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UPPERCASE 68 Illustration & the Elements of Creativity

Issue #68 of UPPERCASE magazine will be taking a stand against AI and generative art—but not with any negativity. With UPPERCASE's positive and inclusive approach, we focus on the good. This issue will be thoughtful, uplifting and inspiring.

We will highlight what makes human-made illustration so wonderful—its heart, personality and uniqueness. The joy of art-making and the satisfaction of thinking for oneself.

We aren't machines! We exist in the natural world, one made of physical elements—earth, water, air and fire. These elements will serve as visual metaphors throughout this issue.

This special issue will profile illustrators across all stages of their careers. As long as you don't use AI in any way to ideate or generate your artwork, you are welcome to participate in this creative brief entitled "The Elements of Creativity."

A selection of submissions will be published in UPPERCASE issue #68 (Jan-Feb-March 2026) and/or the UPPERCASE newsletter.

Depending on the quantity and quality of submissions, we may also release a PDF to highlight even more submissions. To control and monitor access, the PDF would be hosted on our website and not available for download. It would be promoted to art directors and art buyers as a source of illustrators available for hire.

There is no fee to enter.

The artists selected to appear in print will receive a free subscription or renewal (due to limitations in mailing, the subscription offer is only available in Canada, the USA, the UK, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia). Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to offer compensation for open call submissions.

Deadline: October 8 at 5pm MDT

SUBMITTER INFORMATION

⬆ Double-check. Did you spell your name correctly?

⬆ If you make an error in your email, then you won't receive news about your submission. Your email address won't be published.

Having a website or other online portfolio is required. If you use Instagram as your primary portfolio, enter your instagram.com/yourhandle in the website field.

Please fill in your location without abbreviations. Your location will be published.

Please read and check the following conditions to participate. If you do not confirm each statement, your submission will be disqualified.

creator check block

You confirm that you are the creator and author of the work and that you are not infringing on anyone's copyrighted material.

By submitting to this open call, you attest that this work is 100% your own and that you have not used AI (generative AI or any LLMs) in any way to produce the artwork or to write this submission in whole or in part.

You are allowing UPPERCASE to publish the work in print, digitally and on our website and in any related magazine productions and promotions. The artist will always be credited. Copyright remains with the artist.

CREATIVE BRIEF SUBMISSION

The Elements of Creativity

The classic four elements—earth, water, air and fire—have long been themes and motifs in visual art. Depicting them literally or using them metaphorically, create an illustration that expresses the elements of your creativity.

* REQUIRED DIMENSIONS *

7.125" wide by 9.625" tall at 300dpi, saved as a jpg. (Either RGB or CMYK is fine; we will handle the prepress requirements.)

Creative Brief illustration file upload

Accepts .jpg, .jpeg files

How long have you been an illustrator?

Who are you? Why are you an illustrator? Tell your story in a paragraph or two.

This field will accept 500–1000 characters, where spaces also count as characters.

What qualities or skills make you a good illustrator?

This field will accept 400–800 characters, where spaces also count as characters.

Why is human-made illustration important?

This field will accept 400–800 characters, where spaces also count as characters.

PORTFOLIO SELECTION

Upload 4-6 illustrations from your portfolio. Files should be saved as a jpg at least 6 inches wide at 300dpi (bigger is better for print purposes), saved with your full name so that it matches exactly the name you've entered above. No composite images or watermarks, please.

Accepts .jpg, .jpeg files

SUPPLEMENTAL PHOTOS

Upload a full colour, square headshot taken against a plain background. Please also include 2-4 photos of your studio, sketchbook, art supplies or other details.

Accepts .jpg, .jpeg files

You will receive an email to confirm that your submission was uploaded. UPPERCASE will notify submitters in November 2025 about the publication status of their submission.

Thank you!