GDUSA - Graphic Design USA - February 2021 by Graphic Design USA

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FEBRU ARY 2021

GD USA

GD USA GRAPHIC DESIGN USA

PEOPLE TO WATCH IN 2021 ST U DE N T S T O WATC H SPONSORED BY FEBRUARY 2021

THE CREATIVE GROUP

www.gdusa.com

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The salary guide you can’t afford to be without. With salary forecasts based on actual job placements in creative and marketing, The Creative Group 2021 Salary Guide is the most trusted source for starting pay ranges and hiring trends.

Download your 2021 Salary Guide at roberthalf.com/salary-guide/ creative-and-marketing

1.877.617.9431 roberthalf.com/creativegroup

THE CREATIVE GROUP A Robert Half Company

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER | A PIERCING MOMENT OF CLARITY “Work hard, snack hard.” Not to make light of the fundamental challenges of physical and business survival that many face during the pandemic — we’ll get to those — but this little gem of wisdom from Lauren Hom in our 58th annual “People to Watch” feature resonates with me because it sums up how I have chosen to cope with the unthinkable — and why I will spend 2021 trying to reduce my waist size and lower my cholesterol. I suppose that on the spectrum, the choice to overwork and overeat is less praiseworthy than installing a stationary bike at home or canvassing for votes or adopting a puppy, but more productive than a descent into alcohol or drugs or Bridgerton.

GORDON KAYE IS THE PUBLISHER OF GDUSA Comments, suggestions and letters can be sent to gkaye @ gdusa.com.

People used to say that graphic designers are visual people, and don’t communicate well with words. People don’t say that anymore. Certainly not after they have read, over decades, the commentary of the newsworthy and influential designers whom we quaintly refer to as “People To Watch.” I have learned much about design — and life — and been moved in the process — from these contemplations on the past, present and future. And as we turn the page on annus horribilis, it is not surprising that the individual and aggregate contributions by this year’s group are particularly focused. I will let you draw your own conclusions except to note a few broad and recurring themes: that this piercing moment of clarity has crystallized the power and potential of graphic communications to serve and shape commerce, culture and causes; that there is a reasonable expectation for an elevated role for graphic designers going forward; that out of the crucible will come design practices and processes more efficient and effective operationally, as well as more responsive to the personal needs of employees; that the pandemic has accelerated certain trends in how we interact with each other and consume information, products and services that must be heeded; and that many creative professionals want to refocus their work, at least in part, on culturally and politically relevant issues that refresh their mission and those of their clients. Lots to think about but, first, I need a cupcake. DESIGN IS IN POLITICS AND POLITICS IS IN DESIGN One other point, though I may regret raising it. I included the word “politically” above with some trepidation because, over the years, mentioning politics in a “design” magazine has been a third rail of publishing. “I read design magazines and websites for design, not politics [you idiot]” has been a common refrain. The “you idiot” is sometimes, but not always, left unsaid. Nevertheless, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that in 2021, much of what we see and hear is freighted with political messages and subtexts, and that designers are uniquely suited to carry the freight. Artists and designers lean left, yes, but I am not advocating for a particular agenda — there is a surprising diversity of opinion in our community and I myself am likely to the center-right of most of you. What I am advocating for is recognition that — as many of our designers and students to watch proclaim — politics is an appropriate arena for designers to apply their talents and make a difference as they see it. The prolific Steven Heller, in a recent Daily Heller roundup (January 18-22), has a wise take on the interplay between graphic design, politics, and free expression. It is a mustread. These matters weigh heavily on me too in the post-Trump era, along with the erosion of institutional trust, and I intend to revisit them soon. Meanwhile, I leave you with Mr. Heller’s conclusion: “But to ignore politics entirely is to chop off an arm and leg, if not the head of the artists’ and designers’ thinking and making. Let’s keep it civil, but let us acknowledge that design is in politics and politics is in design.”

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CONTENTS | FEBRUARY 2021

PEOPLE TO WATCH GDUSA starts each year by shining the spotlight on a group of creative and design professionals who embody the spirit of the creative community and have a track record of talent, leadership, newsworthiness, insight, business savvy, community involvement. It is a fascinating glimpse at what moves, motivates, worries and inspires today’s influencers — every year, yes, but especially during this period of challenge and change. In a field awash with accomplishment and brimming with brilliance, this is a subjective selection. Still, we think you’ll find this year’s group — their experiences, ideas, predilections and predictions — worthy of the six decades of legends and wannabes that have come before.

STUDENTS TO WATCH With the help of leading art and design schools nationwide, we identify top graphic design students from around the country. It’s a win-win for everyone: the students get recognized and we all get energized. This year’s subtext is, of course, how the turmoil of 2020 may have changed how they perceive their design and designers. We honor students from long-established schools like RISD, SCAD, MICA, SVA, ArtCenter, and Academy of Art University. We also reached out to wonderful public and private universities, as well as select online programs for depth and texture. Next month, we’ll publish a listing of our ‘50 Favorite’ centers of design learning from whence the rising stars — well — rise.

OPINION Diane Domeyer’s ‘10 Tips For Success In Your Creative Career’ provides guidance to young graphic designers on how to manage their ‘career journey.’ Diane is Executive Director of The Creative Group, the specialized stafﬁng ﬁrm, which is the exclusive and founding sponsor of GDUSA’s Students To Watch, and an exceptional resource for creatives of all ages.

WWW.GDUSA.COM Our popular website features daily news, ideas and information, as well as two current features that perfectly complement this print edition of GDUSA. First is a complete roster of past People To Watch spanning six decades, with transcendent names like GDUSA - Graphic Design USA Volume 58 / No. 1 January/February 2021 Kaye Publishing Corporation (ISSN0274-7499/USPS227020). Published 6 times a year with combined issues in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December. Executive, editorial and advertising ofﬁces at 89 Fifth Avenue, Suite 901, New York NY 10003. Phone: 212.696.4380, Fax: 212.696.4564, www.gdusa.com. SUBSCRIPTION: Domestic, $72 one year. International, $140 one year. Periodicals postage paid at New York NY and additional mailing ofﬁce. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GDUSA - Graphic Design USA, PO Box 3072, Langhorne PA 19047. Permit #224.

Adams, Ahrens, Axios, Bass, Carbone, Chase, Chermayeff, Dorfsman, Glaser, Greenberg, Hische, Kidd, Landor, Lois, Morla, Oberman, Sagmeister, Valicenti, Vignelli, Walsh, and hundreds more. Second up is our curated compilation of DesignerFriendly Suppliers + services who serve and support the creative community. There is a symbiotic relationship between creators and their tools; live links makes it easy to connect with these invaluable partners.

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Mohawk Renewal Sustainability with a story

A — A selection of the Mohawk Renewal Portfolio. B — Hemp ﬁber is rich in cellulose, just like wood—but it grows much more quickly. C — One common way farmers in Eastern Washington formerly disposed of their straw was to burn it, releasing carbon into the atmosphere. D — Once cotton pulp is broken down into slurry, it’s ready to be turned into paper.

With the introduction of Renewal, Mohawk Paper is writing an important, new chapter in their environmental sustainability story. Mohawk Paper is expanding the definition of sustainable papermaking and redefining the contours of their fiber sourcing practices. By introducing legacy fibers like hemp, straw, and cotton textiles, they’re looking to the past to define a more sustainable future.

Reimagine: Hemp Hemp fibers were long used across American industry to manufacture fabric, rope, and paper until they were outlawed in the 1930s. Now, PureHemp Technology, a small research company in Fort Lupton, Colorado, has created a low-carbon, green process to turn hemp stalks into pulp for making a wide variety of papers. With PureHemp’s process being used to manufacture hempderived products like pulp, papers like Mohawk Renewal join the CBD and legal marijuana industries, driving demand for this rapidly renewable agricultural crop. Unlike trees, which take 7 to 35 years to mature, hemp grows rapidly, maturing in as few as 90 days. Turning it into pulp requires less chemicals, water, and energy than wood, and it can be used to make a vast array of paper types, from greeting cards to label paper, cardstock, and packaging. Until recently, hemp stalks were never used as raw materials; they were simply tilled under in the fields. Now, this sturdy fiber is being repurposed to make paper, which is a benefit to the environment on every level. Since hemp can be raised nearly anywhere, refineries using this process can be set up across the country. Working with Mohawk has helped prove the viability of hemp fiber for pulp while fostering a new supply

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chain. It’s a massive opportunity to make a meaningful environmental impact. Reuse: Recycled Cotton For centuries, cotton textile waste was recycled to make paper. Today, there is more textile waste than ever. Strong, yet soft, these cotton fibers make beautiful paper. Mohawk Renewal Recycled Cotton uses two sources for its cotton fiber: white t-shirt trim and blue denim thread. Four generations after Cheney Pulp and Paper Company opened in Franklin, Ohio, the mill is still making pulp out of cotton rag—now with original owner Howard Cheney’s greatgrandson Mark Snyder at the helm. The company’s work is newly relevant thanks to a manufacturing partnership with Mohawk. Recycled cotton pulp from Cheney is used to make Mohawk Renewal T-Shirt White and Denim papers, giving cotton textile waste a second life. Made from t-shirt and denim scrap diverted from the millions of pounds of textile waste sent to landfills every year, these pulps remain unbleached and require no dye in the papermaking process.

Textile scrap material arrives in 1,000 pound bales of tiny clippings, which staffers sort by hand to weed out synthetics and ensure everything used is 100 percent cotton. Then, using a combination of heat, water, and time, those scraps are transformed into pulp for paper. Making this sustainable pulp for the new Mohawk Renewal range of papers takes pressure off landﬁlls while bolstering American industry. Reclaim: Straw Straw is a byproduct of wheat farming. Every year, after the wheat harvest, thousands of acres of straw are either burned off or plowed under. Now, that straw is being reclaimed for paper pulp.

Among the golden ﬁelds of grain in Eastern Washington, the largest wheat harvest in North America, a new company is bringing green industry to this pastoral landscape. Columbia Pulp, based in Dayton, WA, the ﬁrst new pulp mill in the U.S. in decades, has pioneered a cuttingedge, sustainable process, developed by researchers at the University of

Washington, that extracts pulp for paper from humble wheat straw. Columbia Pulp contracts with farmers across the region, spending $13 million annually on straw. Unlike wood, straw doesn’t need to be pressurized to transform into pulp, saving enormous amounts of energy. The new process is more environmentally friendly than comparable methods, requiring 25 percent less water and 70 percent less energy. It also eliminates the need for the annual “fall burns” farmers set to clear straw from their fields, when four to five million acres are set ablaze, creating acrid smoke and carbon emissions. Straw pulp creates paper products with a slightly yellow hue, which can be turned into a wide variety of products. There’s plenty of room for growth— the nation boasts 10 times as much biomass from farming operations, like straw, than it does from trees. Using straw as raw material for paper means less trees felled for paper, fewer damaging fires in Eastern Washington, and economic growth in rural communities. This sustainable product eases environmental impact and, you might say, spins straw into gold. •

mohawkconnects.com/ mohawk-renewal

THANKS TO THE CREATIVE GROUP THE CREATIVE GROUP (TCG) is the exclusive and founding sponsor of the GDUSA Students To Watch annual feature. TCG is a specialized staffing firm that connects interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations talent with a variety of firms. A division of Robert Half, TCG offers flexible solutions to meet companies’ project on a freelance, contract-to-hire and

GD USA GRAPHIC DESIGN USA

full-time basis, on-site and off-site. The company is extremely generous with insightful research and advice to the creative community.

Gordon Kaye Publisher

One example: Executive Director Diane Domeyer’s guidance to young graphic designers in her “10 Tips For Success In Your Creative Career” later in this edition. Another example: The Creative Group 2021 Salary Guide, with starting pay ranges and hiring trends, available now. Unlike other creative staffing agencies, The Creative Group offers staffing solutions and highly regarded consulting experience under one roof to help you deliver world-class customer experiences. With offices located in major markets across the U.S. and Canada, TCG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CONTACT :

ART & PRODUCTION Ilana Greenberg Creative Director Charlotte Kaye Production Director Jay Lewis Jeffrey Rosenberg Photographer

RobertHalf.com/Creative Group

SALARY GUIDE :

RobertHalf.com/salary-guide/creative-and-marketing

TEXT PAPER CREDIT: This special edition of GDUSA is printed on Mohawk Via, Satin, Bright White, 70 lb. text (104gsm). Contact: www.mohawkconnects.com

ABOUT THE COVER

ADMINISTRATION & READER SERVICES Althea Edwards Reader Services Manager Angelo Abbondante Accounts Manager Jennifer Hoff Scott Sczcypiorski Internet Services

Designer, entrepreneur and podcast host JinJa Birkenbeuel heads Birk Creative, a multichannel

EDITORIAL

brand strategy, digital transformation and visual

Gordon Kaye Editor | Print

identity agency whose clients include Facebook, Tesla, and Google. Our 2021 People To Watch special report starts at PAGE 12.

Sasha Kaye-Walsh Editor | Website Susan Lewis Kaye Associate Editor

FOUNDER Milton L. Kaye (1921-2016)

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COVER PAPER CREDIT: The cover of this special edition of GDUSA is printed on FSC-certified Kallima Coated Cover C2S, part of the Kallima Paper family of FSC-certified coated cover paperboard, manufactured by the Tembec Paper Group. A leading advocate of sustainability, Kallima has a distinct low-density high-bulk construction resulting in less trees used and signficant cost savings to the customer. Contact: kallimapaper.com and 1.800.411.7011

Ron Andriani Executive VP, Integrated Marketing + Business Development 201.485.8720 212.696.4380 randriani@ gdusa.com Gordon Kaye Publisher 212.696.4380 gkaye @ gdusa.com COPYRIGHT 2021 BY KAYE PUBLISHING CORPORATION

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PEOPLE

TO WATCH 12 G D U S A

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2021 | THE CRITERIA | FOR NEARLY SIX DECADES, GDUSA HAS STARTED EACH YEAR BY CHOOSING A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO WATCH WHO EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY. Individuals we have come to know and respect for a combination of talent, success, leadership, newsworthiness, influence and community service. In a field so deep in talent and broad in numbers, this is clearly a subjective process. And this year was a particular challenge — as well as a particular honor — since so many of you were able to navigate an unprecedent and uncertain environment with grace, dignity and intelligence. We hope you enjoy and appreciate our selections, heed their compelling words about what has changed and what has not, and what 2021 may look like — and let us know what you think and who may be missing. We expect to be here another 60 years, so there is time and space aplenty.

LOREN HOM

HOM SWEET HOM, DETROIT MI Lauren Hom is a designer, letterer and educator. A selfproclaimed “artist with a business brain”, she picked up hand lettering as a hobby while studying advertising at the School of Visual Arts. Over the next few years (and thanks to the power of the internet), she leveraged a few clever passion projects into a thriving freelance lettering-focused business. Known for her bright color palettes, playful letterforms, and quirky copywriting, Lauren has created work for clients like Vans, Google and Adobe. Called a “lettering legend,” she loves sharing what she's learned with others through the Q&A's she does on Instagram and her catalog of online courses on lettering, marketing, mural painting and more. When she's not working on client projects or teaching, you can find her running #HOMwork (a free creative challenge she's been sending out since 2017 with tens of thousands subscribers), learning how to make her favorite foods from scratch, or dreaming up her next passion project. Lauren’s motto is, and will always be, “Work hard, snack often.” After almost a decade in the design industry, she realizes that working hard all the time isn't sustainable, but she got it tattooed on her forearms when she was 23 so it will always be her motto and she's fine with it. She just reminds herself and others to take more breaks now. In 2023, Lauren plans to attend culinary school to expand her creative skillset and explore the inter-

Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the 'new normal'?

Since the pandemic began, our small studio has been working remotely, with the exception of a handful of socially-distanced photoshoots we needed to do. I miss the organic sharing of ideas that happens face to face, but I think working remotely has its benefits too (no commute time, more flexibility in scheduling, etc). Most of my team was already working remotely before this year, so in the future I could see us working 75% remotely and 25% in-person. We're lucky to be flexible, and our plan is to adapt as the situation changes. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

I can only speak for myself, but I think 2021 will be a year of experimentation. It’ll be the year we pull out those “maybe someday” and “wouldn't it be cool if...” ideas that have been collecting dust and actually do something with them. 2020 was a reminder that life is short and unpredictable, and it forced many of us to take stock of our work and ask ourselves if we want to make any adjustments. The challenges of 2020 reminded me that complacency is not an option, both personally and professionally.

section of graphic arts and culinary arts. G D U SA 13

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

My workspace is now wherever I am with my mobile phone, which has directly impacted my workflow. Because my creative agency is fundamentally a tech company, our digital transformation started years ago and we were prepared. The big change has been with our clients because they are now mobile. They now have insight into what they couldn’t see before. They are much less ashamed to admit it and are asking us to help them level up their brand with creative technology. We — clients included — are all suffering together in one way or another, whether because our school-aged children are constantly underfoot while we work, with our hair and house a total mess, or because we are in virtual conferences 10 am to midnight, too tired to remember to unmute our microphone. I am asked about The New Normal. We all now know there never was a “normal.” In today‘s pandemic world, many people, including me, are asking ‘Why in the world did we do that?’ in recognition of pre-pandemic goals that now seem lacking in purpose and meaning, that helped no families to survive and saved no lives.

JINJA BIRKENBEUEL CEO, BIRK CREATIVE, CHICAGO IL

What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

JinJa Birkenbeuel heads Birk Creative, a premier multichannel brand strategy, digital transformation and visual identity agency helping mid-market companies launch brands. Clients include Facebook, Tesla, CPASS Foundation and Google. She is also the founder of The Honest Field Guide(™) podcast, where she hosts discussions dedicated to winning in business with Grammy-Award winners, successful entrepreneurs, sports-team owners, best-selling authors and inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Professional graphic designers of all ages need to start self-advocating for their skills, passions and reason for being, and above all to create their own personal brand rooted in technology. Small businesses must understand that we are all competing against big brands. On the business side, the superbrands may not be agile or creative, but they have scaleable money. The independent women-owned or small business in America is constrained by the pandemic. To hang on, you have to find a niche, promote what makes you special and create amazing content. Then you have to execute and go on blast on multiple channels. Sales and marketing plans are designed for failure if conceived in the belief that big businesses will concede a single customer. I remain focused on my agency’s longstanding social and economic justice metric, which requires an outcome that positively impacts an individual or an underrepresented group.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the 'new normal'?

While it has had its challenges, the pandemic has caused a lot of positive changes for the workplace and workflow. It’s forced us to add processes that make us more efficient with our creative work and naturally stripped out the unnecessary. We can’t collaborate in physical space anymore. But that’s helped those who often took a backseat to louder voices in the room really come into their own as they’re given the space to flourish. handsome is stronger than ever as a direct result of how we’ve adapted to the circumstances. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

BRANDON TERMINI CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER, HANDSOME, AUSTIN TX

I worry about the continued homogenization of graphic design as a result of our isolation. Fresh ideas tend to spark from fresh experiences. So, as the world of graphic design looks more and more to the internet as the sole area for inspiration, I fear things will begin to look the same across brands and products at an exponential rate. More than ever we have to make a conscious effort to remove ourselves from our screens and create healthy habits that allow us to experience new things.

As Co-Founder and Creative Design Partner, Brandon Termini leads handsome’s creative design teams to deliver compelling content across clients’ digital and physical ecosystems. Born in Burbank, Termini knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue a career in helping to build brands. He studied advertising at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, graduating at the top of his class. Soon after, Termini met fellow co-founder John Roescher and founded handsome along with childhood friend and creative collaborator Adam Deutsch. The trio have grown the agency exponentially since then, allowing Termini to create work for some of the biggest clients in the world including Facebook, Dell, Visa, FedEx, Nickelodeon, Audi and more. His creative perspective was integral to the creation of handsome’s holistic approach and propelled its capabilities forward across the fields of marketing, branding, digital and product design. Termini believes in considering all possible touch points of the user’s journey and taking human emotions into account to help bring the magic back into brand experiences. On a typical day at handsome, you can find him talking to clients to understand their business objectives, consumer touch points and company values in addition to working with handsome’s talented design teams on everything from ideation to execution across just about any medium.

G D U SA 15

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the 'new normal'?

The pandemic has significantly changed the way we work. As leaders, we have two lenses, balancing caring for our staff with care for the business. During these unprecedented times, I am putting a higher priority on staff care, because they bring the value to the work we do. I have cultivated empathy in myself and my staff; created a stronger culture of connection; increased our lines of communications; allowed every imaginable flexible schedule; changed expectations when needed; and shared deep appreciation for each member on the team. This year has taught us resilience and compassion, how to be vulnerable and ask for help. And it also engendered a strong sense of teamwork. There will be a new normal — one that most likely will look like a hybrid of what was and what is. I hope we never lose this deeper sense of community, because even though this year dispersed my team physically, it brought us closer together.

REECE QUINONES SENIOR VP AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR THE HATCHER GROUP, BETHESDA MD The Hatcher Group is a communications, marketing, and graphic design firm where Reece Quiñones leads a talented and diverse design team of nine — all dedicated to developing solutions that move missions forward. An awardwinning creative, Reece brings a deep understanding of integrated campaigns across all channels and expertly applies the creative process from conception to completion. With more than 25 years of experience managing and delivering solutions ranging from product development, publishing, web/user-experience, advertising, marketing, and video, she works with diverse business teams and helps them articulate their messages to their audiences and translate that information into compelling creative. While at Hatcher, Reece has led the creative output for OSI-Baltimore, America’s Promise Alliance, College of Southern Maryland, Aspen Institute, Baltimore City Community College, Maryland 529, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She earned a BA in Art from University of Maryland, an MFA in Integrated Design from University of Baltimore, and an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Reece is also an adjunct professor of design at George Mason University since 2008, and she mentors design students and is a long-standing member of the AIGA DC Design Continuum Fund, a merit-based scholarship developed for minority and economically disadvantaged students studying art and design in the Washington DC region. 16 G D U S A

What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

One of the biggest issues we faced in 2020 was the cracking open of America’s issues on race. It was a common theme across all major issues, including the pandemic, politics, and protests. In our daily roles, graphic designers have always had the ability to visually break down racial barriers and biases. Today, I am already seeing hints of intentionally diverse designs, but we must do more. In 2021, I expect more companies will purposely diversify their design teams to make effective, innovative, and inclusive design decisions. On the personal side, many of us have always volunteered and used the power of design to inform, connect, persuade, influence, and engage. The challenges of 2020 have taught us to think more deeply and broadly about the hardest challenges facing our world — race, equity, opportunity, democracy, and public health. I observed so many creatives joining forces for good, just wanting to do something for the community at large. We were unsettled — knocked away from our “normal” ways of looking at the world. 2020 sparked a fire in so many of us. My hope is that more designers join the call.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

Like most studios, Enlisted transitioned to working fully remote during the pandemic. But we do our best work during in-person collaborative workshops with our partners, so our new normal will be a hybrid model with in-studio and remote work. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

I’m always optimistic, but especially about 2021 because there’s never been a better time to be a graphic designer. People value great design now more than ever and that affords designers opportunities to influence our evolving world!

BEAU OYLER FOUNDER, ENLISTED DESIGN, OAKLAND CA Beau Oyler is a design entrepreneur and founder of Enlisted Design where he works at the intersection of business, data, and design to create product experiences for some of the world’s most sought-after brands. His work can be found today at MoMA, Apple Store, Whole Foods, Target, Best Buy, and Amazon. For Beau and Enlisted, great design is a collaborative process that encompasses branding, packaging design, industrial design, and UX. It’s a cohesive whole, and when it all comes together in the right way, brands can create that special connection that goes beyond affinity, advocacy and loyalty to become part of a person's identity. Recently, Enlisted joined Pattern.com to create an industry-first approach that uses the soul of design and the science of data analytics to create the right brand, at the right time, for the right consumer. When he’s not at the studio, you’ll probably find Beau cycling, surfing, snowboarding, hiking and exploring the world with his adventurous wife and kids.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

ILANA GREENBERG CREATIVE DIRECTOR, GDUSA, NEW YORK NY Ilana Greenberg is the Creative Director of Graphic Design USA (GDUSA), a news magazine for graphic designers and other creative professionals. For over two decades, she has overseen and elevated the overall identity and design of the print magazine, 5 national design competitions, as well as the company’s website and social media coverage. When not at GDUSA, she designs for many educational organizations including Girls Who Code, Greene Hill School, NYC Opt Out, and Change the Stakes. Ilana began her career at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she worked in both the Special Publications and Editorial departments. Ilana is also a painter and illustrator and owns an art gallery in her beloved hometown of Brooklyn. Her popular paintings are sold online through national retailers including Ethan Allen, One Kings Lane and Minted.

I am so fortunate that I have been able to transition rather seamlessly to a virtual workplace. Graphic design, as a field, has always been dependent on online communications, so I haven’t found the shift to a remote lifestyle that challenging. At the magazine, I now receive files electronically, rather than going into the office, but the design and production process has not changed at all. Working from home hasn’t interrupted my digital workflow but it has changed where and when I work. Before the pandemic, my husband would leave before 6 am to teach high school Math and my two teenagers would be out the door not long after that. Finding time to focus on work was much easier before my kids began learning remotely from their bedrooms and my husband started live streaming to his students from our living room. Now I must find the time to design between making lunches, dodging unwanted zoom appearances, and unwittingly learning about quadratic equations. I do believe that things will eventually phase back to pre-pandemic conditions, but I also think that many people will permanently be working remotely and that face time, for the foreseeable future, will only be FaceTime. Even with the cramped quarters and erratic schedule, I am very thankful to have a great job, while so many others are suffering and out of work. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

I think that 2020 has elevated the role of the graphic designer and 2021 will only increase the need for effectively-designed communications. One longtime client is an Italian restaurant called Barbalu. Once the pandemic hit, Barbalu and all other NYC restaurants were forced to shut down indoor dining. Designers had to quickly pivot to create take-out menus, upgrade online delivery services, facilitate outdoor dining structures, and modify signage to meet health regulations. I also design for many nonprofit institutions and new opportunities for design work came from schools and charities that required pandemic-related information added to their literature and websites. Graphic designers are at our core communicators. During challenging times, it becomes even more essential to inform and educate others through simple and smart design. G D U SA 19

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

For me, the most dramatic change has been the lack of travel, which has increased productivity. I’ve had more time to be hands-on and actually get more involved in the design — concept, development and even production. In that sense, it’s been incredible. As a manager, I found myself delegating and even critiquing things I was not fluent in. I have used this time to develop my working knowledge of Figma, Blender and other tools. When the pandemic is over — and my six-year-old can return to school —I am hopeful that the new-found appreciation for the work combined with over 25 years of experience will allow me to better lead projects and teams. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

MICK MCCONNELL PARTNER, DESIGN, LIPPINCOTT, NEW YORK NY Mick McConnell is a design partner at Lippincott, a global brand and innovation consultancy. He’s based in the New York office. He ensures all brand touchpoints — including physical and digital — are holistically united through one experiential condition. At Lippincott, he uses this expertise to help companies identify new opportunities for growth, design products and services that manifest this future, and develop prototypes and pilots for testing in market. Mick has deep experience in retail, direct to consumer, and commercial development work, leading projects for Spark Telecom, Techstars, Nike, H&M, and many others. Prior to joining Lippincott, he was a Senior VP at WeWork and led the Innovation practice. Previously, he was head of design for Samsung Electronics America’s marketing team, global head of design for Chipotle, and an Executive Creative Director at R/GA. An accomplished conference speaker, Mick has presented in the UK, Germany, US, Canada, and Switzerland on design strategy, 360-degree design solutions, product and service design and workplace trends. He has been teaching at the university level since 1998 and has taught design studio and seminars at Yale, Harvard, Syracuse and Michigan and now currently at Pratt Institute. He holds a BSAS (Hons) in Architecture from the University of Nebraska and a Masters in Architecture from the same school. He also studied experiential design at the Southern California Institute of Architecture and authored a book in 1994 about the program and its place in time during the LA Riots.

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I have spent much of 2020 helping brands understand the impact of COVID-19 on their business and innovating around new products and services. Graphic design did not suffer in these projects; I think it remains as important a discipline as it ever was. To me, the most interesting outcome of 2020 was awareness; awareness of how we work, how we interact, who we work with, and more. Design has been impacted greatly by this because, as designers, we have an incredible opportunity and responsibility to communicate this change. For several years, I have been lecturing on five areas of professional development and their interdependency; discovering interests, making connections, gaining knowledge, developing understanding, and doing good. For every project undertaken, I try to do my best to elevate the possibilities and outcomes to be those that better serve the greater good.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the 'new normal’?

My workplace has changed dramatically. I’ve moved from our Elmwood studio in West Chelsea in Manhattan to a small garden shed in Westchester. (My dear husband helped me convert an old, dusty shed in our backyard into a lovely home studio.) While I’ve changed locations, our workflow and process have remained remarkably consistent throughout the pandemic. Is this good or bad? It’s a bit of both. It’s good, even great, that I’m able to spend more time with my family and less time commuting. But there’s no replacement for the energy of a busy and buzzing creative studio. I miss the war room critiques, coffee chats in the kitchenette, and working lunches with colleagues. Our team has done an amazing job staying connected, but we’re looking forward to an in-person reunion.

MEG BECKUM EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ELMWOOD, NEW YORK NY Meg Beckum is a designer, writer and creative director at Elmwood New York. Meg has worked in publishing and branding for 20 years, developing corporate identities, campaigns and experiences for some of the world’s most recognized brands including Heineken, Kimberly-Clark, GSK, American Express,

Still, I don’t expect that we’ll fully return to our prepandemic ways. We’ve realized that we can be efficient and productive working remotely. The 9to-5, tethered-to-your-desk workweek has been a long time dying. It’s an archaic work model. This year has stripped down the artificial barrier between work life and personal life. We’ve seen our colleagues’ living rooms. We’ve met their children and partners. We’ve seen pajamas, bad haircuts, faces sans makeup. I think it’s a positive. We’re starting to see each other, not just as co-workers, but as humans. Maybe I’m overly optimistic, but I’m hoping the pandemic will create new ways of working — more flexibility and freedom for employees and their families. Lord knows, we could all use more balance.

Verizon, Bank of America and Volkswagen. Through imagination, craft and storytelling, Meg helps businesses uncover and cultivate authentic brand narratives and expressions. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, GDUSA, The Drum, Creative Boom, and Print Magazine. Meg earned an MFA

What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

in design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. She previously served as a board member of AIGANY. While brand development is her focus, Meg is most proud of her work with organizations empowering women and children — including the Girl Scouts of the USA, Planned Parenthood, WIC and Teach for America.

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Let’s be real. I’ve witnessed this year — the pandemic, racial injustice, and environmental disasters — from a vantage point of privilege. Many of us — designers, marketers and brands have played it safe, stayed neutral, and avoided difficult conversations. If this year taught me anything, it’s that I need to show up, face into the discomfort, and have a point of view. In branding we talk a lot about values, but I wonder if we truly walk the walk. As a creative industry, I think we need to make more decisions based on those values, and be prepared to defend them.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

I am very fortunate and privileged to continue doing creative work during a time when millions of people are losing their lives and suffering. This pandemic has presented the opportunity for me to look inward, take stock, and show more gratitude for what I have: incredibly supportive people that have entrusted me with their places and spaces, the sides of their buildings, and to share with those they serve and care for. My working days have not changed that much, but my appreciation for those I get to work with has deepened tremendously. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

This year has reopened our eyes to how easily constructs like “routine” and “security” can be disrupted. A brighter future is going to require more empathy, kindness, generosity, ingenuity, and imagination in everything we do.

JORDAN WONG GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR WONGFACE, CLEVELAND OH Jordan Wong (WONGFACE) is an artist who loves to inspire and delight others through illustration and graphic design. He is fascinated with moments of triumph found in Asian art (namely Japanese anime and manga), comic books, and video games. These inspirations have fueled the creation of large-scale illustrative installations and public artwork throughout the city of Cleveland. Jordan has also exhibited work at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and is scheduled for a solo exhibition at the Akron Art Museum in 2021. He is the president of AIGA Cleveland, designer for SPACES (an arts organization and resource), and a featured member of the Institute of Possibility.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

Our studio has done a complete 180 — let’s be honest — a 360 and shifted to become 100% virtual. We are a small team, so it has been challenging (and lonely!) to work solo. But we’ve been fortunate to stay busy throughout 2020 which makes the days fly by, and I think we’ll be returning to the studio very soon! What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

2020 has been a whirlwind of emotions and it’s been extra challenging to focus on the many positive things that still surround us. As a creative person, it’s made me realize that I can do more to bring positivity to my work and community whether it be through design or a simple friendly gesture. Having so much of the world go virtual has opened doors for some designers living in more rural areas. You can do great work and not live in a major city.

SARA ERLANDSON LEAD DESIGNER, CHRISTIANSEN CREATIVE, HUDSON WI Sara Erlandson joined Christiansen Creative as Lead Designer in 2016. Her career began in print production nearly 10 years prior, which paved the foundation for her passion for detail, organization, the creative process and commitment to quality. Since then, Sara has designed at every level and position — inhouse, small and large agencies, and freelance gigs that had projects ranging from branding, design, creative direction, photography, 3D modeling, photo styling and retouching. Being a small business owner herself in a rural Wisconsin community aligns her values with those of Christiansen Creative, which is to create a positive impact through relationships and do the best work possible while contributing to the greater good. Sara’s design work has been recognized by the design community including: GDUSA, Logo Lounge, MARCOM, Communicator and Hermes, among others. A competitor at heart, Sara is the 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 Big Buck Hunter Ladies World Champion and has traveled across the country competing and promoting the popular hunting arcade game. She has appeared in a Twitch.tv mini-documentary, ESPN, Examiner, Men’s Health Magazine, and numerous other industry magazines and local news stories. Her sharp-shooting skills go hand-in-hand with her eye for detail and polished design style that benefits brands on both the national and local level.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

Luckily, the transition to a fully remote staff was seamless. Clear communication is inherent to designers, and now, more than ever, we have to be able to work through solutions and keep projects moving. I think as creatives we had a head start! I expect things to return to a ‘new normal,’ maintaining certain practices we learned during the pandemic that benefitted our process: video conferences to reduce the stress of in-person meetings, remote work as needed with strengthened teamwork, support and collaboration. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

JEFF GILLIGAN EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR BMI (BROADCAST MUSIC, INC.), NEW YORK NY

2021 will be and exciting and BUSY year for designers. Creatives of all types will be leaned upon to help with reopening and creating this new normal. We are more powerful than ever, responsible for spearheading an impact that is seen, heard and designed to affect change, not just make things look pretty. Designers are no longer simply working for clients and businesses, we are forming and developing communities, starting and supporting movements and influencing culture and politics.

Jeff Gilligan is a creative professional with over two decades of experience. At BMI in New York City, he oversees the design and advertising initiatives for the nation’s leading performing rights organization. With a hands-on approach, Jeff brings a vision and an acumen honed across a wide array of platforms and creative campaigns. Prior to his tenure at BMI, Jeff spent two years as Head of Creative for 300 Entertainment and, before that, was the Creative Director of Digital for SpotCo, an entertainment advertising and branding agency. Brands like American Express, Atlantic Records, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Hamilton The Musical, Robin Hood Foundation, Sony Music and Warner Brothers, among others, have employed his services with awardwinning results. A former faculty member at the School of Visual Arts, his design aesthetic is focused on smart, contemporary work that is recognizable and resonant.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

The pandemic freed us from the mental constraints of the physical working space. I’ve traveled and worked from several different cities and countries this year and I no longer feel that remote working is the exception. My team and I have adjusted smoothly to this new normal. We closed the studio, and now I work from home or wherever I am. The workflow changed at the beginning of the pandemic; it slowed down. But now we are back to full speed. The new challenge is to stop every day and go for a walk. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

MARIA SILVA MORA SENIOR DESIGN & BRAND STRATEGIST MUCCA, NEW YORK NY At design studio Mucca, María Silva Mora’s goal is to lead the discovery of the compelling kernel of truth at the root of each brand and use it to craft a unique story. As a dedicated brand partner, Maria works hand-in-hand with clients via Mucca’s workshops to understand their vision and uncover the brand’s purpose, laying the foundation for the creative process. Besides being a skilled strategist, she is also an award-winning designer in her own right, having created brand identities for a range of companies, retailers, restaurants and organizations including Union Square Hospitality, WeWork, Fairway, Ficosota and many others. This has earned her recognition from CA, TDC, LAD, and BID. As a longtime member of the Mucca family, Maria has become an essential caretaker of the studio’s voice, vision and heart. While she is a Colombian import, and ambassador of good vibes and arepas, she also blames her German schooling for her severe OCD and orderly desk.

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The big challenge for 2021 will be to strengthen our team connection and communication to defeat isolation. Working remotely can be excellent, efficient and liberating, but emotional ties and quality time are compromised. Without a doubt, the 2020 challenges have given me a new perspective of my priorities in life. And they have also pushed me to be more responsible with my work, to think more in depth about the impact and the purpose of every project.

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make Devanagari script relevant in the current design discourse. In 2016, he joined Ball State University as an educator where he founded Studio 165+, a design studio course through which students work with regional, national, and international clients. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

Definitely yes. The pandemic has changed it. In most cases returning to a pre-pandemic work style will be a mistake. The pandemic has provided us an opportunity to slow down and reevaluate our current methods as well as future priorities. And I hope that we use this time to stop normalizing our existing design process and strive to be more adaptive and inclusive for future. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

SHANTANU SUMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR OPEN DOOR DESIGN STUDI (ODDS), MUNCIE IN Shantanu Suman is both a practioner of design at Open Door Design Studio

To some extent, the challenges faced in 2020 resulted from years of neglect in areas including our personal, professional, social, physical, mental, political, economic, and cultural wellbeing. I hope designers become more engaged within their respective communities and use their skills for more than just making a living. This pandemic has also made us realize that designers have to play a much larger role in enhancing our interactions and experiences.

and a teacher of design as Assistant Professor of Visual Communication, Ball State University. In a career spanning over sixteen years, Shantanu has worked as a Creative Director, documentary filmmaker, small business owner, and educator. He has worked with a variety of clients ranging from small startups to global brands including Kohler Co., The Wing Luke Museum, Frost Museum, Wired Magazine, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Reebok, and Citibank. After working for several advertising agencies in India — including Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy & Mather, McCann, and Publicis — Shantanu moved to the US in 2010 to pursue his master’s degree from the University of Florida. During his stint in advertising, Shantanu garnered multiple awards including Cannes Silver Lion, D&AD, Clio, and Asia Pacific Adfest. His design work has been recognized by several publications including Uneven Growth (MoMA), CA, TDC, GDUSA, Print, LogoLounge, CNN Travel, Designboom, and Creative Review. In 2012, Shantanu collaborated with friends to make Horn Please, a documentary film based on the Indian Truck Art screened at several film festivals in the US and Europe. Shantanu constantly draws inspiration from his Indian roots to inform his design decisions. He uses Hindi typography within his work to

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH As a practical matter, has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

COVID has undeniably made an impact because it’s not just work from home. It’s everything from home. My prediction is remote work is here to stay and distributed teams that embrace it will have the pick of the best talent in the world — wherever they might be. Of course, this means the challenge will be building and maintaining culture, and a slew of tools and methodologies will emerge to do it. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

Going forward, I hope designers across the spectrum will keep in mind that ‘No’ is not the enemy. ‘No’ is how we get better. Take every rejection as a learning opportunity. And similarly, take these culturally heavy, intense, meaningful moments in our society as opportunities to learn and empathize with people. The best designers I’ve worked with share one trait — the ability to put themselves in the shoes of the person they’re designing for.

STEPHEN CLEMENTS CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER YML, REDWOOD CITY CA/ATLANTA GA/INDIANAPOLIS IN Stephen Clements is the Chief Creative Officer at YML, where he oversees all digital product design and manages a team of 55 designers. Formerly Co-Founder of Junior: the Rapid Invention Company, a product design accelerator for big brands, and before that, Executive Creative Director for AKQA, San Francisco, Stephen has over 15 years industry experience working at the top of the game. An accomplished product design and innovation leader, he created breakthrough work for brands such as Activision, Anheuser-Busch, Audi, eBay, Jordan, Levi’s, NVIDIA, Verizon, Visa, Xbox, and YouTube to name a few. Among his innovative projects: he helped bring the 10k race to London for Nike by way of Nike Run London; he created the future of the tv interface for Xbox 360, and helped design and launch XboxLIVE; he reimagined the automotive digital ecosystem for Audi USA; and he made “the world’s coolest basketball court” for Nike’s Jordan at the All Star Weekend in New York. Stephen’s work has featured in Wired, Forbes, BBC, WSJ, PSFK, the New York Times, and USA Today. His efforts have been recognized in global awards including Cannes, One Show, ADC, D&AD, the Addys, the Webbys, and the Effies. In his free time, Stephen likes surfing, rock climbing, Burningman (don’t ask), and art shows. Prior to all this, Stephen was an architect. And he’s from England. 28 G D U S A

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

The pandemic has forced CF Napa, like most agencies, to work largely remotely from the office, one another and our clients. We were fortunate in that we already had systems in place to allow for our team to work remotely. In addition, many of our clients are located outside of California and the US, so we were already accustomed to working remotely with many of our clients. The question of whether this is good or bad is not a simple one. Certainly, the flexibility can be wonderful for some employees and for others a curse of distractions at home. The sense of isolation from the team can be very real for many. I’ve always felt strongly that the best teams and creative energy result from direct interaction with one another. I don't care what anyone says about remote teams, there is a special magic that can’t be replicated remotely. You can get close, but the camaraderie, the spontaneous inspiration and sparks are missing from remote teams in many cases. We expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working with a mixture of new remote employees as well. There is a balance there that we now know we can achieve — leveraging the best of both worlds.

DAVID SCHUEMANN CREATIVE PRINCIPAL, CF NAPA BRAND DESIGN, NAPA CA Over the past 20 years, David Schuemann has established CF Napa Brand

What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

Design as one of the world’s preeminent branding agencies specializing in the alcohol beverage category. CF Napa has created some of the fastest-growing, most coveted and successful alcohol brands in the world. The firm’s work has earned international recognition from almost every major design competition and has been showcased in some of the most prestigious museums, including the Museum of Modern Art. CF Napa’s work is part of the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum at the Smithsonian in New York City and the permanent collection of the American Design Archives at the Denver Art Museum. In 2013, Schuemann authored 99 Bottles of Wine, The Making of the Contemporary Wine Label. The book offers a rare behind-thescenes look at how innovative creative packaging design drives some of today’s most successful wine brands while featuring 40+ years of design work from the firm. David has served on the advisory board for Women of the Vine and currently serves on the board for Artisan Spirit Mag, where he is considered a thought leader in branding for the growing craft spirits industry. In addition

I expect 2021 to be a year of recovery and slowly getting back to normal in many ways. I feel that designers will be central to rebuilding the sense of connection between all of us that was lost during this tumultuous time. In our particular specialty of alcohol brands, we anticipate the trend of brands building their digital presence to increase and the need for design to play a more important part in that than ever. Many brands have learned the hard lesson of focusing too singularly on one channel of communication or sales — that has surely changed forever. We anticipate a large resurgence of brand investment and innovation as companies look to capitalize on the pent-up demand from consumers and an economy that will hopefully begin to roar again.

to his involvement in a variety of industry organizations, David speaks regularly about strategic branding and design at conferences worldwide.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

During this pandemic, we’ve been focused on staying even more connected with our clients. As a strategic design studio, our priority is to understand and align with the spectrum of shifts that our clients are undergoing so that we can better advise and support them through these changes. Meetings, phone calls and presentations have all moved online. While we look forward to some in-person client contact again in the future, video conferencing has expanded our ability to connect consistently, and in some ways, more meaningfully, as we reimagine the future together. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

EMILY RICH PRINCIPAL, EMILY RICH DESIGN, INC., LOS ANGELES CA Emily Rich is an award-winning designer and the founder of Emily Rich Design, established in 2003 to empower brands with purposeful messaging and beautiful artwork. She is an inspired and strategic partner to her nonprofit and business clients who are making a difference in the world through their innovative enterprises. With a background in math and fine arts, Emily’s design journey encompasses both a creative and analytical approach to storytelling. Her early professional experiences include newspaper and magazine art direction and package design for musicians such as Neil Diamond, Chick Corea and Natalie Cole. She later served as the creative director for two inhouse corporate marketing departments. Over the past two decades, Emily has designed for brands in diverse spaces including education, events, social services, philanthropy, arts and culture, food and wine, health and wellness and more. The high percentage of long-term clients, repeat business, and referrals are a proud testament to the studio’s track record of exceptional service, commitment to quality, and passion for excellence.

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Design communicates ideas — often in unexpected ways — and I anticipate continued evolution and realignment in 2021. 2020 marked a year of multiple disruptions, underscoring the necessity for new ideas, creative solutions and clear, thoughtful communications. Words, messaging, and design have the potential to either further a divide or bridge gaps. In my work, especially with nonprofits, I strive to be that bridge — creating pathways to open minds and hearts to new possibilities though collaborative storytelling with creative imagery that inspires.

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from the technology, music, entertainment, and beauty sectors, and has won numerous design awards including GDUSA, HOW, and the Internet Marketing Awards (IMAs). Andon spends any spare moments with his new daughter, going on long runs, and playing drums. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

We are privileged to work in a profession that allows people to work remotely. However, there is no replicating the moments of insight and collaboration when working in the studio with your team. Video conferencing is not a surrogate for those small interactions when walking past someone's desk, and a critical insight or idea is born. We cannot wait to get back to the “old normal” and work as a real, physical team again. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

C. ANDON GUENTHER FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANDON GUENTHER DESIGN LLC (AGD), DENVER CO C. Andon Guenther is the founder and creative director of the award-winning creative design agency Andon Guenther Design LLC (AGD). Andon graduated from the Rocky Mountain School of Art & Design in 2001 with a BA in Adver-

The pandemic and social upheaval have reminded us just how important visual communication is. Now more than ever, we must choose our clients, associates, and projects wisely and recognize that we absolutely MUST change the world for the better with every letterform we place in a composition. Whether it's a message on a face covering or a microsite dedicated to tracking climate change, there is a mandate for universal change that starts with designers.

tising Design and a BA in Illustration. During his over 18 years of professional experience, he has developed brand identities, brand strategies and positioning, graphic design, creative direction, programming, and consumer experience design for all manner of brand touchpoints. Andon has worked with global brands such as Red Bull North America, Sony Pictures, Janus Funds, Sabian Cymbals, Lenovo, Denver Art Museum, Hormel Foods Corporation, Relapse Records, Airheads Candy, and Yogi Tea. Andon founded AGD in 2011 to be a fearless and courageous creative studio with a vision to develop iconic brands using a process that begins with in-depth consumer research that drives design decisions. AGD soon changed the Sports Nutrition CPG category’s entire visual language by bringing to the fore unapologetic, iconic, and clean design communication aesthetics. The firm has designed brand identities, packaging, tradeshow experiences, and advertising touchpoints for Dymatize Nutrition, MusclePharm, CytoSport Inc., Evolve, FitMiss, and numerous others. AGD has excelled at creating highly differentiated design solutions for diverse clients

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

This year completely turned normal routines and systems upside down. Learning to manage complex, multi-staged, inter-team projects from home was in itself one giant design thinking project. The biggest change happened in our communication habits. In person, so much communication happens organically, which means we had to learn to be far more intentional in reaching out and stating our needs. This along with flexible hours and increased global collaboration are all things I want to continue beyond the pandemic. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

SHANTI SPARROW SHANTI SPARROW DESIGN NEW YORK NY Shanti Sparrow is an award winning Australian designer, illustrator and educator living and creating in New York. Sparrow has a vibrant and bold approach to design. In a style described as loudly minimal, she creates visual identities filled with individuality and personality. Her expressive typography, grid experimentation and confident color palettes create memorable and iconic branding. Sparrow specializes as a conceptual designer and collaborates with many not-for-profit clients that create awareness and raise funds for important humanitarian, environmental and research based causes. As an educator Sparrow is dedicated to shaping and supporting the next generation of designers. She champions inclusivity, knowing ones worth and diversity in her role as Northern Hemisphere Director at Shillington School of Graphic Design. As an illustrator, Sparrow has a unique illustration style that combines textures, patterns and digital collage. Her subjects mainly involve animals, nature and travel. Sparrow has exhibited globally, published numerous children's books, greeting cards, games, calendars and a limited edition luggage range with American Tourister.

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One of the greatest things about graphic design is its ability to adapt and evolve. Design is endlessly resilient — as are creatives. While some areas such as events, experiences and physical spaces may be less in demand, we see digital and service design bloom. This year has also made me reflect on my practice and the messages I am putting into the world. Design is powerful and the way we use it to communicate either adds to misinformation or aids in clarifying and educating. We as designers must take greater ownership and be aware of our power to influence.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

As creatives, we are asked to be flexible and nimble every day. The pandemic has pushed us to be even more resourceful, especially for print/package design. I expect remote work and virtual meetings to continue in the future, which means we’ll need to find even more meaningful ways to connect and collaborate with colleagues and clients to get that muchneeded human interaction. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

AARON WOOLSEY

My team and I have been very fortunate to stay busy throughout the pandemic. I know this is not necessarily the case for all of our peers at the moment, but I believe there will always be a place for creative design. The state of the world encourages us to think and design more holistically, taking others into account. Is this communicating the right message? Are we being socially sensitive? Thinking more broadly about how our design might impact individual people should be at the forefront of our approach, whether it’s a bottle of wine or a social media post.

CREATIVE DESIGN MANAGER FETZER VINEYARDS, HOPLAND CA At Fetzer Vineyards, Aaron Woolsey leads the winery’s inhouse creative team, responsible for print and package design across a diverse portfolio encompassing dozens of wine brands. Aaron’s passion for people, coupled with his ability to discover and champion new creative talent, has enabled him to build a gifted, artistic and award-winning creative team at Fetzer Vineyards. Since graduating from Brooks Institute with a BA in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Aaron has gained a decade of design experience at a wide variety of CPG companies. Throughout his professional career, he has brought creativity, innovation and expertise to a broad range of projects, from organic blueberry packaging to cycling apparel to luxury wines. A leader in alcohol beverage design, Aaron is frequently solicited for creative advice and vendor recommendations, not only from his Fetzer Vineyards colleagues, but also from suppliers and peers who view him as a “go-to” creative professional in the wine industry. He has a keen ability to bring a concept from ideation to the hands of the consumer in a cost-effective, innovative manner, harnessing best practices in graphic design and print technology to enhance brand equity and successfully usher new products to market.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Our expertise includes creating packaging, digital and experiential campaigns for both growing challenger brands and multinational corporations. We have a proven track record of delivering effective, award-winning creative work for projects of any size–and for clients around the globe. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

ICON is fortunate to have been able to maintain and actually grow our client base during the pandemic. We miss not being in the same physical space as a team, but we’re just a text or zoom away from both clients and each other so the workflow has not suffered. As for what the future holds we will most likely evolve and flex based on the needs of the business. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business?

I think there are lots of opportunities to partner with both large and small businesses as they re-invent, pivot and re-build. Clients are needing design.

JENNIFER BUTLER ART DIRECTOR/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ICON CREATIVE AGENCY, PASADENA CA My career started as a package designer at Mattel Toys after graduating from Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio. I came to California for a visit and two weeks later I was working on Hot Wheels and Barbie and never looked back. I then broadened my experience creativity at another toy company, Applause, where we worked with large entertainment brands from Warner Bros., Disney and Jim Henson’s Muppets to various strategic partnerships overseeing premium based programs and large retail inhouse display programs, winning a POPAI Award, which celebrates innovation and excellence instore and throughout the shopper experience. Shifting to the other side of the toy aisle, I managed the creative teams at Lakeshore Learning Materials, an educational toy company and then changed courses again and dove into the food and beverages categories within Nestlé. As an Art Director/Project Manager for their inhouse Design Agency, I had the opportunity to work with many high-profile brands including Nescafé, Nesquik, Nespresso, Purina, Boost, Butterfinger and Haagen-Dazs. Fast forward to today where myself and a group of seriously talented folks left Nestlé to create ICON, a creative agency with national, international and multicultural experience in CPG and beyond.

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Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

If anything, it’s made me more aware of the power of design and how important storytelling and truth telling is. We as designers have an important role to play in shaping opinion and at the same time, the political landscape is so divisive it can be tricky to navigate.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

The pandemic has undeniably shifted the way in which we communicate with clients — and that’s just that: Communication. Beginning at the first point of contact, assume that your client is not tech savvy. In recent months, I’ve encountered many clients who’ve had a hard time with technology and, in many instances, I’ve had to provide tutorials on using cloud-based systems and online programs such as Zoom, Asana, etc. Before 2020, I would create works in a more discreet manner, meet with the client physically so that they would have tangible pieces and open dialogue. However, within this climate, I have been privy to full transparency starting from the first email onward.

PAMELA GREEN ART DIRECTOR PAMGREEN DESIGNS, BROOKLYN NY A keen observer of human behavior, Pamela prides herself on delivering fresh, intelligent, and diverse work that fully encompasses the users experience. Her bold and vivid works are conceptualized and executed with three principles in mind: function, flow and familiarity. Residing in Brooklyn NY as part-time Associate Art Director of HEC, and full-time Creative Director of PamGreen Designs, she possesses over ten years of professional design experience working within profit and non-profit landscapes. A self-starter with a passion for expressionism, Pamela steers her creative, business and tech vision across multiple omni-channel channels, utilizing consumer behavior as a means for informed design decisions.

I have also adapted a window of 5-10 mins prior to the beginning of every meeting solely based on the possibility that tech issues may arise. Good preparation for virtual meetings is to expect the unexpected and anticipate complications, and this has evolved from a hypothetical to a norm. In many ways, this pandemic has taught us to revisit our level(s) of independence, ensuring that we are well equipped to deal with disruption. Will communication return to normal within the upcoming years ahead? Of course not — but when has there ever been an expectation that things will remain the same? What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

One thing that I am expecting and looking forward to in the new year is an outpouring of entrepreneurialism. From those who’ve spent time during lockdown reassessing, evaluating and reinventing themselves and from those who’ve decided to redirect their focus from large corporations to work independently in order to advance their best interests. My mindset has altered along these lines in the past few months. The constant reminders of systemic racism, the alarming rates of the virus, social media and direct communication with those alike, have only reinforced my belief that life is short, precious and what you make of it. I’ve learned in this climate not to allow circumstances to control my behavior, but to allow my behavior to control circumstances.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

The pandemic hasn’t changed our workplace or workflow because we designed Fortnight to be flexible and speedy from the beginning. If anything, the design world is now heading to where we’ve been due to an increased demand for speed, flexibility and agility. Our rallying cry, BetterHustle, exemplifies these principles and has allowed us to pivot as culture inevitably shifts around us. We’ve always worked via three-day Design Sprints and one-to-two-week Design Hacks. As we look to find new ways to support brand needs, we’ve also developed The Pinch, a quick and creative answer to brand problems, allowing us to create a logo or package design in just a matter of a day or two. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

ANDY NATHAN FOUNDER & CEO FORTNIGHT COLLECTIVE, BOULDER CO / LONDON UK Andy Nathan heads Fortnight Collective. During his 20+ years of experience, Andy has served as CMO of Victors & Spoils, Managing Director of TBWA\Chiat\Day NY, and VP/Account Director at CP+B. Plus, leadership roles at BBH New York and Ogilvy New York & London. Andy has worked on brands like IBM, Miller Lite, Microsoft Windows, McDonald’s, Patagonia, Harley-Davidson and Smirnoff, among others. After working in leadership roles in many big shops in NY, London and Boulder CO, Andy felt there had to be a better way of working. One that democratizes the creative process and engenders more collaboration across client and agency. Andy created a new model for the industry: a ‘brand marketing accelerator’ that is focused on helping brands be better, faster. A sentiment that’s best articulated via Fortnight’s rallying cry: BetterHustle. With its unique AdHack process, Fortnight liberates the strategic and creative development process. From 3-day sprints to 2-week hacks to AOR relationships, Fortnight puts the right talent around the table at the right time to accelerate brand momentum for marketers. Awarded one of AdAge’s Small Agency’s of the Year in 2018 and was recently named on the Adweek 100: Fastest Growing Agencies list.

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The turmoil of the last year has changed how I think about many issues — both within design and outside of it. My hope is that the design industry will use its superpowers for a greater good and give a louder voice to those who don’t have a platform. To quote legendary Spanish artist Joan Miro, we need to: ‘Look for the noise hidden in silence, the movement in immobility, life in inanimate things, the infinite in the finite, forms in a void.’

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

My design team and I had 24 hours of notice to set up offices in our homes the second week in March. We shelved all of our projects for in-person conferences and hurried to put together working from home and COVID resources for employees at our company, as well as for our clients and their employees. Post-pandemic, I expect to work from home most days, as I seem to be more productive, and I told my team they may do the same. I imagine that millions of Americans feel the same way, and this may have a big impact on corporate real estate.’ What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

ROBIN KERR ART DIRECTOR, KEENAN, TORRANCE CA

Sadly, printing came to a screeching halt in 2020. I predict many clients will realize the materials they were printing and distributing to employees in 2019 weren’t necessary in 2020 and that they can go digital in the future. Working remotely has made me realize that some of my dreams, such as living abroad, can be a reality. I’ll carry the challenges of 2020 with me the rest of my life the way my grandparents did with the Great Depression.

Robin picked up her dad’s 35mm Kodak camera on a family vacation in Montana when she was six years old and has loved telling stories through visuals ever since. She has worked in advertising, branding, and marketing in various design roles, both inhouse and at agencies, for more than 15 years. She currently manages the inhouse design team at Keenan, the largest privatelyheld insurance broker for public agencies in California. Among her recent favorite work was managing the company’s holiday card project. With Keenan’s diversity and inclusion efforts in mind, Robin solicited input from employees, surveying them on family traditions around the holidays they observe. She then selected 16 stories to share with clients and partners. Robin sees design everywhere and in everything. Her library of photos from her travels across the world proves to be an endless inspiration for both Robin and the team of designers she leads. Robin’s design approach is to spend as much time in the research phase as the brainstorming phase, which often starts long before a project even hits her desk. In her free time, Robin serves as a mentor to students at Wilmington Middle School and participates in their annual Career Day by facilitating creative projects to inspire them to consider graphic design as a career path.

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Jockin. He has been a member of the Type Directors Club since 1997. When not drawing glyphs, Delve enjoys gardening, cooking, and family life on the island of Alameda, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

The pandemic has had a minimal impact on my workplace as I’ve worked from my home studio since 2008. A positive change: my family is now home during work days. A negative change: Being unable to meet in person with colleagues or attend industryrelated events. In terms of workflow, the mental toll of 2020 has definitely affected my focus and productivity. Still, I’m grateful my family and I are safe and healthy. I expect that video conferencing will be a new normal in the day-to-day work schedule, which I view as a net positive change. While not a substitute for collaborative meetings, it certainly is preferable to business travel. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

DELVE WITHERINGTON FOUNDER, DELVE FONTS LLC, ALAMEDA CA Delve Withrington is the founder of Delve Fonts, a type foundry established in 2009 that brings together award-winning letterform designers, while drawing upon his own two decades of expertise designing and developing fonts. After attending the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the pre-internet era of floppy disks and grunge, Delve began as a signmaker. He went on to design type, first at Font-Shop and later at Monotype, where he designed type-

With the promise of COVID-19 vaccines, I’m optimistic 2021 holds great potential for all of us, including designers, who hopefully will enjoy rehires and new hires as recovery begins. The recent uptick in designers going contract/freelance or starting a new business will increase as more of them tire of waiting for hire-backs, or for furloughs to end. I think we’ll also see new services from designers who’ve acquired additional design skills during the pandemic.

faces under Jim Wasco and Robin Nicholas, most notably contributing to Nicholas’ typeface Ysobel. Collaborations continue at Delve Fonts: the foundry’s retail library includes Steven Skaggs’ Rieven Uncial, a Type Directors Club award winner; and Quita, based on the work of prominent calligrapher Xandra Y. Zamora. Custom work for Delve Fonts’ clients include the open-source typeface Overpass, sponsored by Red Hat and Google Fonts; and Beleren, created for Wizards of the Coast’s game Magic: The Gathering. Delve is actively involved in all designs, and is behind the foundry's most recent release, Tome Sans. In 2018, Delve concluded a six-year role on the board for the Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA). Among other duties, he organized the international SOTA Catalyst Award and helped organize TypeCon, SOTA's annual convention. He also co-founded the San Francisco chapter of Type Thursday with Thomas

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As a designer, citizen, and human, the past year has given me much to consider. As a type designer in particular, 2020 underscored my desire to create new typefaces — and extend existing designs — to support underrepresented scripts. Especially with increased reliance in online services, the absence or scarcity of a fundamental tool such as a font supporting one’s native language passively denies the voice of an entire culture, while hindering its educational and business aspirations.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

Our current business model has been remote for the past 8 years, so the pandemic did not change the way my team and I work together, or how we work with clients, but it did highlight some areas where we could be more efficient. During this time, we were able to refine our processes and systems, as well as work on things that we wanted to create to grow our own business. All the changes we made have had a positive impact on our business, and we will expand upon them moving forward. In addition, we have learned that our clients crave community and connection (part of our core values) and are also passionate about making an impact (another core value of ours). In 2021, we need to double-down in this area so we can continue to support our clients to provide innovative solutions to better serve their communities. What we hope WILL return to some sort of ‘pre-pandemic’ state, is meeting in person, networking, group outings, dinners, travel, and more!

LEANNA WELLER SMITH OWNER AND EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR WELLER SMITH DESIGN (WSD), VALLEY STREAM NY Weller Smith Design is an award-winning boutique design agency. With over 20 years of experience in the design and publishing industry, LeAnna received the 2020 Top Graphic Designer of the Year Award from The International Association of Top Professionals. Before starting WSD, LeAnna worked for LaPlaca Cohen, designing marketing and event materials for The Met, American Museum of Natural History, The National Gallery of Art, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and more. She also worked at Artisan Books, where she designed high-profile cookbooks, coffee table books, and the full line of Audubon Calendars. Striking out on her own, LeAnna continued to work with high-profile clients, including Food & Wine Magazine, Travel + Leisure Magazine, Daryl Roth Theatre, Rizzoli, Abrams, Stewart Tabori & Chang, All in Together, and more. Over the years, WSD has continued to work within the corporate and cultural sectors and has expanded its reach to include thoughtleaders, non-profits, and small businesses. LeAnna is on the Board of Spark

What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

2021 will be the year to diversify our client base, incorporate multiple streams of income, and rethink the way we do business. With more businesses moving to the online space, and niche markets popping up, 2021 will be full of opportunities for designers to connect with businesses looking for our knowledge, we just have to be open to seeing the possibilities ... even our own expertise can be packaged up to become products ... the sky is the limit! As far as the future of the design business, as a Minority and Women-Owned Business, we have experienced the barriers that surround this industry. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we ALL come together to work towards a more diverse and inclusive environment. As a team, we are determined to continue to make a difference. I am optimistic that 2021 will crack open the design industry to allow it to become more accessible, more creative, and more inclusive.

Design Professionals, is a former mentor for Women Who Create, and continues to work with mission-driven companies. She is the creator of Productologie by Weller Smith Design®, and is also the host of Creatively Speaking, a videocast on YouTube. LeAnna recently launched her publishing imprint, Lowercase Ink, to bring small personal projects and collaborations to life. G D U SA 41

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

While I don’t feel our creative work has suffered with team members now working from different cities around the country, I miss the casual daily interactions that trigger an idea that you really can’t replicate on a scheduled call. To me, design is more fluid. I’ve never been able to sit down at a scheduled time and come up with an idea. And, on our Zoom status calls, it’s obvious we miss each other, so I do hope to return to our office soon. As for changes, I just may encourage people to come to work in sweats and pajamas. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

PAUL LEIBOWITZ PRESIDENT & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER LEIBOWITZ BRANDING & DESIGN, NEW YORK NY Paul Leibowitz founded Leibowitz, a 12-person branding and design company started in 1991. Leibowitz enjoys working with clients in many industries, including financial services, media, higher ed and human services. At Leibowitz, we believe effective communication isn’t about being loud. It’s about listening. Driven by research, our strategists, designers, writers and developers use critical thinking to tell a brand’s story. Paul serves on the Dean’s Council for the Syracuse University College of Visual & Performing Arts, where he has endowed two awards in the School of Design and the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies. At Syracuse, he also taught Communications Design as a Professor of Professional Practice, traveling weekly from his home in Westchester. In addition, Paul is past Chairman of the AIGA Design and the Environment special interest group and is on the board of the Financial Communications Society. He has lectured on entrepreneurship, business practices, design and social media at Columbia Business School, Syracuse University, Gotham Media Ventures, Financial Communications Society, Gramercy Institute, Mutual Fund Education Alliance and the Investment Adviser Association. Paul lives with his wife and business partner, Teresa, and their two children.

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I’m optimistic about 2021! 2020 was emotional limbo. The past year did not change the way I think about the role of design, instead it strengthened what I feel our profession brings to the world. As designers, we have an innate ability to read people, to make the intangible, tangible and help the world communicate. Now, more than ever, we can contribute in a more meaningful way. People are ready to move on and connect!

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to each and every one of my clients. I think that’s why most have been with me for years. I have become a trusted resource and I act as one of their own.” This is all possible because Nancy loves to juggle: client projects, helping creatives and women business owners, AIGA CT, cooking brisket and tostones, and bouncing her grandson, Soren. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

My workflow has changed. I present more, over Zoom, make mini mockups, and videotape myself to explain to clients how a printed piece will flow and unfold. I spend more time with clients as they want to meet (online) more often. I believe we will return to meeting in person, but we will also maintain the more frequent Zoom meetings since it’s so much easier than hopping on a train to go into NYC. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

NANCY RUZOW FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL DESIGNER RUZOW GRAPHICS, WESTPORT CT / NEW YORK NY Nancy Ruzow is passionate about design and supporting others. She has been a graphic designer for 41 years. Early on, she worked as an assistant art director in the advertising departments of Playboy and Progressive Grocer magazines. Since 1985 as Ruzow Graphics, she juggles her roles as partner and problem

With more inhouse designers being laid off, I expect more competition. That’s why I’ve taken my own branding up a notch, presenting as a small business rather than a “freelancer” and putting more emphasis on my status as a Certified WomanOwned Business. I feel responsible to make my beliefs known, and to play more of a role in civic and diversity/inclusion initiatives. It’s important for designers to speak up and use our visual skills for good.

solver to her clients, whether it’s a new collaboration with a major football franchise or a long-term collaboration with the University of Oxford. Her work has brought many accolades, including more than 50, from GDUSA’s American Graphic Design Awards, Healthcare Marketing Awards, and others. As Accountability Leader and owner of Creatives Roundtable, she has expanded and reshaped this accountability company which offers virtual monthly support, accountability, and community for creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small creative firms. And as Co-Leader of Fly Female Founders, she has helped grow this group for female founders into a thriving educational non-profit for women in business. “When I founded my graphic design firm, I could never have imagined it would still be here decades later… and thriving. The secret to my success, and the one thing that’s never changed, is my philosophy of offering a personal touch

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

This experience is shining a spotlight on the need for a diverse client base in case revenue streams dry up, are paused, or lost due to extraordinary circumstances as well as the need for a nimble and effective team. Now that we’ve (hopefully) proved WFH is possible, we can incorporate more flexibility if it makes sense for the worker and the job. Or, we could move to a staggered permanent work-inoffice/home schedule. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

JONATHAN CHIN ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR PROPAC AGENCY, PLANO TX Jonathan Chin is a leader in design and creative thinking for the world’s largest and most innovative brands. He has led design and the conceptual process for Bacardi, T-Mobile, and now Frito-Lay, companies that rely on bold, disruptive solutions to shape their brands and industries. From idea to execution, his purpose is to improve the human experience by integrating new technologies that solve problems through design. As a creative, Jonathan believes he has an obligation to pursue initiatives that shape our world for the better. He takes great pride in his ability to do the work, hold the vision, trust the process, and learn from his mistakes. He has worked on projects for Grey Goose Vodka, Samsung, TTI Electronics, Goodyear and Chili’s, among others.

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2021 could be an amazing year in which graphic designers hit a giant reset button on process and work. It’s not just a question of working remote or at the office. Big thinking will apply what we’ve painstakingly learned from 2020 to improve our processes, and relationships, and better ways to communicate using these tools and this knowledge. You can just come along for the ride or be a voice that drives that change.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

The pandemic has forced us to reexamine our workplace and our workflow. It has forced us to evolve our staff and skills to support this changing environment, to be flexible and to understand, refine, clarify and help define different workflows, responsibilities and processes. We have realized that staff can work at home and still get the work done. However, being away from each other during the workday can be isolating. Finding a work-family balance can be stressful depending on a person’s home life. It may not be ideal, but because we are all in this together, we are making it work. There will be a new normal in the future where people will balance their work schedule with what works best for them and their co-workers, some days working at home and some days at the office. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

REA ACKERMAN DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES TRINITY CHURCH WALL STREET, NEW YORK NY Rea Ackerman has a BS in Art Education from New York University and attended classes at Pratt Institute for graphic design. Before working at Trinity Church Wall Street she worked for 12 years with her husband Dennis Di Vincenzo as co-creative directors at Di Vincenzo Design, and before that worked 8 years as design director at Price Waterhouse. In her current post, she plans and implements comprehensive strategies for promoting, communicating and marketing the mission, vision and core values of the institution. She manages the Creative Services team responsible for design and production of all the collateral materials needed to support Trinity’s ministries. In her 15 years at Trinity, Rea and her team have implemented two brand identities, as well as designed and produced: a year-long campaign celebrating St. Paul’s Chapel 250th anniversary, with fifty 6 x 2 ft posters installed outdoors and an exhibit within the chapel; a campaign for the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, with an exhibit within St. Paul’s Chapel and an interactive art installation on the fence; an award-winning coffee table book, Trinity Near and Far, Now and Then; signage packages for Trinity’s new building, Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel and the uptown cemetery; and curated exhibits within the museum at Trinity Church. One of Rea’s highlights was Trinity’s partnership with a local

2021 will be a time to overcome the 2020 challenges, it will open up new paths to create work that were not there before. Designers will be thinking of creative ways to refresh and recreate their environment, how they work and how they can help other businesses grow, it will be a time to rebuild and grow. New businesses will need designers to help get their businesses started and existing businesses will need designs refreshed. Office space will have a whole new look, as will public transportation. Designers will getback to work with more opportunities to think creatively. 2020 made me think of how fortunate I am to work at Trinity, a place whose core values are social justice, inclusiveness, compassion, faith, integrity and stewardship, a place that cares, a place that supports the community with free concerts, food for those in need, health and education classes for adults and children, and a place that has kept their entire staff employed. This past year has made me see how important it is to design for a place that helps make the world a better place. Working at Trinity, helped me stay strong and positive, alleviate my anger when I saw the hatred unfold in 2020 politics, and maintain faith that the loss of lives and businesses will end and we will get back to a new normal.

elementary school where she was able to volunteer to work on art projects with the children and teachers. G D U SA 45

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH from a conversation with Bill without having learned some unique fact or gained insights about advertising and marketing, or his beloved home city of Philadelphia. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

How we lead, interact, and recharge has all changed. Some parts of the creative process have slowed, others have become more streamlined, and some are still evolving. Good leaders will embrace the change, but creativity is best benefited by in-person, spontaneous interactions. Zoom can’t replicate the excitement felt in a room when a big idea reveals itself. This is still a social business. We need to figure that part out. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

BILL STARKEY EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR QUENCH, PHILADELPHIA PA An acclaimed creative director and designer with a Cannes Lion and a Philly ADDY Best in Show', Bill is also a dedicated student of the history and future of design and communication. He teaches advertising and portfolio preparation at the University of Delaware while pursuing a graduate degree in Communication Design at Kutztown University, and still makes time to serve as an AAF and ANA judge. It’s Bill’s exemplary creative execution that drives campaigns for quench CPG clients including Sun-Maid, StarKist, Herr Foods, Knouse Foods, Del Monte, and more. His career history has taken him from Baltimore (Trahan Burden and Charles) to North Carolina (Long Haymes Carr) to Mullen in Winston-Salem, where he became one of the agency’s youngest Group Creative Directors/Vice President and helped the shop win its first Cannes Lion. He was also Creative Director for STICK and MOVE and Red Tettemer & Partners in Philadelphia and for 1 Trick Pony in Hammonton NJ before joining quench, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pavone Marketing Group, in 2018. Bill’s ever-present curiosity and enthusiasm for his craft, intuition about the effectiveness of design and campaign planning, quick wit and no-nonsense approach make him a respected agency leader and great co-worker. No one walks away

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We’re at a point where we can clearly see how persuasive the work we do is, and how much more persuasion is necessary. We need bigger ideas in order to get new thoughts accepted. We’re really good at solidifying sides and creating like-minded tribes. Real progress starts by getting outside our little bubbles and investing ourselves in finding insights which create emotional currents in order to chip away at some of these barriers.

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Lexus®, Spectrum Communications®, and the American Heart Association®. From his humble beginnings as an advertising production designer for a local Austin magazine, to a respected professional within the creative community of Austin TX, Will has won many prestigious design awards, including a GDUSA American Graphic Design Award and Hermes Creative Awards. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

I expect the work-from-home model to continue to become an integral part of the new post pandemic normal. During the coronavirus pandemic I learned productivity and creativity soared while at the same time significantly reduced job burnout. Employees found creative ways to incentivize themselves with rewards: everything from after school outings with their children, to joining a group of buddies on the links, workers celebrated their time wisely and performed their professional responsibilities above and beyond pre-pandemic standards.

WILL MOKRY GRAPHIC DESIGNER/DESIGN DIRECTOR WILL MOKRY CREATIVE, AUSTIN TX Nationally recognized, award-winning design director Will Mokry — of studio Will Mokry Creative — firmly believes that “creative genius” is only as good as the result it will achieve for the client’s brand. Never happy with the status quo within any industry, results-oriented creative developed for every client, raises the bar in their category, and positions them to soar above and beyond their competition. No small achievement on behalf of his clients, Will blends print, digital advertising, social marketing, and immersive technologies, to produce personable and authentic brand experiences for his clients’ customers. He believes that creating these memorable experiences will grow top-of-mind

What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design? The design community has accomplished great work in expanding the mind to embrace new ideas. However, more than ever, we need to go the extra mile. With the rise of the Me Too, Black Lives Matter, American Indian, and LGBTQ movements, we need to increase our celebration of diversity in everything we do. Never before has it become essential to clearly and concisely relate to the common and idiosyncratic cultural tenets of the audience.

awareness, while building brand loyalty over the long-run. A self-taught designer with a business-related degree, Will’s natural artistic talent and strategic acumen catapulted him into professional design and creative management roles typically surpassing certifiable standards. He has worked for clients in the automotive, construction, healthcare, industrial, legal, oil & gas, media communications, real estate, and technology industries. Over his twenty-plus years as an accomplished designer, he has worked for prominent clients including Acura®, Cadillac®, Chevrolet®, Jaguar®, Land Rover®,

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH and Taproot Foundation, and blogs about all things creative. Check out her Martini Minute musings. When she’s not designing something, ’Berta pursues other interests such as: world travel, fine art, crochet, science, history, reading, writing, gardening, adventurous cuisine, artisanal coffee, karaoke, and cats. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

It’s weirdly been a silver lining for me, meaning I’ve been able to create more balance between my work and personal life. I think carving out these “spaces” in my day has kept my creativity fresh rather than beleaguered as was at times before all this started. I was just TOO busy. My strong sense is that many of the workspace and workflow changes will become the “new normal” — at least for the foreseeable future. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

ROBERTA MORRIS FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR LEAVE IT TO ’BERTA, SAN FRANCISCO CA Roberta Morris (‘Berta) is a Creative Director who helps organizations brand and promote their products in a consistent and thoughtful way. She finds that the best branding happens when clients feel heard throughout the creative process. The executive team is always deeply involved from the beginning stages: What are you looking for? Who are your competitors? How can we make you different? She’s worked both agency-side and in-house with nonprofits and Fortune 1000 companies, including: AssetMark, Cadbury-7/UP, Career Girls, Collaborative Classroom, College Track, Dallas Museum of Art, Galleria, Gap/Old Navy, The Integer Group (Omnicom), Latitude (Richard’s Group), Launch Partnership, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Lob, Marcus&Millichap, McCannErickson, Safeway.com, San Francisco Historical Society, 7-Eleven, Inc., Texas Instruments, and Thanx, just to name a few. ’Berta is honored to have received awards for everything from packaging to book design, including GDUSA’s Inhouse and American Graphic Design Awards, as well as Dragonfly Book and Association of Educational Publisher Awards, among others. In her free time, she enjoys giving back to the community by using her design powers for good. She regularly volunteers for organizations such as Career Girls

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Designers and the design business will be forever changed by 2020. We’re hopefully more aware of the ecosystem in which our work exists and how influential design can be in creating awareness. I’ve also been involved in a LOT of conversations around equity and inclusion. That’s HUGE! I don’t think there’s ever been a time in the past where the need to recognize how everyone can contribute has been more front and center.

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and GDUSA on several occasions. When he’s not digging deep on his clients’ “why,” you can find him digging for used vinyl and listening to music with his daughter. Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

As designers, we’re fortunate to be able to work from anywhere, but like all businesses, we had to learn to adapt under new circumstances. As efficient as we’ve become, there’s nothing like collaborating in person as a team. There’s something about being together in one room that a zoom call can’t match. When possible, we look forward to creating our new normal. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

JUSTIN MISKOWSKI FOUND/CREATIVE DIRECTOR MISKOWSKI DESIGN, HOBOKEN NJ

Design is an industry, despite everything, that will continue to thrive and be of necessity to many aspects of business. The challenges of 2020 have certainly shed light on the power of visual communication and how it can bring awareness to the issues we face today. As designers, we have the ability to cut through the noise and inspire change.

Justin Miskowski leads Miskowski Design, a boutique brand strategy and design studio. He began his career at Mars Design in New York City before venturing out on his own in 2011. His entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to organically grow his business into one that has serviced a robust portfolio of clients including AdColony, Arcadia, Citi Habitats, Cloudlex, The Corcoran Group, Roku, Slate Property Group, Tony Boloney’s, and Viking Pest Control. In 2015, Miskowski Design was entrusted by Aki Technologies to build and manage a creative team exclusive to their agency. Under Justin’s leadership, Aki Technologies rose from a small startup to a well-respected agency, launching successful mobile advertising campaigns for hundreds of brands including Campari Group, Coca-Cola, JetBlue, Johnson & Johnson, Lyft, Mars Wrigley, National Geographic, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, Spotify, Target, Toyota, and Unilever. Whether it’s building a new brand, designing a website, or communicating a complex idea in the form of an infographic, witnessing the positive impact design can have on a business reaching its goals is Justin’s driving force. He is honored to have been recognized among respected designers in various features, including the recently-released Logo Lounge Book 12

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2021 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

I now work from home half the week and from the museum for the other half. I give priority to computer work (research, floor plans, graphics, spreadsheets) when I am at home. At the museum, I focus on hands-on work and discuss concepts/layouts for exhibits with my supervisor. The changes have not impacted my design process. More virtual meetings is a change that I expect will become the “new normal”. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

SHIVANI GAJJAR ASSISTANT EXHIBIT DESIGNER CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, DETROIT MI Shivani Gajjar is an exhibit designer at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. She graduated from the College of Design at NCSU (North Carolina State University) in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. Halfway through college, she interned at the City of Raleigh Museum and realized she had found her calling. Another internship at an exhibit design firm, and the unique opportunity to intern at Smithsonian Institution Exhibits (SIE) after college, led to a job with Wilderness Graphics, a small exhibit design company based in Tallahassee FL. In January 2019, she began working at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the second largest African American museum in the country. For Shavani, exhibit design is an exciting mix of research, graphic design, structural design and hands-on work. She enjoys learning about history and bringing it to life to museum visitors and believes that seeing a visitor learn something new is the best part of being an inhouse designer at a museum. Having recently started her journey as a design professional, she hopes to continue to gain experience and knowledge and looks forward to future design projects in 2021 and beyond.

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The challenges of 2020 have changed the way I think about my job and career. I now understand the enormous influence that design can have on social movements and social change. The power of a welldesigned and effective story is the power to change the paradigm. I expect that 2021 will be the year that the design business will see a renewed focus on projects that relate to major social issues of our time such as climate change, racial equality, women’s rights, etc.

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Has the pandemic changed your workplace and your workflow? Do you expect to return to pre-pandemic ways of working or will any changes become the ‘new normal’?

When starting my previous agency back in 2008, we worked remotely from our houses. It was seen as a liability. People would ask us where our offices were located and we would give a vague answer. Even before the pandemic, it was becoming more acceptable to be working from home. Now, I believe, this is a new normal. More people will be working from home, even after the pandemic is a distant memory. I believe this is a good thing. Working from home over the past decade has made me more productive and given me more freedom to be with my wife and kids. What do you expect 2021 to hold for graphic designers and the design business? Have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you think about your job and career or the role of design?

DUSTIN BRENTON PRESIDENT/CREATIVE DIRECTOR BRENTON CREATIVE, FRANKLIN IN Dustin Brenton has over 20 years of experience in the printing, marketing,

I believe that 2021 will eventually be a great time for designers and the design business. Once the pandemic slowly fades away and the economy rebounds, there will be a boom. People will start to travel more, dine out more, buy more products, and ultimately just begin to live their lives. Companies will want to attract the money that is infused into the global economy and the best way to do that will be through advertising. Hopefully, this will begin to happen in 2021, but it won’t happen overnight. This is a long vision of what is to come. This will continue to spill over into 2022 as well. But I’m an optimist.

advertising, graphic design, and higher education industries. He started in high school (1998) as an intern, plate-making for a local newspaper, to designing graphics for the local news affiliate, to working at an ad agency, to co-founding a marketing and advertising agency in 2008 that served local, national, and global clients for over a decade. Dustin has an Associate’s degree in visual communications from Ivy Tech Community College (where he currently is an adjunct professor) and a Bachelor’s degree in marketing management from WGU. Dustin has a passion for the world of design and has known that this is what he wanted to do with his life since he was in the 4th grade, when he saw what his older brother was creating in his graphic arts class in high school. After taking a short break from the design world in 2019 and most of 2020, Dustin felt the call of being a graphic designer pull him back. Reviving the passion, Dustin decided to start Brenton Creative officially in October 2020, where he is the President and Creative Director, and the future is looking bright.

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STUDENTS TO WATCH SPONSORED BY THE CREATIVE GROUP 52 G D U S A

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2021 | S T UDE NT S T O WAT C H | With the help of several of America’s leading art and design schools, we once again identify top students ready to burst on the design scene. Some are undergrads, others are graduate students, all have found personal and professional growth through their programs. Our Students To Watch feature has become tradition that resonates and renews: the students get recognized and the professional creative community gets refreshed. At this critical juncture, we also asked the students how they perceive their chosen profession in light of the unique challenges of the past year. Please note that in the next edition of GDUSA magazine, the institutions of higher learning from which these students come (and a few others) will themselves get the spotlight.

VICTORIA BONHOMME

M.AD SCHOOL OF IDEAS / M.AD ATLANTA Victoria Bonhomme is a visual communicator with a love for writing and photography. She grew up in Maryland and is a first-generation Haitian and Dominican. She wants to create work that creates an impact and challenges stereotypes and the status quo.

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I was born in Maryland. My family is from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. I now live in the great state of Georgia. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? I'm studying online. Although I miss campus, I have truly enjoyed working from my couch. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I'm trying to convert myself into a morning person but I've always been a night owl. FAVORITE MOVIE? It's a tie between The Matrix and Up FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? All of the early 2000’s Black sitcoms FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Black Twitter

I'm a new plant mom

FAVORITE PODCAST?

Side Hustle Pro is such an amazing and inspiring podcast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Dave Chapelle FAVORITE BOOK? Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston

Haiti Design Co is a fashion/lifestyle company that features beautifully-crafted handmade goods from Haitian designers. I love that they are empowering the community by creating a global platform that showcases the craft and artistry of Haitian creatives.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

This year has made it abundantly clear how urgently Black voices are needed in our industry. I have always understood the repercussions of the lack of diversity within media and advertising because I live every day having to combat stereotypes that our industry has played a part in creating. My unique vantage point, as a Black first generation woman, is important in introducing a more nuanced and robust understanding of the communities that I am from. This year has revealed an urgent need to utilize media and visual communications to humanize all people of color, no matter their socioeconomic status, education level or citizenship status.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CREATIVE GROUP FOR SPONSORING THIS STUDENTS TO WATCH FEATURE. The Creative Group (TCG) is a longtime sponsor of the annual GDUSA Students To Watch special report. TCG specializes in connecting interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations talent with the best companies on a project, contract-to-hire and full-time basis. roberthalf.com/creativegroup

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MESSAGE FROM THE CREATIVE GROUP BY DIANE DOMEYER

10 TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR CREATIVE CAREER

1. GET SOME HELP. Speaking to a career counselor or mentor can help you gain perspective and focus on what you want to achieve. Nobody can tell you which path you should take, but channeling your thoughts and desires into words makes them instantly more tangible.

Some careers follow a narrow, well-trodden path with clear checkpoints marking progress toward the summit. Creative career paths, however, tend to be less straightforward and linear — which is why I prefer to view it as a “career journey” versus a “career path.”

2. MAKE A CAREER MAP. In most journeys, we wouldn’t dream of setting off without directions or a map. The same is true for your career. Rather than passively waiting for the right opportunity to come along, draw up a map detailing your career objectives, core values and the types of companies, projects and work

Young graphic designers, for example, often prioritize

that motivate you. Similarly, deﬁne where you want to go

knowledge acquisition and diversity of projects over career

and the best ways to reach your goals. Having a map

advancement. They often move quickly between projects,

doesn’t stop you from taking interesting detours, but it

maximizing their exposure to new methods, ideas, mediums

can help steer you in the right direction and get you get

and industries — increasing their creative arsenal, but not

back on track if you stray too far from your preferred route.

necessarily accelerating their professional trajectory.

3. SET SMART GOALS. At some point, however, even the most freewheeling creative may want to take stock and decide where they want to be

When you’re ready for new opportunities, set SMART goals

in ﬁve years’ time. A recent survey of more than 500 creative

(Speciﬁc, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-

professionals by The Creative Group and AIGA, the pro-

Based) that address both your current situation and your

fessional association for design, found that 50% of creative

long-term ambitions. Breaking goals down into smaller

workers are concerned about their career advancement,

chunks makes them easier to achieve.

while 78% said it would be challenging to keep their skills marketable.

4. EXPAND YOUR SKILL SET.

No matter where you are in your creative journey, it can be

The more skills you have, the more valuable you become.

tricky to ﬁgure out your next move. Here are 10 ways to

It’s really that simple. To keep up with industry trends and

give your professional prospects a boost and set yourself

ever-evolving technology, you need to adopt the mindset

up for the future.

of a lifelong learner. Find out what skills are most in demand by researching job postings and looking at your peers’ digital portfolios. In the survey by TCG and AIGA, animation and motion graphics, UX/UI design and research, and brand design topped the list of skill areas creative professionals want to develop.

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5. ASK FOR MORE RESPONSIBILITY.

industry happenings or trends. Reach out to people whose careers you admire, and actively participate on profes-

If you’ve mastered your tasks and grown comfortable in

sional forums.

your role, taking on new challenges can help you grow personally and professionally. Think about the skills and

9. EMBRACE CHANGE.

knowledge you want to develop, and ask your boss if there are additional projects you can work on. Be proactive about

Shifting markets, increased competition and ever-changing

pitching ways you can contribute to the ﬁrm’s mission.

technology mean today’s designers need to be adaptable

Alternatively, seek side projects that can help you expand

and ready to pivot. This doesn’t mean retraining or starting

your capabilities.

again, but being able to reposition your offerings, content and message for the current moment is a highly valued

6. THINK AHEAD.

attribute.

The job market moves quickly, especially in creative indus-

10. BE RESILIENT.

tries. It’s easy to get swept up in what’s happening now in your career without thinking about where you’re heading.

It doesn’t matter how talented you are: At some point in

Many of today’s creative roles didn’t exist a decade ago.

your career, you’re going to face rejection. In order to cope

What does that mean for your profession in 10 years? Could

with this, you need to develop tenacity, perseverance and

your role be replaced by artiﬁcial intelligence? If so, what

a thick skin. Understanding how to respond to criticism,

skills will you need to work with that new tool? Alterna-

work through challenges and believe in yourself is vital if

tively, how can you switch lanes into a market that’s growing?

you’re going to succeed. Don’t let the occasional setback stop you from hitting your goals.

7. FIND YOUR NICHE. Creative industries can be tough to break into and advance It may take some time to decide on your trade, but once

through, but they provide valuable and exciting career

you do, knuckle down and master it. Whether it’s logo

journeys. To embrace the adventure and progress profes-

design for small businesses, animated trailers for children’s

sionally, you need planning, drive and discipline. Forcing

books or podcast branding for startups, think about the

yourself to step out of your comfort zone and take on new

work you want to do and the people you want to work with —

challenges can help you gain conﬁdence, stay inspired

and then position yourself as an expert in that domain.

and unlock your creative potential.

8. NURTURE YOUR NETWORK. If you’re not actively networking, you might be missing out on opportunities that come via referral, whether from a past client or a colleague who knows your work. Tapping into the grapevine is also an essential way to learn about

DIANE DOMEYER is Executive Director of The Creative Group, a specialized stafﬁng service placing interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations professionals with a variety of ﬁrms. The Creative Group is the exclusive sponsor of GDUSA’s ann ual Students To Watch special feature. For more information, visit roberthalf.com/creativegroup

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

REGINA PADRON

JULIA FERNANDEZ

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY

Regina Padron will earn her BFA degree in May 2021. Based in San Francisco, she has dedicated time to sharpening her artistic talent and technical skills and thinking creatively to produce projects for Ghirardelli Square and the San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building. Currently, she interning with The Lexicon to prepare the launch of a global challenge to develop a shared, open-source, and royalty-free iconographic language of food to be unveiled at the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. Her collegiate days began at the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute in Florence, Italy where she earned a certificate in graphic design. There she was taught that every project has multiple solutions and she learned how to address problems from different perspectives. Regina grew up on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Coming from a diverse background has broadened her outlook on her profession and taught her to be more empathetic. In her downtime, Regina enjoys learning French and Italian.

Julia Fernandez is an interdisciplinary designer, engaging content creator, and vulnerable speaker. She is completing her undergraduate degree on a full-ride Presidential Scholarship awarded by the Young Filipino Professionals Association. Last July, Julia was selected by AIGA to present her portfolio in the first virtual AIGA Portfolio Festival before 1,000+ people, where it gained considerable praise. She recently finished a Product Design Internship at SuperFriendly Co. and will the crossroads of branding, marketing, and product design at an internship at Wish. Julia is co-founder of Students of UXD, an online design community making the world of humancentered design more human. At her core, she is a passionate design conversationalist — and she hopes to help demystify the design industry by hosting panels and documenting her journey from student to professional in her Youtube web series #DesignDiaries.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Mandaluyong, Philippines, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, raised as a Third Culture Kid in Shanghai and Jakarta STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Depends if finals are in the equation FAVORITE MOVIE? The Great Dictator (1945), Charlie Chaplin FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Office and The Twilight Zone FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram! FAVORITE PODCAST? My Favorite Murder and Technically Speaking

I was born in El Paso TX and I grew up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Now I live in San Francisco. STUDYING ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a morning person. FAVORITE MOVIE? Beauty and the Beast by Jean Cocteau or 10 Things I Hate About You. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Friends FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Para CreSer by Sofi Halphen FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? L.S. Lowry or Pablo Picasso FAVORITE BOOK? Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Women for Women International

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

If Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dali had a love child... FAVORITE BOOK? The Little Prince FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Gawad Kalinga, meaning to ‘give care’, is a Philippines-based movement that aims to end poverty by first restoring the dignity of the poor

Spending time in the kitchen learning new and delicious recipes

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

Propagating my ever expanding houseplant jungle

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Definitely. Design is a vital

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

communication tool. I have seen it help explain social distancing rules and visually display information for the public during these uncertain times. I also think designers have assisted small businesses create their brand identity to boost sales and profits.

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? This year has taught me that there are no more excuses for ignorant design, that design holds more power than ever, and that designers have the responsibility to become informed as well as skilled. This is a reason why I co-founded Students of UXD, with topical events ranging from LGBTQ+ UX to Racism in UX.

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JASPRIYA SAHMEY

GEORGE STACK

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (SCAD)

Jaspriya Sahmey is a multi-disciplinary designer with a focus on brand identity, typography, and art direction. Having grown up and traveled in India, Jaspriya is inspired by history, folklore, architecture, old books, and editorials. She has also lived in Singapore and London. She brings her experience and cultural perspectives to her work through typographic experimentation and illustrations, and believes that design is a multi-layered communication practice that needs to be informed through diverse perspectives, experiences, ideas, and people. To that end, she participates in cultural-social activities, design conversations, seminars, and expanding her circle of friends. Jaspriya’s work is primarily research-driven, which helps her weave narratives for storytelling. She has worked on branding, environmental and art direction projects in industries ranging from fashion, jewelry and textiles, to furniture, lighting, and home decor. She recently earned an MA degree in Graphic Design & Visual experience from SCAD and won a Red Dot Award in Brand and Communication Category in 2020.

George Stack is a 34 year old graphic communicator originally from the Upper-Midwest. He started his MFA at SCAD via eLearning in 2017 and moved to Savannah in 2018 to find a more immersive experience. The on-campus learning environment was everything he hoped it would be, and he immediately felt welcomed by peers and professors alike. He hopes to pursue a career in higher education after earning his degree and cannot wait to dive into teaching.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in India, living in New York City STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Campus and online both MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? Jurassic Park, 1993 FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Anything to do with time travel FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? The Alarmist FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Gustav Klimt FAVORITE BOOK? Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Originally from Minnesota, moved to Georgia to attend school STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On-ground in Savannah MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Gotta go with night owl. FAVORITE MOVIE? Can always watch The Fifth Element FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The first five seasons of Futurama FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

If I’m forced to choose, it’s Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Learning a lot from The Splendid Table FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

Was always a fan of Marcel Duchamp’s wit FAVORITE BOOK? Reader Come Home by Maryanne Wolf FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For the kids! FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Being stuck inside leaves plenty of time for video games HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Yes! Especially our design role as it relates to distance learning and online learning ecosystems

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Feeding America FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Sketching on procreate HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Graphic design must be much more meaningful, driven, and thoughtful rather than just beautiful.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

CAMERON GALLEY

KIT SON LEE

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD)

Cameron Galley is a designer with a focus on 3D and motion graphics, currently in his senior year. His inspiration comes from exploring and representing connections between the digital world and natural spaces using artificial landscapes. Cameron began experimenting with Cinema 4D while in high school. Intrigued by the endless possibilities of creation and imagination, only limited by technical ability, which constantly pushes him to learn new tools and engage with emerging technology. During his sophomore year, Cameron worked as a motion design intern at Sagmeister & Walsh in NYC, followed by a summer design internship at Apple in California. During his junior year, he worked for Something Special Studios as a summer intern and designer where he still works remotely. Cameron is continually learning to control more aspects of his work, creating an experience that fully communicates his conceptual vision.

Kit Son Lee is a designer-developer-artist-writer-trashbag from Koreatown, Los Angeles and is presently gunning for their MFA at RISD. Upon obtaining their BA in Visual Art and Literary Arts from Brown University in 2013, they co-founded Codify Art, a Brooklynbased producorial collective of and for Q/T/W/POC (queer, trans, women, people of color) artists, through which they have organized exhibitions, talks, and educational programming with the Whitney Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and The Public Theater. They were the inaugural Designer-in-Residence at Morcos Key and have contributed writing to Net Art Anthology. Their current practice involves designing subversive computational experiences against the threats of contemporary network culture. Kit can be found as “TRASHCAN” in games that don’t require a unique username, as “55378008” (“BOOBLESS”) in games that do, and “99955378008” in extreme cases.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in LA, grew up in SF, currently live in Providence RI STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Hybrid but mostly online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Night owl, I get most done after midnight FAVORITE MOVIE? Supreme x GX1000 – Candyland FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Avatar the Last Airbender FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? YouTube and Are.na FAVORITE PODCAST? 99% Invisible or The Joe Rogan Experience FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Yves Tanguy FAVORITE BOOK? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE? Black Lives Matter FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Skateboarding and making beats HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? 2020 has made me

more aware of how my work is communicated and perceived. This time in history has enhanced my focus on themes in my life related to identity, politics, and the environment. Graphic designers process the visuals that people consume, and it’s our responsibility to produce work conducive to the changing world around us.

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Koreatown, Los Angeles, Providence RI, soon Brooklyn NY STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Online, a 10-min bike ride from campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Yes, I’m awake at sunrise. No, I haven’t gone to bed yet. FAVORITE MOVIE? Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece, Pacific Rim FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Anime garbage FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Twitter (I hate it) FAVORITE PODCAST? I don’t have an auditory attention span FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries FAVORITE BOOK? Motorman by David Ohle FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Redistribution of resources to queer and trans BIPOC, see F2L Relief Fund FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Animal Crossing (May–July), Breath of the Wild (Aug–Sept), Hades (Sept–) HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Now more

than ever, those of us earning money by making capitalism look nice are responsible for giving it to the people doing actual work.

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MARCUS LIM

MEITAR ALMOG

SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS (SVA)

Marcus Lim is a Senior majoring in Advertising. Born and raised in Singapore, he moved to the Big Apple to have his bite of the advertising scene. His earliest memory of advertising was watching an old Cadbury Chocolate commercial (Wouldn’t It Be Nice) and realizing people actually did this professionally and had fun with it. He was fed some chocolate-filled content, and was hungry for more. He loves the creative challenge of modern advertising and knows how to handle the heat (a skill he’s picked up living in tropical Singapore.) He aims to bridge the gap between brand and consumer, and believes the greatest tool for any creative brief is fostering human connection. He’s looking forward to where his passion takes him; already packed and strapped in for the ride.

Meitar Almog is a NYC based graphic designer from Tel Aviv. She is currently a senior at SVA, focusing on motion graphics. Meitar likes expressive illustrations, short stories, YouTube videos about astronomy, and cherry tomatoes. She likes thinking about design through the lens of animation. Motion graphics deepened her idea of graphic design and presented her with the opportunity to amplify her pieces with dimension, illustration, sound design, and storytelling. Meitar’s work may be found @MeitarAlmog (ig) and at his website-meitar.me. You can also find her on a bench gazing at the Hudson River. WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Israel and I currently live in NYC. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Studying online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I might be neither

Born in Singapore, living in New York.

FAVORITE MOVIE?

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I still can’t get over ‘Spirited Away’ by Hayao Miyazaki

On campus, though online hasn’t been too bad. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? All-day Energizer Bunny FAVORITE MOVIE? Her by Spike Jonze FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Parks and Recreation

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Instagram, It’s the only one I use FAVORITE PODCAST? Talking to Ourselves with Omid Farhang FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Does Warhol count? FAVORITE BOOK? Harry Potter. All of them. FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE? ACLU FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Expanding my Lego collection HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

If anything, I think creative people are the bridge necessary to help make sense of the world.

Parks and Rec for maximum rejuvenation FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? The Anthropocene Reviewed FAVORITE ARTIST? Ai Weiwei, Agnes Martin, Kara Walker FAVORITE BOOK? A pigeon and a boy’ by Meir Shalev FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?

ACLU, the fight for women’s rights, focusing on black and queer voices, and the fight to end racial injustice. FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Bird watching is the ultimate meditation. I also like to bike around the city! HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

2020 made me consider more carefully the ways design can profoundly affect our behavior, and how it can contribute to a change in our collective focus.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

CLAUDIO RODRIGUEZ JR.

JACK MOORE

ARTCENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN

Claudio Rodriguez Jr. is an undergrad with a focus on Print/ Branding. He is Mexican-American, oldest brother of three, English Bulldog owner, and passionate about Football (soccer). He takes pride in his upbringing and culture. He had a huge imagination as a kid and likes to believe that the kid in him remains. Shout out to the ArtCenter staff and mentors who encouraged him. Image manipulation, sexy fonts, and good cropping are things that make him happy.

Jack Moore is a graphic designer and former farm-kid from Nipomo CA. He is currently a candidate for an MFA in Graphic Design. He holds a BA in English from Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley, where his focus was on visual rhetoric and technical writing. While this may seem an unconventional career trajectory, he’s always loved art and reading. Studying English helped him focus these skills into a love for strategy, branding, and print design — as well as the graphic design process, the possibility to tell stories, and the ability to empathize with an audience through the work. When not spending his time kerning, he likes traveling and exploring the world outside, cooking, reading, and fielding questions about what it was like growing up on an avocado farm.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Sylmar CA, raised in Pacoima and I am now back in Sylmar STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Due to COVID, I’m currently studying online. I’m an extrovert so I miss seeing my friends. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? My best ideas come at night. FAVORITE MOVIE? Nacho Libre or A Clockwork Orange FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Parks and Recreation or Hunter x Hunter FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Instagram is cool. It’s the best platform to get noticed or show work. FAVORITE PODCAST? OTHERtone w/Pharrell Williams FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS? Randy Perez and Gabriella Sanchez FAVORITE BOOK? Bruno Monguzzi, A Designer's Perspective: Issues in Cultural Theory or Women by Charles Bukowski. FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? I support causes that help Black people, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community. If I had to pick two, it would be Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and Black Lives Matter. FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Cooking. I make amazing enchiladas and crepes. Shout out to my Grandma Elvia for the crepe recipe. I also try to kick a soccer ball around. That always brings a smile to my face. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

As a Mexican-American it was time for me to attend protests, talk to my community and friends, and shift my energy to things effecting the people around me. Before graphic designers, we are people. So aside from the great flyers and energy that my peers created, I loved seeing people step away from the screen and use their voices to make a change.

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born and raised on an avocado farm in Nipomo CA and currently live in Pasadena STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Studying on campus. The thing I miss most is the creative community of friends and colleagues. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Morning person all the way, I’m like a gremlin after midnight. FAVORITE MOVIE? In The Mood for Love by Wong Kar Wai FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Most recently, Watchmen FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram, what a surprise FAVORITE PODCAST? The Bechdel Cast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? J.M.W. Turner, Wendy Red Star, Neri Oxman FAVORITE BOOK? Torn between between Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, and On Beauty by Zadie Smith. FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? No New Jails NYC, Where Are the Black Designers, Black Visions Collective and Design To Divest FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I’ve enjoyed cooking more; it forces me to step away from work. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Designers

like to talk about how design can change the world, but design can only do so if it becomes more inclusive and diverse. We need to lift up BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices, open up leadership roles to them, and make design education more accessible to these communities.

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DASHA BYCHKOVA

TALIA TRACKHIM

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, S.I. NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

Dasha Bychkova is a senior graphic design student. Although she started her college career as a Biology major, Dasha always knew she was meant to travel a creative path. She found her way to graphic design while editing photos for her Instagram and eventually applied for Newhouse’s design program. Since then, she has designed for Jerk magazine, University Union, and assumed the role of Head of Graphics for the Fashion and Design Society. Her interest in fashion led to an internship for men’s streetwear brand AKINGS, and sustainable, minimalist clothing brand GRAMMAR. She enjoys collaborating on a variety of design projects and is currently working as an intern at Studio Ibid. Dasha hopes to continue work in the fashion industry collaborating with different creatives and eventually go out on her own.

Talia Trackim is a senior graphic design student. She focuses on visual journalism, editorial design, and bringing stories to life digitally. Talia got her start in design at The Daily Orange where she worked for three years, most recently as the Presentation Director. Summer 2019, Talia interned on the design desk at The Star Tribune, designing news, features, business, and more. While there, she designed two front pages, becoming only the second intern to do so. Talia has also designed for Baked Magazine, a food-themed campus publication, and The Mail & Guardian, the leading newspaper in South Africa. When she’s not designing, Talia loves reading, experimenting with recipes, and running.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? I studied online from home during

Born in New York City and currently living in Tenafly NJ STUDYING ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online unfortunately MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Can I be both? FAVORITE MOVIE? Impossible to choose, but I would say either La La Land or Howl’s Moving Castle FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Queen’s Gambit FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Never really got into podcasts FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Wassily Kandinsky FAVORITE BOOK? The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani

the fall semester, but I’ll be returning to campus in the spring! MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? Little Women FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Gilmore Girls

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Sustainable and ethical solutions in fighting fast fashion

I’m currently learning how to crochet

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

Punch-needle embroidery

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Working primarily in journalism,

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

I’ve seen how design is an integral part of documenting history as it unfolds. Journalism is essential to our democracy, and as designers, we bring stories, photos, data, and interactives together to tell vital stories. I feel fortunate to be a part of that process.

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? I don’t think the

challenges have necessarily changed the role of graphic design and designers. We’ve always known the potential of design for positive impact. If anything, 2020 has made us even more aware of the effect design can have in spreading awareness and making crucial information accessible to everyone. At the end of the day, don’t we all want to design for a better healthier society?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? I was born

in the Lehigh Valley PA and still live there when I’m not at Syracuse

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Instagram for art and design, Twitter for everything else FAVORITE PODCAST? Selfie FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Vincent Van Gogh FAVORITE BOOK? Slaughterhouse-Five FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? To Write Love on Her Arms

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

DANIELLE SLOVINSKY

VICTORIA ESCOBAR

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, S.I. NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART (MICA)

Danielle Slovinsky is a junior at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications majoring in Television, Radio, and Film with a minor in Information Management and Technology. She has always enjoyed the television industry, especially learning about what goes on behind the scenes. On campus, she is the Vice President for Women in Communications (WIC) where she helps coordinate speaker events with communications professionals. As an intern at Senior Post, she managed the social media accounts for both Senior Post and their sister company, LEROI where she put into practice her knowledge of graphic design and social media trends in order to increase their user engagement on all platforms. WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Merrick, NY STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I’m living on campus, but studying online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? The Martian FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Grey’s Anatomy or Scandal FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Instagram (I like to keep up with current trends in media) FAVORITE PODCAST? Pretty Big Deal with Ashley Graham FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Jackson Pollock FAVORITE BOOK? The Divergent Series FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

The American Cancer Society is close to my heart since many of my family members have been affected by cancer FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Cooking HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Designers are more important now than ever because it is imperative to communicate pandemic-related and social justice issues to the general public.

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From the time she got her first nameplate necklace, Victoria has been obsessed with typography. Now a senior, Victoria is majoring in graphic design with interest in a variety of media. While at MICA, her design work has focused on branding, editorial, and interactive collateral that incorporates digital and analog processes in striking and innovative ways. Most recently, she has been developing a body of work that explores culture and heritage, and examines aspects of her Latinx identity. Though her design career has already taken her all over the world, her favorite place to visit is her hometown of Miami. WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born and raised in Miami FL and have been living back and forth between Miami and the Charm City for the past four years STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? 10000% a night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? Mamma Mia (both parts and mainly because ABBA) FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Grey’s Anatomy … all 17 seasons FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram! @vescobar.studio FAVORITE PODCAST? Spanish Aquí Presents, especially when I am away from home and Äntrep FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Colombian artist Pedro Ruiz, and my favorite series by him is ‘Desplazamientos’ FAVORITE BOOK? A Song of Ice and Fire Series FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Pediatric cancer research FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

YouTube Zumba workouts HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? I have always valued design and its ability to effect change. Design has been part of movements, protests, and action across the world since long before I was born. I don’t think my view on this has changed, but recent events have made me more aware of the personal responsibility designers have to our communities. We should use design to counter binary thinking and polarizing rhetoric.

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AN X. BUI

LUKA KIMLICKO

DREXEL UNIVERSITY

An X. Bui is a 2021 senior pursuing a BS Degree in Graphic Design and a Minor in Interactive Digital Media. An grew up in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and moved to Philadelphia in search of higher education and a new cultural experience. An loves art but also has a passion for science, mainly because of its way of problem-solving. This mix of science and art is why An has a deep love for Design. He has been actively working freelance for small businesses, non-profits and startups to expand his skills and experience. As part of his Drexel Co-op, he worked at Night Kitchen Interactive, a firm specializing in exhibition design. There, he learned a lot about designing digital experience and design as a collaborative process. An is committed to expanding his expertise: from print design, website design and development, to more experimental fields like generative and interactive design. He is eager to try new things to broaden his perspective. In his free time, An loves reading fiction and photography.

Luka is completing his senior year studying Graphic Design with a minor in Product Design. He feels happy in life as long as he is being creative and collaborating with peers who inspire him, making graphic design the perfect field to explore. His most exciting work has been through freelancing where he has honed his skills in empathetic design, research, and building relationships with clients. Last summer as part of his Drexel Co-op experience, Luka had the opportunity to join CS Studio, a Paris-based design team that creates work for Contentsquare offices in Paris, London, NYC, and Tel Aviv. Despite working remotely due to Covid-19, Luka felt extremely lucky to work with a French-speaking team that challenged him in many ways as he navigated communication across the world while learning new techniques in branding, illustration, and animation. Luka has recently joined NYC start-up Apply stickers as a motion designer and looks forward to his continued growth as a professional designer.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. I am currently living in Philadelphia PA. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I lived near campus, but all my classes are remote MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? Get Out by Jordan Peele FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Patriot by Steven Conrad FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? 99% Invisible by Roman Mars FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Yinka Shonibare CBE FAVORITE BOOK? Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Coalition for Rainforest Nations

WHERE WHERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Maryland, grew up in Colorado, living in Philadelphia PA STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? Parasite FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Maniac FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Radiolab FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Matt McCormick FAVORITE BOOK? The Hobbit FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The Bail Project FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Outdoor rock climbing

Binging on book series and tv shows.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? It has become clear,

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? In the midst of these

now more than ever, that design must be used as a tool to support the work towards social, economic, climate, and health justice. Ethical design shouldn’t need to be applauded, it should be expected.

turbulent times, I think a Graphic Designer’s social and political influence is more impactful and important than ever before. Also, we need to consider the implication of our creations, not only for clients and collaborators, but for its impact on the world.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MADISON HOSIER

HANNAH PETERSON

THE MODERN COLLEGE OF DESIGN

Madison Hosier is a fourth-year student specializing in illustration. Madison is interested in animation and is learning After Effects! She participates on The Modern’s NSAC team and served as the art director last year when they placed first in the District and 11th in the Semifinals. Madison believes that designers have the responsibility and the power to have an impact on those around us. Outside of school, she loves spending free time exploring antique stores, making linocut prints, and watching movies.

Hannah Peterson is a second-year Applied Business in Design student (and an INFJ-T). In addition to being passionate about web design, print and packaging, branding, and UI/UX, she is also invested in crafting intentional and user-driven creative solutions. Her design journey started at the Delaware Area Career Center, which led her to BPA, SkillsUSA, and eventually The Modern College of Design. In college, she has participated in Student Senate, worked with the Dayton BBB and Dragonfly Editorial, and absorbed as much design knowledge as possible. Currently, she is Media Director for the school’s NSAC team. Hannah is interested in all aspects of a project, whether that be research, brainstorming, or iterating. Outside the design world, she loves visiting the ocean, tracking her music listening habits, playing the piano by ear, and learning about amusement park history.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born and still live in Springfield OH STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

On campus! I’m there every night until they kick me out. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I’m a morning person! FAVORITE MOVIE?

I have a million … but a couple are 13 Going on 30 and Coco FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

One Tree Hill and of course I’m team Peyton! FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Creative Pep Talk by Andy J. Pizza FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Frida Khalo by far! FAVORITE BOOK? Number the Stars by Lois Lowry FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The Sierra Club Foundation FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Schoolwork kept me pretty busy, but I did pick up linocut printing, and now I’m addicted to making them. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

The challenges of 2020 were scary and caused uncertainty, but I’ve been inspired by the resilience and positivity coming out of the creative world in such a gloomy time. I think this year has proven that designers occupy a powerful position in the world, and they’ve done many wonderful things in an effort to piece it back together and unite us all. I’m proud to call myself a designer.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Columbus OH, currently switching between Delaware and campus in Kettering OH STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Previously on campus, now online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Best work is done at Late O’Clock FAVORITE MOVIES? Captain America: The Winter Soldier, OG Star Wars trilogy, Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Winnie the Pooh, and Moana FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? To create: Instagram. To consume: Spotify, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Dribbble FAVORITE PODCAST? The EntreLeadership Podcast, The Futur with Chris Do, Duel of the Takes, The We Are Next Podcast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Michael Reeder, Dusty Ray, Paul Jackson, Lloyd Stratton, Jenna Thomas FAVORITE BOOK? Long-term – The Bible. Current – Design: Vignelli FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

Educational reform, sustainability, mental health FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Listening to music, sleeping, developing new passion projects HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? 2020 has reinforced

the pivotal roles that conscious marketing and design play in an ethical society. Designers have the power to influence public opinion, drive change, and make genuine connections with users/consumers — it’s an important responsibility. 64 G D U S A

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BEATRIZ PATARATA

PETAR PIRIZOVIC

RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Beatriz Patarata is a senior graphic design student. She grew up in a small town in the north of Portugal and moved to China to attend United World College Changshu at the age of 16. There she developed her passion for people, their stories, and their struggles, and because of that, she also found energy in social and environmental activism. After moving to Florida, while at Ringling College, she has explored sustainability-focused, purpose-led design solutions as a tool for social and sustainable innovation. She is eager to enter the industry and to collaborate with compassion advocates and change-seekers. Beatriz aims to create meaningful design solutions that encourage critical thought and positive action.

Originally from Croatia, Petar Pirizovic is a senior, majoring in graphic design and minoring in art history. Petar has developed a strong foundation for his creative processes and skills through the joining of research, strategy, and conceptual thinking. Petar’s love for art history and paper as a medium led him to become a passionate book designer, letterpress printer, and bookbinder. When he is not designing, Petar is actively involved in the community, participates in many student clubs, and is a committee member for Ringling’s well known alternative book fair, Paper Jam. He also loves cooking and going to the Farmer’s market. WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN, AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born and raised in Vila Real, Portugal. Moving between Portugal, Florida, and England. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? 100% on-campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Midmorning FAVORITE MOVIE? Call me by your name FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Fleabag FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? The Daily FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Helena Almeida FAVORITE BOOK? Ruined by Design, by Mike Monteiro FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Climate Justice

Born and raised in Croatia. Currently, now live between my hometown and Sarasota FL STUDYING ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Currently studying online, but I intend to be on campus in 2021. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person FAVORITE MOVIE?

I am a very passive movie watcher — as long as it is not a cheesy rom-com or Sci Fi, all movies will do. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Grey’s Anatomy and The Crown FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST?

Home Cooking with Samin Nosrat and Hrishikesh Hirway

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

Being in nature.

This is hard, but if I must choose one, it would be Kazimir Malevich. FAVORITE BOOK? Any cookbook, really FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Habitat for Humanity

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Not changed, but further confirmed the responsibility we have as visual communicators.

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Bookbinding HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

They have highlighted more clearly how powerful designers are, and how they can empower many different voices.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

LEX POOLOS

RYAN SLONE

VERMONT COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS (VCFA)

Lex Poolos is currently the graphic designer for the City of Charlotte and just finished their MFA in Graphic Design at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Their work focuses on queer identity, activism design, education, and cultivating accessibility through design. They live in Charlotte NC with their two cats, Simon and Larry.

Ryan Slone is a graphic design instructor at the University of Arkansas’ School of Art and an MFA candidate in design. His current research centers around the emancipating power of self-imposed constraints and their ability to disrupt predictable outcomes. When Ryan is not teaching, making, or writing, you can probably find him on his bike or daydreaming about his thesis.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Albemarle NC and currently living in Charlotte NC STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Just graduated in October from a low-residency program so a bit of both MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night Owl FAVORITE MOVIE? I don’t really have a favorite but I do love a dumb light-hearted Christmas movie – speaking of Christmas movies, Klaus is a keeper and The Happiest Season can burn. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? I’m working remote in a pandemic, and binged Hulu and Netflix in their entirety. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Tik Tok FAVORITE PODCAST? My Spotify wrapped says it’s the news – how fun FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Kate Moross FAVORITE BOOK? Chasing the Perfect: Thoughts on Modernist Design in Our Time by Natalia Ilyin FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The Trevor Project FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Rock climbing or longboarding HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

There is nothing the pandemic or political climate of 2020 hasn’t touched. So yes? But graphic design always has been a medium of visual communication with a mass communication function — so if anything it’s more apparent than ever how integral our role can be. Especially as someone who works on the communication team in government, I’m in the (Zoom) room where decisions are made on how and what information is given to our residents. As a designer it’s exciting to have a seat at the table.

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN, AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Missouri, live in Arkansas, but have called Atlanta and NYC home in the past STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Night owl, but I want to be a better morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? Goodfellas FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Office FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? WTF with Marc Maron FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Jean`-Michel Basquiat FAVORITE BOOK? Chasing the Perfect: Thoughts on Modernist Design In Our Time by Natalia Ilyin FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Hiking with our family’s new quarantine puppy HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Design has a long-standing history of recording our struggles for peace, social justice, environmental defense, and liberation from oppression. The current events we face today further amplify the need for designers to continue working in that space.

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ETHAN SMITH

ANNA PORTER

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Ethan Smith, a senior in Graphic Design, grew up with artists in his family, but it wasn’t until halfway through his freshman year that he realized he wanted to be a designer. Growing up, he always viewed his artistic skills as more of a hobby and his mathematical skills as a career. A semester in Civil Engineering made him realize that he needed to embrace his creativity in his work and life. The change from huge physics and calculus lectures to small and personal studio classes was like a breath of fresh air. He loves the studio environment and his close-knit group of classmates who constantly push each other to do their best work. In addition to design, trying new art styles and mediums is very important to his process. He has studied ceramics, printmaking, and sculpture alongside his design studios. His math background continues to play a role in his work, helping him create consistent and perfect designs. He plans to continue learning, working, and exploring new ways to develop beautiful and conceptually driven designs.

Anna describes herself as an emotional creature who has a strong passion for human relationships and all life on the planet. Growing up, she gravitated toward those ideas — and to art. She is thankful that graphic design connects those two dots for her. She believes good design is based on an understanding of human behavior — wants, needs, and passions. It depends on an ability to understand the rules, but also a willingness to break them. She credits the continuous love and support of her family, friends and fiancé for helping her pursue the career of her dreams. She strives to remain curious, to continue learning and to work toward understanding people while making an effort to a put a smile on their faces.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Montgomery AL and now live in Auburn AL STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I mostly study/work online at my apartment MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Most definitely a night owl FAVORITE MOVIE?

It’s a toss-up between Nacho Libre and Mad Max: Fury Road FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Keith Haring FAVORITE BOOK? Ready Player One or I Am Legend FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Putting puzzles together

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Huntsville AL and lived there my entire life until my recent move to Bellevue WA STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Both on campus and online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? 100% morning person FAVORITE MOVIE?

All 3 extended editions of Lord of the Rings FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Great British Bake off FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? I try my best to avoid it! FAVORITE PODCAST? 99% Invisible or Criminal FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Salvador Dalí FAVORITE BOOK? Dune by Frank Herbert FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The Nature Conservancy FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Exploring the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

This past year has given designers a unique opportunity to find greater meaning in their work and have a real impact on how people perceive the current global situation.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Not so much as

changed how I think, but further enforced my thinking that design can be, and often is, extremely important to our culture and society. G D U SA 67

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

NINA WOLF

OLIVIA NORRIS

PRATT MWP COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

Nina Wolf is a highly motivated design student interested in branding, advertising, and UX/UI. She discovered her creative passion at a young age while watercolor painting with her grandmother. Nina nurtured this passion at St.Vincent – St.Mary High School and began her college career at The University of Notre Dame. She is currently a sophomore studying at Pratt MWP. Nina has worked as a freelance designer and artist for 3 years and recently completed a marketing and graphic design internship. She plans to pursue an MBA in order to help her achieve her ultimate goal of working as an in-house designer for a Fortune 500 company. When Nina is not doing schoolwork or designing, she enjoys hiking, biking or kayaking with her family.

Olivia Norris is a sophomore pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design. Olivia’s passions for art stem from her childhood love of book illustration and print. She aims to explore the dynamic connection between illustration and design, marrying the two in her personal and academic work. Olivia favors branding, art direction and editorial design, all of which she imbues with her vibrant, decorative style. Currently, she is focused on integrating original typography and illustration styles into her design while continuing to dabble in hand illustration. Olivia also has an appreciation for music, film, and the theater. Looking ahead, she intends to focus on brand and visual identity, while continuing to develop as an illustrative designer. Following her graduation, Olivia hopes to pursue an MFA in design.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Akron, Ohio STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Dead to Me FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram (@ninawolf.art) FAVORITE PODCAST? The Mortified Podcast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Bao Pham (@baotpham) FAVORITE BOOK? The Picture of Dorian Gray FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE? The World Wildlife Fund FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Hiking and watching true crime documentaries with my mom HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Absolutely. Designers have a huge opportunity to make a difference because they shape the way information is perceived. This means that designers have a responsibility to design ethically in order to cultivate inclusive and sustainable communities.

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born New Haven CT, now in Litchfield County CT STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? Coraline or Dirty Dancing FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings series FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram or Pinterest FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

Edward Degas or Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin FAVORITE BOOK? Kathryn Stockett’s The Help and Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

National Organization of Women Foundation - International FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Running and exercising, yoga, cooking, hiking, reading, spending time with friends and family HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The challenges of 2020

have changed my perception of the role of art, design and of creatives as a collective. Not only is design a way to interpret and represent the voices of the people, but it offers creative solutions to contemporary challenges. The turbulence has opened the eyes of creatives to the importance of art as a solution. I now understand design as a valuable communication tool, a bridge that links all kinds of people from different cultures, and inspires inclusiveness across all fronts.

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LIAM SPERANZA

NNEKA NJOKU

SHILLINGTON SCHOOL

Liam Speranza is a multidisciplinary designer living and working in New York City. Before becoming a designer, he studied biochemistry and worked in science as a teacher, researcher, public health advocate and science communicator. His work in science continues to influence his design processes. He is passionate about the ways artistic and scientific methods interact and he aims to use creative and analytics processes to develop design solutions that spark positive sustainable change. After graduating from Shillington School of Design in 2020, he has worked with creative studios, editorial publications, start-ups and research firms. When not designing, you can find him on a long run, pretending to be a photographer with his iPhone camera, and studying French for the twentieth time.

Nneka Njoku is a multi-disciplinary artist. Born in Nigeria, and based in New York City by way of Trinidad, Scotland, and Minnesota, she cares about culture-informed design and research. Her seven years of international and local nonprofit and business communications experience has only enhanced her passion for exploring the beauty of life beyond the surface. Nneka creates in order to connect the realms of mind, spirit, and emotion with a mission to stay curious, empower and spark remembrance, healing and introspection. You can engage with her work at bynneka.com and pennymagicdesign.com

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Born in New York and currently live in New York City

A night owl who is an aspiring morning person

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

On campus and online (the best of both worlds!) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a morning person! FAVORITE MOVIE? Midsommar by Ari Aster

A tie between Avatar: The Last Airbender and Girlfriends

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

FAVORITE PODCAST?

Is saying The Great British Bake Off too #basic? FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram

Ancestral Dreams, Omens, and Prophecies by Gogo Thule Ngane FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Mother Earth FAVORITE BOOK? Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Supporting and uplifting black women

FAVORITE PODCAST?

Keep It by Crooked Media. I’m a proud pop culture nerd! FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Jean-Michel Basquiat – I’m inspired by his use of textures and typography in the physical medium for social and political commentary FAVORITE BOOK? The Book of Laughter and Forgetting by Milan Kundera FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The Trevor Project FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Baking HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? This has been an important time for designers and graphic artists to do social good. The need for salient, actionable and shareable content relating to protests, social issues and public health become has become increasingly urgent and at the same time the amplification of women, Latinx, queer and BIPOC voices in design has become a powerful force which is really exciting.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Zaria, Nigeria and currently live in NYC STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On campus

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Instagram usually but I recently created a new Twitter account

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Meditating and sitting by large bodies of water HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Yes. I believe that a huge

part of the role as a graphic designer is creative problem solving. Up until this year, designers have had the luxury to create and problem solve within the world “as it's always been.” Now, designers cannot afford to continue doing that. It is time for us to use our skills to design a new world that looks closer to what we want. For me, that is a world that is kinder, more joyful, compassionate, respectful, and celebratory of the diversity and beauty of all human beings

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

RICARDO ROSALES

IPEK PELIT

KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE (KCAI)

Ricardo Rosales knew he wanted to pursue a career in design when he discovered how versatile the practice is. He begins each project with an empathetic approach to understand the needs of the client and the goals of the design. He is inspired by interpersonal studies, and hopes to move to Mexico City to bring its small businesses to a larger audience. This year he was selected to create and curate posters for Kansas City’s Folly Theater and is currently photographing products for Kubota, a tractor company.

Ipek Pelit, a senior at Kansas City Art Institute, is passionate about using design as a tool to create a better world and understand people’s needs. She’s interested in speculative design as well as sustainability and accessibility. Ipek co-designed and co-organized HUMAN-CON 2020, the first student-organized, human-centered design conference, with AIGA KC and received the Ellen Lupton Award for positive citizenship and leadership in the graphic design community. After graduation, she hopes to become a UX designer and work for non-profits.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? I was born

and raised in Dallas TX and I currently live in Kansas City MO STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I chose the hybrid option where I alternate one week online and one week in person. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I am definitely a night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? The Age of Adeline FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

High Fidelity starring Zoe Kravits. It has an amazing soundtrack. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram, I treat my profile more as a way to express myself creatively. I just try to have fun with it. FAVORITE PODCAST? I don’t listen to podcasts much, but The Breakfast Club interviews musical artists. I love hearing the artist talk about life, opinions, and their problems. FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Keith Haring FAVORITE BOOK?

How To Be A Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Long drives, and listening to music HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

It made me grateful to be pursuing graphic design. We all had to adapt to a new way of communicating with one another and following directions. I was happy to see how quickly graphic designers adapted in creating fun ways to interact with one another

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Ankara, Turkey and I now live in Kansas City MO STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I am studying hybrid in school and at work as well MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? Mother, Midsommar, and Grand Budapest Hotel FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Black Mirror and Breaking Bad FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? AIGA Design Future Now FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

Henri Julien Félix Rousseau’s wild nature paintings, and Serkan Akyol’s poem inspired illustrations FAVORITE BOOK? If Not, Winter, and Fragments of Sappho FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSES?

Environmental sustainability, and youth education FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Exercising, stretching and writing recipes HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

I always believed graphic design is a tool to gather and inform people. 2020 has been a good example of that.

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SHANE LOBSINGER

VALERIA DIAZ

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN

Shane Lobsinger is a passionate graphic designer and freelance artist. He chose to study graphic design because he wanted to be an influential part of people’s lives on a large scale. As a designer, he connects with people through a wide variety of printing production, publications, advertising and packaging, motion graphics, photography and more. Shane believes that “the beauty of art comes from its ability to effectively change the way people feel and perceive the world. My goal as a graphic artist is not only to problem solve but to grab the attention of viewers and help them look at the world from a new and creative perspective.”

Valeria Diaz will soon graduate with a BFA in Graphic Communications. Her creativity, dedication, and determination, blossomed through her Peruvian roots. Valeria continuously seeks out opportunities to gain valuable experiences in the industry and always strives to design pieces that surpass the client’s standards. She thrives in challenging environments in which she can adapt and demonstrate her artistic versatility. Being detail-oriented and perfectionist combined with her exacting organization, planning, and execution allows her to consistently provide a finished product that exceeds client expectations. Valeria considers herself to be a brand as well, establishing a high standard that pushes her to pursue excellence in anything attached to her name.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? I was born

in a small town in Florida but now I’m living in the greater Atlanta GA area STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I’ve always preferred going to campus until the recent pandemic Morning person or night owl? I’m more of a night owl. FAVORITE MOVIE? The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a wild anthology FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Night owl but trying to be a morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? Knives Out FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Down to Earth with Zac Efron FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Every Little Thing FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Claude Monet

I enjoy Instagram for finding and sharing work with other artists FAVORITE PODCAST? The Daily by the New York Times. They have some interesting stories and it keeps me up to date on current events. FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Maddi Bryce is one of my favorite fine artists. Her printmaking is always incredibly detailed and there’s a level of skill there that’s rarely matched. FAVORITE BOOK? Dune. A great read. FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Born in Lima, Peru and currently live in Atlanta GA STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Both on campus and online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

FAVORITE BOOK?

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Charity

Building paludariums, which combine terrestrial and aquatic life in one small environment. I get a lot of enjoyment from watching these small worlds thriving.

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Absolutely, it’s been very

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Now more than ever before, visual

eye opening. Now more than ever we can use our work to give a voice to so many people who need help getting their message across.

messages have become extremely important. Whether they be about safety standards in communities or spreading factual information instead of misinformation. Graphic designers play a powerful role and it’s important to keep in mind how greatly our designs influence people.

Yoga and exploring Procreate HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MEGAN MONROE

CHARLOTTE CANNON

VIRGINIA TECH

Megan Monroe is a senior studying Graphic Design and Art History. While Megan has expressed a love for art for as long as she can remember, her passion for graphic design didn’t flourish until her senior year of high school. Ever since then, she’s grown increasingly involved in all forms of design, from print to motion to product design. An avid learner, Megan aims to create design that inspires and helps others. She finds that she is happiest when she is inspired, and hopes to constantly seek out inspiration no matter where she ends up after graduating in May. When Megan isn’t designing, you can find her swimming in the ocean, painting, or scouting out funky hats to add to her growing collection.

Charlotte Cannon is a fifth year Honors College student pursuing a dual degree in Graphic Design and Cello Performance. Her love for the arts has led her to pursue design with a passion. She finds inspiration in people and their stories which has driven her to connect and build long-lasting, meaningful relationships between individuals and their communities. As a visual storyteller and creator of experiences, she strives to design in ways that are impactful, empowering, accessible, and inclusive. Through constant exploration and experimentation, she hopes to continue learning and growing. When she's not creating, you can find her reading, baking, or bingewatching either the Great British Baking Show or Christmas movies.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Virginia Beach VA

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Great British Baking Show

I was born in Chenzhou, China but have lived in Blacksburg VA almost my whole life STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl! FAVORITE MOVIE? Home Alone

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Twitter

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

FAVORITE PODCAST? We Are Next

Black Lives Matter and Everytown for Gun Safety

Either River Monsters or the Great British Baking Show FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Reply All FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Jan Van Eyck FAVORITE BOOK? Around the World in 80 Trees

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

Purchasing funky hats…

Micah's Backpack and Operation Christmas Child!

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Design is basically

Reading and attempting to cook!

problem-solving through creative solutions. I think it’s safe to say we’ve faced a number of problems in 2020, and it’s encouraging to see designers using their voice and talent to solve these problems. It’s more important now than ever before for designers to use their gifts to educate and communicate in a way that encourages others to respect one another, spread love, and stay healthy.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning FAVORITE MOVIE? The Dark Knight Rises or Vertigo

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Kehinde Wiley FAVORITE BOOK? The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

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ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Design and designers

have always played an important role in communicating and representing the myriad voices in our society and the events of this year have reinforced and proven this tenfold. Now more than ever, designers and design can be the catalyst for change and empowerment across the country and globally.

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ED RYAN

KATE AUMAN

CRANBROOK ACADEMY OF ART

Ed Ryan, an artist/graphic designer/musician, is an MFA Candidate in 2D Design. His interests include experimental publishing, spatial and experiential design, design systems, and the material implications of digital and physical collecting. Previously, Ed was a Senior Designer at GHD Partners in NYC, working on large-scale environmental and experiential design projects. He holds a BFA from Western Michigan and certificates from UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design and Typography Summer School Los Angeles. Ed’s work has been recognized by the TDC, It’s Nice That, and GDUSA. He is partial to short workshops, long movies, and most beverages made in Milwaukee from malted cereal grains.

Kate Auman is an MFA candidate in the 2D Design Department. Her body of work draws upon cultural perceptions of death, utilizing archival photos, personal writing, bookmaking, and sound. Recent pieces explore generational connectivity by comparing her disability and experience with those of late relatives. She has participated in various art programs, including Trojan Horse (with Payal Kapadia and nicole killian) and the McFadden Thorpe Typography program. The Museum of Impossible Forms (Helsinki) premiered her video art “August” in the summer of 2020. Kate is currently an educator at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit. She received her BS from Utah State University, studying under Cranbrook alum Mike Daines.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Kalamazoo MI, currently live outside of Detroit STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? IRL. On campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? I haven’t watched that many movies this year, though I do deeply miss the movie theatre. Lately, I’ve been dying for a third watch of Call Me by Your Name FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Seinfeld FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? None. I’m addicted to all of them and they’re all bad for my brain. Least favorite: Instagram. FAVORITE PODCAST? This American Life FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Noah Davis or Tom Sachs FAVORITE BOOK? Speedboat by Renata Adler FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? BLM FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Biking and playing guitar. Not at the same time HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? I’m hopeful that the forced slowdown will awaken us to the unsustainable ways that much creative operates, like an orange being squeezed dry. Also, I am torn about design’s role in politics. In some ways, a year like 2020 makes design feel like a gloss or a hollow signifier of values that washes legitimate issue. On the other hand, witnessing millions of Americans taking to the streets or using their voices (and sometimes design) to speak out — that’s a powerful etc.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN, AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born and raised in Logan UT, now live in Greater Detroit. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? A mix of both. I am high risk and change my practice to match what is safest for me. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Crip time FAVORITE MOVIE? Harold and Maude FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Youtube FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Twitter (@KateAuman) FAVORITE PODCAST? I would rather talk to Joe Asciuto FAVORITE BOOK? Disability Visibility edited by Alice Wong FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

Universal Healthcare and Disability Justice. FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Reading with, texting, and playing video games with my nieces and nephews. It will be years until I see some of them in person again, and I miss them. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS' ROLE? During the

pandemic, disabled and chronically ill people have been overlooked and, at times, deemed dispensable. (Consider how many times you have heard the phrase “this only affects high-risk people.”) Those impacted most by these ableist systems are disabled Queer, Black, Indigenous, and other POC. Disabled folks are dying. In the face of this, understanding my role as a designer feels complex. G D U SA 73

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

NICK MARABELLA

SOMMRE PHILLIPS

COOPER UNION

Nick Marabella is a senior graphic designer and multidisciplinary artist at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in NYC. His work often encompasses a combination of analog and digital techniques, and he has special interests in publication design, bookbinding, collage, and photo illustration. He works at The Herb Lubalin Study Center of Design & Typography, Cooper’s extensive library and archive of design ephemera, and interns at YARDY.

Sommre Phillips is a senior studying Graphic Design and Printmaking. She spent most of her time at her arts high school painting. The interdisciplinary nature of the Cooper Union made her realize that her passions are elsewhere. Graphic design became important to her because of the accessibility of the medium. It is her intention that her work be understood and digested by all viewers. This principle applies as well to her printmaking practice, which relies heavily on form and written language, as a way to narrate her family history and her relationship to trauma.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

I was born in Strasbourg, France and grew up in Central New Jersey MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Night owl, wannabe morning person. FAVORITE SOCIAL PLATFORM? Twitter FAVORITE TELEVISION BINGE WATCH?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer FAVORITE PODCAST?

Dead for Filth with Michael Varrati FAVORITE BOOK?

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier FAVORITE MOVIE? Clue FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Paul Cadmus FAVORITE CAUSE/CHARITY?

The Trevor Project FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Cooking

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Kingsport TN but spent most of my childhood between Las Vegas NV, and Northern California. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I’m more of an afternoon person FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Twitter, one hundred percent, informative and hilarious FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

Jane the Virgin or Breaking Bad FAVORITE PODCAST? The only podcast I really listen to is the Daily, which I don’t even listen too often... FAVORITE BOOK?

I recently restarted, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessel van der Kolk FAVORITE MOVIE? Breakfast at Tiffany’s FAVORITE ARTIST?

This year, it’s been Jenny Holtzer. FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE? The Bail Project FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Reorganizing my spaces, baking, looking at very cheap furniture on Facebook Marketplace

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MADELEINE LYASH

ZORINA ECKMAN

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN (PCAD)

Madeleine Lyash is a senior graphic designer pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design. Her work features bold patterns and color palettes. Aside from her love of design, Madeleine enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her senior thesis focuses on ending the stigma around mental health. She plans on pursuing a master’s degree to become an Art Therapist. Madeleine is particularly excited to master her craft and to begin working in her field.

Zorina Eckman is a senior majoring in graphic design at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. She enjoys working with typography, colors, and patterns. Her senior thesis focuses on environmental awareness in the outdoor community, with a concentration on rock climbing. She’s passionate about conservation and design and believes that when design is used correctly it creates a powerful message that remains with the viewer making them more likely to care about what you’re saying.

WHERE YOU WERE BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Bloomsburg PA and Mount Carmel PA

WHERE YOU WERE BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Born and raised in Lancaster PA

I work better on campus and enjoy being in person with my classmates MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night Owl FAVORITE MOVIE? Ghost Ship

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Depends on when my next project is due, but mostly morning FAVORITE MOVIE? Blade Runner FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? I prefer movies over tv shows FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? TEDx Talks FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Keith Haring and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec FAVORITE BOOK? Cat’s Cradle by Vonnegut FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? WWF and Access Fund

Hanging with my ride or die (my mom)

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

Doodling and climbing

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Yes, because people’s

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

entire outlook has changed. They are forced to look rather than do, and what they see is what greatly affects them.

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? I’ve always believed

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, ER, CSI FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Facebook FAVORITE PODCAST? Ellie + Jared FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Vincent Van Gogh FAVORITE BOOK? Needful Things by Stephen King FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? St. Judes Hospital

Mostly on campus with a dash of online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

that graphic design has the ability to elevate great work from a pretty design to an impactful work of art that’s going to stay with the viewer. The challenges of 2020 have reinforced this belief. Graphic design has the potential to make your work clearer and more concise — allowing room for the design to stand on its own.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MALAK ALMALKI

KHANG NGUYEN

OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Malak Almalki is a multidisciplinary designer and artist based in Saudi Arabia. She has recently earned her MFA in Graphic Design. Her work is driven by researching the historical, linguistic, and cultural content that relates to her region. She likes to explore and experiment with different tools and materials in her work. With her background in Media/Journalism and Graphic Design she started a publishing house called Naqsh Hajar (@naqshhajar) to convey her cultural narrative to the world.

Khang Nguyen is an international student from Vietnam pursuing a BFA. In addition to graphic design, Khang is an avant-garde makeup artist who shares work on social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok (@khangphinn). Khang gained the commission to design a new viewbook cover for Otis College Admissions and proudly states: “With the massive support from Sheharazad Flemming and Rebecca Todd, respectively, Creative Director and Graphic Designer in Otis’ Communications and Marketing Department, my illustration was successfully designed and published. I am excited for what the future holds, especially as I am graduating in a few months.”

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On campus! MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I am defiantly a morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? I Lost My Body FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Crown FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? I mostly use Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST?

A local podcasts called Thmanyah and Kerning cultures FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

Hard to choose one! but, I will say Gustav Bauernfeind FAVORITE BOOK?

Last book I read “The Art of Creative Thinking.” FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Albir Society FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I usually spend my time painting or writing HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

With everything happening around us, I feel that the designer has become more involved in many fields. We are obligated to facilitate information and raise awareness above just creating cool stuff.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? Born in the

South of Vietnam and I’m currently living in the San Francisco Bay area STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Both have benefits. On campus, I can produce different forms of designs beyond on-screen graphics, and it allows me to meet people; however, I’m able to manage my schedule better on-line and I have more time to connect with my family in Vietnam MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I love working in daylight with my desk at a window FAVORITE MOVIE? Room by Lenny Abrahamson FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram (@khangphinn) FAVORITE PODCAST?

In the Dark, a true crime podcast with thrilling unsolved crimes FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

Bao Thien Pham, a Vietnamese illustrator whose female characters are iconic, and are represented in Ao Dai, our national costume FAVORITE BOOK? Room by Emma Donoghue FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? A charity in my motherland that helps Midwest Vietnamese people cope with floods FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Painting my face. I see my face as a canvas or an artboard that I have freedom to design on! HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? 2020 is horrific, but at the same time, it makes me realize that graphic designers have a lot of impact in the world. It is not just making a design look nice or cutting edge, it should also be how we see the world and how we want to communicate our message.

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NHI PHAM

ESTHER VELASCO

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Nhi Pham is a graphic design student with a minor in illustration. She is passionate about design and enjoys the creative problemsolving process. “To me, it’s the thrill of connecting all these elements, like putting together pieces of a puzzle to create a beautiful picture. The whole time you’re unsure of how it will end up, but you keep going,” observes Nhi. A dedicated student devoted to creating meaningful work, Nhi aspires to becoming a professional graphic designer and illustrator who inspires others along the way.

Esther Velasco is a senior majoring in graphic design at the School of Design at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is proud to come from a family of Mexican immigrants.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN, AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

I was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where I spent my early years. I now live in Oklahoma City OK STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Half-online and half-in-person to maintain everyone’s safety while providing a sufficient learning experience

SpongeBob & Avatar: The Last Airbender FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? I don’t listen to podcasts FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Right now, I love Valeria Alvarez FAVORITE BOOK? A book of poetry titled ‘Peluda’

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I feel more productive during the quiet and peaceful night time FAVORITE MOVIE? Harry Potter FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? I love comedy, especially the weird and silly ones. I never get tired of watching the Rick and Morty series. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram is where I get inspired by my favorite artists and designers FAVORITE PODCAST? The Daily Shine. It’s podcast-meets-meditation that helps me de-stress and appreciate my surroundings. FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? I follow a number of creatives on Instagram, whom I draw inspiration from, especially Asian illustrators or designers. I am a huge fan of James Jean, a Taiwanese-American visual artist FAVORITE BOOK?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Oklahoma City OK and still live there STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Both MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Both FAVORITE MOVIE? Real Women Have Curves

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

I support Immigrant rights organizations like United We Dream FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I’ve been re-watching Catfish HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

I'm politically engaged, and watching the use of someone’s death, even to advance a cause, without the family’s explicit permission, concerns me. Imagine your son or daughter is murdered, and you see their name on a stranger’s online store on some sticker where the goal is personal profit? But, that said, design for good should be at the forefront of everyone's minds right now.

My favorite book of all time is ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? As an animal-lover and pet-owner, I suport organizations that advocate for animal rights and protection FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I’ve used the opportunity to rediscover myself and delve into other creative activities, most notably film photography HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The pandemic has been a big challenge for everyone. Graphic designers are professional problemsolvers, so this is just another one for us to figure out. G D U SA 77

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

JANE CIMINERA

GRACE FOX

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Jane Ciminera is a senior completing her BFA in Communications Design with a minor in Women and Gender Studies, which fuels the concept and content of her work. She is a member of Women in Design, as well as the Communications Director of the SU AIGA executive board. Jane believes that a creative’s work should challenge societal norms and injustice. She is interested in creating for change, innovation, and justice. Last year she had the opportunity to present conceptual designs to the UN for the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, which tackled issues of food insecurity, technological access, education, reproductive health, climate change, and more. Jane is fiercely devoted to using her abilities for socially conscious design.

When she was 8 years old, Grace visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his sense of design stayed with her. Eventually, she fell in love with graphic design which led her to a communication design major. As a senior, Grace has spent the last three and a half years dedicated to the studio, and curating interests in branding and packaging. She’s interested in transforming projects from screen to touch. Grace has also pursued a minor in communications photography, strengthening her art direction and photography curation skills. Outside of academics, Grace enjoys running, camping, watching college basketball, and keeping her stickie notes organized.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Spent 21 years in a Philadelphia suburb, hoping to move to NYC and travel internationally STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Hybrid

Born in China, raised in Oak Park IL which borders Chicago

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? All-night owl

Depends on whether my Windex is whispering sweet nothings for an early cleaning or Hulu for a late-night marathon. FAVORITE MOVIE? Mulan FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? I’m part Gemini, so it’s either horribly amazing, campy horror flicks or educational documentaries/true stories

FAVORITE MOVIE? The LEGO Movie

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Shepard Fairey and his distinct poster designs FAVORITE BOOK? Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet

Instagram, but I play online Catan more than I use socials FAVORITE PODCAST? Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Botticelli FAVORITE BOOK? My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

On campus in my own little studio :)

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Brooklyn Nine-Nine FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Facebook FAVORITE PODCAST? Imagined Life FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?

Human Rights Campaign because of their intersectional mission FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?

Camping

Transnational feminism & LGBTQIA communities

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Fostering a

THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

litter of kittens and adopting a little black kitty named Mr. Fang.

Yes, it’s very powerful from informative to iconographic design.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? It has strengthened

my preexisting beliefs of design’s ability to radically address societal oppressions, political dilemmas, and personal challenges.

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VIVIAN DURAN

SOL SANTECCHIA

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Vivian Duran says that the best part of being a design student who also works full-time is being able to show her work to her 6-year old daughter, who is her biggest fan and also her toughest critic! Vivian’s believes passionately in design as a problem-solving tool. In addition to classes, work and motherhood, she interns at MoreKeting, a Miami-based 360 marketing agency. There she has learned new skills from web development, photography, and video editing, to digital ad campaigns, customer journey and content strategies. She has also developed an interest in marketing, and plans one day to pursue a Master’s Degree in Marketing. Vivian enjoys traveling and encouraging her daughter’s experience in to the outdoors. She and her daughter may often be found wandering outdoors barefoot, staring at the sunset or star gazing.

Sol Santecchia was very young when her family introduced her to golf, and she spent most of her childhood at the golf course. In Argentina, she played in tournaments while balancing school and other responsibilities. At 14, she played her first international competition and dreamed of pursuing a degree while playing golf for a US team. She’s proud now to be a member of Nova Southeastern University team where she discovered her other passion, graphic design. Sol is in her senior year, completing a bachelor’s in graphic design, along with minors in marketing and sports management. She plans to earn an MBA. By harnessing the determination, discipline and craftsmanship learned through golf, graphic design and business, Sol is looking forward to a successful career carving pathways forward for young dreamers.

WHERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Bogotá, Colombia. Living in South Florida.

I was born in Mendoza, Argentina. Now, I live in Davie FL

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Blended Learning, whatever that is…

Studying online, although I prefer on campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I used to be a night owl, but now I think mornings are more productive FAVORITE MOVIE? Monsters Inc. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Office. Steve Carrel is the funniest. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Kings of Golf FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Leonora Carrington FAVORITE BOOK? Mundo Azul by Albert Espinosa FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Caritas, a Catholic charity that works to end poverty and promote justice FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Yoga

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Day-thinker. Night-worker. FAVORITE MOVIE? The Lord of the Rings. With its mesmerizing nature landscapes, epic battle scenes and mind-blowing special effects, who would not love it precious?! FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

F·R·I·E·N·D·S. What smelly cat was fed is still a great mystery FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Stuff You Should Know FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Dimitra Milan FAVORITE BOOK? The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? This planet is the one thing we all have in common. Environmental preservation is everyone’s responsibility.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? I have learned graphic

U.S National Parks road trip

designers can impact society by supporting social causes for positive change. Designers communicate messages that lead people to reflect, develop empathy for others, and consider different points of view.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The crucial role of designers has been reinforced. It is amazing how businesses quickly found innovative ways to connect audiences through digital and virtual experiences. Effective visual communication played a leading role in making these experiences authentic.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

KATHERINE BUTTS

RACHEL HERRING

SESSIONS COLLEGE FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN

Katherine Butts, also known as Nystique Arts, is a freelance illustrator with an eye for design. She’s an owner of an online shop and Patreon full of her artwork and merchandise — including prints, stationery, and more – all created by hand in a little studio in Ohio. Starting off as a full-time mother and homeschooler, she put herself through design school, working day and night to advance her skill. One of her lifelong desires is to inspire and create artwork that can brighten someone’s day and even life. Creating an aesthetic with her artwork to help others feel confident with who they are and who they choose to be is a passion of hers. In her free time, she enjoys being with her amazing support team, her husband and kids, while also enjoying video games and family trips, and reading her favorite graphic novels or comics.

Rachel is a graphic designer and co/owner of Beegus Media. Rachel’s interest in design began when she studied graphic and web design at a vocational high school. Rachel worked freelance until 2017 when she began thinking about pursuing a career that would provide for her and her three boys. It didn’t take long for her to decide to become a graphic designer. Rachel earned an Associate Degree in Graphic Design at Sessions College. While she was attending school, she joined forces with a web developer to form Beegus Media. The company has had huge success, especially in the current environment, Beegus helping many small businesses and organizations create or extend their online presence by providing them with professional designs, social media accounts, and websites. WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? I was born

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

in Connecticut. I’ve lived in 6 states, but I have finally settled in Idaho.

Bronx NY but I live in Ohio now

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online, thank the Lord

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online education!

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl for sure. My brain comes alive at night! The best creative ideas have come to me after midnight FAVORITE MOVIE? Anne of Green Gables, My Fair Lady, anything happy! FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Man in the High Castle FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Facebook FAVORITE PODCAST? That Sounds Fun FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Leonardo da Vinci. I love the details, the problem solving, and the fact that his works have lasted through time. FAVORITE BOOK? The Bible. I wouldn’t be here today without the Lord guiding me and giving me so many amazing opportunities. FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Right to Life FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Hiking!

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

More of a night owl, but usually work all day! FAVORITE MOVIE? Harry Potter Series FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Office and Psych! I alternate =) FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram and Patreon FAVORITE PODCAST?

Don’t have one, but I watch a lot of artists on YouTube! FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Van Gogh and many current artists FAVORITE BOOK?

Comic books and graphic novels, such as “The Killing Joke.” FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Black Lives Matter FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Drawing and more drawing! I was able to focus on my studies and my career HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The challenges in 2020

have moved my focus in design to feel more personal: to be much more representative of who I am and what I want to say!

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HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? For sure. Working with

small businesses during this time has opened my mind to the value of good design. Many businesses have had to create an online presence for the first time, and in so doing, they realize that to be competitive they must have good quality design in all facets of their presence. As designers, we get to help others be successful in their ventures.

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KEESA V. JOHNSON

VALERIE LE

PENNY STAMPS SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Keesa Johnson is a graduate candidate in the Masters of Design in Integrative Design (MDes) program where she studies the wicked problem of equity and access in food systems. She first practiced integrating different disciplines as a child growing up in a home that fostered engagement with the arts, theatre, technology, and activism. Whether she was writing plays, working on community media productions, or helping register voters for the A. Philip Randolph Institute, her work has always focused on human interaction. Prior to graduate school, Keesa worked as an award-winning learning designer. Her current research explores how online technologies can help people envision and sustain value through equitable access to healthy food from their own communities — work more important than ever since the pandemic began. Although the present moment is full of challenges, Keesa believes it is creating opportunities to reimagine the food system and create equitable, just, and liberating ecosystems through the lens of design.

Valerie Le is a graphic and UX designer passionate about designing for social change. She is a senior pursuing a dual degree in Art & Design and Communication and Media. She enjoys working in branding, communication, user experience, and technology. She developed an interest in using design for social good by leading the Creative Team for optiMize, a student-led entrepreneurship incubator, and working as a designer for the Youth Policy Lab, which helps communities and government agencies make data-driven decisions. Valerie’s internship experience has included New York Life Insurance and the Center for Academic Innovation. After graduation, she plans to move to Washington DC as a UX designer.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? Proud to

Night owl who loves to nap FAVORITE MOVIE? Moonrise Kingdom FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Bojack Horseman FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? 99% Invisible FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Keith Haring

have been born in Muskegon Heights MI. I currently live in Ann Arbor MI. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I am the 4 am type. FAVORITE MOVIE? Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Lovecraft Country by Misha Green FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? I love Are.na FAVORITE PODCAST? The Good Girl Podcast with Cameo King FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Lina Iris Viktor FAVORITE BOOK? Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Connecticut, currently live in Ann Arbor MI STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

On campus with online classes MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

FAVORITE BOOK?

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The Bail Project FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

Skateboarding!

Detroit Black Food Security Network (DBFSN)/Food Justice

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

I write poetry and nurture my plants

2020 has definitely shown the power of designers as disruptors, leaders, and innovators.

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Design has been shifting for quite some time. The pandemic is a portal to the creative change needed in our society. I see the role of designers as intellectual healers here to facilitate a new future. G D U SA 81

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

ERIN MAWHORTER

ASHLYN STERLING

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Erin Mawhorter, a senior in the Visual Communications program, realized in high school that she wanted to spend the rest of her life making art. She is a member of the Student Advisory Board to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, a team lead in Studio 165+, the recipient of the 2020 Tri Kappa Fine Arts Scholarship, and has won two GDUSA American Graphic Design Awards. Studio 165+ has been a favorite activity because it allows her to use design to create a positive impact in the Muncie IN community. She is interested in packaging and identity design, where she strives to base each of her designs around concept and meaning. When Erin is not designing, she enjoys weightlifting, caring for her plants and exploring Muncie.

Born and raised in rural Indiana, Ashlyn grew up playing pretend in her backyard. She is still creating stories through her design work. Design combines her favorite passions: art, literature, and people. She values design that serves a greater purpose and her approach to projects is to encourage conversation. Ashlyn is a Team Lead for Studio 165+, a student-led design team. She has received numerous awards for team projects, including a silver ADDY from the Indiana American Advertising Federation and three awards from GDUSA. She hopes to blend her passion for art and environmental conservation into a design role. When she is not working, she may be found at the dog park with her rescue dog, Hachiko. Her other hobbies include playing video games, reading, cooking, and crafting.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Fort Wayne IN and am currently living in Ligonier IN STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On Campus! MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? Tangled FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Office FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram or Tiktok FAVORITE PODCAST? I haven’t found one yet, but I’m still looking! FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Claude Monet FAVORITE BOOK? The Seven Realms series FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Smile Train

Oxford OH / Connersville IN STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

A mix of campus and online. Most of the year has been on campus. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? The Princess Bride FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Office FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Ear Biscuits hosted by Link Neal and Rhett Mclaughlin and Sidenote hosted by Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Artemisia Gentileschi FAVORITE BOOK? The Great Gatsby

Walking in the woods with my dog.

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

Local animal shelters, environmental conservation

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I have been impressed by the design community’s efforts to speak out against injustice in 2020. The use of digital media this year is at an all-time high. Throughout the pandemic, politics, and protests, I have witnessed designers taking action and have been honored to work alongside them. People are listening, and we have a responsibility to contribute to the conversation.

Video games and reading

82 G D U S A

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The most important voices in the fight against Covid-19 are the healthcare providers who are working tirelessly towards a cure. What they are doing is a creative endeavor beyond anything we do. Design acts as the bridge between science, fact, reason, and honesty. This year has instilled in me a greater appreciation for my industry and has reminded me how important our voices are in regard to the safety and rights of all humans. I am humbled by the art and design of 2020. My greatest hope is that I may contribute my voice and skills to the fight.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

EVERETT EPSTEIN

CORINNE ANG

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD)

Everett grew up in Houston TX and Alexandria VA. He studied English Literature and Philosophy at Brown University, writing his thesis on Roberto Bolaño. After completing an MAT in Secondary English education, he worked as a high school English teacher outside Providence; while teaching, he took courses through RISD Continuing Education before eventually attending RISD full time. He likes NBA basketball, Jacques Rancière, and Basset Hounds.

Corinne Ang is currently pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design at RISD. She originally hails from the tropical climates of the Philippines and Hong Kong. Corinne’s work aims to foster interpersonal connections and to engage an exchange. While playing with the creation of dialogues, research and materiality, she's grown particularly fond of building experimental publications, identities and letter, and type design. Corinne always hopes to make with generosity, livelihood and plurality. Furthermore, she is a solid believer in: shorts, weather above 10ºC, snacks as meals, and that the Risograph is one of the best things ever made.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? I was born

in Los Angeles and I’ve lived in Providence RI for the past 10 years. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? I’m studying on campus. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a night owl. FAVORITE MOVIE? Jacques Rivette’s La Belle Noiseuse. There’s a languidness to the way it depicts the summer in France that feels soothing in this claustrophobic moment, and even though it’s at times a disturbing movie about art, I find the relationship at the heart of the movie to be so distinctive. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Manila, Philippines. Grew up in Hong Kong, lived in Singapore for a bit. Now I drift between Providence and all the rest. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On campus <3 MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Why not both? >:) FAVORITE MOVIE? The Addams Family II

How To With John Wilson and Joe Pera Talks With You. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Alas…Twitter. FAVORITE PODCAST? I’ve been listening to “Indiecast” from two of my favorite music writers: Steven Hyden and Ian Cohen. I’m also a big fan of Tom Scharpling and Julie Klausner’s new podcast “Double Threat” FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Probably Sol LeWitt. FAVORITE BOOK? Ben Lerner’s 10:04 FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Feeding America

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Playing with my shimmery foster cat, and Olympic weightlifting (until our local club had to close for the second lockdown).

Fantasizing about my next meal

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Not a whole lot. I’ve always viewed graphic design as inherently cultural and communal. The events of this year amplified that, though I’ve noticed an interesting shift in intention and mentality during this period.

THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? A bit. It’s impor-

tant for designers to reckon with the precariousness of their jobs and to organize collectively. Entering an industry that encourages isolation and champions a kind of “auteurism” strikes me as unhealthy and economically disastrous. To make it through the next crisis, I need to hold myself to my leftist principles and actively support my community of arts laborers. 2020 has also taught me the value of design as a tool for local political campaigns; socialists need designers!

How to Sell Drugs Online Fast / The End of the F****ing World FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Currently lurking on reddit FAVORITE PODCAST? I don’t really listen to podcasts :/ FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Theaster Gates FAVORITE BOOK? Family photo albums FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Issues relating to human rights and/or community relief in the Philippines

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

G D U SA 85

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MARISA WATANABE

NICOLE KISH

TYLER SCHOOL OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

Marisa Watanabe is an MFA student who will graduate in Spring 2021. She received her BS in Graphic Design from Drexel where she developed an interest in experimental publication and typography. Her professional experience is in UI/UX where she worked on creating analytics applications and gamification for training. She returned to school with the hope of becoming a design educator. Currently, she conducts research on design education, specifically on the relationship between teaching print vs digital design. In her spare time, she enjoys playing video games (poorly) and walking her dog. She is also a self-declared “emo-poser.”

Nicole Kish is a self-proclaimed maximalist, color enthusiast, and pattern fanatic who faithfully believes straight lines should always be drawn with a ruler and paper should always be cut with an X-ACTO knife. A senior Graphic and Interactive Design major, also pursuing a minor in Content Creation, Nicole loves to combine visuals, words, and concepts to create dynamic projects that bridge the gap between brands and their audiences. Using her skills in typography, web design, animation, art direction, and copywriting, Nicole always strives to create work that provokes communication. Her experiences in working at a large ad agency and a small design studio have continued to inspire Nicole’s desire to create work that gets conversations flowing.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Japan then moved to NJ when I was young. I still live in NJ and probably will stay here forever. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning FAVORITE MOVIE? Only Yesterday FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

I don’t really enjoy watching shows, so not really anything. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? MySpace FAVORITE PODCAST?

Stuff You Should Know, the head transplants episode is 10/10 FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Cézanne FAVORITE BOOK? Le Petit Prince FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Planned Parenthood FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I’m not good at video games so something that has very low stakes, like ACNH, is up my alley. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

It has further highlighted the importance of how our skill set should be used to help real information become accessible and/or easier to understand. It has also revealed how much influence UX and design has on society.

86 G D U S A

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? Nazareth PA STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I’ve been fully online since March, but I would definitely rather be face-to-face with my professors and peers MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl, without a doubt. FAVORITE MOVIE?

Depends on the day, but either Hamilton or any Marvel movie FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Great British Baking Show or The Office FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Pinterest FAVORITE PODCAST? Office Ladies with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Imi Knoebel FAVORITE BOOK? Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Last Olympian FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Dog rescues, for sure, but specifically, the Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network. FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Cooking dinner. I have subjected my family to many, many new recipes over the course of the past year! HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? 2020 emphasized for

me how design doesn’t slow down. No matter the twists and turns thrown at designers, we always find a way to create visuals that c onnect our audiences, and have an impact on them. Whether they are signs of protest or Instagram posts thanking essential workers, even the smallest piece of design can have a huge impact.

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NYA WALKER

ELLIE POULIN

WOODBURY UNIVERSITY

Nya Walker is a graphic designer based in Los Angeles. She most appreciates design’s power to communicate, problem solve, and impact our society, especially in clever or unexpected ways. Her areas of interest include packaging, branding, and experimental typography. Nya enjoys how design utilizes critical thinking and creativity, and at times, engineering and experimentation to arrive at something meaningful and effective. In her free time, she enjoys cuddling with her dog Sweetie, discovering new eateries, listening to one of her impeccably curated, dare we say “fire” playlists, and making her way through her Netflix watchlist. After graduating with a BFA in Spring 2021, Nya is looking forward to pushing herself to find thoughtful and conceptual design solutions.

Ellie Poulin, a fourth-year graphic design major, was born and raised in Portland OR and has found her new home in Burbank CA. She has discovered a love for several design applications, especially package, web, print, and motion design. Two years ago, she started caring for the campus community garden and found a passion for gardening and environmental sustainability — which she hopes to infuse into all future projects. Ellie loves working with her hands, and relishes any chance to build a physical project or add a handmade touch to a digital one. She also loves to read and write, and in her free time you can find her painting with watercolors, writing letters, or reading about the history of the sword. All with a good cup of tea in hand.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Los Angeles CA: born, raised and residing. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Since the pandemic all of my classes are now online, it’s been an interesting transition! MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I’m the biggest night owl. FAVORITE MOVIE? Parasite and Whiplash FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Re-watching all eight Harry Potter movies FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram or Pinterest FAVORITE PODCAST? Stuff You Should Know FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Henri Matisse, Kerry James Marshall, Kehinde Wiley FAVORITE BOOK? 1984 FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

I’m very passionate about civil rights and social justice issues such as police brutality, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights. FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Cooking and baking! My peanut butter chocolate cupcakes and 5-cheese lasagna are always big hits with my fam and friends. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The chaos of this past

year has just solidified how essential designers and creatives are in society. Whether it’s creating signage and wayfinding systems for social distancing, using our platforms to encourage people to vote, or designing resources for the Black Lives Matter movement, designers have been using their skill set in a number of important ways. Now more than ever there is a need for visual communicators and innovative thinking.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Portland OR and living full-time in Burbank CA STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Studying online this semester, and dearly miss being on campus! MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? 100% night owl. I love being up in the morning, but actually getting up to see the sun is another story. FAVORITE MOVIE? The Lord of the Rings trilogy FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? I love historical dramas and action/adventure shows. The Witcher and The Last Kingdom are a couple of my favorites, and the campiness of Galavant is delightful. Poldark is another favorite. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram, without hesitation. FAVORITE PODCAST? Dear Hank & John, a comedy/advice podcast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Artemisia Gentileschi FAVORITE BOOK? Circe by Madeline Miller FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

Anything to do with environmental sustainability. I’m especially passionate about plastic pollution and community gardens! FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Honestly, napping. Extra sleep is such a luxury. I’m also into interior decorating, so I’ve been doing DIY projects in my apartment HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? It’s shown me how necessary we

are. Almost overnight, signage cropped up in stores, directing us where to stand, to wear a mask, to limit the amount of toilet paper you buy. I appreciate the ones that show extra life and humor — they remind me that there are people on the other end who want the best for us. G D U SA 87

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

AMANDA WAY

MELANIE RANKIN

WOODBURY UNIVERSITY

M.AD SCHOOL OF IDEAS / M.AD ATLANTA

Amanda Way’s path to a BFA program included multiple twists and turns. Initially, Amanda worked as a veterinary technician preparing for vet school, but always felt a desire to be immersed in the arts. So she took a leap into the unknown and, now, Amanda fully embraces her creativity, working in multiple mediums like printmaking, collage, motion graphics, sign painting, and even dabbling in traditional animation. Her favorite projects let her push the narrative with compelling designs. With the help of her professors, Amanda feels well-prepared for her internship at the County of Los Angeles, the various freelance projects she's undertaken, and she feels ready for the opportunities to come.

Melanie Rankin was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. She attended Furman University as a student athlete and received her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. After designing media campaigns for Nicole Miller, as well as planning a runway show with Big Brothers Big Sisters, she knew that she wanted to pursue design. She is now getting her M.A. in strategic design at Furman University in partnership with M.AD Atlanta (formerly Miami Ad School @ Portfolio Center). Melanie believes storytelling lies at the center of all great design and connects us to our humanity. She is inspired by her diverse background and uses her attention to detail and strategic problem solving to create systems throughout her work. She is the Programming Lead of AIGA’s Atlanta student board where she works with 16 schools and over 200 students in the region. Melanie is also a lover of travel and her dog, Bean.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born and live in Los Angeles CA STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

On campus until March 2020, online from then on MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I like to think my most productive time is right around brunch FAVORITE MOVIE?

Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs … basically anything by Mel Brooks FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Schitt's Creek and Kim's Convenience FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Conspiracy Theories by Parcast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Kandinsky, Rothko, Lichtenstein and if street art counts, then also D*Face FAVORITE BOOK? Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

Black Lives Matter. TreePeople. California Wildlife Center FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Playing the Topp's Disney Collect app! It has actually inspired me to make a lot of art based off the cards in the game HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Absolutely. I’ve always been

aware of the ethical side of design and have wanted to take it into account when I enter the workforce, but now more than ever. Design allows for inclusion and I want that to shine in our generation.

88 G D U S A

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born and raised in Dresher PA and currently live in Atlanta GA STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Currently studying online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Morning, as long as I have my coffee FAVORITE MOVIE? Breakfast at Tiffany’s FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Ozarks FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Girls Gotta Eat FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Richard Serra FAVORITE BOOK? Tuesdays with Morrie FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Homelessness FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Cooking, baking and spending time with my dog Bean. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? It has made me

realize the the importance of design in effecting change in the world. It’s more important than ever to communicate clearly.

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JUAN YE (JUII)

STEVEN ERAZO PADILLA

USC ROSKI SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN (MFA)

USC ROSKI SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN (BA)

Juan Ye (Juii) is a multi-disciplinary Product | UX designer based in Los Angeles who is interested in examining how people interact with the world while exploring approaches that benefit society. Juii’s versatile academic background in both engineering and design shapes her as a creative problem-solver. Her multi-cultural working experiences in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Osaka, and Los Angeles have broadened her heart and fostered her creativity and tolerance for diverse perspectives and point of views. Juii likes to create interactive experiences for people with craftmanship and cutting-edge technologies, such as Virtual Reality, 3D printing, responsive surfaces, interactive wearables, and generative algorithms. Her interest in sustainable design imbues her projects. Juii was invited to lecture at the annual International Disaster Prevention Technology Communication Conference in Bogota, Colombia in 2017 and 2018 for creating 3D visualizations of tsunami simulations in Cartagena and Tumaco in Colombia. Her Wearable Nature design project was a winner in the 2020 GDUSA American Graphic Design Awards.

Steven Erazo Padilla is an interdisciplinary artist and designer from Los Angeles CA. As an immigrant from Honduras, Steven has put social justice and advocacy at the forefront of his practice resulting in a community focused and socially conscious practice. He is passionate about technology especially front end development and user experience design and is a selfproclaimed typography noob. He believes in design as a tool for social change and advocacy as a civic duty for designers. Although design and social justice is all he talks about, there are times when he enjoys quality reality tv like Real HouseWives of Atlanta and Potomac.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Wuhan, China. I am living in Irvine, CA. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Studying online right now. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Not too early nor too late, but regular. FAVORITE MOVIE? My Neighbor Totoro FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? West World FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Wechat FAVORITE PODCAST? Wireframe FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Claude Monet FAVORITE BOOK? The Three-Body Problem FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Bunny Bunch Rabbit Rescue FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Handmade HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Designers should stand out and

speak for their communities using the tools they have to advocate for the best. We should also take responsibility and use our knowledge and skills to create things that benefit society. For example, I am designing and making facial masks for my families, friends, and those who have helped me.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Juticalpa, Honduras; raised outside of Washington DC, and have lived in LA for the last 6 years STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Hate the commute, love being on campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I’m gonna marry the night - that’s a Lady Gaga quote FAVORITE MOVIE? The Witch or Cuatro Lunas FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Hunter x Hunter FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Man's greatest creation, Twitter FAVORITE PODCAST? NPR Code Switch FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Cy Twombly FAVORITE BOOK? The Alchemist. Paulo Coelho FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Self Help Graphics FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Enjoying being in my backyard. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

I have always been grounded in social justice and using design as a vehicle for social change. 2020 has reaffirmed my ambitions and what it is that I want to do with design and the role of designers.

G D U SA 89

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

DAWSON SKIPPER

LOGAN PERRIN

THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY

Dawson Skipper is a graphic design major. Originally, Dawson planned to major in math because he enjoys solving problems, but he discovered that graphic design used the same problem-solution approach and offered opportunities for him to express himself and communicate ideas to others. When not designing, Dawson may be found working on an old BMW, listening to music, taking pictures, or playing video games.

Logan Perrin is a senior studying graphic design. Logan always loved art and being creative. In middle school her parents tried in vain to interest her in playing an instrument, but it was summer courses in ceramics and print-making that sparked Logan’s interest. She attended a performing arts high school where she studied film and graphic design and developed an interest in package design. In hers free time, Logan loves playing video games, watching anime or YouTube, photographing her/his cat, and drawing. Logan dreams of one day opening an online shop to sell her/his art.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in Reading PA but have since moved to Philadelphia STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN, AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

A good mixture of both, but being in person is always better

I was born and currently live in Philadelphia.

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I am working on becoming more of a morning person.

I am living on campus but have mostly online classes.

FAVORITE MOVIE?

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Hard to pick, but I’ll go with The Iron Giant. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Always Sunny in Philadelphia

I can be both, but I am usually more of a night owl.

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Princess Mononoke or any Studio Ghibli film FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Mob Psycho 100 FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? I don’t really listen to podcasts, I love watching YouTube videos by artists I love instead FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Audra Auclair FAVORITE BOOK? East by Edith Pattou FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Black Lives Matter

Video Games and Aquariums

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

Watching art videos on YouTube or watching anime.

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

It reinforced my belief that designers have an obligation to convey complex information in the most accessible way possible.

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Instagram, but I try to stay off social media as much as possible. FAVORITE PODCAST? Dissect on Spotify FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Andy Warhol FAVORITE BOOK?

100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design by Steven Heller FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? PMGawareness.org

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FAVORITE MOVIE?

Yes. During the challenges of 2020, I have seen how important and essential a designer’s role is in society to spread accurate information, as well as happiness and positivity.

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VENUS HADSDY

EMILY DUONG

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY (VCU)

Venus Hadsdy is a senior majoring in Mass Communications, Creative Advertising and Business, General Marketing. Venus always knew that she wanted to devote her life to art, and even though it’s not been the easiest journey, she describes it as very rewarding. Venus loves creating colorful, quirky, cool designs, especially when her work can help someone. Outside of school, Venus is a freelance illustrator who is currently creating illustrations for an online clothing shop in Sweden. In her free time she may be found drawing, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Emily Duong is a junior majoring in Mass Communications with a concentration in Creative Advertising. Emily always liked creating things. After dipping her toes into engineering and business, she arrived at the unsurprising and important realization that she should stick to what she loved. Studying creative advertising has allowed her to make even more interesting things in the realm of branding and digital art. Currently, she is a graphic design intern for VCU Athletics, and she has also gained communications experience with two nonprofits: Keep Virginia Beautiful and Project Yellow Light. Outside of class, Emily enjoys reading, watching movies and tv, and going to the park.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Phoenix AZ and currently in King George County STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

FAVORITE MOVIE?

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Fast & Furious franchise and the Studio Ghibli movies FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Avatar: The Last Airbender FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Trash Taste FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Titi Freak FAVORITE BOOK? If I Stay FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Currently studying online, but I much prefer being on campus

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Drawing and playing video games HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Yes. From my personal experiences, I’ve noticed new businesses and companies that need a variety of designs and/or designers, which can potentially make or break a company.

I was born and continue to live in Richmond VA

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I’m a night owl striving to be a morning person. FAVORITE MOVIE?

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Avatar: The Last Airbender FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Freakonomics FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Edward Hopper FAVORITE BOOK? Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Racial justice and equity FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Reading, hiking or walking, and watching TV HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? People can become

easily overwhelmed, confused, and overstimulated. Graphic design plays an important role in streamlining information. It also helps make the challenges of this year easier to understand, while also informing individuals how they can help.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

QUEENA CHEN

CRISTIAN MARTINEZ

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (FIT)

Queena Chen is a graphic design student at FIT. She was always the artistic athletic kid in school who could be found on a chasing a ball on a field or in the art room throwing down some paint or doodling in the corner. Years spent in the art room taught her to be experimental in the creative process, which may be seen in her designs. Her fine arts background allows her to incorporate multimedia and illustrative works. She says she’s all about finding a balance between analog and digital mediums.

Cristian Martinez, a senior in the Graphic Design BFA program, is a NYC-based graphic designer and artist. He has had a life-long passion for the arts both performative and visual. His design practices are experimental, involving multimedia applications, technology, and archival image manipulation in order to explore new ways of creating work. He is particularly interested in the ways art and design impact a person’s outlook on life. As a member of the Latinx community, Cristian focuses on sociopolitical commentary and satirical humor to open conversations about society and identity.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, and still reside there STUDYING ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Currently online

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Early before the rest of the city wakes FAVORITE MOVIE? I try to watch a new movie every week. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? TVB dramas FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Insta. FAVORITE PODCAST? NPR, 99% invisible, and Radiolab for science and random facts. For lighthearted fun, I listen to Asian Boss girl, Wong Fu’s Lunchbreak, and Geniusbrain. FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? I admire Ai Wei Wei. Inspired by Redhongyi. FAVORITE BOOK? Dear Data by Giorgia Lupi FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Education and environmentalism

I’m taking my classes virtually

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

G.L.I.T.S, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community on a global scale FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Puzzles!

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

To continue challenging your creativity and most importantly having real-life conversations. This year has been tough and frustrating, but communication and having real-life conversations has helped me continue to develop deeper relationships. As a designer, communication and problem-solving are my biggest assets. If I can unburden someone and add a bit of positivity to their lives, I do it.

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Volleyball, and throwing down in the studio.

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I was born in Queens NY. I currently live in Manhattan

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? A morning person FAVORITE MOVIE? The Holy Mountain (1973) FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

The Real Housewives Franchise (guilty pleasure) FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram @fka.cris FAVORITE PODCAST? Anything that involves true crime FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Ana Mendieta FAVORITE BOOK? Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE?

The role of designers is more crucial than ever, for communicating (true) information to the public. Designers have a powerful voice — instead of contributing work to protests, we can create work that functions as a protest in itself. Each of us comes from a different background and have different experiences that influences how we work and think. There’s so much to learn from the world and each other, and that is exciting to me.

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JILLIAN NALEZNY

ZISHOU WANG

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

Jillian Nalezny is finishing a BFA in graphic design. Born with a love for anything and everything creative, she stumbled upon the world of design and discovered the beauty in technology. She likes to work with bold typography and illustration and is drawn to packaging design and brand identity. As president of a student organization that empowers women in the tech industry, she has learned about leadership amidst change and developed an interest in design for social good. She believes that design can play a part in social change by telling stories, amplifying voices, and broadening perspectives. She looks forward to entering the industry after graduation and absorbing everything she can learn about design.

Zishuo is a senior graphic design student. Initially, he planned to major in Computer Science but changed his major due to his fascination with design. His main interests are the exploration of experimental methods, visual identity, and typography. His goal is to bring attention to other styles outside of the modern design trend. Since his junior year in high school, Zishuo has been experimenting with “neo-retro-futuristic” typefaces, layouts, and digital interfaces. In his downtime, he enjoys building Japanese robot model kits, bingewatching anime, and scrolling through fonts that he can’t afford — in other words, he is a total weirdo. WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Fujian, China and I am currently living in Chicago

Born in Naperville IL., living in Chicago STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Currently online

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I’m asleep by 9 P.M. if that tells you anything FAVORITE MOVIE? The Godfather

I am studying online for the duration of the pandemic MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? I am a NIGHT OWL BOI FAVORITE MOVIE? Shrek 1-5 FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?

Love to watch Darling in the Franxx for the 50th time FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? 99% Invisible FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? René Magritte FAVORITE BOOK? Any IKEA instruction booklet FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE? Any charity that contributes to mental health research and development FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? I spend way too much time watching things getting crushed by hydraulic presses.

Holistic prisoner reform, specifically The Innocence Project

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? 2020 has been a pretty

Playing the ukulele

“meh” year. I find it comforting to see designers coming up with ways to demonstrate support and love through graphics. Seeing the participation of the Graphic Design scene during this time of crisis made me appreciate this field even more.

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

Tiny House Nation, I aspire to live in one FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Pinterest, lots of design inspiration there FAVORITE PODCAST?

Scratching the Surface and The Minimalist Podcast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Lee Krasner FAVORITE BOOK? The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Now more than ever, I believe a graphic designer is a communicator who creates symbols that are powerful enough to represent movements and unite a world regardless of language barriers.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

CONNOR GRAVELLE

CLAUDIA GEYER

HARTFORD ART SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD

Connor Gravelle is a senior Visual Communications Design Major with a Marketing Minor. He is a Graphic Designer, with roots in acrylic painting, and experience with UI/UX design, motion graphics, and Brand Identity Design. Connor’s work ethic keeps him up late most nights designing, while his two cats, Morty and Daisy, keep him company while he works.

Claudia Geyer is a fourth year Graphic Design BFA student who expects to graduate in Spring 2020. Though Claudia didn’t take art classes before college, she developed a passion for art during high school by teaching herself how to draw and paint. From then on there was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to be in the creative field. After taking a summer course at NYIT, she fell in love with the world of design and wanted to be a part of it. Claudia says: ‘Designing provides opportunities to challenge myself, which I always strive for. I am passionate about all fields of design; however, my personal favorites are brand identity, packaging, and advertising. Design is much more than making something look good. Design is a powerful tool used to create long term solutions to real-world problems. I would not be the designer I am today without my amazing professors. They have guided and inspired me for the past three years and made me truly appreciate the art of design.”

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? I was born

in Bridgeport Hospital and now live in Wethersfield CT near Hartford. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On campus before Thanksgiving

break, hoping to be back there for my last semester. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Little bit of both, but mostly night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? Big fan of Pulp Fiction, but Goodfellas too FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Office FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?

Instagram, but spending more time on Snapchat recently FAVORITE PODCAST? The Joe Rogan Experience FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Caravaggio FAVORITE BOOK? I don’t really have a favorite book, but I really enjoyed Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?

Susan G. Komen, nationally; Chrysalis Center in Hartford does great things for the community FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen over quarantine, perfecting my egg over easy. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNER? Designers have an advantage with the shift into a more on-line based environment. On-line skills are now more important than ever, so greater attention is focused on our capabilities and role in everything from details like communicating over Zoom to large projects like brand identification and responses to the events of this year.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Queens NY and I now live in Stamford CT STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

I’m always the first person to go to sleep FAVORITE MOVIE? Joker FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

I have watched The Office an embarrassing number of times FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? TED talks FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Andy Warhol FAVORITE BOOK? Books about design or typography FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?

Anything to do with the environment or helping animals FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Painting or watching dog videos HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNER? Design has taken on a huge role

in the world, more than ever before. Design has an opportunity to have a strong impact on the social changes we see happening because it has the power to make us think in ways that we haven’t before. 94 G D U S A

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CARLI JORDAN

ERIN GREY

MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN (MIAD)

Carli Jordan is a Milwaukee-based student designer currently in her fourth year towards a BFA with a major in Communication Design. Growing up in Houston, she took every art class she could until moving to Milwaukee, WI for college where she discovered her true passion — design. Throughout her educational career, Carli has found purpose in designing to create a more inclusive world. She loves all forms of design — but especially enjoys typography, publication design, branding and identity design. She spends most of her time designing for the fun of exploration or for clients. Carli especially enjoys solving design problems, helping people and brands fulfill their creative dreams, and creating design that promotes a better world.

Erin Gray is a third year BFA student with a passion for creating. Erin’s first two years at MIAD were spent studying Interior Architecture and Design with a minor in Communication Design, but in the summer of 2020 she decided to switch after realizing that graphic design was her calling. Understanding the effects of spaces and environments, as well as the effects of compelling communication design, she hopes to blend these two practices together to help make an impact on the world.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? I was born

and raised in Houston TX and am now based in Milwaukee WI STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On Campus MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person FAVORITE MOVIE?

It’s always changing but currently, The Lighthouse by Robert Eggers FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Naruto FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? 99% Invisible FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Yayoi Kusama FAVORITE BOOK? The Shining FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Gay Rights!

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Batavia IL and currently located in Milwaukee WI STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I’ve been studying online. Luckily, my field of study lends itself well to online learning. I prefer being on campus, though. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl. I get hit with waves of motivation later at night rather than in the morning. FAVORITE MOVIE? Parasite FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Catfish FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Twitter FAVORITE PODCAST? I am obsessed with Crime Junkie FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Probably Monet. I have a water lilies shirt that I got from the Art Institute of Chicago that I love. FAVORITE BOOK? The Handmaid’s Tale. I also love the Hulu series. FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Equal Justice Initiative. Just Mercy is a great movie about Bryan Stevenson and EJI. FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Making, designing and selling stickers is fun and kept me busy

I loved getting back into traditional art over quarantine!

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Yes. Freshman year, I

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

took a class on protest art called “Word: Propaganda, Power & Protest”. This year has made me think about it a lot, especially with the spread of graphic design and infographics on social media. Design is successful when it helps spread important information about a person, event, cause, etc. However, it’s important to avoid reducing important social issues to an aesthetic.

This year has been a time for reflection. It’s transformed me and challenged my perceptions of how I can make an impact as a graphic designer. The year helped to affirm my purpose and belief in design’s abilities to ignite change.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

PARKER GARRIS

SID HENKEL

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

Even though Parker Garris is sitting as his desk most days his head is in the mountains. He love designing just as much as being outdoors. Parker spends his free time rock climbing and exploring the local Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, often stopping to sketch or photograph the landscape. The last couple of years he has immersed himself in graphic design, designing and editing websites, and creating social media campaigns. He is President of the Graphic Design Club and is grateful for those colleagues and professors who have pushed and encouraged him in his career. He is excited to interact with talented designers and educators and feels welcome in the design culture here in Utah.

Growing up Sid Henkel was encouraged to create and design. In high school, he became interested in fine art and began painting. He entered art shows and completed a handful of personal commissions in a variety of media which broadened his portfolio. In college, Sid began taking more design classes. He is intrigued by the breadth of the field — video, photography, illustration, web design, print, etc. As an artist who enjoys working in different media, the opportunity to create in different ways appeals to him. This past year, he and a friend founded Helping Hydros, a charitable organization that uses hand-drawn water bottle designs to represent different causes and non-profits. While Sid has always enjoyed using art as a way to express himself, he’s discovered how meaningful it is to use his skills to help others and make a difference in the world.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Salt Lake County, Utah and now live in American Fork. STUDYING ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

I am studying online for my final semester. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning. There is something about breakfast foods and coffee that get me going. FAVORITE MOVIE? I'm a big fan of A24 films, some of my favorites are Ex Machina, The Lighthouse, and Annihilation. FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

I watched Breaking Bad 10 years too late and loved it. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram and Reddit FAVORITE PODCAST?

It's not a podcast, but I love Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?

Pablo Picasso's life and work history fascinate me. FAVORITE BOOK? Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Encircle House in Provo, UT FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I did a lot of outdoor bouldering and lead climbing this year. HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Definitely. Given

the current political and social climate, I believe people are looking for answers to their questions or to feel affirmed in their causes.

96 G D U S A

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? Orem, Utah STUDYING ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

Online now, but I was previously studying on campus. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a night owl. FAVORITE MOVIE? Phantom of the Opera FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

Alone — It’s a survival series I can’t stop watching. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? It’s hard to choose one but I tend to recommend Revisionist History, Heavy Weight, and Lore. FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? I’m drawn to Renaissance art. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say Michelangelo. FAVORITE BOOK? Ender’s Game FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The National Parks Foundation FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Backpacking in Southern Utah HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Yes, in more than

a few ways. The role of designers has become increasingly important in building a space for this more digitally dependent world. As we’re working and learning online more, we’re also spending more time online as a distraction from political updates and pandemic news.

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MADISON MOROI

STEPHANIE WOTT

COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN (CCAD)

Madison Moroi is a senior studying Advertising & Graphic Design with a minor in copywriting. Unlike many art students, Madison’s love of art and design emerged at a later age. She graduated from New Albany High School and went on to attend Penn State, playing soccer and studying pre-med. When forced to quit soccer due to health reasons, she discovered a passion for the arts. Madison sat in on two classes at CCAD and fell in love with the college’s environment and culture. Since transferring, Madison has become an accomplished interdisciplinary designer with skills in art direction, animation, app design, illustration, photography, typography, videography, and web design. She has had three internships, competed in Adobe AAF’s 2020 National Student Advertising Competition, and secured a co-op for her final semester in New York. At 23, Madison is in the process of opening an international design business.

Those who know Stephanie know how passionate she is about her art. Ever since making sidewalk chalk drawings as a little kid, she has always thrived best when making art. She loves branding, typography, photography, and the color purple. While at CCAD, she has served as the Director for the Ad/Graph Student Collective. At CCAD, Stephanie won a Silver Addy Award for one of her projects. Her photography has been showcased on The Columbus Dispatch and Columbus Underground. Her family always comes first and her dog, Jett, appears in several of her passion projects. Stephanie is a senior preparing to graduate with her BFA in Advertising & Graphic Design. After graduating, she plans to work for an in-house agency and hopes to become an art director.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in New Albany, OH. I currently live in Columbus, OH. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? I am currently studying online. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person 100% FAVORITE MOVIE? Home Alone 2 FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Great British Baking Show FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Dover, OH, and currently live in Columbus, OH. STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Art school has definitely made me into a night owl. FAVORITE MOVIE? “The Day After Tomorrow,“ “The Mortal Instruments,” and “La La Land” FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

We Said What We Said (Rickey Thompson and Denzel Dion's Podcast) FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Stefan Sagmeister FAVORITE BOOK? The Great Gatsby FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Special Olympics

“Supernatural.” Proud member of the Destiel fan club. FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Vincent Van Gogh FAVORITE BOOK? “Hidden Saga” by Amy Patrick FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Animal Cancer Foundation

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Going on long bike rides with my parents and boyfriend.

Connecting with friends and family on Animal Crossing: New Horizons

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT

It has opened my eyes to new possibilities and inspiration. It has shown me how connected our community truly is. Seeing the artwork downtown related to the protests to looking at posters and digital posts on social media about the pandemic and the presidential election, I think our voice has never been more amplified. It inspires me to create more art.

THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

FAVORITE PODCAST?

ABOUT THE ROLE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS?

Yes, definitely. Graphic designers have a bigger impact than they think. They can amplify and empower others when it comes to protests, politics, or the pandemic. Designers are centered around connections and I think it is incredibly inspiring how many people have found new ways for their voices to be heard.

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2021 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

ALICIA MYERS

GREGG FLEMING FARRINGTON

FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY

Alicia Myers is a Digital Arts and Design Bachelor of Science student. Alicia’s passion for digital arts and design allows her to express her creative side and love for technology. She is particularly interested in brand development, brand management, and bringing both to life through 2D and 3D motion design. Outside of art, she is an avid sports lover, is mesmerized by city lights, loves to travel, has an impressive graphic t-shirt collection, and spends most of her time hanging out with family.

Gregg Fleming Farrington is a professional digital storyteller, strategist, and advertising creative pursuing an MFA in Media Design. Gregg is a multidisciplinary designer with an impressive portfolio of work in branding, creative and art direction, editorial design, UI/UX design, packaging, and motion graphics. He likes turning marketing problems into strong creative solutions with the aid of design and strategic research. After obtaining his BS degree from Full Sail University, he interned at ad agency DiMassimo Goldstein in NYC. He launched his career in graphic design and branding in Miami. Throughout the years, Gregg has expanded his knowledge and skills working in a range of industries — real estate, luxury consumer packaged goods, senior living, and professional services. He has worked with Discovery Networks Latin America, RE/MAX, John Knox Village of Florida, Hotheads USA, hairtalk Netherlands, and others. Gregg is currently studying online while working full-time as a Multimedia Designer for ION Media Networks.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Adrian MI STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE?

On Campus/Virtual after pandemic hit MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a night owl FAVORITE MOVIE? 101 Dalmatians FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? The Big Bang Theory FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram FAVORITE PODCAST? Ear Biscuits FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Salvador Dali FAVORITE BOOK?

Draplin Design Co.: Pretty Much Everything by Aaron Draplin FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? The ChadTough Foundation FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Video Games on the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The job of a Graphic Designer is more important than ever during these times. We provide a platform for voices to be heard. Visual communication is so powerful, and I believe this is our chance to really make a difference in the world.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born in New York City and currently reside in West Palm Beach FL STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning Person, 100% FAVORITE MOVIE? Tie between Resident Evil and Crimson Peak FAVORITE BINGE WATCH?

American Horror Story or anything within the Horror genre FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Facebook and TikTok FAVORITE PODCAST? The Michelle Obama Podcast FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Pablo Picasso FAVORITE BOOK? Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? Human Rights Campaign Foundation FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Playing Just Dance on Apple TV and enjoying time with my dog Princeton HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? During the pandemic, I view our

role as designers more as important innovative and creative thinkers. We strategically help and motivate companies and consumers for a better tomorrow. 98 G D U S A

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