Niner-made, Charlotte-inspired
Four Niners. Four creative perspectives. One collaboration.
For these UNC Charlotte alumni, inspiration starts with the moments, places and experiences that shaped their time as Niners. From walks through the Botanical Gardens and long days in Rowe Arts to campus landmarks and an unexpected heavy-metal influence, each artist transformed a piece of their Charlotte story into something Niner Nation can wear.
In collaboration with 704 Shop, the four artists are bringing their distinct styles back to where their stories began. Take a closer look at the memories behind the designs and the Niners who created them.
Elizabeth Avalos ’25
Designing with purpose
A 2025 UNC Charlotte graduate turned her passion for graphic design into leadership and creative opportunities across campus, from the LatinX Student Union to Charlotte 49ers Athletics. Now a graphic designer, she brought those experiences to a design filled with familiar pieces of campus life, creating a wearable reminder of the place she once called her “home away from home.”
The inspiration: “There are iconic moments everyone remembers from their time at UNC Charlotte. Whether it’s seeing the clock tower near Halton Arena during graduation, crossing Craver Road or spotting geese roaming campus, these moments become markers along your journey. The shirt’s design represents postage stamps, as if sending a letter to or from your home away from home.”
Look closer: “Inside the clock, the hands point to the time 7:04.”
Full-circle moment: “I love creating work that means something and allows people to see themselves in it. If my design speaks to a fellow Niner, that’s very special to me.”
Nick Irwin ’06
From campus paths to creative leadership
His time at UNC Charlotte was shaped by early morning studio classes, walks through the Botanical Gardens and a growing passion for graphic design. After graduating, he turned that passion into a career in creative leadership, and now he is bringing it back to Niner Nation with a design that captures his campus memories while offering a fresh take on UNC Charlotte apparel.
The Charlotte connection: “I always lived on or near campus, so I spent a lot of time walking the paths through the Botanical Gardens and putting in the miles before my 8 a.m. studio classes.”
Behind the design: “The two designs draw inspiration from different parts of my experience at UNC Charlotte. The graffiti design is an ‘anti-inspiration.’ When I was a student, the bookstore apparel tended to play by the book, with few asymmetrical or unconventional designs. This design is my answer to that. The minimalism design, on the other hand, was inspired by my daily walks across campus. It captures pieces of my time at UNC Charlotte, from the bell tower to the Botanical Gardens.”
Since graduation: “I’ve worked at a global brand consultancy, started my own agency with a fellow 49er and now serve as vice president of creative at Underdog Venture Team, where I lead the creative department.”
Jake Mize ’03
Inspired by the everyday
For this 2003 UNC Charlotte graduate, some of the most memorable parts of college were found in the everyday routine. Inspired by his walks between Rowe Arts and Cedar Hall with a portfolio in hand, his design is a simple, nostalgic nod to his time as a graphic design student and the Rowe Arts community that helped shape his creative career.
Why 704: “Any time I get to collaborate with other artists and support homegrown, local brands, it’s a total win.”
The inspiration: “I wanted to design something simple, wearable and nostalgic of my time at UNC Charlotte. Almost every day, I walked back and forth between Rowe Arts and Cedar Hall, lugging a giant portfolio filled with sketches, paintings and half-matted artwork. That daily walk heavily inspired the concept.”
Favorite detail: “It was fundamentally made for my ‘Rowe Arts family,’ so I think they’ll immediately understand and appreciate the reference.”
Matt Moore
Bringing a heavier edge to Niner Nation
A psychology major turned full-time artist and muralist has spent more than a decade leaving his creative mark across UNC Charlotte. For this collection, he combined his Niner pride with his love of heavy metal, bringing an unexpected style to UNC Charlotte apparel that reflects both his artistic identity and deep connection to the city.
Niner roots: “I started attending UNC Charlotte in 2003 and, contrary to popular belief, majored in psychology. Although I only took two art classes during my time there, the Rowe Arts building will always have a special place in my heart.”
Look closer: “It’s a style that isn’t immediately discernible and I love that. I love creating work that surprises people even after they’ve experienced it a few times and that’s certainly true with this design. My hope is that it takes people a second before they realize it says ‘Niner Nation.’”
Full-circle moment: “I’ve been friends with the 704 Shop team since they started the company, and I’ve known some of them even longer. In 2017, I had the opportunity to paint several murals in their first brick-and-mortar store. Last year, I created my first two T-shirt designs with them to help launch their Xhibitor Series. Knowing I attended UNC Charlotte and love representing the city any way I can, they thought I would be a great fit for this special Niner Nation collection, and I completely agreed.”
Each design tells a different story, but they all share the same roots. Through memories, landmarks and creative expression, these four alumni have turned their time at UNC Charlotte into something the entire Niner community can make part of its own story.
Written by: Lily Warlick