The results are in for Lockheed Martin’s Centennial T-Shirt Design Contest: Elise Robinson of Bedfordshire, England, and her F-35 Lightning II “Blueprint” design have been voted the winner!

Join the Lockheed Martin Social Media Team for a conversation with Elise and learn what inspired her to feature the F-35 Lightning II in her winning design:

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Have you always been interested in aviation and/or design?
Elise:  My name is Elise Robinson, and I’m nineteen years old, from Bedfordshire, England. My boyfriend, Leon, has just finished his apprenticeship at Lockheed Martin in Ampthill, and he told me about the competition. I am studying Graphic Design at Bedford College, and so jumped at the chance to design for an international company! I have done freelance work for small businesses, but winning this has been the most exciting, live projects I have ever been involved in.

Why did you choose to feature this particular aircraft in your design? What about this plane inspired you?
Elise:  I chose to feature the F-35, the most modern aircraft, in the collection. I wanted to add a current / futuristic design to the Lockheed Martin Centennial t-shirt collection, as the other designs are based on the company’s rich history. I wanted to create a design that showed that Lockheed Martin’s technology is all about improving our futures. The appearance of a blueprint represents the design and manufacturing processes that Lockheed Martin works on.  I read about the history and development of the F-35, and was inspired by the project’s many changes, twists and challenges. I didn’t really have any idea how long the development and continued testing of aircraft took! It shows the dedication, skill and problem-solving mindset of the company.

What has been the most interesting thing you’ve learned from Lockheed Martin’s Centennial commemoration activities?
Elise:  I was amazed by the wide range of vehicles, aircraft and other projects Lockheed Martin work on currently, and have worked on in the past. Leon has mentioned a few land vehicles, and I was lucky enough to see some of his work at the Ampthill site’s recent family open day. However researching the aircraft was awe-inspiring. It took me back to when I was very young and visited an air show. I was amazed by stealth planes, planes that could take off without a runway, and an air display team. As a creative rather than practically-minded person, I am constantly amazed and somewhat baffled by what engineers can create and achieve.

What sorts of innovations do you hope to see from Lockheed Martin in the next 100 years?
Elise:  Lockheed Martin’s technology saves lives, and I think that’s the most important thing they will continue to do in the next 100 years. It would be exciting to launch more advanced missions into outer space, too. Although I’m a bit of an Iron Man fan. So if you can build Iron Man... You should definitely build Iron Man! [Editor’s Note: We think you might like HULC, our hydraulic-powered anthropomorphic exoskeleton!]

About the Centennial T-Shirt Design Contest

To mark our 100th anniversary, we’re commemorating the innovations and achievements that helped our customers rise to some of the world’s most vital challenges.

From Oct. 15-Nov. 15, 2012, fans of Lockheed Martin on Facebook were invited to submit a t-shirt design inspired by Lockheed Martin aircraft from past and present. A panel of judges down-selected to two finalists, and Lockheed Martin’s Facebook fans voted to choose the winner.

The winning t-shirt will be made available for purchase in the Lockheed Martin Centennial Store in January, 2013. Additionally, the winner will receive a prize pack that includes the complete Lockheed Martin Centennial T-shirt collection and custom leather bomber jacket.

This was the second social media contest related to Lockheed Martin’s Centennial.