Sometimes it only takes a small idea to create something something bigger to get something bigger rolling. When Janina Hess developed her design for the NIKIN Crowd Design competition, she didn't know whether anyone would like it. The fact that her design "Together for Nature" is now part of an entire collection, she is all the more pleased - not only because her design can be seen on our TreeShirts shirts, but also because the message behind it is great meaning behind it. Find out which one in the blog.
From sketch to shirt - and into the heart of the community
Janina is an illustrator and graphic designer. She lives in St. Gallen, is originally from Zurich and is currently studying Knowledge Visualization at the ZHdK. She has always been creative, and she has carved out her own path step by step via the preparatory course and a design degree. Taking part in the competition was more of a gut decision: "I saw the call for entries on Instagram and then a few friends wrote to me: Hey, that would be something for you!" And it was just the right thing. Because the desire to see a design on a T-shirt that says more than just "look nice" had been there for some time.
If you haven't seen the portrait of our Crowd Design winner Sophia yet, you can read it here.
What's behind the design
Two hands, one flower - clear, simple and yet with meaning. For Janina, it was clear from the start: it should be about the connection between us and nature. "We are part of it and not separate. And only together can we take care of nature." The fact that she likes to draw hands and plants is no coincidence. For her, they are elements that radiate calm and at the same time show how connected we all are. "I wanted to create something that appeals to people but still makes them think." Her flat, graphic style gets this message across without many words. And that's exactly what convinced us and we wanted to immortalize her design on our shirts.
A little chaos, a lot of intuition
For Janina, working creatively also means letting go sometimes and not knowing where things are going. "I need the chaos at the beginning. I simply write or draw down everything that comes to mind and then see what can come of it." This helps her when designing: let everything out first, then sort, select and put together. And this is exactly how "Together for Nature" came about.
Be outside, take a deep breath, recharge your batteries
When Janina isn't sitting at her drawing table or at the ZHdK, she's out and about. In the mountains, snowboarding. Or simply into the forest with her dog. "A short walk is often enough. It helps me clear my head." Sustainability also plays a major role in her studies. Janina wants to learn how to use design to make important topics accessible, even if they are sometimes complex. That's exactly what fascinates her: Showing things in such a way that they can be understood and felt.
"I want people to know that we have the opportunity to do something small every day. For nature. For others. And for ourselves." Whether alone, with friends or with family - change starts small. This is exactly what her design shows. And that is exactly why it is now part of NIKIN.
The design as part of our new TreePlanter collection
For NIKIN 's 9th birthday, we are not only celebrating almost a decade of planted trees, but above all the people behind the brand - our community. With Janina's "Together for Nature" design, we are bringing precisely this sense of community to our products. The result is a small, fine TreePlanter collection that shows how much power there is in creative ideas.
The TreeShirt TreePlanter Print Relaxed features the design discreetly on the front of the chest and as a large back print on the back. For those who prefer a more understated look, the TreeShirt TreePlanter Patch Relaxed in Deep Purple or the TreeShirt TreePlanter Patch Relaxed Women in the color Juniper are two variants with a small, subtle patch. The collection is rounded off by the TreeCap TreePlanter. It not only carries our message to the outside world, but also stands for cohesion and a shared sense of responsibility. Whoever wears it shows: I stand up for our world and am part of a community that protects nature and does something good every day.
Thank you Janina for your inspiring design. And a huge thank you to you, dear TreePlanter, for 9 years of NIKIN, 9 years of commitment, ideas and passion. Together for Nature.
