Library Graphic Design Contest Winning Design
During the fall semester, the library hosted an exciting contest to celebrate the creativity and talent of our student graphic designers. We invited students to submit original designs, with the winning graphic featured prominently as the backdrop behind the search box on the library's homepage.
Meet Rowen Daley, winner of the Library Graphic Design Contest
- Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to participate in the contest? My name is Rowen and I am in my 3rd semester of the Game Design program. Before this, I studied at OCAD and received a bachelor of Arts. My background is in visual arts. I was inspired to enter this contest because I had an idea, and I wanted to see what would happen if I ran with it.
- Are you a regular Library user and if so, what service do you use most? I use the library databases for assignments in my program. Because of my previous time at OCAD, I can effectively use the library databases to find articles.
- What was your inspiration for the design you created? In terms of the graphic, I wanted to depict the feeling of being in "one's own world" while reading. It's a common scene - on the bus, in a park, at Mohawk - there's always someone deep into a book, expression neutral but clearly lost in the world of a great story (or a compelling non-fiction read). I tried to show that kind of situation; an everyday person, lost in a world of literature. I wanted to depict this world as full of warmth and "coziness", so I used the official Mohawk College colors as a basis for the palette.
- Can you walk us through your design process? Did you start with sketches or dive straight into digital tools? I work in mainly digitally but grew up with traditional mediums where you make 3 thumbnail sketches , but sometimes it's the first one that sticks.
- What tools or software did you use to create the graphic? I used Procreate on my iPad
- What did you learn from this experience, either about graphic design or about libraries? I was worried that it wouldn't be relatable because of the personal meaning of the design, but everyone got it. My normal artwork is not “necessarily ‘good’ to look at”, I make very hyper-specific art and making something that a bunch of people would like was interesting.
- How does it feel knowing your work will be showcased on the library’s website? I feel good about it and I feel like all artwork completes a task. Illustration is like a problem you solve to be able to complete the service and that was a good feeling.