National Park College (NPC) student Clayton White took top honors in the third annual Earth Day T-shirt design contest. His winning design was featured on shirts that were available for attendees to tie-dye during last month’s Earth Day celebration.
White, who is pursuing a digital media arts degree, drew inspiration from the earth itself for his design. “I wanted people to see the design and think about nature as a whole—what Earth Day really represents,” he explained.
Beyond just a design, White hoped his work would spark reflection on everyday choices. “I wanted people to think about small things they do every day that could affect the earth. Think about habits we get into that we don't think about and how we could change them to impact our environment more positively,” he said.
Despite facing challenges during the project, White found support from Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Arts & Humanities, Jennifer Seward. “Whenever I found myself in a tough spot on this project, I always asked Mrs. Seward. She had some suggestions for the design that made it look a lot better,” he noted.
Seward praised White’s progress in the program. “Clayton is relatively new to graphic design, so it has been wonderful to see how much he has learned and how far he has come in the past year.”
White says the supportive atmosphere at NPC has played a big role in his development as a designer. “The faculty always encourage us to ask questions and seek help when we need it. I feel they really want everyone to succeed. They've made me more comfortable and confident and also critiqued my work in a positive, constructive way that only helps me get better,” he said.
Reflecting on what he's learned, White emphasized the importance of visual storytelling. “As designers, it’s our job to spread messages and communicate through art,” he said.
Winning the contest has fueled his passion even more. “It’s definitely exciting—it makes me want to continue trying hard so I can do more things like this in the future,” he said.
For fellow design students, White offered this advice: “Trust yourself. Trust your ideas. Ask for help when you need it, and get feedback from your peers. Don’t be afraid to put your heart into your designs—and be confident in what you create.”