo, but I’m currently working on development of Link [www.britster.com] and redeveloping Link [chat-alot.com] at the same time! Good luck to all who get a chance though - there’s nothing quite as rewarding as being mentioned on a leading blog! ;)
32.

WebDesigner (February 2nd, 2008, 7:53 am)

WIll a certificate be issued for the Winners??
33.

Don (February 2nd, 2008, 12:19 pm)

Agree with John - dimensions are extremely odd. 850 px wide? How many sites use this width? Usually
34.

coding.joker (February 3rd, 2008, 6:10 am)

I want to participate but I have sth to know. I don’t know how to send to smashing editor. I can’t find to get the editor’s address. Where can I send my designs? please reply me as soon as you can.
35.

Mohd. Hashim Khan (February 3rd, 2008, 7:10 am)

Good contest! will help new designers as well. Will try my best to find time and and make some designs for this contest :)
36.

James (February 3rd, 2008, 10:43 am)

Sounds fun. Now I just have to find some time to knock some stuff together…
37.

Kisan (February 3rd, 2008, 10:47 am)

Great contest.
Is it possible to view the headers submitted by the members?

Kisan
38.

Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz (February 3rd, 2008, 12:15 pm)

Update: We’ve received entries by

Paulo Loreto
Kisan Bhat
Daniela Mincheva

Thank you!
39.

Roy (February 3rd, 2008, 11:04 pm)

Good contest! will help new designers as well.
40.

imaginepaolo (February 4th, 2008, 3:37 am)

What about my headline?
Link [www.imaginepaolo.com]
Thank you!
41.

Steven (February 4th, 2008, 4:46 am)

Egg on my face, I should indeed have read more closely. That being said, you could have worded things a lot more clearly. Describing it as a header “contest” immediately sets of am alarm for many designers (as you can see from the number of people who you’ve deeply offended!) ;)
42.

kuldeep (February 4th, 2008, 6:12 am)

Will you posting entries from all the participants or only the selected winners? As it may influence my submission. I am looking for linking my website and I think its at least my effort’s worth.
43.

Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz (February 4th, 2008, 7:20 am)

@kuldeep: no, we won’t publish any of received entries until the 1st of March.
44.

Ash (February 4th, 2008, 10:03 am)

some really wicked headers,

awesome contest! good luck all!
45.

kuldeep (February 4th, 2008, 11:59 am)

yes… but will you be posting all the entries after the mentioned dates or is there any short-listing?
46.

Tippo (February 4th, 2008, 9:45 pm)

This contest could be the thing that helps me in designing headers something which I haven’t had time to do recently.
47.

Aivault (February 4th, 2008, 10:26 pm)

Just for fun sent one !
48.

Daniela Mincheva (February 4th, 2008, 11:50 pm)

Yes, it IS for fun. And for the idea of sharing.

I’m sure the designers who participate do it because they love what they do. Not because they expect some great remuneration or easily granted certificate.
49.

Rames (February 5th, 2008, 12:19 am)

Great! I would like to join! :)
50.

pingoogle (February 5th, 2008, 12:47 am)

Mmmmm…..go ahead guys….show the world what you can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
51.

Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz (February 5th, 2008, 1:41 am)

@kuldeep: we’ll regularly update the list of participants, at least once a week.
52.

Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz (February 5th, 2008, 1:44 am)

Update: We’ve received entries by

Paulo Loreto
Kisan Bhat
Daniela Mincheva
Nathaniel Heller
Mikel D.Lian
Yves Hellemans / Snyvo
Rachelle Anne Miller
Frank Mazny
Alex Frison
Wirdy Hamidy
Asmaa’

Thank you!
53.

Degt.cl (February 5th, 2008, 6:51 pm)

..look at this

Link [blueflavor.com]
Link [www.blondie.cl]
54.

François Marlane (February 6th, 2008, 2:56 am)

Can we have an answer about the asked size of the headers (850×200 px)?

Some found it very small, and it is true that most of the designs shown in the examples gallery above are bigger… These dimensions do not fit a 800×600 resolution and are too small for a 1024×768?
Am I wrong?
55.

Julian Metcalf (February 6th, 2008, 11:54 am)

I take a lot from the web community and Smashing Mag, I am happy to give something back.
56.

HEMAWORSTJE (February 6th, 2008, 8:23 pm)

I am not getting outta bed for less then a thousand euro’s.
besides that Hema has a headache.
57.

kelly (February 7th, 2008, 8:09 am)

Beautiful headers there! If anyone wants any sample ideas, you can get some from my blog. Artzone.com is another place to get ideas (lots!)
Good luck to those who are entering the contest! :-)

>>>>These dimensions do not fit a 800×600 resolution and are too small for a 1024×768? Am I wrong?

Yep, you are right François. Many people are still using 800 x 600 resolution I think!
58.

Marlyse Comte (February 9th, 2008, 6:01 pm)

Nice idea, nice submissions so far!

But I do agree with the comment that the dimension request appears to be an “off size” and the amount of people using the 800×600 monitors has TREMENDOUSLY diminished over the past 2 years - the majority is at 1024 if not even bigger.
59.

João Cunha (February 15th, 2008, 4:04 pm)

I saw to may complains about rewards, and of course we all love to have some money prizes. But Smashing Magazine has been my University in how to build effective websites and thanks to SM I have been able to improve my webdesign. I always come here before start a project. I dont understand what those complainers are doing here, if u think smashing articles are not good for u or if Smashing magazine is not big enough to publish your link…. Relative to banners size I think its perfect and my advice for those who think its not is that you should start seeing mome examples of good websites and start thinking ‘outside of box’…. Good luck for all. CARPE DIEM
60.

Jacob Cass (February 17th, 2008, 7:46 pm)

Just sent an entry in :)
61.

robin (February 18th, 2008, 10:37 pm)

Can we see a link of all the entries? :)
62.

andrej (February 20th, 2008, 4:05 pm)

Maybe I will give this a shoot, too, but I think my chanche of winning is minimal seeing the great designs all over your site.
63.

ate (March 3rd, 2008, 10:15 am)

any news on this one or even an update? I’ve sent my headers 2 weeks ago but I hadn’t heard anything.
64.

Daniela (March 5th, 2008, 3:15 am)

Any news ?
65.

Hoksogonotronne (March 5th, 2008, 5:29 am)

hey there is no news. why?
66.

XavYeah (April 16th, 2008, 12:24 am)

I saw this contest too late… :(
[ Link [www.chewythascratchynutz.com] ]