Three winning designs have been chosen in the NIU School of Art and Design’s Huskies Vote poster design contest. The project was an effort for students to create designs that would encourage others on campus to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.
The winning designs were printed and posted around campus. The artists received a $200 award from the NIU Foundation.
Jessica Labatte, director of the NIU School of Art and Design said, “Voting isn’t just a right, it’s a responsibility. Young people hold the power to to shape the future by making their voices heard at the ballot box. Artists, with their unique ability to inspire change through powerful imagery, can ignite passion and mobilize their communities.”
Winning Designs
Bridget Kearbey
Theatre – Design Technology major
Aurora, Illinois
The design is inspired by retro voting posters with a modern take.
It’s important for everyone to vote. Things can not change if you don’t fight to change it. You have the power to change the world.
Emily Koeppen Tischer
Illustration major
Genoa, Illinois
I, and most of my generation are obsessed with Chappell Roan right now. I used her famous song “Hot to Go” as inspiration for a fast-food style voting poster. Along with trying to harken back the feeling and texture of retro poster design.
We need to get rid of the idea that an individual vote doesn’t matter. For many Huskies, this will be their first year voting in a major election. Their first time voting needs to be the first of many future times at the ballot box. Change comes from a collection of many individuals with a goal, a want and a hope in mind. So it’s important that if someone wants change, they need to make their voice heard and vote!
Ava Fiandaca
Art and Design Education graduate student
St. Charles, Illinois
I really wanted my design to be different, fun, and to catch people’s attention. By thinking beyond the typical patriotic color scheme, I wanted to combine bold colors with a playful, Gen Z vibe. I used images of newspaper clippings, tape, and fun stickers to give an organic collage aesthetic, so I really love how it turned out!
As the poster says, if you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice in our democratic system! Voting is an opportunity for you to influence decisions that affect you and your community.
Judges’ comments on the winning designs included:
“I love seeing the different creative approaches these artists took when making their designs,” said Amy Fleming, NIU photography instructor. “The bright, bold colors and the references to pop culture are a great way to connect with students and encourage them to vote!”
Maria Grillo, assistant professor of visual communications said, “It was great to see such enthusiasm and conceptual range around such an important idea as voting.”
Labatte said that the contest was inspired by groups like Art For Change, which partners with non-profits to sell art, and People For The American Way, an advocacy organization that launched the Artists for Democracy campaign. That initiative co-chaired by renowned photographer Carrie Mae Weems and artist Shepard Fairey (famous for his iconic “Hope” poster of Barack Obama) has stated aims to inspire voters as the November election nears.
“Artists remain hopeful their work can motivate others to get to the polls,” Labatte said. “Every vote counts, and participation lays the groundwork for the world you want to see tomorrow.”
