ACC graphic design major Alaina Brogan won the 2017 Eco Bag Art contest.

Faculty, staff, and students selected Brogan’s design during Earth Week April 17-22. It will be printed on reusable bags that will be displayed on campuses and distributed at events throughout the year. Bags also will be available for purchase through the Eco Bag webpage.

Brogan says she based her “Sustainable is Attainable” design on the notion that even the smallest actions can impact the world.

“Austin is such a great city because we promote eco-friendly practices everywhere, so having Austin’s skyline was a way to incorporate that we can do things locally to help preserve our planet for future generations,” she says. Brogan says she became more aware of conservation issues after working at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

Sarah Niccum, also a graphic design major, received honorable mention. She says her design was inspired by the “footprint” people leave on earth.

“There is so much we can do every day that can reduce our impact on the world,” says Niccum, who stopped using paper towels, plastic wrap, and plastic baggies at home almost a year ago. “Even if we can’t remove our print completely, we can ‘tread lightly’ and soften the mark we leave behind.”

Alaina Brogan hopes to design movie posters one day. She is pictured with Andy Kim, director of energy & sustainability; Alyssa Halle-Schramm, sustainability coordinator; and Bel Smith, Northridge campus manager.

Sarah Niccum hopes to work at a design firm or a company that “recognizes the value of the world.” She received a Timbuk2 messenger bag from Sustainability Coordinator Alyssa Halle-Schramm.

Tags: Alaina Brogan, earth week, Eco bag, Eco Bag contest, Sarah Niccum