The end of Fall 2024 the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) hosted a sticker contest. You may have even seen the flyers or digital signage around campus. We had an amazing turnout and so many beautiful and creative designs.
The anonymous images were given to 3 panels of judges: the Special Collection Research Center team, the University Libraries staff and faculty, and the University Libraries student employees. Each panel chose one image that they felt best represents the SCRC.
After some deliberation, we are super pleased to finally announce our three winners! The winning designs will be printed as stickers and given away at events to promote not just Special Collections, but also to showcase the wonderfully talented students at App.
Special Collections Research Center Choice Winner:
Aubrey Cotten! Aubrey is a Graphic Design major at App and loves to create designs for others. Aubrey’s previous work includes t-shirt designs and social media graphics for businesses.
“My sticker prominently features a diverse range of collections housed within the research center, including manuscripts, music, photographs, racing memorabilia, and historical inventions. To encourage students to add to their own collection of school stickers, I incorporated our university’s colors. The checkered graphic in the background represents the racing theme, while the vintage camera symbolizes the historical significance of photography. The stack of books evokes the concept of manuscripts, and the musical notes emphasize the rich musical history of the institution.”
The Library Staff and Faculty Choice Winner:
Bobby Carter! Bobby is a junior in the Studio Art department at App. He has had illustrations published in the student newspaper, The Appalachian. Bobby enjoys skiing and hiking and believes that art is for everyone.
“The Belk Library Special Collections offers an expansive record of Appalachian culture and heritage on Appalachian State’s campus. I greatly enjoyed creating this sticker using the symbols that make our home so special. Hopefully this sticker will inspire more to research and learn more about our beautiful home in the mountains.”
The Library Student Employee winner:
Katie Weekers! Katie’s interest in brand identity is rooted in her desire to infuse the mundane with joy. Katie is committed to constant improvement, whether she’s weightlifting or designing. Her potential for growth as a designer is reflected by her curiosity to learn new techniques.
“This sticker is based off of the material and media stored in the University Libraries Special Collections Research Center. The musical history found in the Helen Lewis Papers of the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection is depicted by Archie Perry on guitar, as well as a record of local bluegrass music. The Stock Car Racing Collection is represented by a traditional Appalachian stock race car. The imagery nods to the rich history stored within the collections, and adds a vibrant energy that draws students and community members in to learn more about what this research center has to offer.”
The goal is to have stickers printed and ready for distribution at on and off-campus events (and maybe occasionally at our desk on the fourth floor) before the end of the summer.
The Special Collections Research Center would like to say thank you to all the entrants. We appreciate the time and effort that went into your work, and we are so grateful you shared your talents with us.
–Submitted by Kari Salisbury, Public Services Assistant
Library Student Employee Sticker Contest Winning Design, by Katie Weekers
One of the Three Contest Winning Design