May 25, 2022 5 min read Special Prizes

Announcing the Special Prize Winners of our Applause and Appreciation: Moms, Dads, & Grads Greeting Cards Challenge

We were excited to kick off our third annual Moms, Dads, and Grads challenge and asked you, our talented community of independent artists and writers, to design unique cards with meaningful messages. We looked for cards that covered a range of tones, relationship types, and message lengths.

Laugh Out Loud Funny

This award will go to the card that makes mom or dad laugh the loudest. We are specifically looking for funny, not punny
$650

Winner: Turn This Card Around by Danielle Fabrega

Runner Up: Smart Fella by Dawn Pope, and Good Talk by Jaclyn Rae

Big & Little

This award goes to the best Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card featuring a big/little ‘pair’ (like a pair of illustrations that indicate a parent/child relationship)
$650

Winner: mom & baby cheetah by Cass Loh

Runner Up: Family Ties by mo kelley, and Popsicle Family by Jackie Crawford

Conceptual Design & Copy Pairing

For the best Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card in which the design and copy are very tightly integrated
$550

Winner: Superhero by Erin L. Wilson

Runner Up: Adventures by Baumbirdy, and Duct Tape Dad by Alethea and Ruth

Botanical Mom

This award will go to a Mother’s Day card with botanical design elements
$450

Winner: My Amazing Mom by Pati Cascino

Runner Up: Seeds of Love by Lottie Aldarwish, and floral mom by Maja Cunningham

For All You Do

This award goes to the best Mother’s Day card with integrated copy and illustration that appreciates mom for all she does
$350

Winner: Emergency Contact by Jackie Crawford

Runner Up: Mom Legend by Kanika Mathur, and Deserve a crown by Alethea and Ruth

For Who You Are

For the best Father’s Day card with integrated copy and illustration that appreciates dad for the kind of person he is. We’re looking for copy paired with an illustration
$350

Winner: Who I am Today by Shiny Penny Studio

Runner Up: Blueprint by Jen Banks of Ink and Letter, and We are one by Claudia Orengo

Celebrate The Day

For the best Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card with integrated heartfelt copy and illustration that wishes mom/dad a day filled with relaxation, celebration, or whatever they enjoy most
$350

Winner: Isle Of Not My Problem by Kelsey Mucci

You Mean So Much

For the best Mother’s Day card with integrated heartfelt copy and illustration that expresses how much mom means to you
$350

Winner: every time design by Kamala Nahas and copy by Asha Nahas

Runner Up: We need more moms like you by Lea Delaveris

For Grandma

For the best Mother’s Day card that is intended for grandma (from kids or from adults!)
$350

Winner: You're the Tops, Nana by Starry Lane Studio

Runner Up: The Grand by Cindy Reynolds

For Daughter

For the best card to your daughter on Mother’s Day
$350

Winner: Gorgeous Grace by Tiny Type Studios

Runner Up: Serenade by Nicoletta Savod

For Wife

For the best Mother’s Day card for your wife
$350

Winner: Weather Any Storm Together, artwork by Nicole Walsh and copy by Mansi Verma

Runner Up: To my wonderful wife by Creo Study

For Husband

For the best Father’s Day card for your husband
$350

Winner: Wild Ride by Morgan Kendall

Runner Up: note by letterfix, and Mine by Baumbirdy

For Grandpa

For the best Father’s Day card that is intended for grandpa (from kids or from adults!)
$350

Winner: Classic Grandpa by Itsy Belle Studio

Runner Up: Happy Father's Day Grandpa by Tony Allen

Quotable Grad

For the best graduation card that uses familiar/inspirational words, quotes, or phrases
$350

Winner: The Road by Hannah Williams

Runner Up: trail blazer by Kamala Nahas, and Dreamer by Jenna Holcomb

You’re A Blessing

For the best Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card featuring religious copy. This could range from simply incorporating words like ‘blessing’, to including scripture
$350

Winner: Clothed in Strength by Catherine Culvenor

Runner Up: Exact Mom by Ashlee Townsend

Originality Award

For the design that incorporates the best original drawing, illustration, or lettering that has been made specifically for this Challenge and not used before
$250

Winner: Mermaid-zing by Vivian Yiwing

Runner Up: Raccoon grad by Cass Loh, and Love You Loads by Pixel and Hank

From All of Us

For a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card from the family (e.g., from dad + kids or from mom+kids)
$250

Winner: Papa Bear by Itsy Belle Studio

Runner Up: day off by Lori Wemple, and Queen of our Hearts by Alethea and Ruth

From A Friend

For the best Mother’s Day card a friend would send to a mom in their life
$250

Winner: My Friend by Baumbirdy

Runner Up: Cuddle by Dani Lugato, and I See You Mom by Erin German

Out of the Box Award

For the most design-forward, innovative greeting card that you would only find at Minted
$250

Winner: Waves of Life by Made by Mozza

Runner Up: A Cut Above the Rest by Meredith Ann

First-Time Winner Award

For the best design from a designer winning for the first time
$100

Winner: Worlds Coolest Dad by Tony Allen

Runner Up: Drinking Buddy by Tiny Type Studios