These designs are inspired by the values of unity, diversity, and support that CSM stands for. I wanted to visually represent how CSM creates a community where everyone works together and helps one another grow.

The phrase "Justice Starts With Us" is featured in two of the designs. It reflects CSM's commitment to fairness and equality, emphasizing that creating a just and inclusive community starts with each of us.

The design with the hands highlights collaboration and mutual support, symbolizing how justice begins with small actions - extending help and showing respect to others.

The design with the people climbing the mountain focuses on teamwork and overcoming challenges together. It represents how CSM encourages us to rise together, supporting one another on the path to success.

The third design, featuring the Bulldogs and the phrase "One Family," illustrates the sense of belonging and unity that connects everyone in the CSM community, whether students, faculty, or alumni.

These designs reflect the shared values of justice, support, and togetherness that define the spirit of CSM.

Inspired by patterns in Asian and Pacific Islander art, I decided to use motifs that evoke waves, the sun, an open parasol from a bird's eye view, and flowers. I think my design reflects CSM's values of unity, empowerment, and academic excellence since it represents an umbrella term for quite a few cultures sharing the same center, making waves of change, and shining brightly.

P.S. My friend helped me make 30+ different mockups of what this design will look like on different apparel, water bottles, and notebooks in blue, white, and black. Since I could not upload them, I thought I should let you know here. Thanks for your time and consideration.

This artwork was inspired by cultural symbolism, education, and the natural and architectural landmarks of the San Francisco Bay Area. The depiction of the Golden Gate Bridge was to symbolize the college's regional identity and its role in bridging diverse communities and opportunities. The two graduates in caps and gowns represent academic achievement and inclusivity, reflecting the institution's commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds. Surrounding these figures are vibrant floral patterns and greenery that portray traditional Asian and Pacific Islander artistic styles, celebrating the cultural heritage of students served by Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Whereas the intricate motifs on the borders further emphasize pride in cultural identity, with elements like the eye at the center portraying wisdom and enlightenment. Additionally, the boats and wave-like patterns signify migration, journeys, and the maritime heritage significant to many Pacific Islander cultures. Thus, this artwork serves as CSM's values by visually celebrating cultural representation, fostering a sense of belonging for Asian American and Pacific Islander students and educational empowerment, and a reminder of how CSM can honor diversity while inspiring unity and success.

I took traditional Korean dance lessons as a kid, and was always fascinated by the dragon design motifs present in the instruments. Eastern dragons are often viewed as symbols of power and prosperity, and these values connect to CSM and our desire for academic achievement. The colors in the CSM style guide are similar to the colors used in traditional paintings of eastern dragons, and combining that with my own art style and a modern, geometric take on traditional arts, I created this design as a commitment to CSM's celebration of Asian American heritage.

Flourishing Together: AANAPISI at CSM

This design celebrates College of San Mateo's designation as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) by incorporating national flowers from various AANHPI cultures. Each flower represents the strength, heritage, and unity of the communities that CSM supports. The Plum Blossom symbolizes resilience in Chinese culture, while the Hibiscus represents the beauty and vitality of Hawaiian and Pacific Islander traditions. The Sakura, or Cherry Blossom, embodies the fleeting yet profound nature of life in Japanese culture, and the Lotus signifies spiritual growth and enlightenment in India and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. The Sampaguita, or Arabian Jasmine, is a national symbol of purity and strength in the Philippines, while the Padauk represents renewal and strength in Burma. Jasmine, widely recognized in Indonesia, is associated with grace and purity, and the Heilala flower of Tonga signifies celebration and national pride.

HSI: Mariana Lopez: "Soy Yo"

"Soy yo, It's me!" I would say in excitement as I'd recognize an artifact of my culture: a treat, a bird, a coin, or a flag, on one of La Raza or Hispanic/Latinx fair tables at school during many club fairs or culture days. It wasn't always the case that I would come across a particular item on these tables that highlighted a facet of who I am. Unfortunately, it is something that I've heard from others before. Soy Yo is an attempt to provoke the excitement of being seen, illustrating a present and growing diversity in our community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, CSM is forever growing, around a 20% increase in admissions in 2024, reaching someone from every corner of the world who might not have thought it possible to pursue higher education.

Here is a breakdown of the artifacts that are found in this illustration: 2 Honduran lempira, a Puerto Rican Peso, and a loteria card. Strawberry Bon Bons is a candy that originated in France, but has become one of the staple candies we find in our piñatas. Sonho de Valsa is a Brazilian chocolate candie. Picnic is a wafer treat that is produced by Diana, a food distributor that is popular throughout Central and South America. The stickers in this illustration are all depictions of animals that each represent a part of Latinos: the bulldog school mascot, the national bird of Guatemala, the quetzal, the iconic monarch butterfly that represents immigration and migrant justice. lastly, the bison, the First Nation indigenous group of Canada, has a proficiency that states that when the bison return, the people will return and get healthy, they will become strong once again. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the land we stand on, to whom it belongs. I wanted to acknowledge an icon in this piece, Sylvia Mendez, an american activist who with her family fought in Medez vs. Westminister for federal courts to rule that school segregation of hispanic is unconsitutional in 1946.

Soy Yo uses CSM's school colors to bring all these artifacts together. The inspiration of the name comes not only from my experience, but also from its pronunciation that sound similarly to soil. The history that remains and grows with students. A reminder that before the labor, work ethic, or education, we are people first.

HSI: Fiona Mak: "Sembrando Futuro" (Sowing the Future)

This artwork has themes of diversity, equity, cultural identity, and education, which align closely with the mission and values of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The visual elements such as the graduation cap, musical notes, traditional symbols like the sombrero and skull, and botanical motifs reflect a celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. The inclusion of words like "Diversity," "Equity," "Change," and "Creation" emphasizes the transformative role HSIs play in fostering inclusive education and empowering underrepresented communities. This also reflects CSM's values, highlighting its commitment to supporting Hispanic students through culturally responsive programs and equitable opportunities. Overall, this piece was to show a sense of dedication by institutions in blending cultural pride with academic achievement, creating a space where students can thrive while honoring their heritage.

These designs are inspired by the values of unity, diversity, and support that CSM stands for. I wanted to visually represent how CSM creates a community where everyone works together and helps one another grow.

The phrase "Justice Starts With Us" is featured in two of the designs. It reflects CSM’s commitment to fairness and equality, emphasizing that creating a just and inclusive community starts with each of us.

The design with the hands highlights collaboration and mutual support, symbolizing how justice begins with small actions – extending help and showing respect to others.

The design with the people climbing the mountain focuses on teamwork and overcoming challenges together. It represents how CSM encourages us to rise together, supporting one another on the path to success.

The third design, featuring the Bulldogs and the phrase "One Family," illustrates the sense of belonging and unity that connects everyone in the CSM community, whether students, faculty, or alumni.

These designs reflect the shared values of justice, support, and togetherness that define the spirit of CSM.

Colin Goodwin
Magnifying the Light
When I think of the most important trait that helps one support values like antiracism, equity, equality, and solidarity, I think of the importance of sight: seeing each individual as an individual. When one is truly seen for who one is, it's one of the best feelings in the world. This reminded me of a quote from James Baldwin: "The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love–whether we call it friendship or family or romance – is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other's light." My design shows what I hope students, staff, and professors are doing for each other everyday: strengthening one another by reflecting and amplifying each other's essential character and goodness. This can only happen when one truly sees a person for who they really are. I incorporated the school's logotype in the design and have beams of light emanating from the large circle in the "g" in college.