Smashing Header Graphics Contest
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.
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.
Oliver
February 1st, 2008 11:02 amSehr 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
bbx
February 1st, 2008 11:08 amI see you’ve picked some of my favorites: gotocss3, webdesignerwall, ndesign… I’ll try to participate, though I’m not a great designer.
readywpthemes
February 1st, 2008 11:12 amNice idea! But award can be more spectacular!
Creativepayne
February 1st, 2008 11:22 amSounds fun. Although I like the simplicity of the header at present.
Creativepayne
February 1st, 2008 11:27 amI guess it would help if I read a little closer!
Michael @ Freshome
February 1st, 2008 11:32 amCan’t wait to see the submission …I’m sure there will be a lot of awesome designs.
Tor Løvskogen
February 1st, 2008 11:45 amThere should be a Smashing Site-design contest, you need one.
kl3tte
February 1st, 2008 12:42 pmI guess there will be a great field of comitters. Nice idea!
tzHeaderz
February 1st, 2008 12:43 pmA 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!!
superfreaks
February 1st, 2008 12:48 pmHi !
Could you please provide Smashing Magazine’s logo (PSD format) !
Eddie C.
February 1st, 2008 1:06 pmOla, 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!
Wolf
February 1st, 2008 1:06 pmThis 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.
kuldeep
February 1st, 2008 1:10 pmThis 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.
Anon C.
February 1st, 2008 1:12 pmWow, I sure love your twist on speculative work..
evildick
February 1st, 2008 2:05 pmsome people can’t even read.
Sacha
February 1st, 2008 2:13 pmWow ! 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 !
Bobby
February 1st, 2008 2:22 pmWow, 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.
Michal
February 1st, 2008 2:30 pmAhh Sacha – so true, about paying back – i’ll do my best.
Cam
February 1st, 2008 3:57 pmIt 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!
Steven
February 1st, 2008 4:20 pmAgain, http://www.no-spec.com/faq/
This is a TEXTBOOK example of an unethical spec request. Way to treat your loyal readers like a bunch of idiots. :/
no-spec
February 1st, 2008 5:13 pmweak weak weak
do some free work and our mediocre design blog will give you credit
John Faulds
February 1st, 2008 7:43 pm850px wide’s a bit of an odd size isn’t it? Too small for 1024 x 780 but too big for 800 x 600. :?
Cadu de Castro Alves
February 1st, 2008 9:07 pmNice contest!!!
Curiously, I made a collection with the most creative web site header.
Anonio
February 1st, 2008 11:23 pmWouldn’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.
Raf
February 2nd, 2008 2:12 amIt’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.
Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz
February 2nd, 2008 2:36 amDear 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.
Naveed Ahmad
February 2nd, 2008 4:04 amhey 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
:)
Amit
February 2nd, 2008 5:28 amNice 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 :)
Creativ Era's
February 2nd, 2008 5:33 amNice Competition organized by you it will surely help and motivate the designers to make there best.
Scott
February 2nd, 2008 5:45 amin the 3rd example image….
how would you make the green/purple smoke stuff. Its really awesome!
Paul Enderson
February 2nd, 2008 6:59 amAw 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 Britster.com and redeveloping 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! ;)
WebDesigner
February 2nd, 2008 7:53 amWIll a certificate be issued for the Winners??
Don
February 2nd, 2008 12:19 pmAgree with John – dimensions are extremely odd. 850 px wide? How many sites use this width? Usually
coding.joker
February 3rd, 2008 6:10 amI 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.
Mohd. Hashim Khan
February 3rd, 2008 7:10 amGood contest! will help new designers as well. Will try my best to find time and and make some designs for this contest :)
James
February 3rd, 2008 10:43 amSounds fun. Now I just have to find some time to knock some stuff together…
Kisan
February 3rd, 2008 10:47 amGreat contest.
Is it possible to view the headers submitted by the members?
Kisan
Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz
February 3rd, 2008 12:15 pmUpdate: We’ve received entries by
Paulo Loreto
Kisan Bhat
Daniela Mincheva
Thank you!
Roy
February 3rd, 2008 11:04 pmGood contest! will help new designers as well.
imaginepaolo
February 4th, 2008 3:37 amWhat about my headline?
imaginepaolo
Thank you!
Steven
February 4th, 2008 4:46 amEgg 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!) ;)
kuldeep
February 4th, 2008 6:12 amWill 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.
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.
Ash
February 4th, 2008 10:03 amsome really wicked headers,
awesome contest! good luck all!
kuldeep
February 4th, 2008 11:59 amyes… but will you be posting all the entries after the mentioned dates or is there any short-listing?
Tippo
February 4th, 2008 9:45 pmThis contest could be the thing that helps me in designing headers something which I haven’t had time to do recently.
Aivault
February 4th, 2008 10:26 pmJust for fun sent one !
Daniela Mincheva
February 4th, 2008 11:50 pmYes, 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.
Rames
February 5th, 2008 12:19 amGreat! I would like to join! :)
pingoogle
February 5th, 2008 12:47 amMmmmm…..go ahead guys….show the world what you can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz
February 5th, 2008 1:41 am@kuldeep: we’ll regularly update the list of participants, at least once a week.
Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz
February 5th, 2008 1:44 amUpdate: 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!
Degt.cl
February 5th, 2008 6:51 pm..look at this
http://blueflavor.com/
http://www.blondie.cl/home.html
François Marlane
February 6th, 2008 2:56 amCan 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?
Julian Metcalf
February 6th, 2008 11:54 amI take a lot from the web community and Smashing Mag, I am happy to give something back.
HEMAWORSTJE
February 6th, 2008 8:23 pmI am not getting outta bed for less then a thousand euro’s.
besides that Hema has a headache.
kelly
February 7th, 2008 8:09 amBeautiful 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!
Marlyse Comte
February 9th, 2008 6:01 pmNice 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.
João Cunha
February 15th, 2008 4:04 pmI 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
Jacob Cass
February 17th, 2008 7:46 pmJust sent an entry in :)
robin
February 18th, 2008 10:37 pmCan we see a link of all the entries? :)
andrej
February 20th, 2008 4:05 pmMaybe I will give this a shoot, too, but I think my chanche of winning is minimal seeing the great designs all over your site.
ate
March 3rd, 2008 10:15 amany news on this one or even an update? I’ve sent my headers 2 weeks ago but I hadn’t heard anything.
Daniela
March 5th, 2008 3:15 amAny news ?
Hoksogonotronne
March 5th, 2008 5:29 amhey there is no news. why?
XavYeah
April 16th, 2008 12:24 amI saw this contest too late… :(
[ http://www.chewythascratchynutz.com ]
Loughlin
October 13th, 2009 10:07 pmGive please. We inhereit from our ancestors gifts so often taken for granted. Each of us contains within. this inheritance of soul. We are links between the ages, containing past and present expectations, sacred memories and future promise. Help me! It has to find sites on the: Free seminars on stock investing. I found only this – stocks for long term investing. Funds: particular funds, years and payments, distinguishing a price on returns.Provide selling the idea.This point has obtained to cash isolation for report trade and rely contains of preferred scavenger from students. The issue of rural and long-term market derivatives, uneven identity ratio and immediate name reality. Waiting for a reply ;-), Loughlin from Switzerland.