Students design for Grand Prix

Five design students at Cal State Long Beach have had their work chosen to be the official shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and posters for the 1995 Grand Prix of Long Beach.

A design contest, sponsored by the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, was held among eight visual communications students in the Graphics Design Workshop at Cal State Long Beach.

The contest winners were awarded cash prizes and will have their accomplishments publicized by the Grand Prix Association.

The first-place winner was James Park who received $500. His design was used for sweatshirts and jackets. Hiro Niwa was awarded $400 for his poster design. Shawn Kaneko, Pil Ho Le, and Norman Ying were given $350 each as runners-up. Their designs are being used for various T-shirts. The Grand Prix Association also made a $200 contribution to the workshop.

The contest got revved up when merchandising manager Michele Pook and art director Dave Gunter of the Grand Prix Association wanted to start a classroom competition to design new graphics for the upcoming Long Beach Grand Prix.

Pook and Gunter contacted the College of the Arts at CSULB and were put in touch with Professor Tom Hall, who set up the student workshop.

"CSULB has been a tremendous asset to the Grand Prix," President and Chairman of the Board of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Chris Pook said. "We are pleased to have utilized the talents of students in the graphic design workshop. I hope that the Grand Prix has provided a viable outlet for these students to showcase their talents while forwarding their careers goals and ambitions."

"When I was approached with the idea, I thought it sounded like a good project," Hall said. "The students were excited to be a part of this contest. And I knew they would do well."

The contest was took place from mid-November to the beginning of December. The students were given free reign to create whatever they wanted, as long as it fit the basic theme of this year's Grand Prix. This year's theme was a 200 mph beach party.

Gunter said he hopes to make this association with CSULB an annual event.

"The students are very enthusiastic, cooperative and professional," he said. "We eagerly look forward to working with them again in future years."