As some of you may know, STAY VOCAL ran a ReUse! Slogan Design contest in Oct. 2010. Participants entered their designs, featuring our slogan, “ReUse! Because You Can’t Recycle The Planet.” The winning design would be featured on assortment of STAY VOCAL products, and the designer would receive $250 in cash and a feature here on our website. (Wow!)
While the submissions were all creative and fun, one in particular won the voters’ affection. Our first place winner was Emile Goss, with his original design: “Slogan Stencil.” A native New Yorker, 18-year-old Emile has been honing his skills as a graphic designer for over five years.
In addition to winning the contest, we wanted to spotlight Emile’s talent outside of his stencil design. In fact, every time you visit STAY VOCAL’s website, you’re staring right at an example of his work. That’s right – Emile also designed and coded the website, but it wasn’t his first introduction to STAY VOCAL. He met Alex in 2008 at Warped Tour in New York, while Alex was touring with The A.K.A.s. Prior to winning the contest, Emile had worked with STAY VOCAL on a few graphic design pieces. When Alex decided to redesign the website, he approached Emile, who eagerly accepted the opportunity to showcase his talent.
When I was introduced to Emile’s work, I was surprised to hear that he is 18 years old and already extremely talented at graphic and web design. “I’ve been involved in web design since I was 13, and graphic design some time after that,” said Emile, “Although I’ve always been very creative and interested in art.”
Emile’s website, killbot.org, catalogs some of his previous work. His design work includes band websites, like Violet Hour, as well as companies like Sanctuary Massage. In fact, Sanctuary Massage loved the STAY VOCAL website Emile designed so much, they contacted him to re-design theirs. His favorite piece of work is a website he designed for Sakes Alive!!, a punk band from New York. Ironically, Emile was introduced to their music through the STAY VOCAL website a few years ago.
When Emile heard of the ReUse Slogan Design contest, he was eager to participate. “I just like being creative, so the contest was a perfect opportunity to have some fun and make something nice,” Emile said. His winning design incorporates the planet into the STAY VOCAL’s four-arrow logo and proudly boasts our slogan: “REUSE! Because You Can’t Recycle the Planet.”
Below is Emile’s winning “Slogan Stencil” design from the contest. T-Shirts and canvas bags featuring Emile’s design are now available for pre-order. And there will surely be more items to come. Not only is his design awesome enough to wear proudly, but it also promotes ReUse and respect for the planet. Who wouldn’t want to do that?
Emile plans to attend college and pursue a career in graphic design. He is passionate about learning and music, though he believes it sounds cliché. Here at STAY VOCAL we are thankful for his ongoing support and are eager to see where his tremendous talent takes him.
