Florida A&M University (FAMU) senior graphic design student Elijah Rutland is among the five finalists in the Sam’s Club Proud By Design Contest.
As part of the contest, the public is being asked to vote on their best sign of the signature blue vests Sam’s Club employees wear in the store. To vote, visit
https://samsclub.promo.eprize.com/proudbydesign/. Voting ends on Sunday, June 20.
Rutland said he designed his polyester-cotton blend vest to be practical and attractive.
“I wanted it to be a bridge between functional and fashionable. It looks goods. When you look good, you feel good, and you tend to work better,” Rutland said. “I wanted it to be something that employees would be happy to put on.”
Rutland, whose artwork was featured at the 2021 NBA All Star Game in Atlanta, said he was inspired by fishermen’s vests, which are practical and have pockets to carry supplies. His vest is designed to hold employees’ keys, phones, and other items while they work on the stores’ sprawling floor.
“You want employees to be able to carry everything they need,” he said. “I want it to be light, breathable and functional.”
