The tote bag project was designed around sustainability, community, and the YMCA’s role in supporting the Blacksburg community. The goal was to source 100% recycled tote bags that could be offered as a reusable checkout option at the YMCA Thrift Store, creating an alternative to disposable shopping bags while extending the life of recycled materials.
For the design, I wanted to create something that felt distinctly connected to Blacksburg and the greater community while still reflecting the YMCA’s identity. The tote incorporates visual references to the local area alongside illustrations representing the YMCA’s programs and services, reinforcing the idea that the organization’s work reaches far beyond the thrift store. The intention was to create a functional, reusable item that also reminds customers that the YMCA’s programs depend on community support.
The T-shirt project began as a solution to a recurring problem at the YMCA Thrift Store: a large surplus of unsellable T-shirts. Rather than sending these garments to waste, the goal was to give them a second life by transforming them into one-of-a-kind pieces with locally relevant designs. The upcycling approach was intentionally crafted to feel artistic and handmade, giving otherwise unusable garments a new sense of value and individuality.
For the Blacksburg design, I created a topographic line map of the surrounding landscape, connecting the geography of the area back to the YMCA by incorporating the coordinates of the thrift store and main office. A second design, Healthy Kids, was developed as a playful graphic intended to accompany a tie-dye activity for children, combining a hands-on craft experience with YMCA programming. Together, the designs demonstrate how existing materials can be reimagined into unique merchandise while creating a stronger connection between the YMCA, its programs, and the community it serves.