PROJECT
49ER GOLD RUSH 5K
The 49er Gold Rush 5K has become a cherished February tradition for the Niners, welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members alike. Hosted by University Recreation, this year’s event brought together over 700 participants to run or walk in support of a great cause. The net proceeds benefit the University Recreation Student Professional Development Fund. For the 2025 race, I had the privilege of designing the official event medal, creating a meaningful keepsake that celebrates the spirit and unity of this vibrant community event.
DESIGN FOCUS AND SKILLS
Medal Design / Typography / Iconography / Identity
TIMELINE
November 2024 - February 2025
BACKGROUND
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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
The 49er Gold Rush 5K medal design started with me exploring a bunch of different directions, trying to figure out how bold type, circular forms, and motion-driven elements could capture both UNC Charlotte’s identity and the energy of a race. I spent a lot of time shaping the main wordmark—stretching condensed letterforms, adjusting angles, tightening spacing—until the “49er Gold Rush 5K” text felt strong but still clear at a small size. As that came together, I moved on to the outer ring, playing with curved text, swooshes, and different line styles to build some movement around the form.
REFINEMENT
Along the way, I pushed into a few other concepts too. I tried a shoelace-inspired medal shaped like a shoe tongue, and I explored a couple of pickaxe motifs that tied back to Charlotte’s 49er history. They were interesting experiments, but as they developed, it became obvious they weren’t hitting the right tone for the event. The ideas looked cool on paper, but they didn’t fully connect to the running experience or the feeling the medal needed to carry. Realizing that helped me narrow in on what actually worked.
FINAL VERSION
After exploring more concepts and gathering additional inspiration, it became clear the design needed a more iconic, elevated direction. I kept the original color palette but shifted the visual approach, drawing from classic Olympic-style medals to emphasize achievement and competition while still reflecting UNC Charlotte’s school pride. The octagonal gold form adds a strong sense of accomplishment, while the green shoelace tied across the front directly references the event’s slogan, “Lace Up,” reinforcing ideas of preparation and momentum. Placing the knot at the center was intentional, symbolizing connection and the shared spirit of every runner in the race. Subtle patterning adds texture and craftsmanship, and the bold typography paired with Charlotte’s colors gives the medal a confident presence that represents the pride of the UNCC community.
THE EVENT
