SkillsUSA T-Shirt Design
Gold Medal Champion of a Statewide Competition
In 2023, I won the SkillsUSA T-shirt Design Competition of Vermont, an honor that led to my invitation to represent the state in the national competition. My design was proudly worn by all the gold medalists from Vermont across various SkillsUSA categories at the national level, symbolizing our state's achievement and unity. This experience showcased my ability to create visually compelling designs that resonate on both a local and national scale.
The Brief
Since this project was a submission to a competition, there were a few strict rules that my design needed to adhere to:
5 spot colors to be screen printed
Representative of the state of Vermont
Incorporate “SkillsUSA” and “Vermont” in letterform
The Winning Design will be printed on 200+ shirts to be worn by gold medalists from each category when representing Vermont at the National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Brainstorming Ideas
To represent Vermont in my design, I focused on incorporating iconic imagery that captures the state’s identity. I chose a covered bridge as the central "frame" for the design, leaning into Vermont’s rustic charm and beloved bridges. Within this frame, I included the hermit thrush, Vermont’s state bird, and the red clover, the state flower, to further emphasize Vermont's natural beauty and heritage.
The Sketch
I created a line sketch that incorporated all the elements into a balanced composition. I left intentional negative space within the design to make room for the text, which I crafted in a handwritten, expressive bold font. This approach allowed the text to flow naturally within the imagery, creating a cohesive and dynamic design that felt both personal and bold.
Adding COlor
I then added color, adhering to the 5-spot color rule, which allowed for a limited yet impactful palette. I chose various shades of green to represent Vermont’s lush landscape, paired with a reddish-purple for the clovers to highlight the state flower. To add contrast and elegance, I incorporated golden linework throughout the design, enhancing the details and giving the composition a polished, vibrant finish.
The COmpetition
For the competition, I traveled to the conference center where I had the opportunity to present my design to a panel of judges. During the presentation, I explained and defended my design choices, detailing how each element— from the covered bridge to the color palette— was carefully selected to represent Vermont’s identity. This allowed me to articulate my creative process and the thought behind each decision, further refining my communication skills and design rationale.
Final Takeaways
A few weeks later, I was honored to be declared the gold medalist for Vermont (the first ever from my Technical Education Center) with my design printed on hundreds of shirts worn by other finalists at the national convention. I was also invited to represent Vermont in t-shirt design at the national competition, an incredible opportunity. Competing in this exciting event gave me valuable takeaways, including the importance of effective communication, the ability to defend design choices with confidence, and the satisfaction of seeing my work make an impact on such a wide scale.