Judging & Selection

Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of local artists, community leaders, industry professionals, and members of the Hillyard Creative District. Designs will be scored based on the following criteria:

• Visual Appeal & Aesthetic Quality – Does the design look polished and compelling? Are the colors harmonious and effective?

• Connection to Hillyard's Identity – Does the artwork tell a story rooted in Hillyard’s heritage, culture, or creative spirit?

• Impact from a Distance – Will the design catch the eye when viewed high above the street? Does it use contrast and composition effectively?

• Technical Execution – Is the artwork well-crafted and formatted correctly for print (i.e. resolution, layout, legibility)?

*Important Notice About Banner Selection
To ensure quality and consistency across the district, all submissions will be reviewed by the panel before production. Only entries that meet a minimum score based on the judging criteria will move forward. Submissions that fall below this threshold may not be selected — even if they receive public votes.

Because this is a high-dollar initiative and a long-term investment in the visual identity of the district, we reserve the right to move forward only with designs that meet the required standards. If no entries qualify, the Hillyard Alliance may choose not to move forward with community-submitted designs for production.

We appreciate every artist who shares their work and encourage thoughtful, high-quality designs that represent the heart of the Hillyard community.