Designing Regalia that Honors Achievement
Client: University of Advancing Technology (UAT)
Agency: FabCom
Art Direction, Design, Material Sourcing: Monique McKenna
Embroidery Production: Printing Solutions
Custom graduation regalia for a technology university, beginning with a commemorative badge and evolving into a fully produced ceremonial stole.
While the original scope focused on graphic design, the project expanded into material sourcing and production oversight to achieve a result that felt appropriately distinguished for commencement.
From Concept to Ceremony
The project began with the design of a badge that balanced academic tradition with the university’s forward-looking identity. Once approved, the mark needed to be translated into a physical stole worn during graduation, serving as a visual distinction between three groups: faculty and staff with five or more years of service, those with ten or more years, and members of the Board of Directors. A fourth version was created for UAT Honors students using a preexisting logo, which I sourced and prepared for embroidery in coordination with the vendor.
Standard satin options felt too conventional for the significance of the occasion, so I proposed velvet to create a richer, more regal appearance. Although I was serving as Art Director rather than in a production role at the time, I chose to oversee the process directly to ensure the final result matched the vision.
Sourcing the Materials
Finding suitable velvet stoles proved unexpectedly difficult. Most suppliers offered only satin, and several embroidery vendors were unable to source alternatives. After extensive research, I located velvet sashes independently, purchased them, and coordinated delivery to the embroiderer so production could move forward.
Designing for Embroidery
Initial sew-out samples revealed that the fine line details in the original badge design did not translate cleanly into thread. Through multiple test iterations, the artwork was refined to better suit embroidery, simplifying line work and strengthening typography for clarity and durability.
This phase highlighted the importance of adapting design for physical production methods rather than forcing a print-based approach onto a textile medium.
Outcome
The finished velvet stoles delivered the refined, ceremonial presence originally envisioned and were enthusiastically received by the client. Their success led to additional commissions, including a series of pins representing the university’s academic areas, expanding the project into a broader recognition program.
What began as a single assignment evolved into ongoing work and an additional revenue stream, driven by thoughtful design and hands-on production execution.
Embroidered badges shown on selected velvet optionsWork created as part of my role at FabCom
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