Drawn to Science – Student Contest

We are calling all aspiring illustrators and art students!

At Cosylab, we build control systems for the most advanced technologies in the world—from particle accelerators to quantum computers.

This summer, we’re launching an art contest to find a young, creative illustrator interested in long-term collaboration—creating visuals for promotional and creative purposes (e.g., designing unique T-shirts used as prizes or worn at conferences and internal events).

Through this contest, we aim to encourage young illustrators, support the Slovenian artistic community, and build a recognizable and consistent visual identity that reflects the fields Cosylab operates in: cutting-edge technology, science, research, and the complex systems of the future.

What’s in it for you?

1st prize: €700 + Your work on display (the winning design will be printed on 250 T-shirts and showcased at international events and conferences).
2nd prize: €320
3rd prize: €180
Runners-up (places 4–10): Cosylab merch & goodies

Even more—this could be the start of a longer creative partnership.

What’s the challenge?

Theme: Quantum
Purpose: Illustration for T-shirts and other applications

Concept: Imagine a world unfolding inside a single qubit—the iconic building block of a quantum computer. The qubit (a Bloch Sphere) forms the stage where quantum events take place. Below is an example idea you can use as inspiration, or feel free to create your own vision of what’s happening above and within a qubit.

Optional idea:

Inside the qubit, four characters reside—Alice and Bob (famous from quantum communication), Eva, and a cat.

The illustration should depict Alice, Bob, the cat, and Eva positioned on different “levels” of the qubit, where each layer represents a different temperature zone—just like in real quantum computers. Their clothing and activities should reflect both the temperature and the quantum function of that particular level.

Alice and Bob are communicating through a “quantum entangled” coffee mug. Similar to the classic tin can phone, but with no cable, no delay—their communication is instantaneous and mysteriously synchronized. What one says, the other hears.

Area above the qubit

Floating above the qubit is a control capsule—a command stage where the cat uses a computer to orchestrate the quantum events below, like a puppet master. This symbolizes Cosylab as a company developing control systems for quantum technologies.

Area inside the qubit

Upper level (~300 K)

Alice – Clothing: Light dress, sweater

Middle level (~4 K) – Signal interface

Bob – Clothing: Fleece, scarf, gloves

Lower level (~15 mK) – Quantum core

The cat – Activity: Observing the “alive” & “dead” buttons; Meaning: Superposition – the essence of quantum mechanics; Clothing: Extreme winter jacket, foggy goggles

Hidden layer – Quantum eavesdropping

Eva (If) – Activity: Eavesdropping on Alice and Bob’s communication, but the system freezes her in the act; Meaning: Quantum protection – every observation leaves a trace

Technical specifications

Maximum number of colors: 4
Illustration size: Approx. 20 cm wide
Resolution: 300 dpi or above (if raster-based), vector illustration preferred
File format: PDF

Who are we looking for?

Students of art, design, or visual communication.
Someone with a bold imagination and clean execution.
A curiosity for technology and physics

Rules and Conditions for Participation in the Contest “Drawn to Science”

Hereinafter: “Rules”
Article 1: Organizer
The organizer of the Contest “Illustrator – Student Contest” (hereinafter: “contest”) is Cosylab d.d., Gerbičeva ulica 64, 1000 Ljubljana (hereinafter: “organizer”).
Article 2: Duration of the Contest
The contest will run from June 18, 2025, to August 15, 2025.
Article 3: Purpose of the Contest
The purpose is to obtain fresh, high-quality illustrations for promotional materials and support young, unestablished Slovenian creators.
Article 4: Participation
Participation is open to anyone who submits their illustrations for Cosylab’s promotional materials to the email address specified by the organizer.
Article 5: Who Can Participate
Eligible participants: All adults with permanent residence in the Republic of Slovenia (must be of legal age by the start date of the contest). Students of Slovenian design-related faculties (ALUO, NTF, Faculty of Design).
Both criteria must be met. Participants can withdraw by emailing marketing@cosylab.com with the subject “Withdrawal from the contest: Drawn to Science”.
Ineligible participants: Cosylab employees involved in organizing the contest and jury members. If selected, such entries are invalid, and a new winner will be chosen.
Article 6: How to Participate
Participants must:
Visit the contest page. The contest rules are also published.
Fill in the online form with your name, address, email, and phone number.
Upload your illustration.
Only entries submitted within the contest period (see Article 2) are valid.
Article 7: Prize Pool
3 Main Prizes:
1. €700
2. €320
3. €180
7 Secondary Prizes: Cosylab promotional items
The organizer will cover the personal income tax prepayment for prizes exceeding €42. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged or converted to cash (for secondary prizes).Article 8: Participation and Prize Selection
Valid entries received between June 18 and August 15, 2025, will be eligible. 10 winners (3 main + 7 secondary) will be selected. Selection Date: September 1, 2025 . Announcement Date: September 2, 2025 , contest page
The selection will be conducted by a 3-member jury at Cosylab’s premises and recorded in a signed report. If a winner declines or is ineligible, an alternate will be selected.
Article 9: Transfer of intellectual property rights
All intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to, copyright, related rights and industrial property rights) in the illustrations uploaded by the participants under these rules shall automatically, without the need for any additional documents or signatures, vest exclusively, perpetually and without territorial limitation in the organizer. The foregoing includes, but is not limited to, all material rights arising from intellectual property rights.
Article 10: Winner Announcement and Prize Acceptance
Winners published on contest page and agree to the public disclosure of their name and hometown.
The prize will not be awarded if: the winner does not meet eligibility criteria, they violated the contest rules, they have already won a prize in this contest, they fail to provide required information (e.g., tax number) within 7 days, they decline the prize in writing to marketing@cosylab.com.
Prize Delivery: Within 14 days via post. The organizer is not liable if the winner cannot receive or use the prize due to circumstances beyond their control.
Article 11: Tax Obligations
Prizes exceeding €42 are subject to income tax under ZDoh-2, Article 105(3.3). The organizer will deduct and pay the tax prepayment. If the tax number is not submitted within 7 days, the organizer is not obliged to deliver the prize.
Article 12: Contest Interruption
The contest may be interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances (force majeure). Notices will be published on contest page. Notification of continuation will be posted at least 3 days in advance.
Article 13: Personal Data Protection
Participants agree that Cosylab may process their data (name, address, email, phone) from registration until withdrawal, for: prize notifications, marketing actions, event and product updates, customer feedback. Participants can request to stop or delete their data by emailing marketing@cosylab.com or writing to Cosylab, with the note “GDPR”. If done before contest end, their data will be used solely for participation purposes. Prize winners must provide full personal data including tax number for prizes over €42. Data will be stored per tax laws. Participants may request access, copies, corrections, or deletion at any time via the same email or address.
Article 14: Liability
Cosylab is not liable for damages resulting from participation or prize use. It is not responsible for: network or communication issues, nncomplete or unreadable entries, incorrect contact information provided by participants
Article 15: Disputes and Complaints
Complaints are handled by the organizer. Valid complaints will be resolved promptly, and disputes are subject to the competent court in Ljubljana.
Article 16: Final Provisions
By entering, participants declare they understand and agree to the Rules. Rules take effect on the contest start date and are published at contest page. Cosylab reserves the right to amend the Rules due to technical, commercial, or public reasons, with announcements made on the website. For questions, contact: marketing@cosylab.com. In Ljubljana, June 18, 2025

Apply for Student Contest by Friday, August 15, 2025

How to apply?

Submit your illustration on our website.
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Our jury will review all entries.
We will contact the winners via email and publish their names on the Cosylab website by September 2, 2025.

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