Graphic Communications Management alum’s artwork selected for Canadian Mint
Graphic Communications Management (GCM) alum Tanya Mykytiuk’s design for a new collectible coin has been selected by The Royal Canadian Mint. Since 2016, the Mint has been celebrating Ukrainian culture and heritage by releasing egg-shaped coins based on the intricate designs of pysanka: Ukrainian Easter eggs decorated with dyes and beeswax. Each year, the design is chosen from a select group of submissions, then vetted by a Ukrainian folk art expert.
“Designing a piece of Canadian currency for the Royal Canadian Mint, especially one that celebrates my Ukrainian heritage, is an immense honour and a rare privilege,” said Mykytiuk. “This opportunity serves as a powerful bridge connecting Canada with Ukraine, highlighting the cultural ties and shared values between our nations.”
Bridging traditional design with contemporary aesthetic
Mykytiuk’s design for the coin was inspired by the recent wave of Ukrainians who arrived in Canada seeking refuge and new beginnings, much like her grandparents did after the Second World War.
“Full of hope, faith, and resilience, I embarked on a mission to craft a design that reflects these virtues,” she said. “For colour, I drew inspiration from the resilient barvinok (periwinkle) – an evergreen vine adorned with vibrant green leaves and delicate purple flowers. This iconic plant holds profound cultural significance in Ukraine, encapsulating the enduring spirit of our people.”
GCM alum Tanya Mykytiuk
Mykytiuk’s design selected for Royal Canadian Mint
Integrating skills learnt in GCM
As a graphic designer and GCM graduate, Mykytiuk merged her expertise in print methodologies and vector-based software with over 40 years of pysanka writing experience to create the coin design.
“Pysanky are a thousand-year-old art form that relies on primitive tools and organic materials, remaining largely unchanged over the centuries — an enchanting rarity in our technology-driven era,” said Mykytiuk. “The interplay of this ancient art form with modern technology, such as reproducing it on precious metals, results in a fascinating blend of history and innovation.”
She noted that pysanka symbols, characterized by their simple line art, are well-suited for translation into vector artwork, making them excellent for coin production. When it came to the colours, her knowledge of ink-layering techniques for print production mirrored the traditional buildup of dyes in pysanky, creating a seamless transition from old-world techniques to modern digital design.
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