Class of 2027

Problem

Class of 2027 needed a keepsake that said something true about the UChicago experience: it's fun, unafraid of the unknown, a little intense, and best survived with a healthy sense of humor. Most class swag plays it safe with a crest, a year, and a maroon wordmark. Fine, but forgettable. The goal was a sticker students would actually want on their laptops and water bottles, something that felt like an inside joke rather than an obligation.

Decision

The illustration is deliberately absurd: Darth Vader, boom box on his shoulder, with a unicorn horn rising from the top of his helmet. It's menacing and magical, a little ridiculous, and impossible to ignore, which is a fair summary of the UChicago spirit. The sticker is printed on holographic material, so the artwork shifts through rainbow tones as it catches the light, giving the dark, imposing silhouette an unexpected shimmer. The contrast between the heavy armor and the iridescent finish keeps the humor sharp while making the piece feel like a collectible.

Outcome

The sticker gives the Class of 2027 a shared emblem that's playful, memorable, and distinctly theirs. Its bold silhouette reads clearly at small sizes, and the holographic finish makes it stand out on any surface it lands on, from laptop lids to dorm doors. It turns a graduating class's identity into something students can wear, stick, and carry with them well past commencement.