Winners of the 2025 PAVE Gala T-Shirt Design Challenge Announced
- PAVE Global
- Dec 3
- 3 min read
PAVE Global, in partnership with Studio Lourdes, is pleased to announce the winners and runners-up of the 2025 PAVE Gala T-Shirt Design Challenge. This annual program invites design students across North America to visually interpret the theme“Bridge to the Future,” to design limited-edition commemorative apparel sold in support of PAVE’s scholarship initiatives.
This year, four students earned recognition across two judging tracks: Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice. Winners each receive $1,000, and runners-up receive $500, with all four designs available as t-shirts and tote bags ahead of the PAVE Gala.
"Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to every student who joined the challenge. Together, you proved that design education is a real ‘Bridge to the Future’—where imagination meets professional practice and new opportunities begin," said Christina Magrans, Managing Director and Founder of Studio Lourdes.
Judges’ Choice Winner – “A New Dawn”
Ellen Rath, Purdue University
Interior Design, Class of 2027
Rath’s design centers on the sunrise as a symbol of the future, paired with a through-arch bridge representing the evolution of design and the connection between past and future. Integrated arrows within the PAVE lettering emphasize movement, progress, and outward growth. “The bridge serves as a connection between the past and the future,” she writes. “Growth is not only an upward movement, but an outward expansion.”
Judges’ Choice Runner-Up – “Connecting Bridges”
Simon Tishkoff, University of Cincinnati
Industrial Design, Class of 2029
Tishkoff’s abstract design explores the interconnected nature of everyday experiences. “This design takes abstract forms that intersect to represent the connections in our day-to-day lives that all come back to each other in the end,” he shares.
People’s Choice Winner – “Bridge of Connections”
Melissa Farias, Louisiana State University
Interior Design, Class of 2027
Chosen by the PAVE community through multiple rounds of online voting, Farias’ design positions PAVE itself as the bridge connecting students and professionals. Geometric blocks symbolize a diversity of design disciplines, while human figures march together toward new possibilities. “PAVE constructs bridges that empower students to step confidently into their desired professions,” she writes.
People’s Choice Runner-Up – “Bridge to the Future”
Aaron Spann, Howard University
Architecture, Class of 2027
Spann submitted two complementary designs (not pictured: back of shirt) exploring themes of progress and forward momentum. His first combines a clock, gear, and bridge to illustrate time, innovation, and career pathways. His second uses bold typography and scaffold-inspired linework to reflect clarity, structure, and confidence. “Both designs are about movement and connection,” he writes.
About the Challenge
The 2025 PAVE Gala T-Shirt Design Challenge invited students to interpret the theme “Bridge to the Future” by highlighting PAVE’s role as the connector between design education and professional careers. Winners were selected through multiple rounds of virtual judging and community voting. All proceeds from merchandise sales directly support future PAVE scholarships.
About Studio Lourdes
Studio Lourdes is a New York–based interior design and architecture consultancy specializing in retail environments, collaborating with brands such as Marc Jacobs, Chanel, and Longchamp. Guided by values of belonging, empowerment, and creativity, Studio Lourdes is committed to supporting and uplifting the next generation of designers. Learn more at studiolourdes.com.
About PAVE Global
Founded in 1992, PAVE Global is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that enables young talent to build successful careers designing and creating consumer environments. Through scholarships, mentorship, and industry connections, PAVE supports thousands of students across North America each year. Learn more at paveglobal.org.