Alluminare Design Challenge

World Class Designer Search

You have chosen Alluminare’s new World Class Designer!
Read the announcement here.

Scroll down to view the 475 home decor patterns that artists worldwide submitted! And check out the TOP TEN Designs, and Lead Design Judge, Christopher Lowell’s commentary here.

Design Junkies, do you ever doodle in patterns?

Want to try your hand at creating fashionable patterns for light fixtures, wallpaper, home fabrics and accessories? Here’s your chance not only to give it a try, but to be recognized as a World-Class Designer!

There’s this fabulous home decor Web site called Alluminare.

Eric and Friday Shamblen started Alluminare in 2001 after Friday discovered how challenging it was to get a custom lighting fixture made for her home. As technology experts working at Cartoon Network in Atlanta, they saw the need to make the complexities of specifying custom products simpler and available over the Internet.

Today Alluminare makes all sorts of customizable products for homes and public spaces. People can go to Alluminare’s site and apply colors to its standard patterns or those from its World Class Designers. Custom-colored home decor designs. Cool, right?

But here’s what’s the coolest. Alluminare stretches the idea of custom design. What I mean is shoppers can play with the scale of patterns too.

This transforms the look of the finished product. Here’s World Class Designer Wagner Compelo’s pattern “Samba” applied to a throw pillow in different colors and scales. (Click on the image for more detail.)

And here’s Libby Unwin’s “Greg” (That’s Greg on the black and white drum shade at the start of this post too.)

See the possibilities? You can spend hours just playing on this site — trust me.

Back to the Challenge. Friday wants to expand Alluminare’s World Class Designer roster. This is where you come in.

**Update: I am thrilled to announce that Emmy Award-winning host, best selling author, and highly respected interior designer, Christopher Lowell is our Lead Design Judge for the Challenge! Read the announcement here.

See the TOP TEN entries chosen by Christopher Lowell, and read his excellent commentary here.

Read the announcement of the Challenge winner here!

The Deadline Has Passed to Submit Entries to this Challenge, but please do scroll down and enjoy the hundreds of entries submitted by artists and designers worldwide.**

You are challenged to create new Alluminare® patterns!

This is a Prize Challenge! The winner will receive:

A $300 gift code to shop at Alluminare.com (good for fabric and wallpaper shipped worldwide, and manufactured goods like light fixtures and throw pillows shipped to the U.S. and Canada.)
Fantastic public recognition on HomeWorkshop.com.
At Alluminare®’s option, the winner will join the ranks of its World Class Designers!!

If named a World Class Designer, your winning design (and possibly future designs) will be presented and marketed on Alluminare’s Web site. Your bio and photo will appear on the site as a World Class Designer!

As a World Class Designer you will earn royalties (paid quarterly) on the sales of your products (5% on manufactured items like pillows and light fixtures and 10% on fabrics and wallpaper). So if your pattern is wonderful like we know it will be, you can earn some money!!

So get thinking and doodling your pattern ideas! Hop over to Alluminare and check out the kinds of patterns that work well.

One aspect you’ll notice right away is these are more defined patterns than with Imageglow, with smooth edges to all design elements and a maximum of four distinct colors. On Alluminare’s site, the patterns are presented in a pre-set colorway that can be easily changed by the customer, but you will submit your designs for the Challenge in what you feel is a stylish, attractive color scheme.

You can:

Create your original design in a computer graphics program like Photoshop, Illustrator or Indesign. Do not use images that require any kind of a licensing fee.

Create your original artwork by drawing, hand painting, etc. on art paper cut to size using the template as a guide.

In either case, Download the Instructions, File Requirements and Design Template Here. Designers ages 18+ please, and limit of six designs may be submitted per person.

When your design is done, upload it as a .jpg file to the Challenge Entry form here.

Describe a bit about what inspired you to create that pattern and why you think it will make an excellent addition to Alluminare’s repertoire.

The deadline for entries is Wednesday, May 19 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. After the entry period, our judges (including Friday) will select the top ten designs as finalists to be voted on by the HomeWorkshop.com community. Voting will go for one week after the finalists are announced. The winning design is the one with the most votes (one vote per person).

Find Alluminare®

on the Web: Alluminare.com
on Twitter – @Alluminare

Want to try an Alluminare product? Alluminare has just introduced FREE Shipping within the continental U.S. on all its products!

So have fun creating your patterns. I know from the last Challenge that we’ve got some world-class artists in our HomeWorkshop.com community. Can’t wait to see what you design!

Alluminare Design Challenge

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ta-Da! Challenge Results: Monday, June 21, 2010

« Previous 50 entries Next 50 entries (475 total) »

151. VEronika Manukjan in Prague, Czech Republic	152. VEronika Manukjan in Prague, Czech Republic
153. VEronika Manukjan in Prague, Czech Republic	154. HariPriya in Dehradun,Uttarakhand,India
155. HariPriya in Dehradun,Uttarakhand,India	156. Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA
157. Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA	158. Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy
159. Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy	160. Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy
161. Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy	162. Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy
163. Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy	164. Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA
165. Samantha Salinas in Mexico city, Mexico	166. Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic
167. Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic	168. Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic
169. Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic	170. Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic
171. Mairi Ward in Launceton, Tasmania, Australia	172. Mairi Ward in Launceton, Tasmania, Australia
173. Mairi Ward in Launceton, Tasmania, Australia	174. Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA
175. Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA	176. Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA
177. Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA	178. Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA
179. Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA	180. T.M.Colt in Ypsilanti, MI, USA
181. T.M.Colt in Ypsilanti, MI, USA	182. T.M.Colt in Ypsilanti, MI, USA
183. Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom	184. Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom
185. Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom	186. Mary King in bristol, United Kingdom
187. Rhonda Clapprood in The Villages, Fl	188. Rhonda Clapprood in The Villages, Fl
189. Lynda Orr in New Zealand	190. Lynda Orr in New Zealand
191. Lynda Orr in New Zealand	192. Lynda Orr in New Zealand
193. Rhonda Clapprood in The Villages, fl.	194. Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA
195. Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom	196. Samantha Salinas in Mexico city, Mexico
197. Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic	198. Samantha Salinas in Mexico city, Mexico
199. Bev Snider in Echo Lake Ontario Canada	200. Bev Snider in Echo Lake Ontario Canada

151. From VEronika Manukjan in Prague, Czech Republic:

original classic ornamental motif, chateau-style, Italian Venetian style, suitable for classic and modern interiors, now it is a great trend! ornament looks like an elegant luxurious crystal chandelier … from your bedroom or living room and original jewel gonna do!

152. From VEronika Manukjan in Prague, Czech Republic:

motif plants – green flower in bright greenish color, which makes a modern interior. Contrast black – green .. nice excel and shine interior! tickets in an irregular shape, the impression of motion, dynamics, and original for your good taste!

153. From VEronika Manukjan in Prague, Czech Republic:

dynamic, irregular line, the successive in a pattern that can continue indefinitely. clean, modern, dynamic, contrast colors of nature, green, cappuccino and white and black contrast with elegance!

154. From HariPriya in Dehradun,Uttarakhand,India:

To me bubbles look very cheerful and that too with colors such as yellow and green it just looks very refreshing..isn’t?

155. From HariPriya in Dehradun,Uttarakhand,India:

contemporary pattern that deserves attention and looks pleasant as well !!!

156. From Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA:

This is in honor of my lava lamp that, in spite of the fact that I have had it since I was 16, still works great and heats up my hands on cold days…

157. From Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA:

A bird among the flowers. This pattern is great as a 2/c silhouette, but the bird can also be selected to be a stand out color – if you’re into that sort of thing. Blow it up for a whimsical wallpaper.

158. From Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy:

An elegant pattern that could make a beautiful background

159. From Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy:

A delicate and airy background

160. From Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy:

This is my favourite, I find it delicate, light and stylish ;o)

161. From Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy:

A vivid and dynamic pattern.

162. From Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy:

Ornamental pattern inspired by a beetle.

163. From Giulia Paolucci in Rome, Italy:

Seamless background pattern design inspired by waves, eyelashes and crabs.

164. From Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA:

Fun yet elegant medallion design with a hint of Moroccan tile flavor.

165. From Samantha Salinas in Mexico city, Mexico:

rain drops and rainbow falling down

166. From Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic:

classic model of a modern and vibrant color, suitable for young room – or in any other colors – for example, variations of brown for a classic interior

167. From Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic:

design with flower motif and a geometric element in a square, blending classic and modern graphics. For the interior you are not afraid to be different and expressive!

168. From Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic:

warm colors for a cozy, sexy interior combines passion and romance

169. From Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic:

kvetina, moderni, čisté a geometrické tvary , které se prolínají a tvoří zajímavé útvary , je pěkné v provedení capuccino barvach

170. From Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic:

elegantní a geometrické tvary, dynamické střídaní vzorků, luxusní!

171. From Mairi Ward in Launceton, Tasmania, Australia:

My designs draw on imagery developed in my painting practice. I would like my patterns to be playful and imbued with a sense of happiness. Hopefully they capture, in some way, the sense of joy that I get from making them.

172. From Mairi Ward in Launceton, Tasmania, Australia:

173. From Mairi Ward in Launceton, Tasmania, Australia:

174. From Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA:

Made from collaged Roman statue scans, I created these circular shapes.

175. From Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA:

Ripped up some black textured paper and created a “C” shape. Circle is made from repeated and layered box shapes inside of a circle shape.

176. From Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA:

Made out of lined patterns, I wanted to create layered patterned cloud shapes and the ying yang sun element.

177. From Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA:

Abstract colored paper, scanned and designed into this pattern.

178. From Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA:

Inspired by a road trip, I created this design with ink and a stick. It was then silkscreen.

179. From Amanda LaPlaca in Brooklyn, NY, USA:

Collaged cardboard shapes and colored paper.

180. From T.M.Colt in Ypsilanti, MI, USA:

Green & Cream with pink accents. This pattern is sure to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

181. From T.M.Colt in Ypsilanti, MI, USA:

Leafs with Bold Colors… Dazzle.

182. From T.M.Colt in Ypsilanti, MI, USA:

Floral pattern

183. From Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom:

Baroque inspired design created on photoshop.

184. From Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom:

Baroque inspired design created on photoshop.

185. From Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom:

Baroque inspired design created on photoshop.

186. From Mary King in bristol, United Kingdom:

Baroque inspired design created in photoshop.

187. From Rhonda Clapprood in The Villages, Fl:

I have made my jellyfish drawing seamless for consideration

188. From Rhonda Clapprood in The Villages, Fl:

Inversion of “Jellyfish” now called “‘shroom spores”
I just found this site and hope to be considered….I have no training. Self taught artist in oils and digital art. Thanks!!!

189. From Lynda Orr in New Zealand:

Design One – Circular design with colour.

190. From Lynda Orr in New Zealand:

Circular design number two.

191. From Lynda Orr in New Zealand:

Circular design number three

192. From Lynda Orr in New Zealand:

Circular design number four.

193. From Rhonda Clapprood in The Villages, fl.:

Quilters dilemma

194. From Maria Cheek in Roswell, GA USA:

Big bold flowers carelessly tossed upon an earthy tile floor.

195. From Mary King in Bristol, United Kingdom:

Baroque inspired design created on photoshop.

196. From Samantha Salinas in Mexico city, Mexico:

just fruit, fun and yummy fruit!!!

197. From Edmond MAnukyan in PRague Czech Republic:

Luxury, floral pattern, for Royal bed

198. From Samantha Salinas in Mexico city, Mexico:

inspired by the celebrations of “Día de muertos”

199. From Bev Snider in Echo Lake Ontario Canada:

Inspired by nature and color …oak leaves on pale yellow

200. From Bev Snider in Echo Lake Ontario Canada:

Inspired by nature……maple leaves on muddy ground

« Previous 50 entries Next 50 entries (475 total) »

83 Comments for “Alluminare Design Challenge”

I am excited at the prospect of possibly being chosen!!! I also want to add that being a window fashion designer/ salesperson in Florida, I am hoping to incorporate your lampshades and possibly fabrics into designing more for my customers. I love you website! Do you offer wholesale to other businesses? We do have a store!!! 🙂

Rhonda Clapprood said | May 19th, 2010 at 3:13 pm

Hi Rhonda,

How nice are you? The Challenge is so much fun — I love seeing the designs coming in from around the globe. Some fabulous patterns have been submitted.

I know the folks at Alluminare would love to talk with you about the their products and To-The-Trade programs. Here is a link to their contact information.

Thanks!
–Kathy (HomeWorkshop.com Chief Design Junkie)

Kathy said | May 19th, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Amazing patterms!! I think you should offer them all! Great concept!!!!

Rhonda Clapprood said | May 19th, 2010 at 3:34 pm

Just submitted my design — and in the nick of time, too!!!! 🙂

Kathryn said | May 19th, 2010 at 4:07 pm

Waa-hoo Kathryn! You made it!

Kathy said | May 19th, 2010 at 4:15 pm

To The Trade program!! Inspiring! I have contacted your folks!!! I am proposing incorporating your products and my ideas to the store owner where I design window treatments!

Rhonda Clapprood said | May 19th, 2010 at 4:57 pm

…just uploaded a design to the site! what a great competition to hold! thanks for hosting this!

Chet Slater said | May 19th, 2010 at 7:12 pm

Hi Chet!

Yup — got your entry. Thanks for the note — it’s a fun competition to host. Can’t wait to see how it all works out, but in the meantime it is great exposure for all you talented designers and artists.

Thanks for participating,
–Kathy

Kathy said | May 19th, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Hi,
I submitted four entries for the contest but did not go into detail on my explanations.
I was in a rush to get them uploaded.
Is there any way I can add comments to them?
I know it is late in the game but I don’t want my entries to be excluded because my comments/descriptions are lacking 😀

thanks so much!!
chris

Chris Rossi said | May 19th, 2010 at 10:19 pm

Hi Chris,

Please email your explanation text (quickly) to kathy@homeworkshop.com. Include the Entry number and what the description should be. I will need to get this edited before the deadline at 11:59 pm.

Kathy said | May 19th, 2010 at 10:30 pm

Hi again!
so I seem to be having some problems…ha ha

I just saw my patterns that uploaded and the colors are way off from the original files.
Is there a way for me to re-upload them?

If I upload them now, can you just delete the first 4 that I uploaded?
sorry for the trouble.

I will upload the new ones just in case. I know it is late at night and you may not see this until after the deadline.

Thanks so much for your help!

Chris

Chris Rossi said | May 19th, 2010 at 10:31 pm

Hi Chris,

Did you prepare the files for Web display? Colors can often look very different when displayed on Web browsers than for files that are output for print design for example. Lots of help online about this.

I will delete the first four, then you can also correct your Description (quickly.)

–Kathy

Kathy said | May 19th, 2010 at 10:46 pm

Thanks Kathy!!! 🙂

Chris Rossi said | May 19th, 2010 at 11:31 pm

My descriptions are also lacking. Oh well, too late. I hope I am judged on the art, not the writing skills!! LOL There are so many fantastic entries and talent. Good luck everyone! Last question, if I wanted my designs on lampshades, for example, would you be able to accomplish this?

Rhonda Clapprood said | May 20th, 2010 at 6:06 am

Hi Rhonda,

I’m not sure. Why don’t you run that question by the folks over at Alluminare when you talk with them?

Thanks again for your entries and enthusiasm!
–Kathy

Kathy said | May 20th, 2010 at 4:06 pm

Whew!!! What a whirlwind the past few days has been with all of your wonderful patterns and designs. Hundreds of designs came in over the last week and two even squeaked in at the absolute last minute last night!!

Thanks to all of you for your creativity and energy.

NOW….our panel of fantabulous, expert judges are hard at work narrowing this field. More to come about that soon….

In the meantime, any of you with children, be sure to have them submit a drawing or a painting for our Father’s Day Art Challenge that ends this coming Monday night. Some beautifully touching submissions have come in so far, and 3 randomly-chosen kids will win their artwork on canvas in time for a great Father’s Day gift!

Create on,
–Kathy

Kathy said | May 20th, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Unfortunately, i could´t upload my file in web colors and it looks a bit strage (like fluor colors). it looks totally different….btw,i have the file in the original colors, could we send you the originals? if it´s no possibility, no problem, I understand.

dominique tetzner said | May 21st, 2010 at 3:35 pm

Hi Dominique,

I’m sorry to hear that. I think it would be unfair to do anything after the deadline. Thankfully with Alluminare, the patterns are designed for the customer to have the ability to customize the color scheme. So I suspect the judges will consider the pattern a bit more than the color. But I have learned something to share with all next time.

Thanks so much for participating!
–Kathy

Kathy said | May 21st, 2010 at 11:37 pm

Kathy,
Pls do declare the date of announceing the top ten entries. Egarly waiting for the results! Also, must say a ‘great copitition’ with ‘fantastic outcome’. CONGRATS!

Regards,
Kevat

Kevat Padh said | May 24th, 2010 at 9:08 pm

Hi Kevat,

It’s going to take a little time. I had mentioned in the Challenge post that the Results story would be published on June 14. That may even be pushed back a week later. Our judges are currently busy narrowing the field from the 475 designs — more news about that process soon. Within a few weeks we will announce the “top ten” designs that will go up for public voting. Part of our process this time will be showing the top ten design images as they would look applied to some of the Alluminare products, so that is part of the time line for this Challenge.

Watch the blog for announcements very soon with the dates of the “top ten” announcement, the voting time frame, and the date of the post announcing the winner, and more!

Thanks!
–Kathy

Kathy said | May 24th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

I know that JUNE is going to be a great month….EXCITING!

Rhonda Clapprood said | May 26th, 2010 at 8:13 pm

It will be Rhonda!! Things are moving along well with the preliminary judging. I will be announcing some exciting news and the final time frames for choosing the winner soon!

Thanks to you and all the other talented artists!
–Kathy

Kathy said | May 28th, 2010 at 4:18 pm

[…] and designers from around the globe worked hard to create 475 amazing original patterns for HomeWorkshop.com’s Alluminare Design […]

Christopher Lowell Lead Design Judge for our Alluminare Design Challenge said | June 4th, 2010 at 6:32 pm

Hi Artists!!

Made a BIG announcement today about the judging for this Alluminare Design Challenge! Renowned Interior and Home Products Designer, TV Host and Author, Christopher Lowell is leading our team of design judges!! http://www.homeworkshop.com/2010/06/04/christopher-lowell-lead-design-judge-for-our-alluminare-design-challenge/

The narrowing of entries is going really well. Some great designs are still in the running and Christopher is due to make the announcement of the Top Ten designs–and to kick off the public voting–on Monday, June 14th! Read the post at the link above for more details.

Thanks for your patience. We wanted the best people judging your work.

–Kathy

Kathy said | June 4th, 2010 at 7:16 pm

Design, create, beauty, inspiration, love of life, inner happiness, thankful for finding this site!!!!!…..
I wanted to share a few designs…check my new site and let me know your thoughts! I am very excited about this contest and looking forward to TOMORROW!!! Good luck to EVERYONE!

Rhonda Clapprood said | June 13th, 2010 at 6:38 am

[…] and Independent Graphic Artist and Allluminare World Class Designer, Libby Unwin. They went through 475 submissions from all over the world and by the time I received the final thirty (like the final weeks of American Idol), every […]

Alluminare Design Challenge — Top Ten & Voting with Christopher Lowell! said | June 14th, 2010 at 12:19 am

hi, i just re-checked my designs and it seems some of them are just not set up to repeat seamlessly… is this going to be a desclassifying design? is there a possibility that i send you the correct file in case my design is classified? sorry for my mistake… 🙁
bes regards
karina

karina said | June 14th, 2010 at 11:48 am

Hi Karina,

We asked that designs repeat seamlessly, but one was not disqualified if it did not. We did however disqualify a number of designs that came in with too many colors.

Not sure about yours in particular. Please email me with a note about when you submitted them: kathy@homeworkshop.com

We got such a fabulous response and so many high-quality designs and this Challenge closed to entries on May 19.

Christopher Lowell just announced the TOP TEN designs today, and you can vote for your favorite here: http://www.homeworkshop.com/2010/06/13/alluminare-design-challenge-top-ten-voting-with-christopher-lowell/

Thanks so much, Karina! Keep watch for more design Challenges coming soon!

–Kathy

Kathy said | June 14th, 2010 at 1:34 pm

Thanks everyone, for the great designs and your votes. I’ll announce the winner (and Alluminare’s next World Class Designer) Monday evening (California time). Night all!!

Kathy said | June 21st, 2010 at 12:30 am

[…] tally for the top three was: Jahnvi Thaker 214, Billy Hobbs 184, Renata Rubim 83. Maria Cheek and Nicky Martin were close […]

Alluminare Design Challenge Winner said | June 21st, 2010 at 8:24 pm

I demand a recount! I just know there were hanging chads! HAHAHA!! CONGRATULATIONS TO JAHNVI THAKER! And congrats to all the top ten as well. All the designs were gorgeous!

Maria Cheek said | June 22nd, 2010 at 3:46 am

Maria!

You are so funny. And talented too. I know many people loved your design — great work!!

–Kathy

Kathy said | June 22nd, 2010 at 6:38 am

[…] is clearly a violation of the rules of the Challenge, as stated in the original post and in the Challenge Instructions. We therefore, declare our runner-up, Billy Hobbs, as Winner of […]

Your Own Work said | June 25th, 2010 at 4:45 pm