The Guidance Office (GO!) space at Shawnigan Lake School has undergone a transformation thanks to the artistic talents of Lily Han ’24 (Kaye’s). Her series of posters, inspired by the letterhead and logos of various universities, will lend vibrancy and lustre to our walls.
Lily incorporated a range of elements used by the universities as she created the pieces.
"I found fonts from each university and used their student colours,” she explained. “I compared the colours from their website and integrated them into my designs, ensuring each poster authentically represents each different university."
Lily noted that while she couldn't use the actual university's work, she aimed to make the posters "fun and engaging" by incorporating abstract elements. "I aligned the pieces with contrasting elements and placed the university logo prominently, making it both playful and recognizable," she added.
Lily's future aspirations in art are equally exciting. She plans to explore a variety of media, including woodwork and digital art, building on everything she’s learned at Shawnigan. Her art teacher, Philip Toews, spoke highly of her work in class: “Lily is a gifted graphic artist. She has an innate understanding of composition, colour and form. The quality of her work is consistently top notch.” One of her other recent standout pieces showcased a trompe l'oeil effect; it is a watercolour painting of a frog with toes that extend beyond the apparent boundaries of the scenery around it.
Her poster series will hang on the walls of the GO!, creating a gallery-like environment. When asked about the impact she hopes her work will have, Lily expressed a desire to foster curiosity and a sense of community. "I want students to feel a connection to these universities and see the GO! as a gateway to their future. The posters should inspire them to explore and learn more about each institution," she said.
This is very much in the spirit of the request that GO! Director Michelle Flood made of Lily originally. “Lily listened to my overall concept for the project and then brought that vision to life. After months of hard work, she has created an enduring legacy that will inspire visitors to the GO! for many years to come,” Ms. Flood remarked.
The posters bring a new energy to the GO! space. Lily's artistic vision and dedication have culminated in an achievement that not only adds interest to each meeting area, but also reinforces the GO! value as a resource for students planning their academic futures.
Lily is pursuing an art degree (BFA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Congratulations, Lily!
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.