Nov. 1 — Fernanda Amagasaki, F22, is the winner of this year’s HampStore Student Design Contest with their design, pictured at right, the HampStore announced on October 23.
Amagasaki is a second-year Division II student studying visual arts, psychology, and cultural studies, focusing on Japanese-Brazilian diaspora.
The design was inspired by a ‘lucky frog’ pendant from Amagasaki’s home town in Brazil, they told Leapfrog. The pendant is a Muiraquitã: a frog or other small animal carved out of stone or wood with significance in Brazilian folklore.
The sun and moon are “go-to doodles” of Amagasaki’s, prompted by the professor of their printmaking class at Amherst College, who encouraged them to simply make something rather than waiting for inspiration.
The stars are intended to be the constellation Cassiopeia, although Amagasaki concedes it was based on a quick Google search.
This design is Amagasaki’s second contest win in a row, both only taking a few hours on Procreate in their mod living room. When asked about their winning streak, they said they’re “happy to see [the designs] around now,” but also feel surprised when they see them, characterizing it as a “’Oh, you’re right, I did do that’ moment.”
They attribute their success in the contest to “the braincell [popping] off.”
The design will be available on merchandise in the HampStore this month.
REVIEWED BY: Malfoy Kimmel, Kenzie Doherty, Jonah Fliegelman
