There are two open ways to get your design made into a real Highrise item: Highrise Concepts, themed contests decided by community votes, and Highrise Ideas, where players pre-order your design to fund it. Both pay designers in Earned Gold, which you can spend in Highrise or cash out.
What's the difference between Concepts and Ideas?
Concepts:
Themed contests that open regularly, each with its own rules and dates.
Free to enter. Players vote, and top-rated designs are made by the art team.
Some Concepts allow redesigns of Highrise-made items, and pairs can enter together.
Winners get a set amount of Earned Gold based on rarity, plus copies of the item.
Ideas:
Open any time submissions are open, for one wearable item per Idea, on any theme.
Players pre-order your design. It's made only if it gets 85 pre-orders in 30 days.
No redesigns. All Ideas items are Legendary.
Designers earn 10% of the Gold the item makes, plus a copy.
You can enter the same single-item design in both. Highrise makes whichever succeeds first.
How do I get started?
Concepts: see What are Highrise Concepts and how do I enter?
Ideas: see How do I submit a design to Highrise Ideas?
Learn the Highrise art style with the art guides on the Creator Portal.
Can I design a full collection like the partner brands in the shop?
There's no open application for full collections or brand partnerships. Concepts and Ideas are the ways to get your work made. Highrise staff sometimes invite designers directly or share design opportunities on official Highrise social channels and Discord.
Can I earn real money from my designs?
Yes, through Earned Gold. Concept winners and Ideas designers are paid in Earned Gold, which you can cash out through the Creator Exchange if you meet the requirements. See What is Earned Gold and how do I cash it out?
Can I promote my designs?
Yes. Share your Ideas and Concept entries on social media and in the Highrise feed. Giveaways and raffles to promote an Idea are allowed. For Concepts, offering Gold or other rewards in exchange for votes isn't allowed and can get your entry disqualified.
Who owns the item once it's made?
Items made from your design are released as Highrise items, and your submission is covered by the Highrise Terms of Service. Read them before you submit if you have questions about how your artwork can be used.