More than just T-shirts, Threadless now offering chance to create iPhone cases

Still searching for the perfect case for your iPhone 4? Well, you may be able to create your very own.

Threadless, the community-centered apparel store, is teaming with Griffin Technology for the iPhone 4 Design Case Challenge.

From now until May 19, anyone registered on Threadless can submit pretty much whatever you want – the only contest rule is the design must be created on a black background.

Beginning May 13, fans can comment on and score the submissions to help choose some of the winning designs. Yes, designs. There will be multiple creations chosen, although the exact number has not been announced.

The winning drawings will be made into cases that will be sold at Threadless, Griffin and Apple. The artists of the chosen designs will get to see their art on the backs of iPhones, but more than just pride is on the line. Winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize, along with a $250 Threadless gift certificate, $250 Griffin virtual shopping spree, and the choice of an iPhone or iPad.

The contest is very similar to the traditional Threadless experience. Every week, about 1,500 designs are submitted to the site to be voted on. The staff selects around 10 of the creations to be sold by the Chicago-based company, both online and at the flagship store on the city’s Northside.

The iPhone 4 Design Case Challenge is hosted on Threadless Atrium. Launched earlier this year, the Atrium “unleashes community-based designs on the world,” basically acting as a meeting place for artists and organizations looking for new product designs. Threadless, which launched in 2000, boasts a community of over 1.5 million artists.

The winning designs will be chosen June 10. To submit your own, or look at what’s already been posted, visit http://iphone.threadless.com/griffin/.

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