Cocktail Napkin Sketch Contest

 

Calling all U.S.-based architects, students, and related professionals to enter our annual contest celebrating the art of the sketch! All you need are a white cocktail napkin and pen.

Two grand prize winners (one licensed architect, and one related professional) will receive a $300 gift card and a set of cocktail napkins with their winning sketch printed on it. The winning sketches will be announced at our Innovation Conference in November and printed on napkins for use during the event.

The sketches of the winners and runners-up will be published in our November 2026 issue and on our website.

Deadline: August 25, 2026

How to Enter:

• Sketches should focus on architecture and be drawn specifically for this competition.
• Create a sketch on a 5-inch-by-5-inch white paper cocktail napkin. You may cut a larger napkin down to these dimensions.
• Use ink or ballpoint pen.
• Include the registration form below. You can fill out form and save before printing.
• You may submit up to 6 cocktail napkin sketches, but each one should be numbered on the back and include your name.
• All materials must be postmarked no later than August 25, 2026.

 

Important Change: Sketches should be sent to Architectural Record’s parent company, BNP Media, in Birmingham, Michigan. Submissions sent to New York will not be accepted.

Send all submissions in one envelope to:
Cocktail Napkin Sketch Contest
BNP Media
550 W. Merrill St., Suite 200
Birmingham, MI 48009

Due to the volume of entries, cocktail napkin sketches will not be returned.