Amtrak’s New Graphic Photo Walls Encourage Travelers to ‘Get Social’

As part of Amtrak’s year-long 50th Anniversary celebration, a series of colorful graphic photo canvasses will soon be appearing in stations around the country. Amtrak customers are encouraged to post photos on social media of themselves in front of these 10 by 8 foot “walls” with #Amtrak50 to share their enthusiasm for train travel with their family, friends and followers.

The designs were created through a collaboration with Amtrak and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Eleven designers submitted art for consideration as part of a competition that was judged by Amtrak staff. In the end, the works of two MICA students and a recent MICA graduate, along with that of a current Amtrak intern, were selected as the winning images that appear on the canvasses.

“We encouraged these young designers to create something colorful, memorable and exciting to help us celebrate our 50 years,” said Doug Duvall, Amtrak’s assistant vice president of corporate communications. “They did not disappoint us. They created graphic photo walls that reflect the dynamic evolution of our brand and the regions we serve. We are grateful to MICA and its staff for partnering with us on this project.”

The winning designers are:

—Victoria Grzesiak of Glen Ellyn, Ill., an Amtrak intern who is a fourth-year student studying economics and design at the University of Pennsylvania.

—Allison Hao of Fremont, Calif., a fourth-year MICA student majoring in graphic design.

—Ye Rin Kim of Tongyoung, South Korea, a fourth-year MICA student majoring in graphic design.

—Demond Young of Toledo, Ohio, a recent MICA graphic design alum.

In appreciation for their efforts, the students were awarded $500 Amtrak gift cards for their efforts.

The public is encouraged to look for these graphic photo walls as they begin rotating through more than a dozen stations across Amtrak’s national network beginning in September.