Detroit in Motion: Eli Archer’s Poster Brings the 2025 Grand Prix to Life

CCS Student Eli Archer Wins 2025 Detroit Grand Prix Official Poster Competition (Photo by Montez Miller/Tell Us Detroit)

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	"We are thrilled to celebrate 13 years of this collaboration with CCS. The Official Grand Prix commemorative poster tradition provides young artists the chance to shine," said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix and one of the event’s judges. (Photo by Montez Miller/Tell Us Detroit)
	Detroit in Motion: Eli Archer’s Poster Brings the 2025 Grand Prix to Life Dustin Schoenherr - Sports Tell Us Detroit DETROIT - College for Creative Studies (CCS) student Eli Archer embraced his Hoosier heritage as the talented 20-year-old sophomore from Indiana clinched victory in the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Official Poster Competition on Wednesday, April 2. His vibrant design encapsulates the electrifying thrill of racing through the Streets of Downtown Detroit, while celebrating the Grand Prix’s deep connection to the local community and capturing the energetic summertime essence of the Motor City. Judging & Selection The final round of the annual student poster competition took place at the CCS A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, where a distinguished panel selected Archer’s work from five outstanding finalists. The winning artwork will undergo refinement before its official unveiling on Tuesday, May 6, and will be available for purchase online at www.DetroitGP.com ahead of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix (May 30–June 1). A Legacy of Creativity & Community This year’s competition marks the 13th consecutive year of collaboration between the Grand Prix and CCS, offering Detroit’s aspiring artists the chance to design the official commemorative poster for the city’s annual summer racing festival. More than a showcase of artistic talent, the initiative reinforces the power of art in uniting communities, celebrating diversity, and providing young creators with a professional platform. "We are thrilled to celebrate 13 years of this collaboration with CCS. The Official Grand Prix commemorative poster tradition provides young artists the chance to shine," said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix and one of the event’s judges. "Eli’s design perfectly captures Detroit’s personality, along with the excitement and fun of the Grand Prix." The Winning Design In a competition that also factored in fan voting via Detroit GP social media, Archer’s winning poster featured a young woman roller-skating through Detroit, waving checkered flags for both an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car and an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship prototype, as they race past a cheering crowd and the iconic GM Renaissance Center. "I thought roller-skating would be a unique way to incorporate the cars into the design," said Archer, a Zionsville, Indiana native. "I wanted this poster to personify Detroit—integrating its vibrant culture and the excitement of the race." The Finalists & Their Artistic Journey (Names not in order) CCS student Robin Contreras placed second, while Luca Olgren secured third place. Jacob Nguyen and David Klink earned honorable mentions for their outstanding poster designs. The five finalists, students from CCS’s Digital Illustration class, led by instructor Brian Kotulis, showcased their concepts to a panel of eight distinguished judges: - Bud Denker (Detroit Grand Prix Chairman) - Raphael Zammit (CCS Graduate Transportation Design Chair) - Ryan Root (Performance, Motorsports & Accessories Designer, GM) - Erika Cryderman (Senior Marketing Specialist, Lear) - Bobby Keyes (VP, Detroit Sports Media Association) - Neal Rubin (Columnist, Detroit Free Press) - Genna Barner (Page Designer, Detroit News) - Amy Lange (FOX2 Detroit News Anchor & Reporter) A Platform for Professional Growth This competition provides students with a real-world client experience, fostering creativity and professional development while honoring the Grand Prix’s legacy of commemorative posters, a tradition dating back to the inaugural Detroit Grand Prix in 1982. Thanks to a partnership between the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the Detroit Sports Media Association, all five finalists will receive scholarships recognizing their contributions. Get Ready for the 2025 Grand Prix The 35th Grand Prix event in Detroit’s history returns to the 1.7-mile, nine-turn circuit along the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk, May 30–June 1, 2025. Fans can secure tickets via www.DetroitGP.com/Tickets or the event’s Ticket Hotline (888-811-PRIX). For full event details, visit www.DetroitGP.com. This version enhances the flow, emphasizes key details, and keeps the reader engaged while maintaining the integrity of the original content. Let me know if you'd like any tweaks!