#StoriesInPublicSpaces Sticker Design Contest

Canada Confesses
Jun 11
6 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

What Stories Belong in Public Spaces? Whose Voices Get Heard?

Imagine being in a lecture room and spotting a sticker on a classmate's laptop that reads: "Nobody asks me about CAREGIVING, but they should."

Or one that says: "The conversation my community needs to have is about CLASSISM."

Public spaces shape how we experience our communities. They tell us what is valued, who belongs, and whose voices are heard. Yet many of the stories that matter most never make it into public view. They stay in conversations between friends, personal journals, group chats, or remain unspoken altogether.

ECHOFORM × Canada Confesses Advocacy Institute presents the #StoriesInPublicSpaces Sticker Design Contest, inviting young people across Canada to change the narrative. Through art and storytelling, you can transform a single sentence into a sticker design that sparks reflection, conversation, or connection. Whether you're sharing an experience that often goes unheard, naming a conversation your community needs to have, or imagining the future you want to leave behind, your story has the power to become part of the public landscape.

SUBMIT

STICKER DESIGN PROMPTS

Please respond to one of three prompts designed to spark reflection, storytelling, and public dialogue. [Images below are provided for example/visual reference only]

Prompt A: "Nobody asks me about..., but they should."	Prompt B: "The conversation my community needs to have is about..."	Prompt C: "The future I want to leave behind is..."
What experiences, identities, responsibilities, passions, or challenges often go unnoticed? This prompt is an opportunity to share a perspective that deserves more attention and understanding.	Communities are shaped by the conversations we have and the ones we avoid. This prompt encourages you to identify an issue, idea, or question that deserves greater discussion and action.	What kind of legacy do you hope future generations will inherit? Whether your vision is environmental, social, cultural, or personal, this prompt asks you to imagine what comes next.

Your design must include a completed sentence from your chosen prompt. The sentence should be fully written out and integrated into the sticker design itself, not submitted separately.

PRIZES AND RECOGNITION

We know that sharing your story and creativity takes courage. To recognize the time & thought that participants put into their work, several prizes will be awarded.

First Place	Second Place	Publicity Award	All Participants
$150 cash prize Featured spotlight across ECHOFORM × Canada Confesses platforms Prominent placement in the October 2026 Showcase Exhibition (in-person and digital gallery) Recognition in the official contest announcement campaign and post-event impact report	$100 cash prize Featured recognition across social media channels Inclusion in the October 2026 Showcase Exhibition (digital gallery feature) Recognition in the official contest announcement campaign and post-event impact report	$50 cash prize Awarded to the submission with the highest public engagement across social platforms Highlighted as a featured community favourite in online campaign coverage	Digital certificate of participation Inclusion in the permanent digital gallery archive Opportunity for national visibility through ECHOFORM × Canada Confesses storytelling platforms and future campaign features Consideration for selection in the October 2026 public exhibition showcase

Prize adjudication will take place after August 31st, 2026, following the official submission deadline. After this date, the judging panel will review all eligible entries before final selections are announced.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

To ensure submissions are print-ready and suitable for both digital and physical exhibition, all entries must meet the following technical and formatting requirements.

Shape & Format Designs must be either circular or square/rectangular. Both formats are accepted, as long as the composition is suitable for sticker use and remains legible when scaled down.

Minimum Size 2.5 × 2.5 inches (circular) or equivalent square/rectangular area. Designs must be created at actual size and should not be resized down to meet requirements.

Resolution All submissions must be a minimum of 300 DPI to ensure print quality. Low-resolution files may not be accepted.

Colour Mode CMYK is preferred for print production. RGB is accepted for digital-only submissions, but participants are encouraged to consider print readability.

Accepted File Formats PNG (300 DPI), JPG (300 DPI), or PDF. If submitting a PDF, include crop marks and bleed where possible.

File Naming Convention Files should be named as follows: YourFullName_PromptLetterExample: PaigeSmith_PromptA.png

Originality & Copyright All designs must be original work created by the participant.

Sticker Readability Designs should remain clear and legible at small sizes. Consider how the sticker will appear in public environments, such as on walls, in notebooks, or in transit spaces.

Text Requirement Reminder Your design must include a completed sentence from your chosen prompt. The sentence should be fully written out and integrated into the sticker design itself, not submitted separately.

CONTEST RULES

To ensure a fair selection process, all participants must follow the rules outlined below. Submissions that do not meet these requirements may be disqualified.

Eligibility

This contest is open to youth aged 16–30 who are living in Canada at the time of submission.

Entry Limit

Each participant may submit up to three entries, but only one will be eligible for a prize.

Original Work Requirement

All designs must be original and created by the participant. You may use digital tools or hand-drawn methods. If any standard external images or assets are used, participants are responsible for ensuring compliance with Canadian copyright law.

Submission Method

All entries must be submitted through the official Google Form only. Submissions sent through email or social media will not be accepted.

File Requirements

Designs must follow the technical specifications outlined in the Design Requirements section, including accepted formats (PNG, JPG, or PDF) and a minimum resolution of 300 DPI.

Content Standards

Submissions must not include hateful, discriminatory, violent, or harmful content. ECHOFORM and Canada Confesses reserve the right to disqualify any entry that violates these standards.

Intellectual Property & Usage Rights

By submitting an entry, participants grant ECHOFORM and Canada Confesses permission to display, share, and print their work for purposes related to this contest, including the October 2026 Showcase Exhibition, digital gallery, promotional materials, and impact reporting. Participants will be credited by name or social handle, where applicable.

Minors

If a participant under 18 is selected as a prize winner, parental or guardian consent will be required before any prize is issued or work is publicly published.

Judging & Decisions

All judging decisions are final. Submissions will be evaluated based on authenticity of voice, civic resonance, visual communication, and sticker suitability, as outlined in the judging criteria below.

TIMELINE

June 2026: The #StoriesInPublicSpaces Sticker Design Contest launches, with submissions opening and an ongoing submission period beginning.

August 31, 2026: Final deadline for all submissions (11:59 PM MT). No late entries will be accepted after this date. September 2026: The judging period takes place, alongside analysis of metrics for the Publicity Award. Winners are reviewed and selected, and successful participants are contacted privately prior to public announcement.

October 2026: Winners are announced at the ECHOFORM Artivism Cohort Showcase Exhibition. Selected works are featured in both the in-person exhibition and permanent digital gallery, followed by a post-event showcase and impact report. Post-showcase: Permanent digital archive published. Metrics reported. Recognition in ECHOFORM 2026 Annual Impact Report.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Each submission will be reviewed by a judging panel. We are looking for work that feels honest, intentional, and meaningful in public space.

Authenticity of Voice	Civic Resonance	Visual Communication	Sticker Suitability
Does the sentence feel real, personal, and specific? We are looking for voices that could only belong to the creator, rather than generic or widely applicable statements.	Does the work connect personal experience to broader themes such as community, identity, justice, belonging, climate, or public life? Great entries spark conversations!	Does the design bring the sentence to life? Clarity, intentionality, and creativity all count equally. Hand-drawn, digital, simple, or detailed; all approaches are welcome.	Does the design work as a sticker? Is it readable at small sizes? Consider readability at small sizes, visual clarity, and whether the design would stand out in everyday spaces.

HOW TO ENTER

Entering the #StoriesInPublicSpaces Sticker Design Contest is simple, and you can move at your own pace.

Step 1 - Choose your prompt

Pick one of the three prompts that best reflects your story.

Step 2 - Complete your sentence through design

Create a sticker that finishes the sentence visually and textually. Your design should include the completed prompt as part of the artwork itself, not as a separate caption or description.

Step 3 - Create your sticker

Design your sticker using any medium you prefer (Canva, Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, or hand-drawn work). Focus on clarity, creativity, and how your message translates into public space.

Step 4 - Export your file

Save your final design as a PNG, JPG, or PDF at a minimum of 300 DPI. Ensure it meets the size and format requirements outlined in the Design Requirements section.

Step 5 - Submit your entry

Upload your design through the official Google Form. Make sure all required information (name, age, location, prompt selection, and file upload) is completed.

Optional: Share your design on social media, tagging us or adding #StoriesInPublicSpaces. A $50 cash prize is awarded to the submission with the highest public engagement across social platforms.

SUBMIT