Stamp, Colour, Connect: Jaeyeon Yu Wins Gold at the 2026 Indigo Design Awards

Some of the most compelling design ideas come from the most personal places. For Jaeyeon (Jenna) Yu, it started with a childhood memory — collecting and stamping — and became a Gold-winning campaign recognized on an international stage.

Jenna's project, an advertising campaign for Planted Expo Vancouver created during her studies at LaSalle, caught the attention of Indigo judges with its warmth, energy, and visual originality. The process was as hands-on as it gets — Jenna began by stamping real vegetables directly onto paper: lemons, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, lettuce, onions. Each was hand-stamped, scanned, and digitally refined to preserve its raw, organic texture. The result is a campaign built from nature itself — vivid greens, yellows, reds, and purples that feel alive on billboard scale, paired with bold typography that lets the visuals do the talking. Designed to stop people in their tracks in public spaces, it communicates the inclusive, dynamic spirit of the expo without saying a word.

Nostalgia as a Design Tool

What makes Jenna's work stand out is how deeply personal it is. "Through this design, I wanted to capture a sense of nostalgia inspired by my childhood memories of collecting and stamping," she explains. "I was also interested in expressing a feeling of familiarity and warmth, while using a variety of colours to reflect diversity and playfulness."

For Jenna, the award carries a meaning that goes beyond the accolade itself. "I've often questioned whether I'm on the right path as a designer. Receiving this recognition reassures me that I'm moving in the right direction and encourages me to keep developing my own voice."

It's a sentiment that will resonate with any emerging designer — a reminder that self-doubt and creative excellence often travel together, and that extraordinary results can come from both.

"I hope that people who see my work can take away a sense of warmth and emotional connection, even in a simple and subtle way."

Congratulations to Jenna and to the faculty behind her growth. At LaSalle College Vancouver, we believe the strongest design comes from personal conviction — and Jenna's work is proof of exactly that. This is what our Graphic Design program is built on: intention, craft, and the courage to bring something genuinely personal to the world.

Discover our Bachelor of Graphic Design program and see what you could create at LaSalle.