Summary of Project
I helped design a commemorative t-shirt for the Undergraduate Success Scholars' 10th anniversary at The University of Texas at Dallas. Although the program already had an in-house designer, I was able to create a visually compelling design while focusing on the program's brand values. This piece showcases my design passion and dedication to supporting student-oriented programs on campus.
Step 1: Empathize With Audience
Undergraduate Success Scholars, also abbreviated as USS, is an undergraduate student-focused program at The University of Texas at Dallas. Its mission is to provide formal guided pathways for undergraduate students by addressing their needs while building upon each academic year until graduation. This will help them facilitate academic goal achievements and personal development.
Each year, the USS program assesses the expertise and academic progress of student members to make informed decisions about referrals to campus resources.
Because of its establishment in 2014, the USS director and I discussed the idea of having a USS shirt that commemorates the 10th anniversary of the program, starting the 2024-25 school year.
When we think about an anniversary, they're essential events that happen personally and culturally. For USS' 10th anniversary, it's a cultural celebration that matters to all program members because of its positive impact on undergraduate students at UT Dallas.
Step 2: Define The Goal
It's not a problem, but the USS department wanted different ideas on how the 10th-anniversary shirt can be produced.
To solve this problem, I designed an anniversary-focused shirt by conducting in-depth research on other anniversary shirt designs online. These shirt designs will faithfully commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Undergraduate Success Scholars Program.
Step 3: Ideate The Problem (The Sketch Phase)
After going through different sketches of how the anniversary shirt would look for USS' 10th year, I was able to create two sketches that would be memorable for the USS directors and members.
Front Side of the USS' Anniversary Shirt (Left Side): The steps represent the journey of the undergraduate student throughout their college years. There are five steps that the student takes after each school year, starting with a new classification and continuing to climb until after they graduate from UT Dallas.
Back Side of the USS' Anniversary Shirt (Right Side): The tagline "Create Your Future" is a reference to Abraham Lincoln's quote - "The Best Way To Predict Your Future Is To Create It."
Step 4: Reveal The Designs
Final Design Prototype (USS 10th-Anniversary Design Front Side - Left)
Breaking Down The Design:
Utilizing the green and orange color palette of UT Dallas, the stairs have a light and dark green to indicate some lighting. One of the official fonts from UT Dallas (FF Din Pro) is used in this logo. The five steps start from College Journey Start (Freshman Classification) until the student reaches the Success step (Graduation from UT Dallas).
Final Design Prototype (USS 10th-Anniversary Design Back Side - Right)
Breaking Down The Design:
In commemoration of the USS program's establishment in 2014, "Celebrating 10 Years" is incorporated along with the leaf wreath around it. The "Create Your Future" slogan is placed underneath the main design. Just like the front side, the green and orange color palette is used for the backside to represent UT Dallas' primary color brand identity.
The font, Hello Diary, is a handwritten font with unique curves and a feature font produced with an elegant touch.
Anniversary Color Variations
Merchandise: How Will It Look On T-Shirts (Front & Back Side)
Merchandise: How Will It Look On Hoodies (Front & Back Side)
