Entering a contest just for fun proved to be a smart move for a graphic designer as she took home $1,000 and tickets to the Bermuda Music Festival.

Jamila Godwin, Junior Graphic Designer at Tego Creative, entered the Department of Tourism's T-shirt Design Contest. Her winning design will be featured at the music festival.

The contest didn't have many rules but the entry had to be no larger than ten inches wide and 14 inches tall. It was due by August 15 in a digital file either jpeg, tiff or pdf format.

The entries were displayed at Volcanic's weekly event, "Live in the Gardens", on Friday at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.

Ms Godwin said she entered the contest as a way to gain exposure. "A friend told me about it and said it was advertised in the newspaper and I believed I had a good chance," she said.

While creating the design that took two to three days, the 24-year old had to produce something that all ages would like.

"First I had to look at how t-shirts are made now and what the artwork looked like.

"Then I had to look for something that was appealing for the young and old generation and decide upon what composition I wanted and how I wanted it to look on the T-shirt."

The Spanish Point resident said it was difficult to choose colours. But in the end, she chose predominantly neutral colours because she did not want it to look feminine or masculine.

When asked if she thought the contest was a good idea, Ms. Godwin said: "I thought it was a great way for young people to get out there and showcase their talents and I think they should do it more often."

Ms Godwin, who received a Bachelors in Design, Major in Graphic Design from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, said she has always been interested in art.

She began her upper-level education at Bermuda College studying art and design taking classes that incorporated drawing and painting.

Ms Godwin walked away with $1000, her name included on the T-shirt, a congratulatory ad in the paper with her photo and winning design and two four day passes for the music festival.

Second place winner Cushi Ming won $400 and two four day passes to the festival and third place winner Charmaine Friday received $200 and two four day passes.