The Showdown
Picture this: five designers, three rounds of mystery design prompts, one room full of design lovers, and zero time to second-guess a color palette.
Mallory Grundman (Haberfeld), Jacob Kelly (Eleanor Creative), Sammy Konecky (Jacht Ad Agency), Alice Richter (Relentless Merch), and Jane Wanek (Nelnet) came ready to rumble and put their design chops to the ultimate test.
Modeled after the hit show Chopped, CROPPED challenged the designers to tackle surprise creative briefs in real time, from stationary kits to postcards and social media templates, all under the clock and in front of a cheering audience. Fonts were chosen, layers were renamed and ideas came to life right before our eyes.
As the rounds progressed, the judges made their tough calls, and one by one, designers were…cropped. But hey, that’s the name of the game.
Between the rapid-fire rounds, the laughter and the “wait, how did they do that so fast?” moments, one thing was clear: Lincoln’s creative community knows how to put on a show.
And the Winner Is…
After three intense rounds, only one designer could come out on top. Jacob Kelly with Eleanor Creative took home the $1,000 cash prize, the title of CROPPED 2025 Champion and, perhaps most meaningfully, the chance to make a lasting impact through design.
Their winning creative suite will become part of a brand-new marketing toolkit for this year’s featured nonprofit, Lincoln Literacy, helping them tell their story and reach even more people across the community.
Jacob said it was encouraging to see student designers competing in CROPPED and gaining real-world practice. He credits his agency background for his ability to work quickly, but he also said he wasn’t expecting to win.
“This was my first time competing at CROPPED. I had a fun time, even though my arms were shaking in round one. But it feels really good to win, and everyone’s designs were great. It’s thrilling – I got a prize, Lincoln Literacy gets a donation. Everything helps everyone, and it’s the best,” Jacob said.
Supporting Lincoln Literacy
Each year, CROPPED pairs creative talent with community purpose, and this year’s partnership with Lincoln Literacy showcased just how powerful design can be when it’s used for good.
Founded in 1972 as the Lincoln Literacy Council and incorporated as a nonprofit under its current name in 1993, Lincoln Literacy empowers people through language and learning. With more than 40 full- and part- time staff and a variety of free classes, they help immigrants, refugees, and native-born Nebraskans build literacy, digital skills, and job readiness — all to strengthen our community.
From teaching English and literacy skills to partnering with local employers for workplace training, Lincoln Literacy is breaking down barriers and building brighter futures across Lincoln. To keep their mission going strong, the organization received a $500 donation alongside their new marketing collateral.
Mia Hernandez, a workplace instructional coordinator with Lincoln Literacy, was one of the guest judges for CROPPED. She said the organization was very honored to be selected as the featured small business for this year’s event.
“Hopefully, the results of these marketing materials will allow our message to reach more eyes and ears to help people here in Lincoln aware of what we do. Lincoln Literacy provides classes to teach English language skills and other adult skills to those in the community who are learning English or are working to gain skills that will allow them to participate more fully in the economy that they already contribute to,” Mia said.
Jacob also recognizes that his designs will support Lincoln Literacy’s mission. He said, “It means a lot to know that the work I did will help a small business that does good things. With the time we’re in now, it means a lot to help Lincoln Literacy spread their reach to educate people and help them progress in this country.”
A Night to Remember
CROPPED 2025 had all the right ingredients: creativity under pressure, a supportive crowd, good food, great company and the kind of energy that reminds us why Lincoln’s marketing and design community is so special.
It’s not every day you see designers racing the clock while their peers cheer them on (and maybe silently thank the design gods it’s not their turn on stage). But the entertainment and inspirational pieces are what make CROPPED magic.
Huge thanks to everyone who competed, judged, sponsored, volunteered or cheered from the crowd. Every designer brought their A-game, proving once again that creativity and community go hand in hand.
We can’t wait to do it all again next year. Until then, keep creating and keep rooting for your local talent.
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