Ai-Kon is looking for a new design for Aiko, the Ai-Kon mascot, for use on the convention's promotional materials and merchandise.

The theme for Aiko 2011 will be Celebration in recognition of this being Ai-Kon's 10 year anniversary. The theme was selected based upon suggestions on the forums and by the Ai-Kon committee. If you require further information on the selection, or on what we're looking for from the theme "celebration" please contact art@ai-kon.org.

Contest Rules and Requirements:

Entries must be full-body images, with no background.

Images should contain the subtle integration of the number 10 (It should be noticeable but not have any predominance over the image, as Aiko should be the focus of the piece).

Images featuring poses, outfits and/or hair styles of copyrighted characters, or copyrighted characters themselves, will not be accepted.

No adult-themed images will be accepted. This will be at the discretion of Ai-Kon executives. Please ensure entries are suitable for all ages.

A maximum limit of three entries per person will be accepted. Please note; all entries should be individual and not adjustments to an earlier entry.

Entries must be full-colour, 300 dpi resolution and submitted electronically in JPEG or PSD format. A smaller version of your entry may by submitted for judging as long as a higher resolution version is available.

You may also post artwork to your own web site, DeviantART account, or other hosting service and e-mail us the URL.

Do not use a watermark on your submission.

When submitting entries, please use the following naming format for your file: firstname_lastname_01.jpg (or PDF). If you are submitting more than one entry, please number them appropriately (i.e: firstname_lastname_02.jpg, firstname_lastname_03.jpg, etc.).

How to enter:

E-mail entries to art@ai-kon.org. The following information must be included with your entry:
In the subject line of your submission e-mail please list and "Ai-kon Mascot". (Ex Jane Doe- Ai-Kon Mascot)
-In subject, please list your real name, and Ai-Kon Mascot
-Your real first and last name
-Your artist nickname (if you use one)
-Your e-mail address (the one you use)
-Your telephone number

Participants will receive a confirmation e-mail within a week of submission. Entries must be received no later than Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 11:59pm and will be judged by Ai-Kon executives. The winning entry will be announced on or before Sunday, January 29, 2011.

All entries and rights to the images become property of Ai-Kon.

Prizes:
Winner: a free art table, a weekend pass to Ai-Kon 2011, and an Ai-Kon 2011 t-shirt.
The winning entry will be used for Ai-Kon 2011 promotional materials and merchandise.
There are two runner-ups.
Runner-up: A free half art table at and a week-end pass to Ai-Kon 2011.

Ai-Kon 2011 is scheduled for July 15-17, 2011 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Good luck to all entries!

ABOUT AI-KON: Ai-Kon (http://www.ai-kon.org) is Manitoba's largest anime convention. An all-ages event, the goal of Ai-Kon is the promotion of Japanese/Asian animation and culture to the public. Started in 2001 by a local anime club, Ai-Kon took a reorganizing hiatus in 2002, returning in 2003 to become an autonomous event, run by an independent volunteer committee. "Ai" means "love" in Japanese, hence Ai-Kon's slogan "For the Love of Anime".

Press Release for October 20th, 2010