Uniqlo launches UT Grand Prix 2017 design contest

Japanese lifestyle brand Uniqlo has launched its annual UT t-shirt Grand Prix design contest for 2017. The competition, which is open to anyone across the globe, theme for this year is none other than Nintendo, "whose games and characters have delighted countless millions around the world," said Uniqlo in a statement.

One of the design goals of the competition asks all aspiring designers to translate the "joy" and "excitement" of Nintendo games in their design whilst maintaining a creative disposition. Entrants of the competition are free to create designs based on characters such as Super Mario Bros, the Legend Zelda and Donkey Kong as well as Animal Crossing, Star Fox, Metroid and Kirby.

The competition is open to recipients around the world of all ages until August 31, 2016. Contenders can submit their designs online on a dedicated platform. The winners of the UT Grand Prix 2017 competition will be notified in Spring 2017. The grand prize winner is set to receive a cash prize of 10,000 US dollars, Nintendo's latest game system, and invitation to an awards ceremony attended by Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo's Representative Director and creator of Super Mario Bros. Miyamoto, who will also act as one of the judges.

Second place will receive 3,000 US dollars as well as an invitation to the ceremony and other finalists 500 US dollars each. The winning designs from the competition will be featured as part of Uniqlo's spring/summer 2017 UT collection and sold in stores in 18 countries as well as online.