Board Designer Competition

If you are a winner, we will contact you directly via email to arrange the shipment of your prize.

Participants who receive free hardware and do not submit a project may be ineligible for future giveaways unless the hardware is returned.

If you receive free hardware and become unable to submit a project, please contact us at help@hackster.io and let us know as soon as possible. We may choose to arrange for the hardware to be shipped to another participant.

To be eligible for judging, you must meet ALL of the following requirements unless otherwise stated:

General Requirements

• You must be registered as a participant for this contest.
• Your entry must be your own original work.
• Your entry must be a new project or new variation of an existing project.
• Your entry cannot have been selected as a winner in any other Hackster contest.
• Your team is no more than 5 members per entry.*

*By entering a submission to this contest on behalf of a team, you acknowledge that you are the designated representative authorized to act on behalf of your team. (See full rules below for details)

Hardware Application Requirements

Note: If you choose to submit an application for free hardware, you must meet the following requirements. If not, continue to 'Hardware/Software Build Requirements' below.

• Your hardware application must be submitted via the online application form found on the contest page’s “apply for hardware” tab.
• Your hardware application must be written in English.
• Your hardware application must use PCBWay to manufacture the project.
• Your hardware application must include a PCBWay quote.
• Your hardware application must be submitted by Jan 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.

Hardware/Software Build Requirements

• Your project must be a custom PCB (printed circuit board).
• To be considered for the "The Kitchen Sink Award" your PCB must contain a functioning nRF54L15 SoC.
• To be considered for the "The Bling Bling Board Award" your PCB must use PCB Color Printing service.

Project Documentation Requirements

• Your project must include a project name, short project description, cover image, bill of materials (BOM), full instructions, images, and relevant resource files (schematics, code, CAD).
• Your project must be written in English.
• Your project must be submitted by Apr 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.

Your project will be evaluated based on the following criteria for each Prize Category:

Innovation and Originality (20 points)

• Novelty of the board concept and design.
• Uniqueness in design and approach.
• Creative use of technology and components.

Technical Excellence (20 points)

• Complexity and sophistication of the machine.
• Quality of engineering and construction.
• Effective use of technology and materials.

Functionality and Performance (20 points)

• How well the machine performs its intended function.
• Reliability and (in)efficiency in operation.

Aesthetics and Design Presentation (20 points)

• The visual appeal of the PCB layout and overall design.
• Clarity and organization of components and traces.
• Use of design elements that enhance both form and function.

Documentation and Presentation (20 points)

• Clarity and thoroughness of project documentation.
• Quality of visuals: schematics, design files, images, and videos.
• Accessibility of information for others to learn or replicate.

BONUS: Use of Autodesk Fusion (40 points)

• Clarity and thoroughness of design steps using Fusion.
• Quality of Fusion visuals: images, videos, and diagrams.
• Accessibility of Fusion source files for others to learn or replicate.

• Board Designer Grand Prize ($4,000 value)

• The Kitchen Sink Award Winner ($1,799 value)

• The Unofficial OHWS Badge Winner ($1,113 value)

• The Bling Bling Board Winner ($800 value)

• The Ultimate RestoMod Winner ($899 value)

• The Frankenboard Winner ($800 value)

• The Murphy’s Law Survivor Winner ($800 value)

Step 1: Register for the Contest

• Start by creating a free account on Hackster.io (or sign-in if already a member).
• Register for the contest by clicking “Register as a participant”.

Step 2: Build and Document Your Project

• Build your project according to the submission requirements.
• Document your project build using Hackster’s project template. To create a new project, click “create new project” on the contest page or the “+” symbol in the top right corner of your Hackster page.

Step 3: Review and submit your project

• Review your project and make sure it meets all the submission requirements.
• Upload a previously created project by clicking “add existing project” on the contest page.
• Submit your project by Apr 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT by clicking “review and submit project” on the contest page.

Free devices winners will be announced by February 7, 2025. The list of winners will be visible on the Apply for hardware tab.

Contest winners will be announced on April 25, 2025. The list of winners will be visible on the main page (Contest brief).

These are the Specific Contest Rules (“Specific Rules”) that govern participation in the Board Designer Competition (“Contest”) organized by Hackster.io, an Avnet community (“Hackster”), and sponsored by Nordic Semiconductor (hereinafter referred to as the “Sponsor”) in relation to any individual (hereinafter referred to as an “Entrant”) who enters, attempts to enter or in any way participates or attempts to participate in this Contest.

In these Specific Rules, “we,” “our”, and “us” refer to Hackster and/or the Contest Sponsor. “You” and “yourself” refer to an Entrant. The full rules for this Contest also include the Official General Contest Rules (“General Rules”) posted at https://www.hackster.io/contest-rules and all eligibility, requirements, and judging criteria recorded in the “rules” tab of this Contest page. In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between the General Rules and these Specific Rules, the Specific Rules shall control.

Contest description:

This is a skill-based contest brought to you by Hackster.io and sponsored by Nordic Semiconductor, Autodesk, and PCBWay. The object of this contest is to create project tutorials using custom designed PCBs For the purposes of this contest, each idea you submit will be called a “hardware application” and each project you submit in the contest will be called an “entry”. All eligible entries received will be judged using the judging criteria above to determine the final prize winners.

Eligibility:

You are eligible to enter if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

• You are at least 18 years of age, or the minimum age of majority in your place of residence at the time of entry.
• You are a citizen of and reside in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States or Vietnam.
• You have a verified Hackster user account.
• You are not involved in the execution or administration of this Contest.
• You are not a Hackster, Avnet or Nordic Semiconductor employee or an immediate family member or household member of a Hackster employee or otherwise engaged in the execution or administration of this Contest.