CONTEST DESCRIPTION

This coming August, the world will turn its attention to Beijing and the 2008 Summer Olympics. Whether the Games are good for China is up to you to decide, but there's no denying that it's another step in opening up Chinese society to the rest of the world.

The Olympics are all about public relations and nation branding. That's great, but if you're going to use them for that purpose, then you have to be prepared for the scrutiny it brings, and be prepared to show the good and the bad.

China has come a long way, but there are many aspects of Chinese government policy that are of concern for the Chinese and the rest of the world – environment, human and civil rights, fair trade, global economics, autonomous regions, etc. It is not unlike the list of most countries, however, as an emerging superpower of 1.3 billion people, they seem all the more acute.

Then there are some of the questions that the Olympics themselves bring up – globalization, air travel and CO2, media, consumerism, commercialization, etc. – issues that can be attached to any Olympic Games.

Therefore, we're looking for a few designs that say the Olympics aren't all fun and games. We're not trying to be anti-China or anti-Olympics, but rather highlight important issues that will be with us long after the Olympic flame has flickered. They need some attention too.

 CONTEST GUIDELINES

At the beginning of 2008, we'll choose several T-shirt designs to form our Tee in Beijing Collection, which we'll produce until the start of the Olympic Games in August.

What You Can Do

• Any issue related to China and the Beijing Olympics, expressed in any way you choose.
• Can be a 1-sided or 2-sided design, but if 2-sided, you'll have to submit both sides as one image submission.
• In addition to the T-shirt colours already available, we'll try to reproduce the colours of the Chinese flag if a design requires it. These colours are: Red: Pantone 032C, RGB#CE1126; Yellow: Pantone 109C, RGB#FCD116.

What You Can't Do

• The Olympics are a well-protected, international brand. That means you can't use the word(s): Olympic; Olympic Games; 2008 Games; Beijing 2008; 2008 Summer Games, etc. in your design. You also can't use the Olympic logo (the rings), or the Beijing logo, or any close likenesses of them. While that may seem very restrictive, we're sure you'll find some creative ways around it.
• As always, please read our User Agreement on prohibited content, as it's all there. Basically, just be nice and don't give a lawyer (especially an IOC one) a reason to call you.