Winner of Design A Tote Competition 2022

Design a Tote is an annual competition hosted by the Campus Store, initiated as "Design a Tee" in 2016. Originally focused on creating limited edition t-shirt designs, the competition transitioned to designing tote bags, offering students a true blank canvas for their creativity. Open to all current University of Auckland students, this competition provides an opportunity for students to showcase their design skills and have their creations featured on merchandise available both in-store and online. When I sat down to brainstorm my design, I was drawn to geometric shapes. They're like the chameleons of the art world – open to interpretation and full of possibilities.

My time at university was filled with memorable moments – from late-night pizza sessions to bonding over tough times with friends.

In my design, I wanted to capture that essence. Therefore, the paper-plane-like figure with three triangles stacked on top represents our dreams and adventures, including those late-night pizza runs. The circle surrounded by contrasting shapes reflects life's different perspectives, while the water-like lines and beer bottle silhouette evoke the buzzing nightlife of university.

And there's more! I added a pendant to the Spiral - Koru design to symbolise personal growth, positivity, and fresh starts.

For more on the Design a Tote competition, check out the Yearbook 2022 page here: https://yearbook2022.auckland.ac.nz/events/design-a-tote/