Alluminare Design Challenge
World Class Designer Search
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.
OR
- 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®
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 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 in Dehradun,Uttarakhand,India:
contemporary pattern that deserves attention and looks pleasant as well !!!
156. From 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 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 in Rome, Italy:
An elegant pattern that could make a beautiful background
159. From in Rome, Italy:
A delicate and airy background
160. From in Rome, Italy:
This is my favourite, I find it delicate, light and stylish ;o)
161. From in Rome, Italy:
A vivid and dynamic pattern.
162. From in Rome, Italy:
Ornamental pattern inspired by a beetle.
163. From in Rome, Italy:
Seamless background pattern design inspired by waves, eyelashes and crabs.
164. From in Roswell, GA USA:
Fun yet elegant medallion design with a hint of Moroccan tile flavor.
165. From 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 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 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.
173. From 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.
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 in Ypsilanti, MI, USA:
Green & Cream with pink accents. This pattern is sure to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
181. From in Ypsilanti, MI, USA:
Leafs with Bold Colors… Dazzle.
182. From 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 in The Villages, Fl:
I have made my jellyfish drawing seamless for consideration
188. From 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 in The Villages, fl.:
Quilters dilemma
194. From 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 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 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) »
Leave a Comment
Posted in Accessories, Challenge Invitations, Design, Fabric, Inspiration, Lighting on March 31st, 2010
Tags: alluminare design challenge, challenge blog, challenge invitations, design contest, fabric design, home accessories, Lighting, prize 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!!! 🙂