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The UTD Bookstore Debuts New Student-Designed Shirt for Hispanic Heritage Month

Vanessa Alvarez modeling her new Hispanic Heritage Month t-shirt in front of one of the reflecting pools on the UTD campus.

Vanessa Alvarez models her new Hispanic Heritage Month
t-shirt design.

The UTD Bookstore commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month every year with a brand new t-shirt design. We are excited to reveal that this year’s t-shirt is designed by Vanessa Alvarez, a UT Dallas senior majoring in Computer Science. Her design is now available at the UTD Bookstore or online.

Learn more about Vanessa and her artistic process:

Tanya Trisna: Where are you from?

Vanessa Alvarez: I was born and raised here in the DFW area, but I am of Mexican heritage. Both of my parents are from there.

TT: What is your inspiration behind the shirt?

VA: I wanted to find something neutral for the design and to depict something with movement (so the design isn’t too still). I was drawn to a quetzal due to how colorful and striking of a bird it was, and while it’s still more tied to Central America, the bird exists in several cultures.

I had wanted to depict something that wasn’t directly tied to my own heritage as I feel like people tend to see Hispanic Heritage Month more as Mexican Heritage Month instead of what it broadly represents.

Vanessa Alvarez stands in a store in front of a rack of clothes where one of her t-shirts is on display.

Vanessa Alvarez in front of a display featuring her new design.

TT: How did you begin drawing?

VA: Technically, I’ve been drawing since I was a young child, but I didn’t really start trying to learn until I was in high school. I grew up not being very good at it, despite enjoying it immensely. I think the discouragement led to me stopping altogether during middle school. I’m not exactly sure what triggered my desire to draw again, but I just started doodling again and remembered my childhood love for it.

TT: How did you create this design?

VA: I drew the initial design on a free software on my phone. I started with a circle to center everything and free-handed the bird from there. Again, I curved the bird to depict some level of movement. Everything else from there was an attempt to balance the design.

 

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