The Legacy of Creativity and School Spirit: A Look at the ASUCLA T-Shirt Design Contest

UCLA's vibrant campus life extends beyond academics, offering a rich tapestry of student organizations and traditions. Among these is the annual ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest, a platform where students can showcase their artistic talent and express their Bruin pride. This contest has evolved into a beloved tradition, leaving an indelible mark on the university's culture.

A Canvas for Student Expression

The ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest serves as a unique avenue for students to imprint their creativity onto the UCLA landscape. It is a celebration of school spirit, inviting students to translate their affection for the university into wearable art. The contest empowers students to contribute to the visual identity of UCLA, fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience.

A Tradition of Iconic Designs

Over the years, the ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest has introduced 11 iconic student-made designs inspired by UCLA, as well as a face mask in 2020. These designs have captured the essence of UCLA, reflecting its traditions, values, and spirit. From depictions of beloved campus landmarks to imaginative representations of Bruin pride, the winning designs become symbols of the UCLA experience. Last year’s winning design depicted UCLA’s favorite icon: Bruin bears blowing bubbles, created by then-fourth-year computer science student Scott Park.

The Contest: A Platform for Emerging Talent

The annual contest has become a tradition for Bruins to leave their mark on campus. Students interested in participating in the 13th annual ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest have until Oct. 31 to submit their designs through this link. The campus community will then be able to enjoy all student-made artwork in a showcase in early November, with voting set to go live in December. The winning design will be announced in January 2026. The contest provides a platform for aspiring artists and designers to gain recognition for their talent. It offers an opportunity to showcase their work to a wide audience, including fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The contest can serve as a stepping stone for students pursuing careers in art, design, or related fields, providing valuable exposure and experience.

ASUCLA: A Hub of Student Life

Founded in 1919, Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) is a nonprofit association that drives vitally essential student services and activities throughout the UCLA campus. ASUCLA plays a central role in fostering a vibrant campus community. It supports a wide range of student organizations, events, and services, enriching the overall UCLA experience. The ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest is just one example of its commitment to promoting student creativity and school spirit.

More Than Just T-Shirts: A Celebration of UCLA Spirit

The ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of UCLA spirit and student creativity. It brings together students from diverse backgrounds to share their artistic talents and express their love for the university. The contest fosters a sense of community and pride, creating lasting memories for participants and the entire UCLA community.

A Glimpse into UCLA's Diverse Student Life

UCLA's club scene is eclectic and manifold. There are 1,000 clubs. Something for everybody. UCLA offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities, catering to a wide array of interests and passions. From academic and professional organizations to sports clubs and cultural groups, UCLA provides students with ample opportunities to explore their interests, develop their skills, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Opportunities for All Interests

Sure, you can get physical, with dragon boat racing or frisbee competition, or even Quidditch. But there are plenty of nonathletic groups dedicated to everything from science fiction and fantasy to tango. Students can indulge their passion for fashion in UCLA’s first and only fashion club, FAST (Fashion and Student Trends), founded in 2001. In addition to aspiring designers and models, FAST welcomes students who want to explore their personal creativity, culture and fashion sense. Throughout the year, members get their fashionable feet wet through career-building events, workshops, photo shoots and networking nights. And the topper? Every spring, the club holds the annual FAST Fashion Show, an industry-level runway extravaganza at Pauley Pavilion that showcases the work of student designers before an audience of more than 700 that includes industry professionals.

Historical Ballroom Dance Club

Not many clubs can brag of a 500-year history, but that’s exactly what makes the Historical Ballroom Dance Club (HBDC) unique. While the club itself isn’t that old - it was begun in 1997 - it offers members the chance to learn dances that were popular from the 15th through the mid-20th century. HBDC’s instructors teach dances (including some you’ve probably never heard of) from the following eras: Renaissance, Baroque, American Revolution, Civil War, ragtime and WWI. Want to learn the minuet, the branle, the galliard, the waltz, the tango or the mazurka? No problem! Dancers of all skill levels are welcome, and every event includes a free dance lesson. Members can show off what they’ve learned at any of several Saturday night events at the club’s two venues - Kerckhoff Hall Grand Salon and Ackerman Grand Ballroom. To add to the authenticity of the time periods, HBDC invites guest dancers, teachers, speakers, deejays and bands to perform at the events. (Past speakers have included radio host/historian Dr. Demento - aka Barry Hansen M.A. All HBDC events are free and open to students, faculty, staff and alumni, although donations are welcome and annual memberships are available for purchase. So what are you waiting for?

Cubing Club

Cubing. It’s what you do when you multiply a number by its square. Club members practice on variations of the original, too, or under special conditions - think larger cubes or solving cubes blindfolded.

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Black Bruin Resource Center

On Sept. 27, after months of planning, the long-awaited ribbon cutting for UCLA’s Black Bruin Resource Center was threatened by an uncharacteristic Westwood morning drizzle. Not to be denied this history-making moment, the leaders of the center and planners of the event did what they have always done - they persevered and found a solution. Songs that encapsulated the spirit of the day blared from speakers in each corner of the ballroom. “Seeing how many people showed up today to a two-hour program gives me so much excitement and hope for what the center is going to be like,” said Amanda Finzi-Smith, interim program director of the Black Bruin Resource Center, or BBRC. “I hope this is the trend: We’re happy, excited, we love each other, come into the center and hang out. That’s what I hope is going to happen the rest of the week. The center’s mission is to provide a space for Black students to find and create community by providing a fun social space and academic support, and fostering mental health and wellness. “The creation of this center has been a truly collaborative effort, and I am deeply grateful to all of the students and staff who worked so hard to turn the idea into a reality,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said. The grand opening was the first activity to kick off UCLA’s All Black Everything Week. “There’s no substitute for community-building. Having a physical location to initiate that in this way is an important new beginning for UCLA,” Spain Bradley said. “Inclusion is a journey, not a destination. It’s people coming together in communities - and the Black Bruin Resource Center represents one of our communities - that they identify with, in a space of their own and also engaging in outreach with other communities. “Our freshman year, we were virtual, and although there was support for us, it wasn’t as strong as I needed it to be,” said Belinda Davenport, a sophomore studying philosophy. “Knowing that there is a resource center, I’m glad we’ll be able to see other Black faces, and say ‘I’m feeling this way. “Around here, it’s hard to find Black professionals in my field of psychology,” Yeboah said. Near the afternoon’s end, a group of speakers including Finzi-Smith and past and present Black student leaders made their way to the stage. “Run your leg of the race as hard as you can, but then you have to pass that on,” said Davis, now a second-year doctoral student. “Play the long game. Don’t rush. Pemberton spoke about the center’s goals. “It’s a place where Black students can feel seen and heard and have an impact on campus they can be proud of. The BBRC will serve as facilitators of connection. We will team up with other powerful organizations.” He went on to name groups like the Black Law Students Association, UCLA Anderson Black Business Students Association and the UCLA Ralph J. “You belong here, you deserve to be here and you are more than capable of graduating. “When you walk past this resource center, know that this is a reflection of the empowerment that we as Black Bruins possess. We look forward to working with Chancellor Block, Vice Chancellor Gorden and others to make sure that the Black resource center thrives. The spirit of the historic day was summed up by one student walking out of the ballroom and speaking to a friend after lunch.

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