I’m not a staff member, so I can’t say for sure why your design was disqualified—but I’m happy to share a few common reasons that might help for next time!
If you received an actual message stating that the design was disqualified (rather than it simply not getting enough votes), there are a few possibilities. Sometimes, designs are removed if they include traced elements, use AI-generated content, or rely on templates from fashion apps. Highrise has pretty strict guidelines requiring all entries to be 100% original work of the artist.
Another possibility could be that the design didn’t fully align with the concept. For example, in the “Giving Pride” theme, items should clearly reflect Pride Month in a way that feels like a celebratory gift—something you’d give to support or uplift someone in the LGBTQ+ community. Color alone may not be enough to convey that message if the overall vibe doesn’t align with the theme.
That said, please don’t be discouraged! EVERYONE has to learn we all have had moments of confusion on where the line is drawn with some guidelines. Just keep creating, keep adjustiny as you learn… The MOST IMPORTANT thing to keep in mind is to make sure your submissions fully reflect the concept and are truly your own work.