---
title: The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation Student Design Competition Presented by Riddell
description: Digital football helmet design competition for Kent State students, presented by Riddell. Winners receive cash prizes and helmet production.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/9793565b-edbd-44bd-9f0f-3b441434c0af
type: program
status: open
createdAt: "2026-10-24"
updatedAt: "2026-10-24"
programType: Prize/award
organization: Kent State University
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/kent-state-university
deadline: "2026-12-01"
location: KSU Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: First prize $1,000, second prize $500, plus exhibition and auction display of winning helmet designs.
disciplines:
  - design
  - graphic design
---

# The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation Student Design Competition Presented by Riddell

**Hosted by:** Kent State University

**Type:** Prize/award | **Location:** KSU Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH, United States | **Deadline:** December 1, 2026

## About This Program

> "Football helmet design inspired by NFL fashion and the Kent State University Museum exhibition"

### Opportunity Summary

*The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation Student Design Competition: Presented by Riddell* at the KSU Downtown Gallery, January 29 - March 6, 2027. University wide football helmet design competition.

### General Information

CALL FOR DESIGNS

*LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation Student Design Competition: Presented by Riddell*

Your design. A real Riddell helmet.

Open to all Kent State undergraduate and graduate students.

Join us in a celebration of fashion and football inspired by the Kent State University Museum's upcoming exhibition, *NFL Looks: From Draft Day to Game Day!*

Create and submit a digital helmet design using the attached template and design guidelines. Use bold colors, unexpected patterns, and original imagery to celebrate Kent State, capture the game's energy, tell your story, or explore something entirely your own.

No team name or logo is required. Any you include must be original and for a fictional team. All artwork must be original, without existing team logos or other protected imagery.

Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, and use of color. Riddell, the School of Art Collection and Galleries, and the Kent State University Museum will select five winning designs for Riddell to produce as helmets.

FIRST PRIZE: $1,000 • SECOND PRIZE: $500

All five winning helmets: On view at the KSU Downtown Gallery, January 29–March 6, 2027, alongside a custom-designed helmet inspired by LeRoy Neiman's artwork and produced by Riddell.

Top two helmets: Displayed and auctioned at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards in February 2027, benefiting the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

NFL Looks: From Draft Day to Game Day showcases iconic fashion looks from across the league at the Kent State University Museum, January 29–September 6, 2027.

### Application Requirements

- Original designs only: Designs should be original and cannot copy or incorporate copyrighted or trademarked artwork. Character designs are not permitted.
- No AI-generated designs: all artwork must be created originally rather than generated using AI.
- Unique decal concepts: open to creative and unique decal designs, including wing-inspired concepts such as Michigan and Oregon.
- NFL-inspired approaches: looking at NFL team or D1 designs can be a helpful reference, particularly side decal strips and similar applications.
- Patterns: an all-over pattern cannot be accommodated, as that requires purchasing significant additional material; patterns can be incorporated into a stripe or other decal element.
- Words and mascots: words, team names, and mascot elements are all acceptable, provided they meet the original-design requirements above.
- Riddell logo: the Riddell logo must remain on the helmet, but you may select the color that best complements the design.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** design, graphic design
- **Note:** Must be an enrolled graduate or undergraduate student at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Absolutely free to apply.

### Additional Requirements

- Create and submit a digital helmet design using the attached template and design guidelines
- 1-3 images of the design
- Design must be original and cannot copy or incorporate copyrighted or trademarked artwork
- No AI-generated designs
- Riddell logo must remain visible on the helmet

## Compensation & Benefits

First prize $1,000, second prize $500, plus exhibition and auction display of winning helmet designs.

**Includes:** Prize

FIRST PRIZE: $1,000 • SECOND PRIZE: $500. All five winning helmets will be on view at the KSU Downtown Gallery, January 29–March 6, 2027. The top two helmets will be displayed and auctioned at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards in February 2027, benefiting the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** October 15, 2026
- **Deadline:** December 1, 2026
- **Program Start:** January 29, 2027
- **Program End:** March 6, 2027

## Contact

**Email:** haturner@kent.edu

**Phone:** 330-672-1369

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/agreetoterms.php?ID=18340