Ai-Kon Artists

Welcome!

Want to be an Ai-Kon artist but don’t know where to start? More information and submission links can be found here

Here’s a link to our current Ai-Kon 2025 artist package!

Read the Tips and Tricks to Ai-Kon’s Artist faire here that a handful of our Ai-Kon artists have graciously provided!

Mascot Contest Announcement

It’s that time of year again, we’re looking for new designs for both of Ai-Kon’s mascots: Aiko and Doug! Our mascots appear on a variety of Ai-Kon promotional materials: posters, flyers, badges, programs, and our website.

Aiko will appear on a variety of merchandise, including t-shirts, keychains, pins, lanyards, and more.

Please read the Rules and Requirements before submitting your entry, as they may have changed! Failure to follow requirements may result in your entry being disqualified.

All entries to previous Mascot Contest entries can be found here.

Ai-Kon 2026 Mascot Contest 

Prepare to be dazzled! High-flying acrobatics, side show attractions, and feats of strength! It’s time to visit the big top at Ai-Kon 2026! This year we are looking for a Circus-themed Aiko and Doug! This can include any number of different roles such as ringleader, juggler, magicians, and acrobats!

Aiko is a cheerful, stylish, energetic girl with pink hair and blue eyes. Her age should be late teens to early twenties. (approx 18-23 years of age)

Doug is a young, lovable, mischievous boy with white hair and blue eyes. His age should be mid to late teens (approx 12-16 years of age) 

Entries to the 2026 Ai-Kon Mascot Contest are due 11:59 PM CST, Saturday, December 6th.

Artists may submit a maximum of four (4) entries; two (2) per mascot

Click here to submit

Rules and Requirements

Entry Specifications:

  • Full Colour PNG with a transparent background
    • Do not include any background elements
  • Canvas size should be (minimum) 11×17 inches
  • Minimum 300 DPI resolution – 600 DPI is ideal
  • Entries MUST keep eye and hair colours for both mascots.

*A smaller version of your entry may be submitted for judging as long as a higher resolution version is available. Please make note of this in the comments section of your submission.

Naming Format:

FirstNameLastName-ArtistAlias-Doug01.png

  • Example: JaneDoe-JaneDraws-Doug01.png

FirstNameLastName-ArtistAlias-Aiko01.png

  • Example: JaneDoe-JaneDraws-Aiko01.png

Additional Rules and Agreement:

  • No entries featuring symbols, logos, poses, outfits and/or hair styles of copyrighted characters, or copyrighted characters themselves.
  • Ensure all entries are suitable for all ages. Adult-themed entries will be rejected at the discretion of the Ai-Kon committee.  
  • Do not use a watermark or a signature on your submission.
  • All entries and rights to the images become property of Ai-Kon.
  • The same artist cannot be selected as first place winner for both Aiko and Doug.
  • Ai-Kon will request an additional chibi version of the winning designs. The winning artists will have until January 31st 2026 to complete this artwork for merchandise and/or promotional purposes. Additional alternative designs will be requested if needed. Ai-Kon respects the artist’s right to refuse both these requests.
  • The use of AI, including the use of text-to-image generators, is strictly prohibited. Proof of human generated artwork may be required. 
  • Please do not share entries on social media until after the winner has been announced. 

What the Ai-Kon Committee looks for in a mascot:

  • The theme is clearly present in the design.
  • Poses should be energetic and lively. (TIP: Static standing poses aren’t generally chosen!)
  • The style is “anime” inspired. We are an anime convention after all!
  • Aiko and Doug should be represented accurately (age, physical attributes, and personality)
  • Facial expressions should be inviting and open. 
  • The use of text in your design should be minimal.
    • Do not include text like Aiko, Doug, Ai-Kon, your name, etc. on any part of the mascot
  • The design’s ability to be placed on promotional media (badges, lanyards, posters, t-shirts, etc) is a major consideration.
    • Refrain from using very small details or soft-shading where the colours can blend together.
    • Having distinct colours in your palette is strongly encouraged and can help differentiate your design from others.

Prizes

Ai-Kon 2026 Mascot Contest:

The Aiko winner will receive: one (1) free artist full table, one (1) artist weekend admission, one (1) free bundle of the merchandise items. The winning entry will be used for Ai-Kon 2026 promotional materials and merchandise.

The Doug winner will receive: one (1) free artist full table, one (1) artist weekend admission, one (1) free bundle of the merch items. As of 2026, Ai-Kon has moved towards the position of not presenting the ‘Doug’ mascot on official Ai-Kon merchandise. Due to this shift, winning mascot winners will receive Aiko and Ai-Kon branded merchandise.

There are two runners-up for the Ai-Kon Mascot Contest.

The two runners-up will each receive: one (1) free artist half-table and one (1) artist weekend admission