When Melinda Nguyen spotted an Instagram post from one of her professors about a design competition for the district-wide Pride shirt, she didn't hesitate. The second-year graphic design student at San Diego City College reached out to her professor, followed up on the opportunity, and got to work.
The theme was "Pride Shines On," and Nguyen approached it the way any strong designer would: with research, structure, and intention. She began with a Zoom meeting with the Pride planning committee, asking questions to better understand what the theme meant to them. From there, she built a mind map, identifying key visual concepts tied to the theme, such as light sources, flames, rainbows, and symbols like the infinity sign and heart. She then moved into sketches, exploring combinations of imagery and messaging before narrowing down to a final refined design.
"Good design is really important to communicate information to people," Nguyen said, noting that accessibility on the web is part of what drew her to the field in the first place.
The news of her selection came by email from Student Outreach Dean Luke Menchaca, who invited her to come in and learn she had won.
"It was such a very unbelievable experience at first," she said.
Nguyen, a Mira Mesa High School graduate, chose City College for its graphic design program and faculty. She credits professors Bradford Prairie, Sean Bacon, Ami Ipapo-Glass, and Mike Green for their guidance throughout her time in the program.
In addition to her coursework, Nguyen uses financial aid services, the Promise Program, and DSPS, resources she says have supported her success as a student.
Looking ahead, Nguyen is still exploring her niche but has her sights on web design and product design. She plans to explore agency work after completing her major and is considering motion design as another potential direction.
The districtwide Pride shirt featuring her design is currently in production.
About San Diego City College
Established in 1914, San Diego City College serves as the educational cornerstone of downtown San Diego. A 60-acre urban campus, City College serves nearly 14,000 students, offering 165 degrees and certificates and more than 1,000 classes. City College is part of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), the second-largest of California's 73 community college districts and the sixth largest in the nation. For more information, www.sdcity.edu.