Never Saw the Light of Day Awards

This competition celebrates unsung creative ideas. We encourage you to share those designs that never went anywhere, or the concepts that died in committee. Share the work that you know was good—even if it never saw the light of day.

Dig through your archives, find that favorite piece that never got its moment, and submit it to the Never Saw the Light of Day Awards. We’re all about celebrating creativity (and not taking ourselves too seriously in the process).

We’re bringing the creative community together to give the best rejected ideas, unused mockups, and buried brilliance their brief moment in the sun. Join us on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, at Urban Beat (1213 Turner Rd, Lansing, MI 48906) as we view entries and vote as a community on which entries really are winners.

Event Schedule:

• 6:00 p.m. - Networking, cash bar and appetizers.

• 7:00 p.m. - Presentation and category voting.

• 8:30 p.m. - Winners for each category announced. Participation trophies handed out to the winners.

Award Categories:

1. Logo/Brand Design That logo that you swore was the one—sleek and smart—but the client went with Comic Sans and a stock swoosh instead. Dust it off and show us what could’ve been.

2. Blooper Reel That time the talent fell off a chair. Or mispronounced the product name 12 times. Or you left a coffee cup in the background. If it made the edit bay smile, it belongs here.

3. Website Concept You pitched a digital masterpiece. The client chose something else. We feel your pain. This is your safe space to share your hard work.

4. Campaign An idea so good it still haunts your dreams. Maybe the world wasn’t ready for your sense of humor. Maybe the client wanted to go with “something safer.” Whether it was too much, too soon, or just never made it to the final pitch, let’s give that idea the moment it deserves.

5. Copywriting You crafted the perfect punchline. You wrote a clever script. The client went in “another direction.” Show us the work that should’ve aired, not died in a shared drive.

6. Visual Design Layouts, photography, type treatments—basically anything that made your inner art director whisper, “Nailed it,” before it was buried in feedback. Let’s give it the eulogy it deserves.

7. Never Left the Sketching Phase The napkin doodle. The wireframe. The thing you pitched as a first step and still kind of love. It never got past “early thinking,” but that doesn't mean it wasn't genius. It’s time to celebrate your half-baked brilliance.

8. Other Creative Stuff Unaired TV commercials? Weird animation? Guerilla idea? Interpretive dance version of a brand activation? If it doesn’t fit anywhere else—but still deserves applause—it goes here. It’s the casserole of award categories—throw in whatever’s left over.

9. Never Should Have Seen the Light of Day Award You knew it wasn’t your finest hour. Maybe it was rushed. Maybe it was weird. Maybe you just lost the will to fight the feedback. Thankfully, it never saw daylight—and honestly, that was for the best. Time to laugh about it now.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q: Does it have to be work from the last year? 

A: Nope! As our inaugural event, you can present anything (whether it be from this century or last), so long as it's your work.

Q: How do I submit work? 

A: CLICK HERE for more details and instructions on how to submit. Each entry is just $5.

Q: Where should I park? 

A: Paid parking is enforced 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you arrive before 6:00 p.m.:

• Paid street parking on Turner Street

  • Pay at kiosks with credit cards or coins

  • 75 cents/hour, 3-hour maximum stay

  • Passport app zone: 99647.

• Parking lot at the end of Turner Street

  • Pay with app or at kiosk, located in the back of lot next to Shared Office Space building

  • 75 cents an hour, 10 hour maximum stay

  • Kiosk accepts credit cards and coins

  • Passport app zone: 99650

Q: What's included with my event ticket?

A: Attendance for voting and the awards, tasty appetizers, and the merriment and joy of seeing work that otherwise would never have seen the light of day.