Communication arts student wins 2024 Friends design contest
Tess Versprille is the winner of the fifth annual Friends of VCU Libraries Design Contest, which accepted submissions from current students and recent alumni. Versprille, a rising sophomore communication arts major, received a $500 prize. The design will be used on T-shirts sold to support VCU Libraries.
“This artwork beautifully illustrates how engaging with the library can ignite the imagination, fostering expansive and creative thinking”, said Carla-Mae Crookendale, arts librarian who served on the judging committee.
In keeping with the recent opening of the new Reflection Room, the 2024 prompt was “VCU Libraries: Reflection.” “My inspiration for the prompt was a phrase that my family likes to quote frequently: “Grow where you are planted”. I felt like that resonated with the theme [of reflection]”, said Versprille.
While graduation is still a little way off for this rising sophomore, Versprille said she would like to work in the entertainment industry post-graduation and is interested in concept art. This is also not the first graphic design contest that Versprille has won. During her senior year of high school, she won her governor’s school’s T-shirt design contest.
Versprille’s winning design may also be used for other VCU Libraries materials such as thank-you cards, tote bags and a Cabell Screen exhibit. The artist retains copyright.
Categories Alumni, Awards and Honors, Friends of VCU Libraries, Students