Fresh Threads for Fresh Food
I, Munjarin, UBHP 2025 Spring intern, spent two days at Taino Ink’s screen printing studio, but that was more than enough to realize how hands-on (and messy) screenprinting is. It’s a lot more detailed than I expected, from lining up the screens just right to pulling the ink across the fabric. But seeing the design come to life layer by layer was also super satisfying.
Eli, a UBHP 2025 Spring intern, was our incredible designer and creative lead behind this project and was at the heart of it all. They’ve been steering the vision for our new merch, and I got to watch firsthand how they brought it from sketch to screen (literally). I sat down with Eli to discuss their process, inspiration, and what this merch means for our fundraising campaign.
Can you walk us through your design process for this merch?
– When creating the new design, I wanted to keep the original logo’s vibe—something that felt like street art. At the same time, I had a couple of ideas I was excited about, so I ended up splitting them into two separate designs to explore different directions.
Where did you start? What inspired your design choices—colors, imagery, or themes?
– I started by researching graffiti art to get a better sense of how real graffiti artists work with shapes, layers, and textures. I also looked at how others stylized vegetables and bikes, which helped shape the alternative designs I came up with.
Was there a part of the screen printing process that surprised you?
– Definitely—lining up the screens with the board was trickier than I expected. Making sure everything was aligned so the design would be centered on the shirt took more precision than I realized.
Do you have a favorite step when working on a screen print project like this?
– My favorite part was printing my own design onto a shirt. Seeing my artwork come to life as a real, wearable product was incredibly rewarding.
What challenges came up while working on the merch, and how did you work through them?
– One challenge was making sure my sketch was screen-print friendly, especially within the limits of our budget and timeline. I worked through it by getting feedback and revisions from John, our screen printing expert, which really helped make the design more production-ready.
How does it feel to see people wearing something you created?
– It’s honestly surreal, but in the best way. Seeing someone wearing something I made is such a great feeling—it makes all the hard work worth it.
Why is this merch drop important to you personally—and to the campaign overall?
– It means a lot to me because it’s something I personally designed and poured a lot of time into. For the campaign, it’s a powerful way to get the message out there—something people can wear with pride and start conversations.
If someone’s on the fence about grabbing a shirt, what would you say to them?
– I’d say go for it! You’re supporting a good cause—and honestly, the shirt looks pretty cool too.
How do you hope people feel when they wear this merch?
– I hope they feel proud—proud to support the cause and proud to wear something that was created with care and intention.