The Insider: A royal designer

One of the most coveted throws of the Mardi Gras season is a bright, decorated coconut from the Krewe of Zulu. This year, a Tulane University student gets to see his artwork painted onto every single one. Ryan Banks, a digital design student in the Tulane University School of Continuing Studies, was chosen to design the 2016 Krewe of Zulu logo.

The logo’s unique design features the striking gaze of a royal lion gracing a zebra-striped crest of arms. It is a display of both the charisma and vivacity that characterizes one of Carnival’s most popular parades.

Banks worked closely with his parents, Jay H. Banks and Artelia Bennett-Banks, who are the 2016 Zulu king and queen, to create the 2016 logo.

“I grew up in New Orleans and this has always been my favorite part of the year.”

Ryan Banks, senior, digital design

“The colors [for the logo] came from my mom and my dad,” Banks says. “My dad is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and their colors are royal purple and old gold. My mom is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and their colors are crimson red and cream. I took those colors and put them together as the color scheme.”

According to Banks, who plans to graduate this May, his design classes at Tulane prepared him well for his unique task.

“The digital design professors don’t just teach the program,” Banks says. “They help you develop your creative space and your skill set. We learn the program along with learning how to create and find our creative style.”  

Banks’ logo will be featured on all the krewe’s throws, as well as on the costume of the Zulu king himself.

“I am looking forward to seeing my mom and my dad in their king and queen costumes for the first time,” Banks says. “I grew up in New Orleans, and this has always been my favorite part of the year.”

Samah Ahmed is a sophomore majoring in public health and political science at Tulane University.