That’s a (gift) wrap!

North Idaho College student Victoria Rapier is on a roll.

The sophomore’s designs for holiday wrapping paper and a T-shirt for the Bloomsday run’s new Teen Advisory Board won two recent graphic design contests.

Rapier, a dual credit student from Priest River studying graphic and web design, submitted one of the four winning designs out of 50 submissions from across the country to a wrapping paper competition sponsored by Premier Press of Portland, one of the largest creative production companies on the West Coast.

Premier Press prints the winning designs and distributes the wrapping paper to its national clients as part of its holiday gifting program. The company has worked on campaigns, branded merchandise, custom apparel, packaging and more for brands such as Nike, Reebok, Converse, Adidas and Red Bull.

Rapier’s double-sided holiday wrapping paper design features warm seasonal imagery such as oranges, gingerbread and winter greenery.

“I was thinking about Christmas elements that work well together,” said Rapier. “I definitely wasn’t expecting to win, so it’s nice to see my classwork pay off.”

Shannon Uchida, Premier’s marketing communications specialist, said Rapier’s design stood out for its “playful creativity and vibrant use of color.”

“Her work demonstrated a design vision that we know our clients will appreciate,” Uchida said. “Supporting emerging talent is an important part of our mission, and we’re always inspired by the work students bring forward.”

Winners receive printed wrapping paper sheets of their design, credit with their name and school printed on the paper and exposure on Premier’s website, social media and newsletter.

Previous North Idaho College winners in the contest include Aleah Jones, Sarah Hoare and Aurora Bacowsky.

Rapier also won a Bloomsday T-shirt design contest for the new Lilac Bloomsday Association Teen Advisory Board. Her artwork layers illustrations of Spokane landmarks, including the Monroe Street Bridge, structures and the city’s signature lilacs, in a collage using purple, yellow and green.

“I wanted to highlight locations people pass on the run and include places that are iconic,” she said. “I looked at previous winners and knew I wanted something illustrative and colorful.”

Bethany Lueck, Bloomsday’s director of sponsorship and communications, said the contest received more than 300 entries.

“Her artwork stood out because it feels like a playful romp through some of Spokane’s best-loved landmarks,” Lueck said. “It’s bright, inviting and full of energy just like Bloomsday race day.”

Rapier said she's drawn to creative work, from running an Etsy shop to photo editing for fun. Graphic and web design at NIC, she said, was a natural fit.

“I’ve always liked art,” she said. “Design and web work complement each other, and learning both opens higher-paying opportunities. NIC was close to home, and I was already familiar with it through dual credit, so it made sense.”

Rapier, who has a remote internship with a web design firm based in Bonners Ferry, said she plans to pursue a degree in apparel design at the University of Idaho after completing her associate degree at NIC. Her goal is to combine apparel, graphics and entrepreneurship to build her own business.

“NIC focuses on practical and relevant learning based on industry standards that prepares students for jobs,” said Philippe Valle, NIC associate professor. “Victoria’s success demonstrates how creativity can open doors.”

— North Idaho College

    Victoria Rapier’s winning T-shirt design for the new Lilac Bloomsday Association Teen Advisory Board includes illustrations of Spokane landmarks.