This page is specifically for the GSS team’s internal voting. The 1st prize winner, chosen by our jury (you, the GSS team!), will win a $100 gift card and have their design featured on GSS swag
Voting closes at the end of June 30.
For many graduate students, graduate school life can feel daunting, infinitely challenging; however, in the end, it is comprised of many elements, including the GSS support. The shape roughly follows UBC Vancouver's shape and keeps the teal colour used in the GSS logo; it also retains from the logo a certain sense of recursion. The design then includes three arabesques that represent growth, while the segmentation suggests the possibility of viewing small units within a larger or longer trajectory; in our case, academic journey. The tail or end of the design evokes the idea of student and perspective diversity with the scales, while simultaneously adding a certain aquatic motif to the whole design, which I believe makes it more attractive and attuned to the teal colouring.
Although we're all in different ~schools~ of thought, all grad students can relate to the idea that we've gotta ~just keep swimming~. Much like the orca whales which call the seas around Vancouver home, we're stronger together, as a ~pod~.
Here, I aimed to show a graduate student’s journey throughout their education. Our path always leads us upward. Sometimes it is steep and challenging, other times it is smoother with gentle climbs. Along the way, the Graduate Student Society (GSS) empowers us to grow stronger while fostering a sense of belonging, respect, and community. During my own journey, I have become familiar with the true meaning of equity, diversity, and inclusion. That is why I placed EDI symbols at the mountain peaks, they represent the values I continue to embrace and learn.
This design brings together a group of animal characters, each representing a different area (or multiple areas)of graduate study: archeology/engineering, science, tech/student writing their thesis, literature/music/philosophy, astronomy/physics, and statistics (which is in almost all areas of study).
The idea was to show the diversity of studies among the GSS. Each animal has a unique personality and tool, coming from different continents (including Antarctica!), but they all stand together, symbolizing community, collaboration, and shared experience. It’s meant to feel inclusive, a little playful, cute, and something most students could see themselves in. Whether you’re in the lab, reading papers, or typing up your manuscript at 2 a.m., we’re all part of a shared journey to understanding the world around us.
My design incorporates the current Graduate Student Society logo and emphasizes the Graduate Student Society’s role in representing the graduate student body at UBC. It features the iconic UBC skyline and includes a western redcedar, the provincial tree of British Columbia and a culturally significant tree for BC's First Nations. Most importantly, my design highlights two proud graduate students, celebrating their achievements and the spirit of academic endeavour and success.
I went for a youthful kind of design for this! I think as a graduate student, you can feel like your youth is behind you, and you've entered adulthood. But by incorporating the curvy lines and the little sparkles, it feels a bit whimsical and is a good reminder that we're not so far away from our young selves.
The idea is about unity, commitment, togetherness and positivity. It also subtly defies divisive tendencies of political leanings that threaten our society currently. The expression "a hundred percent" is quite wide spread in its meaning of total agreement, and within an academic context it illudes to a perfect grade.
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>> Please view another option here
My goal is to create a character that embodies the spirit of the Graduate Student Society (GSS). I chose a cheerful, walking brain to represent the intelligence, curiosity, and determination that bring us all to grad school. The relaxed pose and friendly smile reflect the balance we strive for—working hard, but staying grounded and connected.
Around the brain are hearts, stars, and peace symbols, representing the diversity, hope, and shared values that shape our student community.
The tagline, “Every mind matters and every mind belongs,” captures the essence of what GSS stands for: an inclusive, welcoming space where all identities, disciplines, and perspectives are respected and celebrated.
>> Please view design concept and mockup at here
UBC is like a great tree—its roots are diversity and inclusiveness, which nourish the growth of vibrant green leaves: open-minded students who care deeply about the world around us.
This design features a constellation formed by diverse, interconnected symbols — a pen, a candle, an open book, and interlocked hands — each representing a key part of the graduate journey: research, wellness, knowledge, and solidarity. Inspired by the GSS’s mission to support, advocate, and connect graduate students, the line-art style offers clarity and adaptability for stickers and tote bags. The constellation motif symbolizes both individuality and collective strength, echoing the star-like impact of each student. It’s designed to resonate across disciplines, cultures, and identities, reminding us that we thrive not alone, but together.
My design is inspired by the simplicity and beauty found in nature, something we often take for granted. Yet it is important to show our gratitude as nature gives us the strength to keep us together and blossom in life.
The design shows a half-blooming flower, signifying full of potential. In place of a disc of the flower, the GSS logo is placed, symbolizing the GSS being the central embodiment of the graduate student’s achieving full potential. The GSS logo itself has further significance as the 2-dimensional G also represents the graduation hat, symbolizing academic excellence, while the two Ss with leaves remind us of our shared responsibility and sustainability in the current climate crisis context.
The six petals represent the core values of the GSS: excellence, integrity, respect, collaboration, continuity, and empathy. The connected petals show the unity in inclusivity, while the differently positioned, similar-looking petals represent equity through diversity. The oxymoron lies in how we are the same from within, yet different from outside!
The color symbolism adds further meaning to the design as the blue color represents the beautiful beaches surrounding UBC Vancouver, as well as the harmony and peace. The white color symbolizes purity, innocence, and a new beginning of life.
>> Please view mockup at here
This concept, titled Faceless, Fearless, Found, speaks to the anxiety of being in a new environment. It uses a comic book style to convey the journey of how a new student navigates fitting into a new environment. The concentric lines that form the protagonist symbolise the anxiety as well as the unique personality the person brings to the society. As the story unfolds, the protagonist becomes fearless, takes a bold step to participate in a GSS event, and is welcomed into a diverse community. This is represented by a change of colour, similar to the GSS logo. The Ladner clock tower, found in the middle of the page, represents the institutional vastness, a shared landmark, and time to take that bold step into finding community with the GSS.
>> Please view mockup at here
This illustration features a refreshing blue-green color scheme that aligns with the theme colors of the Graduate Student Society (GSS). It highlights students from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Even the squirrels which are commonly seen on campus are included, symbolizing their role as part of our daily university life. The students are not only focused on academics but also engaged in the joys of life, such as skiing, just like how GSS organizes various events to support our mental and physical well-being. Iconic UBC buildings like the Clock Tower and the Nest are also depicted, surrounded by forest elements to represent the harmony between nature and the academic environment.
One of my favourite things about UBC is the parallel between the diversity of the environment and the diversity of the students. Much like how UBC is a diverse nature hub with stunning views of mountains, forest, and ocean, our students are also a diverse hub of culture and connection. I chose to use this metaphor in my design, to subtly recognize UBC’s natural diversity and societal diversity, as together this is what truly creates UBC’s beauty. I also wanted to recognize that we are on traditional unceded territory of the Musqueam First Nations, so I incorporated their traditional art style into my design.
Finally, Each and every member of UBC is a part of its story, and I wanted this design to capture that essence. Therefore, with the theme of individual stories and the academic journey, I felt as though a book would complete the design. No matter who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we will go from here, UBC will always be a part of our story.
To count a successful vote, after selecting your top 5 choices, please fill out your name and GSS position.
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