The State of the Rockies Vintage Poster Challenge is an annual design competition at Colorado College that invites artists to create a poster capturing the essence of the Rocky Mountain region. Drawing inspiration from classic national park posters and vintage travel ads, the challenge encourages bold, evocative designs that connect viewers to the landscapes, history, and challenges facing the Rockies today.
2025
The calm waters of Stella Lake in Great Basin National Park offer sanctuary for those seeking renewal amid ancient bristlecone pines. I chose this site for its balance of remote beauty and healing potential—qualities increasingly valued across the Rocky Mountain West. The 2024 Conservation in the West Poll highlights a growing recognition of nature’s role in mental well-being, yet our public lands face mounting threats from overcrowding, climate change, and resource depletion.
In my design, I enhanced the blue tones of the water to emphasize its tranquility while intensifying the bright orange on the mountain to create striking contrast, drawing the viewer’s attention to the landscape’s defining features. I also strategically cropped the image to center the mountain, reinforcing its presence, while ensuring ample space for text integration. My motto, “Nature Heals: Protect the Places That Restore Us,” reflects the urgency to safeguard these landscapes. Through responsible visitor management, adaptive resource strategies, and climate resilience, we can ensure Stella Lake remains a restorative haven for generations to come.
2024
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, with its striking landscapes and the mighty Gunnison River, serves as a testament to the delicate balance of nature. I chose this location as a microcosm of the broader dynamic between the interconnected ecosystems and residents of the Southwest. The 2023 Conservation in the West Poll revealed a serious water crisis in the region, with rivers like the Colorado and Gunnison facing increasing threats.
My motto, “Flow Forward: Conserve, Cultivate, and Cherish Water Supplies,” is directly inspired by the image and theme of the poster, revealing multiple layers of intentionality in the design. I enhanced the deep blue tones of the river to emphasize its vitality while bringing out the yellow hues of the leaves to contrast against the canyon’s dramatic depth. A subtle but purposeful design choice is the drop shadow on the bottom text, which matches the angle of light and shadow on the canyon walls—an understated detail that enhances the cohesiveness of the composition. Through these elements, the poster not only highlights the urgency of water conservation but also delivers a visually compelling and thematically resonant message.