Zippo Lighters by Rachel Sheaters

Artists Profile : Rachel Sheaters.

Rachel Sheaters graduated with a Bachelor Degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in September 2004. In the Spring of 2004 Rachel was one on eleven graphic design honours students selected to participate in a pilot program initiated by Zippo - the opportunity for art students to submit designs, with the hope of being selected for reproduction on a Zippo lighter. Of the five concepts Rachel submitted, three were produced for Zippo's 2005 complete line catalogue.

As a third year full-time graphic design student, Rachel also worked part-time at the Art Institute technology centre as a print and Mackintosh technician. In addition, she designed for freelance clients, friends and family.

Rachel explains her Grand Prize winning concept, including Love from the Kanji butterfly series:

"The Kanji butterfly series was inspired by the idea of Asian symbols and butterflies being as popular as the currently are. The design is universal between Males and Females without being Gender biased. I chose to design a series of them, because each symbol can appeal to different types of people; therefore making it a successful and appealing product."