Library and Technology Services invites students to enter a design contest for a new art installation to be on display in the Fairchild-Martindale Library atrium. While this contest is open to all Lehigh students, we encourage those enrolled in courses in art, architecture and design, engineering, theatre, or related disciplines to participate.  

The contest seeks to bring Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategic plan to life by empowering student voices, fostering their creativity and innovation, and applying theory as they learn by doing. The winning design will best illustrate the goals and initiatives outlined in the LTS Strategic Plan, with a $600.00 prize awarded to the winning individuals.

Guidelines and procedure for submissions:

  1. The contest and design period will take place during the fall 2024 semester with expected installation by the end of spring 2025. All interested contestants should complete the design submission process ONLY when all design materials and proposals have been completed. The deadline for all contest submissions is Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
  2. Designs can take almost any form, such as print or digital media, and can include 3D elements as long as they adhere to physical and weight restrictions (forthcoming).
  3. Designs can be submitted as a sketch, prototype, CAD drawing, or other rendering that fully expresses the creative concept in the defined space. Design concepts are intended to be displayed by LTS on a 24x36 poster board, or 1 minute audio/visual presentation for judging purposes. 
  4. All submissions must have a written proposal of 300 words or less to accompany their design, and should include a budget targeting average material and labor costs within the Lehigh Valley.
  5. Faculty are encouraged to incorporate this project into their fall 2024 courses (in-class, for-credit project, or capstone). 
  6. Any individual student or team of up to 4 students currently enrolled at Lehigh University may enter the contest, with preference given to those being advised by a faculty member on their design. 
  7. The winning design will be innovative, and best reflect how the concept creatively illustrates the LTS Strategic Plan, promotes interdisciplinary research, adheres to physical restrictions, and falls within a budget allowance of $20,000 for materials and labor.
  8. The decision-making process will happen in 3 phases of voting efforts:

Phase 1: Ranked choice voting by members of the LTS design contest advisory committee. This committee consists of faculty and staff across the various design disciplines and subject matter experts on campus. 

Phase 2: Popular campus vote, using QR codes for submission.

Phase 3: Taking into consideration the weighing of the advisory committee and popular campus vote, the LTS leadership team will make the final decision on the winning design.

Safety and legal considerations:

Safety risks concerning total weight, ongoing maintenance (i.e. annual cleaning), and the proximity to existing features in the Fairchild-Martindale Library will be taken into consideration by the judging panel. 

Weight thresholds:

  • Ground level: Not to exceed a maximum of 150 lbs. (68kg)
  • Suspended: Not to exceed a maximum of 40 lbs. (18kg) per point of connection (i.e. wall, bridge, ceiling). 

*Note: We encourage all designers to provide options for material that will allow the design more flexibility in regards to these weight thresholds.

Intellectual property rights:

The rights to the winning design are retained in accordance with the Lehigh University Policy on Intellectual Property.

Submit your design proposal

The submission form for designs will become available by September 30, 2024. Please ensure all proposals and designs are completed before submitting your proposal.

“We’re eager to see the results of students’ imaginations in a project that will enrich this highly visible and welcoming space in the heart of Lehigh’s campus.”  

-- Greg Reihman, Vice Provost for Library and Technology Services