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Diversity Week Design Prize Winner 2010

The annual Diversity Week Design Prize winner has been announced as Janine John, a student in the Macquarie Law School. Janine beat off stiff competition to win the $1000 prize, with her design based on Aboriginal art. It will be used as the official artwork of this year's Diversity Week celebrations.

Professor Gail Whiteford, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Social Inclusion, is responsible for Diversity Week and a judge for this year's competition. "The standard was very high and the entries were very imaginative," she said. "Janine's entry was a stand out because it picked up on the theme – "hearts, minds and hands" – so strongly. She used colours well and added an Indigenous flavour to the overall design."

During a gruelling essay-writing period, Janine says the competition was an opportunity to take her mind of her work and give herself a creative outlet. "I used it as a little distraction and really enjoyed it." Taking her inspiration from traditional Aboriginal hand paintings on rocks, the final design grew organically. "It just fell into place and developed to incorporate the themes of Diversity Week."

Janine grew up in South Africa, where she "saw the need not only to accept diversity among people, but also to embrace it"; her design represents the bringing together of cultures to do just that. "I'm really looking forward to meeting a bunch of new people and soaking up the warm, welcoming and diverse atmosphere here at the University."

The judges were thrilled with the final design. "She has emphasised the unity of purpose we try and reinforce during Diversity Week," said Gail. "You'll be seeing a lot more of it around campus. It will be on all our promotional materials, on the website, the LCD and LED screens in the Campus Hub, and – most importantly – on the t-shirts we'll be wearing throughout the week!"