Mural Contest FAQs

This contest is open to any currently enrolled Northwestern undergrad and graduate students. The goal is to showcase student creativity and give them a highly visible canvas on the new Ryan Field exterior. 

That’s okay. We’re not looking for professional muralists! Any student may apply.

The winning mural will be installed on the exterior of the new Ryan Field at the southwest corner.

A small panel of individuals involved in the interior design and exterior graphics of the new stadium, will review and select the winning design based on criteria such as:

• Creativity and originality
• Effective use of Northwestern purple and alignment with the color guidelines
• Alignment with the content guidelines
• Overall visual impact and scalability when enlarged to the full mural size

We are looking for art in the broadest sense—it does not need to be football-themed or sports-themed. Abstract, graphic, symbolic, playful, edgy, or unexpected approaches are all welcome. If it’s something that would make you stop, take a picture, and share it with friends, you’re on the right track. 

Your design should:

• Feel fun, energetic, and exciting—something students will want to share.
• Explore a wide range of visual ideas and styles while prominently featuring Northwestern purple.
• Be entirely your own original work (no AI-generated imagery or copyrighted characters/logos). If you’re unsure whether you have permission to use something, it’s best to leave it out.
• You may not include people or likenesses, and you should not use any political messaging or imagery. 

• We encourage inventive, high-impact concepts—abstract, graphic, symbolic, playful, edgy, or surprising. If it’s the kind of work people want to keep looking at, you’re on the right track. Aim for something striking—art that sparks curiosity and gets people talking.

No. Designs must be original and entirely your own work. Entries with AI-generated imagery and copyrighted characters/logos will be disqualified. 

Artwork must meet the following requirements:

• Scale: Minimum 1:10 scale (one-tenth of the final size).
• Resolution (for raster artwork): Minimum 300 dpi.
• Bleed: At least 2" bleed on all sides.
• Color profile: RGB.
• Accepted formats: High-resolution raster (PSD, TIFF, or JPEG) or vector (AI or EPS). 

No. You will be responsible for the design, not physically painting the wall. The final artwork will be shared with the stadium’s design firm, who will turn the design into a high-quality vinyl mural and install it on the southwest exterior of the new Ryan Field. 

The final mural area is approximately 78’4” wide by 15.4’ high (with bleed: 78.8’ W x 15.8’ H).  

All mural submissions should be sent as a PDF file (maximum 20 MB) via email to hello@ryansports.com, with the subject line: “Student Mural Contest Submission – [Last Name], [First Name] – [Student ID].”

Please also include a brief written narrative describing your creative approach and the inspiration behind your design. 

Yes, you may submit more than one design, as long as each submission is complete (artwork + narrative). Each design will be judged independently.

By entering the contest, you acknowledge that Northwestern University will own the rights to the selected mural design and may reproduce, adapt, and display it in connection with Ryan Field and related marketing or communications. The student artist will be credited, and their signature will be displayed on the mural, but Northwestern will hold the design and usage rights going forward.

The winning artist will be credited and their signature will be displayed on the mural.

We anticipate the winning design will be installed in time for the opening of the new stadium in 2026.

The mural is intended to remain in place for an extended period after the stadium opens.