Published: September 30, 2008 11:32 pm            

Students to design OSU’s tartan

Design, housing and merchandising students at Oklahoma State University are competing to give their school its own official plaid fabric or tartan design. The competition started the first day of class to create a tartan for OSU that is similar to those worn to identify clans or families in Scotland and Ireland.

Right, College of Human Environmental Sciences Dean Stephan Wilson, Professor Lynne Richards and OSU First Lady Ann Hargis, from left, look over an example of a tartan plaid with design, housing and merchandising students Jenna Mason, Brenton Wimmer and Hui Ju Park.

Current graduate and undergraduate students who have completed the DHM textiles class will have a month to create a completely original tartan fabric design using official colors to specifically signify the members of the OSU “clan.” University, community and industry representatives will select four finalists, who will be announced during OSU Homecoming week. Online voting will begin at that time to help determine a winner.

“We think this is a wonderful way students can apply their knowledge and create a tradition for the university,” said Richards, who will coordinate the competition. “We see all kinds of opportunities to incorporate the OSU tartan into products that will also represent the quality of students we have in DHM.”

The top four designers who make the finals will receive a $50 gift certificate for the OSU Student Union bookstore, courtesy of the OSU Trademark and Licensing Office. The creator of the winning design entry will receive an additional award of $100.

Paulette Hebert, DHM professor and Judy Barnard, OSU director of trademarks and licensing, have arranged for Pendleton Mills in Portland, Ore., to produce the first blankets and scarves using the OSU tartan.

The OSU Tartan Competition can be followed on its own Web site at www.ches.okstate.edu/tartan.

        

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