![[Internal Voting] GSS Swag Design Contest 2026](https://gss.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/swag-contest-webpage.png)
GSS Swag Design Winners Spotlight
First Place Winner - Stella Wong
Stella Wong
Hi, I’m Stella, an international student from Hong Kong. Studying at UBC has been an inspiring experience, allowing me to explore diverse cultures and connect with nature. I also met many kind and thoughtful people here. These experiences inspired me to put the elements in my design.I’ve loved doodling since I was a kid, especially drawing cartoon portraits for friends. This is my first time joining a design contest so I’m really thankful for your support! If you see me around campus, feel free to say hi and I might draw a portrait for you!
Behind the Design: Stella Wong’s Concept
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.
People’s Choice Award - Linda Chen
Behind the Design: Linda Chen’s Concept
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.
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 26.
Cast Your Vote!
Raj Parekh
I wanted to encapsulate the feeling of being a graduate student - the fun, curiosity, chaos, and love for free food - in a single design. There are references to UBC staples, such as Blue Chip and Vancouver rain. I made it relatable and funny with mentions of caffeine addiction and imposter syndrome - feelings universal to every graduate student. The QR code leads to the GSS website, signifying that there are always supports and resources available for students who need them.
Stephanie Broder
I wanted to reference the natural landscape of UBC as the front focus of the design, so went with silhouetted trees. I also wanted to include a reference to Vancouver- crows were a natural choice, and the posture of this one represents the Vancouver legend, Canuck the Crow. For the three figures, I wanted each one to represent an aspect of graduate student life. From left to right, they represent: writing, researching, and studying.
Parsa Rajabi
The Graduate Commons Knot is a monochrome linework design that represents graduate students arriving from many paths and forming one shared community. Its interwoven circular shape reflects connection across disciplines, cultures, and identities, while the open center suggests student voice, advocacy, and dialogue. A subtle roofline references the GSS as a home for support, services, and belonging. The continuous line avoids clichés like caps or shields, keeping the design modern and inclusive. Because it uses bold single-colour strokes, it can scale cleanly across T-shirts, totes, stickers, notebooks, mugs, and other swag items without losing clarity in print or embroidery applications.
Susan Du
This design shows the diverse and vibrant academic environment of UBC. The large UBC letters are filled with campus scenes and symbols. These details reflect both the daily experiences of students and the overall spirit of learning. With a playful visual style, the design highlights UBC as a place where nature, community, creativity, and academic life come together.
Rosalyn Carr
My design captures a variety of aspects and key features of UBC. The Beaty Biodiversity Museum Whale Skeleton, the Clock Tower, the Rose Garden, and the Reconciliation Pole. Alongside these are various smaller symbols; the maple leaf, the cherry blossom, a book, a beaker, and other small symbols familiar to students. All of these come together as familiar and memorable emblems of UBC.
Please Note: One of the student designs has been removed due to image resolution limitations that would impact print quality on swag items. We greatly appreciate the time, creativity, and effort that went into all of the submissions, and thank each applicant for sharing their thoughtful designs.
To count a successful vote, after selecting your top 1 choice, please fill out your name and GSS position.
