WAV. Festival is calling on graphic designers, illustrators and other South African creatives to design a T-shirt for its merchandise range. The winning design will go into production, with its creator receiving a cash prize, royalties on every shirt sold and credit for their work.
Entries close on 16 November 2026. The competition is open to South African residents aged 18 and older, with up to two entries allowed per person.
You do not need to own a design studio or clothing label to enter. Painters, photographers, tattoo artists and mixed media artists are welcome, alongside brand owners, students and self-taught creatives.
Create a tee that gives your take on WAV. as Cape Town’s home of R&B. Entrants must use the festival’s merch pack and keep the WAV. wave mark visible and easy to read.
Your design can go on the front, back or both sides. The organizers prefer artwork using up to four colors, although full-color designs are welcome too. The aim is to make something people would want to wear.
The artwork rules are straightforward:
- Submit original work only.
- No AI-generated, traced or stock artwork.
- No third-party logos.
What does the winner get?
- The chosen designer will receive a cash payment upon selection and royalties on every unit sold. They will also be credited on the shirt and in the festival’s marketing.
The finished tee is scheduled to go on sale at WAV. and online from 2 January 2027. The supplied brief does not specify the cash prize amount or royalty percentage.
How to enter
Send your submission to submissions@wavfestival.com with the subject line WAV COMPETITION.
Include the following:
- Your artwork, preferably in AI, PDF or SVG format.
- A tee mockup or sketch showing the front and back.
- A one-line explanation of your concept.
- Your name, city and age, plus your Instagram account or portfolio.
- AI in the file requirements refers to the Adobe Illustrator format. The competition rules prohibit AI-generated artwork.
Entries close: 16 November 2026.
Winner announcement: 17 November 2026.
Merchandise goes on sale: 2 January 2027.
Before submitting, check that your email contains everything requested and that the WAV. mark is clear in your mockup. Read the full competition post for the brief, and use the merch pack when putting your entry together. Keep the deadline in mind when preparing your files.
WAV. Festival made its Cape Town debut on 2 January 2026, bringing Mariah the Scientist to Green Point Track alongside Sasha Keable, Isaiah Falls and Wale. South African artists Kelvin Momo, Shekhinah, Langa Mavuso, Manana and Nanette also joined the lineup, giving R&B fans a mix of international names and local favourites. The festival returns on 2 January 2027, with Ty Dolla $ign and KWN confirmed for its next edition. It will also head to Pretoria for the first time on 3 January at SunBet Arena. More artists are still to be announced as WAV. prepares for its second outing.
