SLC Student Designed Pride T-Shirt to Highlight 2SLGBTQ+ Students

Submitted by Krista Stephenson, Pride Committee Member

Each year, the Pride Committee holds a contest to choose the t-shirt design for SLC community members to wear at the Pride parades in Cornwall, Brockville, and Kingston. Members of the Pride Committee vote on their favourite design.

This year, the winning Pride logo was created by Elli Nguyen, a UX Design student graduating this spring. “I was surprised when I found out I won,” Elli shared. “I didn’t expect it at all.”

Elli worked hard on the logo during a busy time for SLC students. From ideation to creation, she spent over 6 hours of her weekend working on the design while finishing final presentations and projects for her program. 

Elli was committed to “capturing the SLC vibe” in her design, ensuring she included a play on the official SLC logo, students, and the SLC mascot, Storm. “I initially only drew 6 characters, but I felt that something was still missing that really represented the SLC identity,” she shared. “That’s when I decided to add Storm,” a last-minute addition that ensures the design stands out as SLC.

Elli wanted the focus of the design to be SLC students, and she wanted to show them existing as individuals expressing a variety of interests and identities. “I think a lot of Pride month content often focuses on couples,” she said. “But not everyone who is queer is in a relationship.”

She also wanted to highlight students doing everyday activities, showing their pride in subtle ways. “Anyone can be a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community – the guy riding by on his bike or the girl working on her laptop. Sometimes, people don’t say if they’re queer, but you can recognize them by a sticker on their laptop or a keychain on their backpack.”

Elli worked as a graphic designer in Vietnam for 7 years before moving to Canada to continue her education. She graduated from SLC’s UX Design program this spring and is now moving to Ottawa to study Interactive Media Management. She hopes to continue working as a graphic designer. “That’s the only thing I regret! I have so many ideas for illustrations and not enough time to make them all.”

All SLC staff, faculty, and students who participate in the Pride Parades will receive a t-shirt with Elli’s design. Join us in Brockville on June 7, Kingston in June 14, and Cornwall on July 19. Register for the parades here:

• Brockville, June 7
• Kingston, June 14
• Cornwall, July 19