FOUNDATION NEWS
Student Sock Design Warms Spirits and Giving
BY TY DEMARTINO ’90
When senior art and design major Samina Qualeen Clark was asked to create a sock design for an FSU #BobcatGivingDay giveaway, she truly knocked the socks off our alumni … and herself.
“When I found out that my design won the contest by online vote, I was very surprised,” admitted Clark, a native of Baltimore. “I never made a product design before and wasn’t sure how my concept would resonate with the alumni audience.” And resonate it did.
The FSU Office of Annual Giving gave away limited-edition Bobcat socks to donors who made a gift of $60 or more. Four possible sock designs, created by student interns in the FSU Office of Publications, were posted on the FSU Alumni Association’s Facebook page. The design receiving the most “likes” would be the official sock selection. While it was a footrace to the end, Clark’s black-and-red design with the motto “Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat” got a toehold and won the race.
“I wanted to capture the ‘home is where the heart is’ idea,” she said. “FSU is forever.”
A special feature of Clark’s winning design was the addition of the geographical coordinates of the University located on the sole of the sock. Clark and her intern supervisor, FSU senior graphic designer Joni Smith, confirmed the coordinates with Dr. Matt Ramspott, a professor in the Department of Geography.
Ramspott helped the designers pinpoint the precise location of the FSU Clock Tower. Clark was pleased with the sentimental touch.
“I positioned the coordinates [on the bottom of the foot] because I’ve always heard that you can hear your heartbeat through your foot,” she said, “so I thought that would be pretty fitting.”
The young artist, who wants to continue to work on inspirational and “cool projects” post-graduation, is quick to give praise to her “tight” competition.
“I still deem all designs entered into the contest more than worthy of winning.”
She does proudly admit to being a “sock connoisseur” and promises to proudly wear her complimentary pair in her journeys beyond Frostburg.
But mostly, Clark was happy to spread a little fun and warmth among her Bobcat family.
“I was ecstatic that I could bring so many people so much joy and pride through my design.”
And toasty toes, too.