propose a graphic

We encourage the MIT community and the public to submit images or designs for the MIT home page. Like open source software, the MIT home page improves with each individual's contribution. The designer of each day's image is credited on the home page itself.

Submit a design:

We've found that home page designs work best as an interactive process, thus we strongly recommend that you contact us with ideas or concepts before fully developing the design. Proposals can be submitted via e-mail as GIFs or JPEG's.

The final deliverable can be a high-resolution image or a Photoshop file (150 dpi), created using the MIT Home Page Photoshop Template.

Download Photoshop template - To download, right-click (Windows) or control-click (Mac).

Important guidelines:

• We strongly prefer images that include the letters "MIT" in a non-typographical way (see examples).
• Please do not use logos or headline text in the graphic, as the name of the sponsoring topic will appear as text in the spotlight headline.
• Images of people are allowed, if used creatively. They should be more than just a headshot.
• Graphics should ideally be 20-30K in size, with a maximum of 40K. If you would like to propose a larger file, please discuss this with us.
• Animated GIFs or Flash are acceptable with the following constraints:
  • Animations may run a few times and then stop. They may not loop indefinitely.
  • The animation must add value to the graphic.
  • Please provide a static image as an alternative to the animation.

What we look for:

• Graphics should elicit surprise, laughter, or delight. (Other reactions may be equally acceptable.)
• They should offer a unique perspective on MIT, its community, campus, or research, although seasonal or more generic graphics are appropriate as well.
• Originality, creativity, and beauty are the three most important elements of a good home page design.

The final choice of spotlight images involves an editorial decision by the MIT Home Page team. Unfortunately, we cannot accept every submission.

As a contributing designer, you may supply:

• An image for the canvas: the suggested size for this image is 400-450 pixels wide x 470 pixels high, including space for the spotlight headline.
• Recommended text placement and colors (see the Photoshop template).
  • canvas color if not a full image
  • navigation text/link, hover and visited colors
  • color and placement of the spotlight headline
  • placement of navigation menu
  • suggested background color outside the canvas (final selection to be made by the home page team)
• Designer's credit: the contributor's name, e-mail, URL, 1-2 line bio, and a brief explanation of the image.

Constant elements:

Every variation of the MIT home page displays the official MIT logo, a colored background, a canvas (450 pixels x 470 pixels), a date header and an address footer.

Thank you for your interest! We are looking forward to your participation.