35th Anniversary of the ADA Bus Design Contest

RTD is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in all aspects of our agency and operations. The RTD ADA Office, within the Civil Right Division, ensures that the agency upholds the civil rights of its customers with disabilities. Working across agency departments and with diverse community partners, together we proactively pursue accessibility, inclusivity, and equity in our public transit services and programs.

RTD's Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) will be a vibrant and meaningful celebration of the progress made in the pursuit of greater accessibility rights.

This event honors the past, present, and future of the Accessibility Movement, celebrating the contributions of individuals local to Colorado and beyond. This event will provided an opportunity to connect individuals with community organizations and local stakeholders to deepen ties and increase public engagement activities focused on accessibility, while highlighting the important programs and services offered by the RTD in support of the movement. Through the Celebration, all participants aim to educate, inspire, and call for continued action to ensure a fully accessible and inclusive future for all.

This project is organized by RTD’s ADA Office within the Civil Rights Division in collaboration with Atlantis Community Inc, Rocky Mountain ADA Center, Center for People with Disabilities, Boulder County's Mobility for All Program, Canine Partners of the Rockies, Personal Assistance Services of Colorado (PASCO), Phamaly Theatre Company, Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce and other community partners.

Artist Application

Please complete the 35th Anniversary of the ADA Celebration Bus Wrap Design Application no later than May 6 to be considered.

Selected design will be compensated at a flat rate of $3,500.

Submission details, including art specifications, that must be provided in digital format:

1. Art-related Resume
2. Imagery of any relevant previous related work or portfolio
3. Narrative of the bus wrap design (300 words max) including:
   1. How the design connects to the project
   2. What you hope to evoke with the imagery
   3. What story will you tell?
   4. How you hope the design will engage the public
4. Artwork files

Art specifications:

Using the design templates provided below, complete the design as follows:

• Render bus wrap designs for each side of the bus: SS Full Side, CS Full Side, and BK Full Back.
  • SS – Street Side (Driver Side) (Size: 108.03 inches x 485.06 inches)
  • CS – Curb Side (Size: 108 inches x 485.06 inches)
  • BK – Back side (Size: 80.72 inches x 88.69 inches)
• Provide vector art or high-resolution (300dpi or higher) files that fit the dimensions from the templates for each side. Please note the templates are not full-size but are to-scale so that any art placed over the templates will be accurately sized-up to properly cover the bus.
  • Vector art – created using a design tool, such as Adobe Illustrator
  • High-Resolution art – created using a design tool, such as Adobe Photoshop
• The design must cover the entire area indicated in the template by the light green block.
• No more than 50% of windows, indicated by the dotted green pattern on the template, can be covered on each side of (in service) vehicles.
  • For example, this rule could be applied as 50% across all available windows, or 100% on 3 windows, etc.
  • Not knowing what bus will be wrapped, RTD assumes that the bus may be used in revenue service and needs to accommodate the 50% rule
• No design coverage allowed over the following:
  • Driver side and street side front windows
  • Main front doors on curb side
• Although the design will not be shown in the areas listed above upon installation, the design itself should still include content in those areas to allow for some tolerance during placement and trimming.
  • The print vendor will print the design for each entire side on vinyl, which will be placed on the bus surface. The ‘no coverage’ areas will then be trimmed/removed by the installer.
  • The vendor will also consider the placement of existing mandatory RTD decals. Please refer to the template to ensure that design details will not get trimmed.
• The template itself should not appear in the final art print file but can be used to demonstrate the intended design in a mock-up file.
  • Indicate in the mock-up where the design is to be removed from the windows and doors.

Eligibility

Individuals living in RTD’s service district (including Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Western Adams, Western Arapahoe, Northern Douglas and Weld counties) are eligible to apply, including but not limited to visual artists, graphic designers and illustrators. People who live outside of the Denver metro area may request an exception.

Some technical assistance is available, however the ability to create and submit high-quality digital files is required.

Design Goals

CELEBRATE the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, in addition to other countless federal and state laws that protect our civil, political, and legal rights.

RECOGNIZE the myriad of individuals, groups or major events in Colorado and nationally that championed equity, equality, and accessibility.

CREATE a vibrant and lively design, celebrating our diverse community.

INSPIRE action by increasing visibility and engaging the community.