Think March Madness, but for creatives.
Whether you fill out a bracket every year or couldn’t name a single team, we’re bringing that competitive energy to the design world with the 2nd Annual Design Madness, a fast paced, community driven competition where 8 designers go head to head across three creative challenges.
Whether you’re a solo designer or representing your studio, this is your shot to prove your craft, compete under pressure, and win free Design Passes to Circles Conference.
3-Day Challenge Schedule
THU
Quarter-Finals • March 26
Poster Design
We’ll give you a theme, and you’ll create a custom poster based on it. You’ll have from Thursday, 11AM to 10PM CST.
Judged on:
Composition, Concept and Style
FRI
Semi-Finals • March 27
Homepage Design
We’ll provide a business name and description. You’ll design a homepage layout. You’ll have from Friday, 11AM to 10PM CST.
Judged on:
Creativity, Hierarchy and UX.
MON
Championship • March 28-30
Brand Buildout
We’ll give you a start-up business idea. You’ll have from Saturday at 11AM to Monday at 5PM CST.
Judged on:
Business Brand Name, Tagline and Logo.
Why Design Madness?
It’s March Madness season, and we’re channeling that same competitive energy into something built specifically for creatives.
Design Madness is a fast paced design tournament created to celebrate bold thinking, strengthen the Circles community, and spotlight serious design talent in a high stakes, high energy environment.
This is not about perfection. It is about conviction. Big ideas. Clear execution. Creative instinct under pressure. Whether you are a solo designer or representing your studio, this is your moment to step in, compete, and stand out.
Sign Up TodayThe Payoff for the Brave
Step into the bracket and compete for a free Design Pass to Circles Conference, valued at up to $1,200, plus serious bragging rights that carry well beyond the tournament.
The Bracket
Challenge details will be posted on the website each day at 11AM CST.
Winners will be announced at 8AM CST the following day and 7PM on Monday evening for the champion on our Instagram @circlesconf, so make sure you’re following us so you don’t miss it!
NOTE: Participant names currently appear in the order they signed up, but the official bracket order will be randomized and finalized on Thursday before the first challenge.
8
Players
0
Open Slots
Quarter-Finals
Thursday
Semi-Finals
Friday
Final
Monday
Champion
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The Judges
Ismael Burciaga
Creative Director at Circles Co Collective
Paul Sirmon
Founder at Sirmon Brand Co.
Charlie Howlett
VP, Creative Director at Schaefer Advertising Co.
Ready to
Join the Madness?
Only the first 8 to register will compete, so lock in your spot for a chance to win Circles Conference Design Passes and prove your creative chops.
Registration closes Wednesday, March 25 at 6 PM CST.
Sponsors
FAQ's
Why are you charging for this?
We’ve found that people who invest, even a small amount, are more committed to showing up and giving their best. It also helps us manage entries and keeps the competition focused and intentional.
Can I participate as a team or studio?
Yes! Companies can enter under one name, and if you win, you’ll receive 2 free Circles Conference Design Passes instead of one.
Do I have to complete every round?
Only if you advance! Each day, participants will be eliminated until the final two compete in the weekend championship. Missing a round or missing the deadline means you’re out—each challenge has a hard cutoff time to keep things fair and fast-paced.
How will the winners be chosen?
A panel of judges will review submissions based on creativity, clarity, and execution. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about bold ideas under pressure.
When will I know if I made the bracket?
As soon as you submit your entry, you’re in—only the first 8 to register will compete, and the form will close once all spots are filled. If you see the form, you still have a shot!
Where do I submit my entry?
You’ll upload your submission on our daily upload page. Just make sure to submit before 10PM CST Thursday and Friday and 5PM CST on Monday!
Can different designers from our company work on different challenges?
Yes — for company entries, you can have a different designer tackle each challenge. However, only one designer should complete each individual challenge. No team efforts on a single round. We’ll still credit the company overall when announcing winners.
What file types can I submit, and how many?
You can upload up to 4 files per entry, but only 1 is required. All submissions must be in JPG, PNG, or PDF format — no external links or cloud-based files. Make sure your final design is presentation-ready and easy to review.