Freshman design student wins retail federation’s holiday card contest
IU Bloomington freshman Hannah Tillou is one of three students recently named a winner in the National Retail Federation‘s holiday card design contest.
Hannah Tillou
Her winning card design, featuring brightly lit holiday bulbs and the message: “In the bright string of retailers, we couldn’t shine without you,” means she’ll receive a $1,000 cash prize and a $2,500 travel stipend to attend the National Retail Federation’s annual convention, in January in New York. Her photo and school information will also be featured on her card, which will be distributed to retailers worldwide.
Tillou, who is studying apparel merchandising, business and fashion design in the Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design, said she learned about the contest through IU’s Retail Studies Organization.
“I got really excited when I heard about the contest,” she told Art at IU via email. “I was a yearbook editor in high school and am very passionate about and familiar with InDesign and graphic design. … My holiday card celebrates all of the retailers that make up the National Retail Federation. Just like a string of lights wouldn’t shine without a missing bulb, the NRF wouldn’t shine as bright without each of our retailers.”
Tillou’s winning card design.
She said she’s thrilled to have the chance to attend the National Retail Federation’s annual convention, known in the business as the BIG Show, calling it a “great opportunity to network and meet people in the industry. It is my goal to work for a retail company after graduation, and a big part of that is being able to get your name out there and network with others.”
(Of course, she said, she’s also excited at the prospect of a free trip to New York and the chance to do some shopping — which sound equally fantastic to me!)
Tillou continued, “I have such a huge passion for clothes, design and the retail industry, and I’m so honored to have the chance to win this contest, show my talent to the NRF and to represent Indiana University and the Retail Studies Organization.”
The other winning holiday card designs were created by students from Drexel University and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.
Tags: Hannah Tillou, IU Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design, National Retail Federation, Retail Studies Association
