GDUSA - Graphic Design USA - February 2022

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GD USA

GD USA GRAPHIC DESIGN USA

PEOPLE TO WATCH

IN 2022 FEBRUARY 2022

STUDENTS TO WATCH

www.gdusa.com

FEBRU ARY 2022

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER | WE GET BACK UP “Just when I discovered the meaning of life, they changed it.” This nugget of sardonic wit and wisdom comes from the late comedian George Carlin and it pretty much sums up this edition of GDUSA. By that I mean, as we have done here for nearly six decades, we kick off the publishing year by featuring a handful of creative professionals whom we quaintly refer to as “People To Watch,” who we respect for their talent, leadership, success, insight, businesssavvy, and community service. In another era, they would be dubbed “Newsmakers” and, at this moment, perhaps “Influencers” may be closer to it. You get the idea.

As in past years, each of the 50 profiles and related commentary first and foremost seeks to provide insight into these individuals and how they think, plan, act, succeed.

But this year — as we all try to make sense of the ongoing fallout from the pandemic and polarization — you can also read the pieces collectively as an attempt to digest the GORDON KAYE IS THE PUBLISHER OF GDUSA Comments, suggestions and letters can be sent to gkaye @ gdusa.com.

profound changes that have been thrust upon us. Change in the nature of work and our personal approach to it. Change in our clients and what they need from us. Change in the state of our politics and civic culture. Change in our self-perception, what we may want our legacy to be, in the meaning of life.

As I have written before, looking for silver linings in this hot mess is a tricky business.

The death and dislocation cannot be undone. But we are human beings, imbued with a mysterious mix of resilience and hope and deflection and denial — we get knocked down but we get back up.

In this regard, our group of ‘People To Watch’ rise to the occasion. They grapple honestly with their challenges, explore the ramifications, and suggest pathways to survival and success. They are positive and optimistic — but with plenty of nuance — regarding a panoply of issues that have arisen in the face of the inevitable: the pros and cons of remote work and zoomification; the preciousness of time and the search for a new worklife balance; the potential to be more selective about clients and projects; the explosion of interest in social justice and social responsibility; and the theory that graphic designers can and will prosper by serving the values of authenticity, transparency and human connection in a post-pandemic world.

So, you may ask, how will 2022 play itself out? Here I turn to a quote from another George Carlin-esque master of ironic wit and wisdom, the artist David Kramer, whose paintings and drawing often juxtapose imagery and text to gently mock. A favorite, which I feel speaks to and for me, contains the message: “I Am Like A Visionary With A Lousy Sense Of Direction.”

Luckily, neither you nor I need to depend on my sense of direction. Our guides are 50 creative professionals with remarkable track records of creative, strategic and business excellence. The collective message: embrace change and seize the opportunity to shape a design profession that is both more humane and more impactful.

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CONTENTS | FEBRUARY 2022

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PEOPLE TO WATCH GDUSA starts each year by featuring selected creative and design professionals who embody the spirit of the creative community and some special combination of talent, leadership, newsworthiness, insight, business savvy and/or community involvement. For nearly six decades, this endeavor has provided a glimpse into what moves, motivates, worries and inspires — especially poignant and pressing as we try to make sense of 2022.

In a growing field awash with accomplishment and brimming with brilliance, we know our limits and that our selections are subjective. Still, we think you’ll find this year’s cohort as worthy — and exceptional — as those who have come before.

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STUDENTS TO WATCH With the help of leading art and design schools nationwide, we identify top graphic design students nearing graduation.

It’s a win-win all around: the students get recognized and we get energized. This year’s subtext is, of course, how the turmoil of our times is shaping experience and expectations. We honor students from the traditional design schools with heavyweight reputations. We also reached out to wonderful public and private universities, as well as select online programs for depth and texture. In the Spring, we’ll publish our annual list of Top Design Schools + Programs from whence many of these rising stars . . . well . . . rise.

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OPINION Paul Flaharty of Robert Half Talent Solutions on why competitive compensation packages are critically important to attracting and retaining top creative talent, and how to construct smart, fair and responsive plans that work for everyone.

GDUSA.COM Our popular website features daily news, ideas and information, as well as two current features that perfectly complement this print edition. First is a complete roster of past People To Watch spanning six decades, with names like Adams, Ahrens, Anderson, Axios, Bass, Carbone, Chase, Chermayeff, Church, Danne, Dorfsman, Duffy, Gill, Glaser, Greenberg, Hische, Kidd, Kudos, Landor, Lois, Lupton, Morla, Oberman, Sagmeister, Valicenti, GDUSA - Graphic Design USA Volume 59 / No. 1 January/February 2022 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.

Vignelli, Walsh, and hundreds more. Second up is our curated compilation of Designer-Friendly 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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ABOUT US For nearly 60 years — since 1963 — Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) has been a businessto-business information source for graphic designers an creative professionals. We are located at 89 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan NYC.

GD USA GRAPHIC DESIGN USA

GDUSA covers news, people, project, trends, technology, products and services. In addition to the print magazine, the brand now includes a 50,000 visitor-a-month website, a monthly e-newsletter to 50,000+ e-subscribers, a digital edition of the magazine formatted for desktop, tablet and phones, and several national design competitions that culminate in showcases of the best in Graphic Design, Package Design, Web Design, Inhouse Design,

Gordon Kaye PUBLISHER Ilana Greenberg CREATIVE DIRECTOR

and Health+Wellness Design.

Other initiatives include annual recognition of leading Designers to Watch and promising

Sasha Kaye-Walsh EDITOR | WEBSITE + SOCIAL MEDIA

Students To Watch, Socially Responsible Designers, Top Design Schools, and periodic benchmark Reader Surveys on the state of print design, technology in design, design

Gordon Kaye EDITOR | PRINT

education, stock imagery in design, and more.

Learn more at our website at gdusa.com

Althea Edwards READER SERVICES Angelo Abbondante ACCOUNTS MANAGER

ABOUT THE COVER Aaron Llavore is Art Director for the San Francisco

Jennifer Hoff Scott Sczcypiorski INTERNET SERVICES

49ers, one of the NFL’s iconic franchises which, by the way, fell just one game short of Super Bowl LVI. In his role, Aaron manages the graphic

Maliya Malik DESIGN + SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

design team and encourages the close-knit group to create “unique, expressive and ownable” brand campaigns. He is among those featured

Jay Lewis Jeffrey Rosenberg PHOTOGRAPHY

in this year’s GDUSA People To Watch report which begins at PAGE 8.

Ron Andriani ADVERTISING SALES + INTEGRATED MARKETING + BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

201.669.9884 212.696.4380 randriani@ gdusa.com Milton L. Kaye 1921– 2016 FOUNDER 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

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KAYE PUBLISHING CORPORATION

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PEOPLE

TO WATCH 8 GD U S A

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2022 | THE CRITERIA | FOR NEARLY SIX DECADES, GDUSA HAS STARTED EACH YEAR

BY CHOOSING A 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 unprecedented and uncertain environment with grace, dignity and intelligence. We hope you enjoy and appreciate our selections, heed their words about today’s challenges and tomorrow’s promise — and let us know what you think.

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JEAN PONGSAI

FOUNDER/DESIGN DIRECTOR STUDIO DBJ, NORTHRIDGE CA Jean Pongsai is the heart and soul of Studio DBJ, lending her creative mind and listening ear to anybody who has something to say. Her passion for helping people realize their dreams has let her wear many hats having worked in jewelry design, environmental design and mobile game design, in addition to her main bread-and-butter, graphic design. She started Studio

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

As more and more people use visual communication to identify themselves with their values, the role of graphic design is definitely changing. Graphic design is becoming a field where we as designers should push boundaries and speak up about our responsibility in culture and the creative industry rather than just follow a creative brief.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

DBJ in 2019 as a way to be closer to clients in order to be a better advocate for their needs through her work. Since then, Studio DBJ has worked with a number of global clientele in the digital space, leading advocacy organizations, institutions and our soul — small business owners. The studio is committed to a collaborative approach with clients and, says Jean, Studio DBJ has an emphasis in branding, graphic design and listening. For the community, Jean is currently the AIGA LA 2021- 2023 Membership Director. Previously, she organized Portfolio Day for Los Angeles from 2019-2021.

To continue uplifting creatives in her community, Jean offers free “Office Hours” for people to meet for advice, portfolio

In the past two years, we’ve been more aware of our role as community leaders in our industry. While we might not have the biggest name as other companies, to better our own community, Studio DBJ has been proactive in uplifting our upcoming generation of designers and clientele. We’re learning that we don’t need to have that project or client in our portfolio and sometimes it can better serve another designer or team. It can be scary to say no to a potential client or project, but we understand that there is more than enough work and success to go around the world so we should prioritize sharing and uplifting our creative peers.

reviews or just to ask questions. Jean graduated from USC Roski School of Art and Design in 2015.

JEAN PONGSAI SHOWN HERE WITH STUDIO DBJ OPERATIONS MANAGER CALVIN LY

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Looking forward, I'm extremely optimistic about the role of graphic design, perhaps now more than ever. There’s no doubt we’re at a societal crossroads — many of our tried and true systems and structures are eroding before our very eyes. For everyone, and creatives especially — there’s an inherent opportunity to help shift culture in a better, more sustainable direction. As the bridge-builders, translators and mark-makers of humanity, we’re endowed with tremendous responsibility. When we choose with intention where and how we invest our energies, our work becomes more than just work — it becomes our vote.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

The challenges of the past two years provided a welcome validation. They confirmed the very deliberate choices I made when I left the agency environment to start my own purpose-driven consultancy five years ago. I now have the ability to nurture and grow relationships — and myself — in a way I wasn’t fully able to before.

KIM BERLIN FOUNDER/CHIEF CREATIVE KIM BERLIN DESIGN + CREATIVE DIRECTION, ORADELL NJ Kim Berlin is the rare amalgamation of creative, strategist and sage. Coined the “CEO’s creative consigliere,” she holds the unique ability to intuit the needs of her clients and empower the organizations they serve. Her passions lie in recognizing order within chaos, identifying authentic opportunities for change, and growing a singular seed of an idea into a compelling holistic vision.

Kim’s approach to design, aptly coined “Creative Direction for Human Connection,” reflects an interconnected practice that delivers a human-to-human experience, blasting through the limiting boundaries of B2B or B2C. Her labors of love can be spied on everything from airplanes to cruise terminals, to toilets and underwear — and practically every where in between.

When she’s not conjuring visual magic, Kim can be found devoting her empathic gifts toward guiding individuals to embrace their unique paths in life. An avid yogi and energy therapist, she endeavors to meet each moment with gratitude, curiosity and genuine connection.

Kim’s mission is to stand in service to the brave individuals and companies who truly seek to understand and express themselves with integrity, authenticity and a difference only they can bring to the world.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Graphic design is an “idea delivery mechanism” and a very specific form of communication. It's inherently limited by context and accessible only to those of privilege (the ability to see/read, interpret data, decipher iconography, etc.) so realistically, I don’t believe graphic design alone has much impact on business, society, culture, or causes — now or ever. That said, I believe DESIGN — the deliberate planning and making of things — when shared as a creative, collaborative, community act, has incredible power to instigate change and manifest the future we want as a society and culture.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

ANTONIO GARCIA

The 5 Ps (the pandemic, politics, police brutality, prejudice, and protests) have forever altered the way I approach my work. I’m much more conscious of design ethics and the implications of what I’m making. I try to surround myself with colleagues and collaborators who challenge my thinking and question my assumptions, motivations and intent. I ask myself often, ‘Should what we’re making even exist?

Who does it serve? Who might it harm? How might it be hijacked?’ As a designer, there’s a different responsibility and reality now.

HEAD OF DESIGN, TXI, CHICAGO IL Antonio García is Head of Design at TXI, a remote-first software innovation consultancy. He is also founder of the Dadwell & Co. podcast and Board Advisor to AIGA Chicago. Prior to joining TXI’s leadership team as Principal Designer, Antonio was Group Experience Director at Rightpoint where he managed UX teams across the agency’s Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Detroit and Santa Monica offices. Before Rightpoint, he helped launch Northern Lab — Northern Trust’s internal innovation accelerator. Ahead of the Lab, he led gravitytank’s interaction design discipline and social innovation practice.

And before heading into digital innovation, Antonio was Director of Strategy for Firebelly Design, a socially responsible branding studio.

In addition to design leadership, Antonio is a mentor, educator, and lecturer.

He taught Communication Design and Visual Storytelling at Northwestern University’s Segal Design Institute; Customer Discovery as part of University of Chicago’s Polsky Center Entrepreneurship Essentials; and New Product Definition at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design. A frequent contributor to community conversations on the topics of diversity and inclusion, design ethics, culture and creativity, Antonio believes design’s sole function is to cause change. If he’s not hard at work, Antonio is most likely DJing, drawing, or training for his next marathon.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Llavore graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Design Studies, with an emphasis on Graphic Design. He currently resides in San Jose with his wife Melani, his 5-yearold son Ronin, and 6-month-old daughter Lana.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Graphic design is entering a unique territory in business, culture, and causes because the new challenges we have are quite complex. We live in a rapid information age, but messages still have a lot of layers to them. We can lean on design to help simplify the message while still getting our points across. Graphic design helps keep our messages deliberate.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

What really became even more important to me as a leader is practicing true empathy and awareness.

With all that’s happening around us, you never know what a person is going through personally. I think trying to be more aware of your surroundings and recognizing non-verbals are just as important as written or verbal communication.

AARON LLAVORE ART DIRECTOR, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, SAN JOSE CA Aaron Llavore is in his sixth season with the 49ers and currently serves as the team’s Art Director. In his role, Llavore manages the 49ers graphic design team and oversees the creation of all creative assets seen across 49ers and Levi’s Stadium digital and social media platforms. He is an emerging leader in design and creative thinking among the most recognizable brands in sports.

As a huge advocate for maximizing his employee’s creative freedom and ideal ways of learning new skills, Llavore has grown a tight-knit group of 49ers designers with a knack for creating unique, expressive, and ownable 49ers brand campaigns. Most recently, he has empowered his team to design the 49ers “Faithful to The Bay” and 75th Anniversary season campaigns.

Faced with a lack of resources throughout childhood, Aaron taught himself how to play multiple musical instruments by ear, and he strongly believes that this do-it-yourself approach to learning and chasing “a creative spark” has shaped his idea of amplifying creativity as a professional. A 15-year veteran of graphic and creative design, Llavore has worked with major league sports teams and Bay Area startups including the Golden State Warriors, e2k Events and Entertainment, and TuneIn.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Things have unfolded positively recently with a vibrant new office move to the Creative Enterprise Zone in Saint Paul, MN, and WBENC certification.

In addition to producing a range of media for clients, Megan expresses her leadership, business and design savvy daily — always ready to jump in and style photoshoots, or source anything from software to signage to SEO. The creative team has also evolved to offer new services and consider digital-first branding.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

What we do as designers has never been extra, it’s always been integral. Communicating complexities in meaningful ways places graphic design at the heart of a company’s brand. Visual impact is one way to stand-out from the competition and design can make a positive change on all levels possible.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

MEGAN JUNIUS PRESIDENT/CREATIVE DIRECTOR EIGHT MOON, SAINT PAUL MN Megan Junius, President and Creative Director of Eight Moon™, leads the firm with the philosophy that valuable brands combine an exciting blend of compelling ideas, strategy and creative flair. Working closely with clients to understand objectives, she’s able to deliver creative solutions that produce those ‘aha’ moments.

Megan and Eight Moon have experienced many “aha” moments in the firm’s 25-year history. The momentum truly began in 2011 for Megan, when she took over from its original founder. A talented, experienced designer in her own right, she intentionally built her business acumen, graduating in 2014 from the Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders program.

In growth mode for nearly a decade, Megan has strategically led the firm in developing her creative team, retaining, and adding clients, and escalating revenue by 20% since 2018. In 2019, the firm rebranded itself as Eight Moon, which refers to the final phase in the lunar cycle when the moon is a slim crescent in the pre-dawn sky; when creativity is most likely to flourish and when imagination unfolds.

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We’ve stayed close to our clients’ challenges — increasing their reliance on us. With massive work/ life changes, we’re now called upon to shape new strategies like supporting women leaders, as well as fill gaps in marketing and design as employees resign with little notice and new hires are slow to onboard.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Yes. Graphic design can be art, but it’s not art for art’s sake. It’s visual communication that makes a point. For business, including NGOs, graphic design’s key contribution is brand design. Without it, a business struggles to own its content, keep customers or promote its cause. Online, channels have splintered along with attention spans. Designers must make their points quickly, in smaller spaces.

Skillful graphic design makes this successful. All along, culture informs the work. Understanding current events, art, history and iconography helps communicate the point. These days, many companies build their business around Corporate Social Responsibility. Good graphic design helps people understand these are sincere and meaningful contributions to society — not just advertising. I’m honored to work for a company that puts my talent to work on such commitments.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

LIZ KREWSON SENIOR ART DIRECTOR BANK OF AMERICA, ENTERPRISE CREATIVE SOLUTIONS WILMINGTON DE For the past 20 years, Liz has played a key role in developing strategicallydriven creative for Bank of America in the areas of small business, retail and

Last year, my office transitioned seamlessly to working from home. We never lost a beat, our digital workflow was already in place, and connecting by video or phone made for even stronger connections regardless of our physical location. With all of the challenges, I feel a deepening sense of compassion.

We take even more care in the tone of our language, the selection of images, the simplicity of design and focus of our messaging. The partnership with my line of business marketers drives my work, inspires my creativity and sense of purpose.

employee banking, and sponsorship — most recently for Merrill and the Private Bank.

World travel and a passion for causes help inspire Liz’s creativity. She was the lead art director for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure “Pink Banking” debit and credit card campaign, and her creative for the LGBT+ Merrill Outfest ad and Merrill Value and Communication Cards won FCS Gold awards, among others.

Earlier in her career, Liz’s love of advertising and design led to her to managing every aspect of the Ad Club of DE Award show. She also taught visual communications at the Delaware College of Art and Design.

A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Liz’s work has been recognized by several award shows, including the Art Directors Club of New York, FCS Portfolio Awards, Midas Awards and IHAF.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

The role of design will always be important as our culture and society continue to evolve. As designers, it’s important for us to think in a more holistic approach to how design communicates to the right audience, but also how it affects our planet and the people we interact with.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

The last couple of years we have all gone through have definitely shaped a new way of working. We all had to adapt to find new processes in order to maintain the best creative, while at the same time trying to keep our work and life balance in check. I don't think we've all found the perfect solution, but it's exciting to be on the forefront of a new working landscape.

DAVID SCHWEN SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER PEPSICO, PURCHASE NY David Schwen has over 18 years of experience working at agencies big and small, in-house and independently. He grew up in rural Minnesota where he had some very influential people that helped guide him into a career in art.

David graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design where he received his BFA with a major in Design and a minor in Illustration. He pursued a career in design working at creative agencies in Minneapolis. In 2012 he led the start-up of the multi-disciplinary design studio Dschwen, that primarily focused on partnering with Fortune 500 brands to create engaging and award-winning digital content for social media platforms for brands including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Facebook, Volkswagen, Starbucks and Air France.

In 2020 he moved to Brooklyn, New York where he resides now, currently working as the Senior Design Manager at Pepsico, managing the Pepsi brand for North America.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Very. Graphic Design is often mislabeled as the implementation of an idea versus the solving of a challenge. We need to think about how to make a brand timeless over years, while also relevant and dynamic day-by-day. This requires vision, patience, and nimbleness: all of which are skills that are relevant far beyond the color of your logo — and clients are seeing that.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

Communication has to be intentional. To reach across faulty technology, various time zones, and different personal experiences is effortful: it’s not something you can half-ass. Also, pressures have urged people to say “I’m not okay.” In some work cultures, those three words could signal professional failure, but now there is an understanding.

There’s emotional intelligence in the current dialogue, and I hope that being clearer and more empathetic communicators will generate clearer and more empathetic communication design.

CHRIS GARVEY EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR TURNER DUCKWORTH Chris Garvey has worked at Turner Duckworth for 16 years. He has been integral working with such major global clients as the award-winning (D&AD Yellow Pencil, Grand Prix at Cannes) Coca-Cola, Sprite, Kraft, Visa, California Pizza Kitchen, Google; and emerging brands such as Dripp Coffee Bar and Dollar Shave Club.

He’s also overseen the rebrand of Samsung across multiple product divisions and through numerous mobile launch campaigns, including a branding and environmental design project for Samsung’s innovation space in New York, as well as multiple activations at retail and events. More recently, he partnered with the leadership of The Brotherhood Sister Sol to oversee their new visual identity in conjunction with the launch of their new home in Harlem.

Turner Duckworth, with offices in London, New York, and San Francisco, creates unmistakable designs for the world’s greatest brands. The agency’s work is simple, playful, and inherently social. Turner Duckworth creates distinctive brand expressions to ensure that every touchpoint cuts through the noise and places brands top of mind across media and culture. The agency’s designs have won over 600 awards in ten years, and appear in the Clio Hall of Fame.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Of course. Graphic design is important and influential to the world in the future — it plays a key role in transmitting messages. Visual design has a powerful impact on business as well. It represents the tone of voice for brands and attracts customers' attention.

The importance of merging design and technology is also evident nowadays.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

To me, yes. I like teamwork. Working with different people provides me with great inspiration from their diverse perspectives. In the past two years, I have been using digital products to communicate with people at work, mostly, instead of printing out ideas on a board and brainstorming with the team in the office.

RUI MA SENIOR DESIGNER, MULLENLOWE US, LOS ANGELES CA Rui Ma is an award-winning designer, art director, and illustrator based in Los Angeles. She currently works as a senior designer at MullenLowe U.S., located in California. With an MFA degree in design, she focuses on graphic design, art direction, branding, illustration, digital design, print design, and experiential design, etc. She also has a passion for photography and fashion.

Her work incorporates bold, dynamic typography and illustration, along with energetic colors. Rui started her career in New York City and decided to move to Los Angeles four years ago — she gained years of design experience in both cities. Rui has created work for a variety of clients including Google, Apple, Shopify, Facebook, Sundance Film Festival, PepsiCo, Stella Artois, and many more.

Rui’s design inspiration comes from life, music, art, and other creative individuals she has worked with. After work, she spends her time creating digital illustrations and oil paintings and getting her inspiration from reading design magazines, going to museums and art galleries, watching movies, and listening to music. She believes visual communication design through different kinds of media can help solve problems and change the world.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Designers are optimistic people by nature because we are of the belief that things can be continuously made better through design. Graphic design can make complex concepts more accessible, it makes brands come to life with personality, and in the tech industry in particular, it can open people’s eyes to the innovations within their reach. So, yes, we are very optimistic about the future of graphic design and all of the ways it will allow us to make things better.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

JOSEPH SCHLOSSER SENIOR MANAGER + ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR | EVENTS, CUSTOMERS, EXPERIENCE RED HAT, RALEIGH NC Red Hat Open Studio is a creative community rooted in open source. Joseph Schlosser, representing the community, explains: “We’re a collection of marketing strategists, designers, developers, and more — from both inside and outside of Red Hat — that work together to tell innovative stories and ultimately, amplify the Red Hat voice. We are the passionate community that powers the creative soul of Red Hat’s brand through open source principles and creative practices.

“Red Hat delivers hardened, open source solutions that make it easier for enterprises to work across platforms and environments, from the core datacenter to the network edge. By operating transparently and responsibly, we continue to be a catalyst in open source communities, helping you build flexible, powerful IT infrastructure solutions.”

PICTURED ABOVE: A SMALL SAMPLE OF THE TEAM FROM RED HAT OPEN STUDIO INCLUDING STRATEGISTS, DESIGNERS, DEVELOPERS, WRITERS, ANIMATORS AND AUDIO PRODUCERS

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One thing the past two years has taught us is the true meaning of “expect the unexpected.” Pre-Covid that phrase might have meant to anticipate a last minute change to a project, but now we’re thinking much bigger and acting much more nimbly. Our dispersed teams are taking on challenges like pivoting from large in-person events to exploring new mediums to design virtual experiences and collaborating on global campaigns without the luxury of bouncing ideas off one another in the studio.

Although the past two years have certainly brought change and challenges, the lessons learned from them have made our teams into even more creative problem solvers.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Jay runs his department well and captures new contracts based on proof of concept regularly.

SocialSEO offers every aspect of digital marketing including, SEO, SEM, Social media, Influencer, Email, Amazon and Video. Jay plugs himself into every facet of SocialSEO’s services, offering design expertise and invaluable years of experience in the marketing and advertising sphere. In 2022, SocialSEO is positioned to offer 11 unique digital marketing services, and will be expanding by 200 employees.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Absolutely. My current role exists to serve as the bridge between ideas and the digital consumption of those ideas. As we rely on our devices more for instant information, we can only continue to see an uptick in the need for quality designers; especially on that front.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

JAY MILLER SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER SOCIALSEO, COLORADO SPRINGS CO Jay Miller is a 25 year veteran of all things graphic design. He’s been successful with high-end corporations as an inhouse designer, and as a freelance/contract designer. Jay’s creative pulse on design trends, his fluency in graphic styles and genres, and appropriation of color expertise are all maintained and progressive. Jay’s experience is sought after and reputable.

In the past, Jay has worked with several well known companies such as: Condé Naste, Proctor & Gamble, Whole Foods, Time Warner, Hasbro, Dimension Films, Universal Films, Nike and Coca-Cola. He’s passionate about all aspects of graphic design versatility and client interaction. He has embraced the art of working and communicating with an array of client types, in a variety of work environments. Currently Jay is serving as Senior Graphic Designer at SocialSEO, the #1 Rated digital marketing agency in the US — based out of Colorado Springs.

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I have fine tuned my approaches to coalesce with the needs of the evolving client landscape. Workflow systems like Trello have been implemented to ensure success throughout the company as many collaborators are now working out of office. The purpose of my work has not changed — my policy is quality.

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Krystal notes that her success has been due to selfless mentors who have helped her navigate business mindsets in her creative world to continuously learn and grow.

Thinking of others, Krystal provides pro bono design and strategic marketing to company’s whose mission is close to her heart including Behind the Book and The Unusual Suspects. She enjoys dedicating time to guiding others, inspiring their passion, and honing their skill. Krystal believes in paving the way for the future of design.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I am absolutely optimistic about graphic design being needed and utilized moving into the next century. Design surrounds us everyday. It's on everything from the logo on your car to the label on your milk. Design might look different moving forward, as everything is naturally gravitating towards digital, but it will always be necessary and utilized. We are starting to see this transition with the usage of QR codes and apps. It's exciting to see the endless possibilities that will await designers in the very near future.

KRYSTAL PRATT DIRECTOR OF BRANDING + MEDIA SPRING HILLS, EDISON NJ Krystal Pratt is an award-winning designer and creative director with over 15 years of experience. Designing at every level from inhouse to agency and freelance positions, Krystal’s primary focus has been creating high-end editorial designs to support strategic marketing initiatives within luxury travel and in home industries, working with brands such as Ritz Carlton, Porcelanosa, Calvin Klein, Christopher Guy and Kathy Ireland. In August of 2019, amid the height of the pandemic, Krystal courageously joined Spring Hills, entering into the healthcare industry.

As Art Director at Spring Hills, during her first six months, she worked on elevating the existing brand, while staying true to its roots. With company support, she built a team with specialized skills and enhanced the use of digitally interactive media for sales enablement. Because of Krystal’s attention to detail and photography background, she ran point on 3D community tours

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

First off, time blocking is key. At the start of the pandemic when working remotely it becomes hard to turn off at the end of a day because you think ‘just another 5 minutes’. You end up working more hours and getting burnt out quickly to no fault other than your own. Time blocking ensures you get what you need to get done and you have a set time you shut off. Design-wise, Covid challenged designers to find ways to create a ‘human touch’ without actually being able to have it. Going digital has been a huge component in business these last 2 years but, not the digital we have been used too … taking it a step further to create full-on digital experiences.

Something that can be emailed or showcased across ZOOM, something urging the end user to interact — all this can't replace the ‘human touch’ but it has helped to bridge what we hope is a temporary gap.

as an effective selling tool and to enhance the client experience. Krystal’s elegant and thought-provoking designs and initiatives secured two awards for the team and resulted in a promotion to Director of Branding + Media.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Prak is currently working on Google Assistant developer experience. And in his free time, aside from improving his coffee brewing skill, he's mentoring new generations of designers at Designlab and ADPList. He also serves as Digital Marketing for Executives Advisory Council at the California State University, Chico.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Absolutely! New technologies such as VR, AR, Voice, and machine learning have opened up more ways for us to connect and communicate than ever before.

Designers have an ever more critical role in assisting that and making sure inclusivity and accessibility experience be the core when solving any users' problems.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

PRAKARN NISARAT SENIOR INTERACTIVE DESIGNER, GOOGLE, SEATTLE WA Since the first time he got his first computer and opened Photoshop at the age of 14, Prakarn Nisarat (Prak) knew he wanted to be a designer. Four years later, he moved to the US to pursue that dream. After working as a graphic designer in Chicago for six years and winning multiple awards in between, he knew he could do more. The pivotal point came when he moved to Seattle and worked at the Office of Head Start designing tools to help millions of families — especially children with autism and down syndrome. He realized the power of design and began exploring ways technologies and design can improve people’s lives.

Since that day, he’s been incorporating design visions with new technologies such as augmented reality, smart devices, and voice interfaces. In the past years, he helped fortune 100 companies and universities such as Google, Facebook (now Meta), Microsoft, lululemon, Novo Nordisk, University of Washington, and Stanford launch multiple cutting-edge products. The recent notable project was when Prak led the design work of the Facebook Voice Assistant developer platform from scratch. This platform enables developers to build the voice assistant on Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses, Oculus, Portal, and, recently announced, metaverse.

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While working remotely in the past years, I've found myself seeking understanding and empathizing more in my communication and asking a lot more “why” questions. Without being face-to-face, it's much harder to understand someone's intentions and reasoning. And not just peers but also users.

Surprisingly, by doing that, I feel a lot more connected to people sometimes.

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SCHOOL OF DESIGN

admissu@syr.edu 315.443.2769 vpa.syr.edu/cmd2021 @su_commdesign

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I am very optimistic about the role graphic design has and will continue to play in society and culture.

As the tools of making and knowledge of design become more available to a wider range of individuals, the impact of it will be greater. Solving problems, the aiding in communication, and the allowing of more self-expression will continue to flourish which will have a massively positive impact on the world.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

We started Troup knowing that we’d be remote, far before the pandemic ever happened. This has aided in our growth trajectory as well as the confidence of our clients. And as the rest of the world has been forced to follow suit, we've been lucky enough to get a dress rehearsal on the future dynamics of remote work. As far as values and work life balance go, David and I are both dads, and family always comes first with us. And while that's difficult at times, I think it speaks to the kind of organization we're building and the importance of all relationships.

MATT DIMMER CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, TROUP Matt is a creative visionary who’s most proud accomplishments to date are his twin boys. Which goes along with his favorite job, being a dad. When he’s not spending time with them and his wife, he’s crafting brand stories, and enjoying coffee. Clipping in for a Peloton ride. And probably snacking. He can be caught doing impersonations to himself, as well as admiring architecture IRL or online.

Troup is a branding, design and advertising agency based in Los Angeles and Chicago. We are built on relationships because we believe that trust is the best way to create provocative work. We’ve worked with The North Face, Simple Mills, SelvaRey rum, NoMad hotels, National Runaway Safeline, This Saves Lives, and Vitani Spirits.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I am more optimistic about the role of graphic design influencing so many aspects of our daily life than ever before. From a growing number of design-first companies setting the bar high for the rest of the industry to the power of designing for social good to the potential of emerging technologies in XR, the future is bright.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

As a working mother, an educator, a freelance designer, and author of two books, I have learned more about the importance of work-life balance and multi-tasking in the past two years than ever before. There was a moment during mandatory stay home orders when I was teaching an online class, while simultaneously homeschooling my daughter on the floor next to me just out of camera sight in a blanket fort. These crazy multi-tasking challenges have pushed me to be flexible with when, where, and how I work. I learned how to teach online and hybrid courses in a day’s notice. I learned to problem solve and be more empathetic to others. I also learned that it is more important than ever to take time to disconnect and focus on what matters most in life.

RENÉE STEVENS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY INTERACTIVE + IMMERSIVE DESIGNER RENÉE STEVENS DESIGN LLC, SYRACUSE NY Renée Stevens is an interactive and immersive designer, educator, author, and speaker. Her creative work focuses on innovative ways that design can help overcome learning disabilities and create more accessible and inclusive learning environments. She is the founder of the XR tech startup tagAR. For more than a decade she has run her own design studio consulting and designing on XR projects and working as a motion designer for Forbes.

You can find her teaching at the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she is the incoming Chair of the Visual Communications Department, overseeing the undergraduate and graduate design and photography programs.

She has been invited around the world to speak about her research and design work in XR, including TEDx (‘Never Forget a Name Again’), SXSW, Sundance, VR/AR Association, and AIGA. She is the author of the books Powered by Design: An Introduction to Problem Solving with Graphic Design and Designing Immersive 3D Experiences: A Designer’s Guide to Creating 3D Experiences for Extended Reality.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH In 2012 I committed to Aruba for a six-month contract. I said I’d stay as long as I was having fun and proud of my work. Almost 10 years later, I’m the Creative Director. I’ve grown to admire engineers and appreciate technology, even have a subscription to Wired (that I read for fun, eew). I’m so glad that I was willing to listen to my mentors and try something uncomfortable — it was a career-defining move that exposed me to brilliant people and changed everything.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Yes! Art and design history has always been central to understanding society. Just like fossils to a paleontologist, future-us will look back at art/design to tell our stories. Now having said that . . . Much of our culture is expressed digitally. How do we ensure preservation for 20-50-100-200+ years? As consumers, designers, artists: we need to understand the importance of digital archives/maintenance, and proactively preserve our movements and moments.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

JANMARIE WRIGHT CREATIVE DIRECTOR ARUBA, A HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE CO., HUDSON WI I dislike writing a biography . . . but, I love talking about what I do. Gotta recognize the privilege and blessing of loving your job. I could talk all day about the unexpected paths that brought me here. Though trained in identity, branding and print, I surprisingly landed at an agency alongside new media artists and industrial/3D designers doing graphics for installation, interiors and events.

This sparked a fierce love for environmentally immersive design. Naturally I said I’d never work inhouse for a single brand (especially in high tech). Never say never — through a trusted mentor, I had the opportunity for a freelance contract with Aruba. I hesitantly accepted. My opinions of inhouse design and high-tech were challenged and changed immediately.

Working in-house means knowing your brand, customers, products and competition intimately. Clients are your colleagues. You have your hands in everything from concept through completion — and I mean EVERYTHING. A functional in-house team is a force made of incredibly sharp, versatile humans capable of high-level execution. A team responsible for conceptual development, campaigns, collateral, web design, event branding, environmental design (woot woot!), packaging, multimedia, interactive media, industrial design, etc.

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Well, working for a globally-collaborative company that physically enables hybrid workplaces gave a head start for sure. One change — I truly hope to never take for granted opportunities for in-person connection. I recently went to Aruba’s headquarters for the first time in two years for an outdoor event.

I didn’t expect to have such an emotional reaction to seeing those beautiful humans IRL. It brought deep joy to my bones!

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

It’s never been a better time to be a graphic designer.

There are great job opportunities, ever expanding creative tools being developed, countless design heroes to be inspired by, and great affordable online resources to learn design from. Graphic design is a part of everything in society now, from the way businesses present themselves, the way we communicate on social media, the way we create/reimagine equitable experiences, and the way culture moves forward in movies, music, print, and much more. As designers, we have so many opportunities to be a part of positive change and meaningfully improve the world around us.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

DANIEL FRUMHOFF SENIOR DESIGNER JONES KNOWLES RITCHIE, NEW YORK NY Daniel Frumhoff is a Design Director, Motion Designer, and Design Educator

Yes, absolutely. If anything, the last few years have heightened the importance of creating a better balance between work and life, slowing down to be more present/mindful, and advocating for mental health in the workplace. Being fully remote has so many advantages including a more globally connected world. However, with that comes the challenge of managing higher expectations, quicker turnarounds, working across timezones, and more time spent in front of screens. Moving forward, designers will be driven by creating even more meaningful and purposeful work. For me, the journey and process of designing is just as important as the design, end product, and outcome.

based in New York City. Currently a Senior Designer at Jones Knowles Ritchie, he collabs with the Stanford d.school and has taught Graphic Design, Branding, and Typography at Parsons, The New School and the Maryland Institute College of Art. His work has been featured by AIGA, Communication Arts, GDUSA, Core77, Adobe and Print Magazine. He’s worked with/for Pentagram, Landor, Naturalizer, Pinterest, Snapchat, PepsiCo, the Lincoln Center, the Brand New School, and the Coca Cola Company. Daniel holds an MFA in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art, earned four Certificates from the Basel School of Design, and received his BFA from Webster University in Graphic Design.

Jones Knowles Ritchie is a design-led creative agency based in New York City, London, and Shanghai that builds brands for scale, disruption, and good.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH scious and collective effort to translate our values into actions that benefit our staff, our clients, and our community. Smith Design is a WBENC and WOSB certified company with a Silver Ecovadis rating in the 90% percentile and is part of Pledge %1 and Sustainable Packaging Coalition.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Yes. The evolution of human behavior in recent months has required finding new, effective ways to build connections and engagement. We have the opportunity to look more closely at the things that bond us, cultivate how we share experiences, how we connect, and how we tell stories visually. By paying attention to the stories we’re telling, we can begin to determine what is actually meaningful during this time of change, giving us a toolkit to make future experiences of work, life, and play compelling in ways we might not have imagined even a few months ago.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

JENNA SMITH CEO, SMITH DESIGN, MORRISTOWN NJ As CEO of Smith Design, Jenna Smith plays a primary role in design strategy, account management, and business development. She excels at both design and operations, with a passion for creative problem-solving that inspires her team to create breakthrough visual solutions that succeed in both the physical and virtual marketplace. Jenna has generated successful visual and verbal solutions with companies such as Henkel, Unilever, Sesame Street, Hormel, Hershey, Friesland Campina, Disney, Pfizer, and BIC. Jenna holds an M.S. in Packaging, Identities and Systems Design from Pratt Institute, an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a BA in Marketing from Boston University.

She has been awarded the NJAD Club 40 under 40 as well as NJBIZ Top 50 Women in Business. She previously served as President of the Art Directors Club of NJ and Treasurer for the New Jersey Packaging Executives Club.

Smith Design is an award-winning full-service brand design agency with over 40 years of expertise in strategic positioning, brand identity, verbal identity, package design and in-store, digital and social, production realization and omnichannel activation. The firm believes that design is at its best when it’s a force for good. Its culture is rooted in caring, and the team makes a con-

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We have explored how to better leverage online collaboration tools that have resulted in greater workflow efficiencies and a seamless remote work experience. We always put a strong emphasis on mental health and work/life balance, but COVID’s impact on global wellness and the economy required additional focus on the importance of flexibility and empathy. Continued evolution to meet new challenges is essential to further growth, and every day we embrace a purpose of providing the opportunity for our employees, our clients, and relationships to progress in meaningful ways.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

This is a great time to be a designer. People are more aware of design now than any time before. We find ourselves at the table with other leaders on projects where we once were sub consultants. Our clients are always looking towards the future with a plan to make authentic and vibrant spaces that will make cities and communities thrive.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

We are a very collaborative office and have found ways to still work as a team. Our team of all ages brings strong digital skills along with keeping the work relevant and fresh. I have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly our group has mastered the virtual presentation. It feels like we did not skip a beat with the business or results of our work.

MARTY GREGG PRINCIPAL, ARTHOUSE DESIGN, DENVER CO Marty Gregg graduated from Colorado State University with a concentration in Graphic Design in 1981. He started working at Weber Design as a Senior designer in 1988 and bought the company in 1996, forming ArtHouse Design.

Marty guides ArtHouse and its clients through a clear, mindful design process that has proven to be effective. From sketches on paper to scale models to full-size installations, he plays a chief role in evolving ideas into results that achieve clients’ goals.

Since the 1990s, ArtHouse Design has been a fixture in the Denver design scene, as well as on the national and international stage. Specialists in designing for and shaping user-friendly, built environments, we lead the experiential graphic design community in design implementation for branding, placemaking, partnering with architects, municipalities, developers and interior designers to improve public spaces.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH and guidance. As a passion project in 2019, he partnered up with Merriam-Webster's dictionary to launch a mini-campaign, “Thank a Queen,” to celebrate and give credit to Latinx and Black Femme communities for their contributions to today's culture and mainstream vernacular.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Absolutely! Design is crucial in our day-to-day lives — it's ingrained into everything we see and interact with. There's a revival of expressionistic graphic design through the lens of NFTs, which can be an additional creative outlet for designers, similar to fine art, whenever client work doesn't satisfy their creative desire.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

Transitioning from in-person collaboration was disruptive at first, but we’ve become experts at communicating virtually by now. Empowering individuals through trust, goal setting, and clear expectations has led to a successful, hybrid work culture that allows people to work when and how they want while still creating great work.

JORGE ANDRADE DIRECTOR OF DESIGN, THE MANY, LOS ANGELES CA The Many is an independently owned, high-speed, integrated agency for forward-thinking brands that aims to move the world forward by challenging all that’s comfortable, creating ideas that live in culture, and forging profound connections.

Jorge Andrade is an award-winning designer and art director with crossplatform knowledge in print, digital and branding. As The Many’s Director of Design, Jorge is responsible for helping craft and elevate the way brands are perceived through the way they show up in the world. He leads and mentors the full-service design studio in executing head-turning design solutions that resonate with today’s culture and design trends and pass the test of time.

He has put his eagle eyes and brand design expertise to work for a wide array of brands including Google, YouTube, eBay, Panda Express, IMAX, Chambord, American Apparel, and Sambazon — to name a few. As a proud DREAMer and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Jorge wants to continue to shepherd and be a strong supporter for creatives of color and other underrepresented communities within advertising and design by providing work opportunities

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I also love teaching; my first corporate job was teaching inner-city youth graphic design and videography in 2009 while living in California. I have since taught multiple courses like streetwear history, photography, and branding 101 at The Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio. I have adopted the motto — the best way to learn is to teach. And I look forward to teaching adjunct classes at my alma mater, The Modern School of Design, soon.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I am particularly excited about the role graphic design will play in society/culture. We now have platforms like social media that allow us to see and hear creatives worldwide speaking up about injustice and other causes. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best “Almost always, the creative, dedicated minority, has made the world better.”

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

RODNEY CRIMES SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, WEST CARY GROUP, COLUMBUS OH I am Rodney Crimes, a Senior Art Director at West Cary Group and entrepreneur currently living in Columbus OH. As a hybrid designer, working within many

In general, finding companies that value diversity has been a challenge. Hopefully, having access to more remote opportunities changes the trajectory.

Allowing; minority creatives like myself to team up with companies that align with their core values. The disproportion of black creatives occupying higher creative roles is staggering. Specifically, knowing that black culture is prominent throughout advertisement and marketing..

team dynamics, from agencies to large corporations solving problems across digital and print mediums. I teamed up with small start-ups to global brands, including IBM, Nationwide, Mattel, DSW, Abbott, Chase, and Capital One. I bring a well-versed approach and skill-set to each project helping bridge the gap between products and people.

I love creating tangible experiences and admire well-thought-out digital platforms that make life enjoyable. Outside of my daily gig, I run a small faith-based brand Win With God; and create meaningful T-shirt designs I sell on my Cotton Bureau shop. One impactful designs to date is my (Freedom ain’t free) T-shirt design.

It sold over 500 units worldwide. I always strive to create meaningful work based on culture, faith, and human rights. It was mind-blowing to see people wear my design supporting Black Lives Matter protests worldwide. I see clothing apparel as a means of communication to help build awareness of world issues and confidence in fellow believers of Jesus Christ.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

The current movement, where a business needs to be socially responsible and can’t simply make a product, gives me hope that bettering our world will become the cost of entry for businesses. Unfortunately, the organizations with the most important messages tend to be the ones with the smallest voices. I like to believe that’s changing as people seek out brands they can stand with. I’ve always been optimistic about the potential for design and messaging to change the world. The products that do the most good should get to look the best.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

Without that physical act of leaving an office, it’s harder to define that moment where you can say “work is now over.” But, I’ve never had much luck controlling when new ideas will surface. On the train home, when catching up with friends, unwinding on the couch; new thoughts can always hit. When that happens, I have to pull that thread while it’s fresh. The gears in my head are always turning, I just haven’t sat on trains much these past two years.

CHRIS HARMON CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LOYALKASPAR, NEW YORK NY Chris Harmon is Creative Director at loyalkaspar, where he leads creative teams on projects from concept to execution. An Atlanta native relocated to the northeast, Chris has spent his career crafting identities of all shapes and sizes, working with global brands like MTV, Riot Games, CNN, SYFY, and ESPN. Chris has a masters degree in Design and Technology from Parsons and spent the start of his career freelancing before making loyalkaspar his home. He currently lives in Maplewood NJ with his wife and children.

Chris believes that good design requires asking the right questions. When fresh out of school, he absorbed design blogs, magazines, and company portfolios to keep his finger on the pulse of trends and what major designers were up to. But it wasn’t until he started to pay less attention to those influences that he was able to truly focus on a specific brand, what made it special, and what would an audience find special about it.

Loyalkaspar is a branding agency based in NYC that builds modern, multiplatform brands through strategy, visual design, motion design, and marketing campaigns. Clients include streaming platforms (Peacock, Paramount+), entertainment brands (MTV, CNN, ESPN), consumer brands (Marvel, Accuweather), and experiential activations (Greenwood Rising, RiseNY). Loyalkaspar thinks like an agency, designs like a studio, and creates like a production company.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Design is and will always be an important tool for social impact. I know this firsthand as many of my personal projects over the last few years have been tied to social events and fundraising efforts. In fact, last fall, I collaborated with Meena Harris and her company, Phenomenal, to create a custom sweatshirt design that raised funds for the Biden/Harris campaign. This initiative originated on my personal Instagram, @city_sarah, where I gave out my design on t-shirts in exchange for a proof of campaign donation. While it was exciting to manage my own fundraising effort, the partnership with Phenomenal came at the perfect time. I had quickly sold out of my t-shirts and with the help of another female owned and powered business, I was able to scale the productivity of my efforts and make a greater impact.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

SARAH MORAN ART DIRECTOR, SARAH MORAN DESIGN, BROOKLYN NY Sarah Moran is a painter who also happens to be a designer. She has an MFA in painting and an active art studio practice in Brooklyn. Sarah has also spent

I think it’s fair to say there have been countless lessons to come out of the last two years. One lesson that I think about often is the preciousness of time.

This awareness has changed my perspective in how I approach and take on projects. I prioritize what excites me and surround myself with people I enjoy working with. Through my positive working relationships, I’ve learned that good people attract good people, and by maintaining the right relationships, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with so many incredible humans.

over a decade in the beauty and luxury industries working with clients like Stila Cosmetics, Beautyblender, Buxom and Ippolita, among others. She does it all; from concepting and executing best in class marketing campaigns, to delivering authentic branding.

One of her favorite achievements was seeing her hand painted designs featured on seasonal beauty packaging for Stila Cosmetics all over the globe.

This marked a memorable milestone in her career seeing her different skill sets work together in producing a noteworthy experience for the customer.

When it comes to the world of digital — there isn’t a platform or medium she hasn’t touched. She has the unique ability to continuously feed the beast of social media with engaging fresh content ideas for the brands she supports.

Sarah states: “My strength is that I’m not a designer, I'm an artist and I happen to be very strategic. That way when I work with a client, I bring a different perspective than a traditional designer and I’m able to tap into the look and feel of their brand or project from a more holistic perspective pulling from influences like art history, social trends, music, as well as design.”

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Absolutely. Communication through graphic design has always been a societal barometer to the everchanging culture. Just look at the myriad of communication devices utilized to voice the angst of thousands of protesters around the country and world for various causes. Most of the banners, signs and murals were handmade, and were particularly intriguing. In some cases, they were particularly effective and garnered the most attention. Subsequently, the efforts forced the business world to pay closer attention to these causes and ultimately refocus their marketing efforts to address these social issues. From an historical standpoint, this has been the case since humans first started to communicate.

I don’t see this evolution changing any time soon.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

KAREN R. MAZIQUE PRINCIPAL, MAZIQUE DESIGN SERVICES, CHICAGO IL Mazique Design Services has been the creative driving force behind a portfolio of attractive annual reports and newsletters for non-profit, small business, corporate, entrepreneurial and municipal clients such as our longtime client, the Village of Bellwood (Illinois) where for the past 20 years we have created original logos and templates for indoor and outdoor village-wide signs, monthly and quarterly newsletters, buck slips, yearly calendars, posters, flyers, banners and premiums.

KR Mazique’s creative expertise is evident by reviewing the client and marketspecific collateral and online services that has been created for audiences of all sizes over the years. Those assets have redefined brands, artfully told clients’ stories, engaged and motivated general markets and target audiences alike — and won awards along the way. A proven one-stop shop that provides turnkey solutions and attention-getting products that meet and exceed clients’ needs, KR Mazique’s motto is “talent may get you noticed, but dependability and reliability will keep you in business.”

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Because I’ve worked remotely for most of my entrepreneurial design career, my working habits were not initially impacted by the pandemic. As an only child I relished my time alone. So much, in fact, that when the opportunity presented itself I made the switch to work entirely from my home many years ago. Because I started out painting portraits, and like most artists, I worked alone. So when I became a designer, it felt natural to continue to create solo.

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Whenever possible, Brent uses his creativity to further good in the world. He’s lent his talents as a designer, blogger and speaker to advocate for numerous causes and organizations related to LGBTQ+ rights, adoption/foster care and the environment.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

The power of graphic design will remain steady, regardless of the political, medical, or environmental climate. The great thing about graphic design (and designers) is its ability to constantly and easily change roles. Whether it’s adapting to the latest tech and social media, magnifying the voices of the marginalized, or clearly communicating the progress of a pandemic, design is always changing. And it’s always present . . . and vital.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

BRENT ALMOND OWNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR BRENT ALMOND DESIGN, WASHINGTON DC

Most definitely. Many of my clients are schools, arts organizations, and other nonprofits — most of whom cut marketing budgets or shut down altogether for a big chunk of 2020. As I’m also a stayat-home dad, much of that freed-up time was spent dealing with my son’s education. As a result, I’ve rebranded myself and the focus of my business, leaning more into illustration — to keep my schedule more flexible and rely less on larger marketing and branding projects.

Creativity informs, fuels and inspires every aspect of Brent Almond’s life. As he enters his third decade as a graphic designer, art director and illustrator, he continues to approach every project with the question: “How can I make this more informative, beautiful, meaningful or fun?”

Brent began his career at several successful design firms before branching out on his own. As a one-man shop, Brent has partnered with the likes of NPR, The Kennedy Center, Girl Scouts, The Nature Conservancy and The Washington Post. His work has been honored by over 200 industry awards and publications.

In 2012, Brent started DesignerDaddy.com, a blog combining his journey as a new father through the lens of creativity. Combining his skills as a writer, designer and illustrator, Brent’s online presence gained a large following, resulting in partnerships with brands like Disney, Marvel, Netflix, Nickelodeon and Hasbro. His blog has been honored by Iris Awards, BlogHer’s Voices of the Year and is regularly included on many “Top Blogger” lists.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Yes, I am optimistic. Design is a basic human activity. We will continue to try and find ways to improve our world, and design will be a major agent in that change. I hope to see growth in collaborative/noncompetitive design systems, more sharing of resources and talent, and less emphasis on promoting profits over people.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

It changed less for me than for most. My wife and I still walk to our office every day. It is quieter since our co-workers work from home. But the work-life balance and purpose of work remains the same. I’m in business to do interesting work that contributes to our culture. Those opportunities remain.

ANTONIO ALCALÁ OWNER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, STUDIO A, ALEXANDRIA VA Antonio Alcalá graduated from Yale University with a BA in history and from the Yale School of Art with an MFA in graphic design. He opened Studio A in 1988, winning awards of excellence from design institutions including AIGA, Print, CA, Graphis and GDUSA. He has also judged major competitions for AIGA (50 Books/50 Covers), the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, and the Type Directors Club. Studio A’s clients include the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, The Kennedy Center, and other museums and arts organizations.

Alcalá has taught design as adjunct faculty at the Corcoran College of Art + Design and in the GDMFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art. He served on the US Postmaster General’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee from 2010 until 2011, when he left to become an art director for the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp development program. Alcalá’s work and contributions to the field of graphic design were recognized with his selection as a 2008 AIGA DC Fellow and his work is represented in the AIGA Design Archives, the National Postal Museum, and the Library of Congress Permanent Collection of Graphic Design.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

The battle for attention is as fierce as ever. The amount of time an audience will put into receiving and understanding any given message continues to shrink. Thus, the role that good, effective design must play in any communication — not just business and/or culture-must increase as well going forward.

That’s a good prognosis for those who can differentiate between making noise and communicating.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

Workflow has always been driven by client need.

Some clients now nearly live on Zoom. Some don’t.

Most are somewhere in between. For years clients at distances not practical for in-person contact (wineries in Italy, China, and Croatia coming to mind) have been common, so meetings, documents, and art files moving electronically isn’t new. Last year the company moved entirely to work-fromhome for several months. It took less than an hour to make that move. Almost everyone is back in the office now, but the staff remains ready to roll with whatever tomorrow needs.

SARA NELSON OWNER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR SARA NELSON DESIGN, LTD., KENNEWICK WA Sara Nelson was raised in a family-owned print shop in the heart of Washington state’s wine country. After graphic design school and a dozen years of corporate work, she went out on her own with Sara Nelson Design, Ltd. That was 25 years and hundreds of award-winning design projects ago. In 2005, Sara began to lean into the Wine & Spirits industry — first in Washington State, then across the country and worldwide. Hundreds of wine labels and logos later, with a team of designers, web designers, and illustrators, her firm’s body of work is about 85% wine and spirits-related, with the other 15% spread around the healthcare, agriculture, and aesthetics industries. Over the years, Sara has paid particular attention to color psychology and typography and invested in continuing education in the business of wine — specifically vineyard and winery operation. Especially for clients who are just kicking off a new business, that’s particularly valuable!

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I’m always optimistic and believe in the power of design to improve the quality of life — for all people.

After more than 20 years working for UNICEF/United Nations, I have witnessed the positive impact of social design as an agent of change on every corner of the world.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

Definitely. At one point, I was in Patagonia while other Brand team members were in South Korea, Beirut, Dakar and Toronto. This forced experiment made us rethink our design work and led us to relocate some of our Brand Designers. In fact, I’ll be relocating to Bangkok.

MATÍAS DELFINO GLOBAL LEAD BRAND DESIGNER, UNICEF, NEW YORK NY Matías Delfino is the Global Lead Designer in the Brand team at UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children and young people. Delfino led on the design of UNICEF’s global rebranding, holds the keys to its Brand Book and has recently art-directed UNICEF’s visual identity for its 75th Anniversary. He previously served the United Nations Graphic Design Unit in New York headquarters for over a decade, where he created some of its most relevant transcultural campaigns and visual identities for several UN International Days.

Born and raised in Argentina, Delfino graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from the Universidad of Buenos Aires. He found his calling in design for social change while working on a project on child abandonment in college.

His designs received international awards and have been featured in numerous prints and online media platforms across the globe. In addition, he has served as Design Juror in prestigious festivals and competitions. Delfino's motto “Making hope visual” is also the name of a poster design exhibition of his authorship which since 2014 has toured 13 cities on 4 different continents.

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In 2011, Marc took his love of music to a new level and began performing live in local spots. His talent and ambition have helped him grow his musical hobby into much more. He can be seen weekly at some of the best restaurants and live music venues in the SoCal area.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Extremely optimistic! The world continues to become a more visual space. We all walk around with a screen in our pocket, that shares interactive designed communications, as well as statically designed communications, in a digital platform. As we assist organizations communicate to their stakeholders, through their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and annual reports, we see a move to more graphics and less text. We digest information graphically, in smaller and smaller bites, when offered. A picture is still worth a thousand words . . . maybe more.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

MARC SELIGSON PRESIDENT + FOUNDER BIG PIVOT PARTNERS, LAGUNA NIGUEL CA With more than 28 years of experience building markets and servicing clients

The past two years have reinforced the reality “that’s the way we’ve always done it” wouldn’t work anymore. The pandemic has forced us to make the world a smaller place. We’re more efficient, nimble, connected and ultimately successful, as the traditional ways gave way to new ways. The ability to build a global business without leaving your physical location is powerful.

in the investor, corporate, sustainability and marketing communications space, a major turnaround effort at his former firm led to an obvious next step . . .

Big Pivot Partners.

Says Marc: “Partnering is what we do. As leaders, managers and consultants, we have worked with clients ranging from IPO’s and start-ups to the Fortune 500 in the public space, private and not for profit organizations, and a variety of small businesses across a wide variety of sectors and industries. ESG and corporate reporting, integrated brand management, interactive and social media. Rather than attempting to be one size fits all, we partner with experts in the space to bring award winning communication solutions to their growing client base. Our expertise includes creating packaging, digital and experiential campaigns for both growing challenger brands and multinational corporations.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Visual communication helps shape the constantly evolving landscape of storytelling. Standing out for the right reasons is so important — for both social causes and business. Because of this, it's our responsibility to continue finding thoughtful ways of engaging with audiences. I’m not only optimistic — I’m excited for what’s in store.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

The events of the last two years have shaken society’s ability to process events and information both emotionally and physically. In many ways, this change has created space for deeper connections between brands and their audiences. While we’ll continue to tell stories with substance, this means there are newer entry points into our hearts and minds.

We’ve had to evolve the way we build trusting relationships, find purpose in the work we do, and strike a better balance with how we spend our time.

Whether it be a collective space, remote, or finding a healthy balance of both — the connections we strive to make with our audiences and with each other have become more valuable than ever before.

MATT SIA CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PEARLFISHER NEW YORK NEW YORK NY With almost two decades of design agency experience, Matt brings a range of skills from a background of brand identity, packaging, fashion and advertising to his role as the Creative Director at Pearlfisher New York.

As a designer, collaborator and leader, Matt seeks to elevate an amazingly talented team, encouraging a culture of challenging category conventions and celebrating big ideas. He has led a range of projects for both challenger brands and icons, from innovations such as hum by Colgate and Tecate ALTA to premium spirits for Diageo, Campari and Beam Suntory. Most recently, he had the privilege of partnering with McDonald’s to lead the global redesign of their food packaging. Matt believes there’s something special about creating emotional connections with an audience through visual language, which pairs perfectly with his passion for storytelling.

Whether he is exploring ways to perfect and innovate recipes in the kitchen or writing and performing music, Matt is typically building, sculpting or creating in some shape or form.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Graphic design drives our decision making. We are a visual world, and we will always need engaging and informative graphics to help guide us. This is especially true when it comes to packaging, which could be the only branded touchpoint your consumer experiences.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

For CSB, it’s been a lemons-into-lemonade situation, for sure. When I took over as CEO in early 2020, we got to work on rebranding ourselves and improving the company. We’re heading into 2022 not only with a new approach to how we work, but a promise to continue to evolve and grow.

JILL TAPIA CEO, CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC BRANDING, NEW YORK NY Jill Tapia is the CEO of New York package design firm Cornerstone Strategic Branding, Inc. (CSB). A self-taught graphic designer and devoted CSB employee of 25 years, Jill took the reins two years ago, right before the pandemic hit. And while everybody else was hangin’ at home in their sweatpants, Jill took a different approach. Building on CSB’s 30 years of packaging experience and expertise, as well as a stacked legacy client list including Nestlé, Ferrero, Gorton’s, Labatt, Heinz, Coca-Cola, and Red Bull, Jill reinvigorated the company and her employees with new energy and a fresh perspective. The scrappy start-up spirit meant trading in cumbersome processes and a corporate mentality for more progressive and equitable ways of working, like a giveback program for food-scarcity charity No Kid Hungry, and pro-bono design services offered to select women-led, entrepreneurial, food-focused business ventures.

Jill will be the first to admit that she doesn’t do it alone. She’s backed by a stellar team of packaging experts who are dedicated innovative thinkers and stand-out designers, a production team who’s the best in the biz, and a fun group of co-workers who love to celebrate their successes with a cocktail every now and again.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Graphic Design as both a practice and skill are more instrumental than ever in helping all of us comprehend our complex, oversaturated world of information in a manageable way. It has become an active part of the language of business and culture.

The mediums for where it is applied are constantly expanding, but the fundamental principles are the same. A clear concept and strong visual delivery — whether applied to an app or book design — all contribute to capturing our attention and telling a compelling story. That is here to stay.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

One of the best aspects to being a designer is the process of making something new in collaboration with your team. Those energetic sessions at the whiteboard where the creative energy thrives. The events of last two years made me recognize the how grateful I am to have had those moments and look for opportunities with my incredibly talented colleagues to bring that to the hybrid way we work today.

JEFF PIAZZA SVP EXPERIENCE DESIGN ORION INNOVATION, NEW YORK NY Jeff Piazza is SVP of Experience Design at Orion Innovation, a global digital transformation and product development services firm. At Orion, he leads XD teams in the user experience strategy and user interface design for web and mobile applications across a variety of verticals such as financial services, professional services, and higher ed. He is focused on building a creative culture that supports high quality design at scale that makes an impact.

Prior to Orion, Jeff was co-founder and partner at Behavior Design where he helped guide the experience design vision for clients such as HBO, Red Hat, JPMorgan Chase, National Geographic, and Businessweek.

Jeff has spoken at industry events like the AIGA conference and been a guest critic for Parsons School of Design. His work has been recognized by industry leading organizations such as the Webby Awards, Governors Award by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and GDUSA's American Web Design Awards. Jeff also co-designed “Text.ure,” an interactive nonlinear storytelling experience that is included in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. Jeff received his BFA from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and graduated with a concentrated study in design and photography.

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Business School in 2000. He recently completed an Executive Education Emeritus Certification with Columbia Business School in Digital Marketing: Customer Engagement, Social Media, Planning & Analytics. Steve is excited to utilize his project management, web development, and digital marketing expertise to enhance their agency's services and create a positive impact for their clients.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Christian: Yes, as we move towards web 3.0, design and creativity will be more important than ever.

The world will revolve around creative ideas as we see with the current NFT market.

Steve: Technology is changing graphic design as we know it. These online tools are streamlining the creative process making it easier to create multidimensional designs and animations. All you need is a creative idea to make an impact.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

CHRISTIAN ESTRELLADO R. STEVE ESTRELLADO CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER + DIGITAL INTERACTIVE EXPERT ESTRO DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, WESTWOOD NJ Estro Digital Communications is a digital interactive agency that specializes in website design and digital marketing.

In the office, Christian Estrellado is a results-driven leader for all their clients.

The expertise he brings to the table is a term Estro calls Process Marketing.

Christian: The past 2-years have dramatically changed the way we work. We became a Zoom first agency, where our clients and our team can speak to each other quickly. Before, our meetings were scheduled-out months in advance. Because of the change of work, we became more integrated with our clients’ day-to-day business.

Steve: The last two years dramatically shifted how we work. It made it easier to work remotely. Our clients are now comfortable hopping on a Zoom video call. With the right project management software, we’re able to streamline workflows. Our work-life is now an extension of our personal lives.

This is Estro’s secret recipe for creative and marketing success. Christian completed his undergraduate degree in Economics at Rutgers University in 2004. He recently completed an Executive Education Emeritus Certification with Columbia Business School in Digital Marketing: Customer Engagement, Social Media, Planning & Analytics. As a first-generation American, he believes the experience that he and his brother, Steve, bring to the table is both unique and results-driven.

Steve Estrellado strives to deliver A+ digital interactive work! As a firstgeneration Filipino American, he is excited to share his unique marketing perspective. Steve attained an undergraduate degree in Marketing at Rutgers

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH design history to rethink how designers deliver guidelines, free designers from PDFs, and move the format forward into the 21st century.

Hamish is an avid still film photographer (a littleknown prerequisite for being a graphic designer!).

He is married to Alex Daly, founder of Daly, a public relations firm. They live happily in Brooklyn NY. Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Absolutely. On the business side, good design is now table stakes for any company starting new, and the old ones who aren’t taking design seriously, well they won’t be companies for much longer. On a societal and cultural level, design has always played a large role in conveying ideas visually and typographically, for good or evil. I can only see design’s role becoming more intertwined in our lives, and it is our responsibility to ensure it we use our skills for good. We are quite literally the conduit for much of the world’s information. We must design responsibly, fairly, and with positive intent.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

HAMISH SMYTH CO-FOUNDER, STANDARDS, BROOKLYN NY Hamish Smyth is a graphic designer, originally from South Australia. He was fortunate to win the NewStar portfolio award through the AGIdeas conference in Melbourne, and began his career as an intern at Pentagram New York under Michael Bierut (the internship was the prize!). He ended up spending six years at Pentagram, leaving in 2016 as an Associate Partner after working on many projects, including the global rebranding of Mastercard.

In 2014, Hamish and fellow Pentagram alumni, Jesse Reed also founded the publishing imprint Standards Manual, with the goal of archiving forgotten parts of design history. They have since published 9 books and sold hundreds of thousands of copies across the globe. In 2017 Hamish co-founded Order with Reed. They have used the knowledge taught by their mentor Michael Bierut to work on projects for Kickstarter, MoMA, SpaceX, and more.

In 2020, Hamish co-founded Standards, a digital tool for designers to build and host brand guidelines. Over 19,000 people have registered for early access to the Beta, which is scheduled to begin in late 2021. Standards is co-founded by Order with Shore, a digital agency based in Seattle. With Standards, Hamish is using his experience in branding, guidelines, and

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In a strange way — and this comes from a place of privilege — it almost felt too easy to slip into a remote way of working. The tools already existed, and we jumped right in. I do miss the immediacy of giving and receiving feedback next to a person. We’ll get back there eventually, but due to technology, the way we work will change forever. I think all of us have questioned our purpose in the last 18 months, and as an optimist I think good things will come from this tragic period we have endured. It’s amazing how resilient and quick to change humans can be, but also shocking how quickly we can forget.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Design has tremendous power to shape, influence and improve. But if design is to have an outsize impact on the world, it requires redefining the term itself. As an industry, we should view design as a tool in the process that helps to shape our world, not a problem solver. In other words, turning our attention from solving a problem and instead retraining and reinventing it upon the systems that may have created it. This will, of course, require changing the way we design and the way we sell what we do. But it’s a shift that is beginning to take place, so yes: I’m optimistic.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

SCOTT SORENSON EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR STRUCK, SALT LAKE CITY UT

The answer to this goes hand-in-hand with the answer to the previous question. If we stake our claim as “problem solvers”, we lionize our own role while diminishing the roles of others. Recent events have made us more aware of the underlying systems at play in the world. Designers have a stake in the solutions, but we’ve also had a role in the problems. So for me, and for the team at Struck, the past year has been less a debate about working from home vs. working in the office and more an opportunity to rethink our role in the process while working towards being proactive creating content that taps into the perspectives and experience of diverse audiences.

Scott is the creative mastermind behind Struck’s remarkable and innovative design team. As executive creative director, he leads the Utah-based agency’s team of artists, overseeing the daily operations and creative direction for client work with a critical eye. Through more than two decades of commercial design, Scott has nourished and revitalized client brands in the entertainment, retail, sports and recreation, and hospitality industries. He has produced signature branding guides, retail environments and merchandising programs for clients, including Sony, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, TCM, Elvis Presley Enterprises, The Jim Henson Company and the New York Jets. He’s also created branding and collateral materials for corporations and museums such as The Leonardo, Copper Canyon Farms and the Sundance Institute. Scott is a notable figure in the Intermountain West’s design industry, he served as President of the Utah chapter of the AIGA and has been recognized for his work through Communication Arts, the American Advertising Federation and the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). His work regularly appears in industry publications, including Campaign US, GDUSA, Print and HOW magazines. While he holds a BFA from Brigham Young University, he switched allegiances to become an adjunct professor at the University of Utah.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I have always been optimistic. That optimism has proven itself out that when companies, governments, organizations and causes place a priority on how they communicate visually and verbally they have a greater impact and success. What I am more excited about is the reemergence of the classic multidisciplinary designer in the mold of Vignelli, Eames, Glaser, Scher and Walsh, and how those new voices are shaping culture — not just commerce.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

The circumstances have certainly sharpened my focus on what things are important to me, my family and my work. I have found new ways to connect creatively and it had allowed me to work with creatives that I may never have even tried to work with before. But it has also highlighted how much I miss being in the room with other creative people.

Nothing will ever replace that dynamic.

KURT KRETTEN GLOBAL CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER MARKS NYC, NEW YORK NY With a background ranging from technology to brand design, media and entertainment to consumer goods, Kurt is a multi-disciplinary creative leader who guides teams in 11 countries as they develop powerful brand experiences for clients such as Lego, Pepsi, Gerber, Quaker, Amazon, Diageo, Kraft and Target. Before joining Marks, Kurt was Executive Creative Director at Glow, a global creative agency working across tech, healthcare, media and entertainment. He led award-winning campaigns for global entertainment brands Apple TV+ as a creative lead for Ted Lasso, Spotify, NBA, YouTube, HBO and Showtime Networks, relaunching ‘Dexter.’ Prior to that, he served as Creative Director for New York City agencies — FutureBrand, Tilden, and CBX — where clients included Sonos, Mastercard, Pfizer, Google, Diageo, Coca-Cola, Kimberley Clark, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s. His creative work has been honored with numerous awards, including multiple Effie’s, Clio’s, and a Cannes Gold Lion for Spotify’s “Alone With Me” campaign featuring the Weeknd. Kurt holds a BA in Design and English from Mount St. Joseph University and attended film school at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I’m always hopeful and looking at the glass half full. Especially now, with creative roles being more remote, I believe the work at home life is here to stay. This gives us graphic designers opportunities to work with more clients and employers.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

One of the challenges was getting used to the work at home life. Self discipline and honing down a regimen was a bit tricky due to what was going on in the world. Separating my workspace from my bedroom was key to having a harmonious work environment.

DAMIAN ORELLANA DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR, BROOKLYN NY Damian Orellana is a graphic designer and illustrator currently based in Brooklyn NY. As an East Coast native from an immediate family of 15 (all from the same mama and papa), family has always been a circling source of inspiration for his work. He feels beyond grateful to be a designer because he gets to work across a diverse range of industries, including startups, food and beverage, fashion, merchandise, nonprofits, and cannabis. Damian has called many places home over the years, including CT, RI, and NY. He attributes his success in design to the friends and mentors he has met throughout his journey who have offered different perspectives and advice. Damian became a full time freelancer when New York shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020. Prior to that, he was balancing a full-time graphic design job, while working side gigs on evenings and weekends. Unfortunately, the whole creative team was furloughed and dismissed. This ended up being a blessing in disguise which pushed Damian to fully commit to the freelance world.

Since than, he has created work for clients like Google, American Museum of Natural History, and Bloomberg Media. When Damian is not focusing on client projects, he is working on new merch for his shop.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I find societal change stemming more from the individual, rather than design itself. This said, there is power in what projects to take on, who to work for and with, and whose work to promote — giving a platform to underrepresented voices is a crucial challenge for the design community. There is social and environmental impact to our choices as designers.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

While the pandemic had quite little impact on my practice itself — I’m a one-woman company at core which has always given flexibility to the way I work — the societal conversations have given me a lot of insight, both personally and professionally.

The shift in pace has given me room to challenge myself more — I found myself thinking bigger as our world became smaller.

LOTTA NIEMINEN GRAPHIC DESIGNER, ART DIRECTOR + ILLUSTRATOR (STUDIO) LOTTA NIEMINEN, BROOKLYN NY/PARIS FRANCE (Studio) Lotta Nieminen is an award-winning creative practice specializing in branding, art direction and graphic design for a wide range of global clients.

With a multi-disciplinary approach, the studio brings concept-driven visual identities to life through thoughtfully crafted printed and digital implementations. Lotta also works as an illustrator.

Originally from Finland, Lotta Nieminen studied at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and Rhode Island School of Design, before founding her namesake studio in 2012 in New York. She has given lectures and workshops at educational institutions and conferences across the United States and Europe.

Her client list includes Bvlgari, Hermes, New York Times, Liberty of London, Marimekko and Vanity Fair. Her approach across mediums is conceptual and holistic, guided by an interest for color, tactility and composition.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

To design or create in and of itself is an act of optimism. To believe you can go from a white piece of paper to something that will convey an idea or solve a problem takes faith.

Good design can triumph over just about anything.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

The last two years have absolutely changed both my approach to work and the expected reception to it.

We’re all still relatively cooped up, looking for things to occupy, inspire and excite. But now that we’ve binged on all the fluff, we expect more substance.

Before was the empty “Emily in Paris". Now we want to watch a 17-hour long Beatles documentary.

DAVID T. JONES CO-FOUNDER/PARTNER + CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER THIRD STREET, CHICAGO IL At Third Street, David has led his team to Addy and Clio award-winning work for brands such as Learning Resources, Optimum Nutrition, SunFed Ranch and Cabot Wood Stain. His efforts have also resulted in numerous shiny lucite and metal offerings from The Art Director’s Club, Addys, Effies, and The Webbys. His work has been featured in Communication Arts, GDUSA, D&AD, The New York Times, and The Chicago Tribune.

Before founding Third Street, David served as a Creative Director for 15 years at Foote, Cone and Belding (FCB) in Chicago, most recently as its Executive Creative Director of Emerging Platforms. He has created advertising campaigns across all mediums for Coors, Kraft, Gatorade, Illinois Lottery, KFC, Taco Bell, and Discover Card.

David is also the doodler, writer, creator of “Ad Land,” his advertising-centric cartoon that has been hailed as a “must read” and “screamingly funny” by both himself and some of advertising’s biggest players. Lastly, David never writes a bio without mentioning his alarmingly cute twin daughters Eloise and Olivia, and his impossibly lovely wife, Dawn.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Prior to COVID, I never thought my role as a graphic designer was that important. All my friends around me were doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, veterinarians — professions where one could actually save a life or make it better. But when COVID first hit, it was a maze of unpredictable unknowns.

No one had any idea what was going on with guidance constantly shifting. This was when I realized how good and credible design can bring people together, get them on the same page, and make the unknown a little less scary. My peers were also stepping into visual platforms and using their skills to help spread awareness for good causes. It was inspiring and it really made me see the potential of graphic design to change the world.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

ANNIE YANG SENIOR DESIGNER CONRAN DESIGN GROUP, NEW YORK NY Annie Yang is a Senior Designer at brand design consultancy Conran Design Group (U.S.). Boasting an eye for composition across photography, illustration, typography, and more, Annie is best known for bringing to life visually impactful and strategically sound brand expressions for leading brands and institutions.

Her most notable client work includes the Museum of the City of New York, National Association of REALTORS®, Princeton University’s Design Nation Conference, Havas Mango, and Zoetis. Coming out of college, Annie did not jump right into a full-time job, preferring instead to travel and take on freelance design projects to gain experience. She used the time to hone her portfolio and better understand the design industry and where she might best fit. She starred in the second season of the inspirational YouTube series, “Young Guns”, by online education platform The Futur — which followed the creative journeys of seven graphics designers from around the world as they not only refined their portfolios and talents, but also widened their outlook of the industry.

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Until I started to work from home, I didn’t realize how much the traditional model of going into an office 5 days a week and sitting in front of my laptop 8 hours a day hindered my creativity. I realized how important it is now to be able to control your environment and plan for time to fully focus and get into a flow. Working from home really made me see my potential as a designer when I was able to work in an environment without distractions. Though, balance is super important because as a designer whose job requires me to be constantly creative — it was also hard not being able to go out, meet new people, explore new places and find inspiration.

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websites and print collateral, manage social media platforms, and measure and optimize digital performance; all while listening to different genres of music from Queen to J. Cole. Her motto is that every piece of design needs to discover and follow its own rhythm.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” – Aristotle When you look around, design is all around us. From the shoes you put on before leaving your home, to the billboards you see walking down the street, to the phone you hold in your hand, design impacts everyone, everyday whether they realize it or not.

Each product, company, culture, and organization has their own voice and significance. This voice is brought to life by design. Design creates not only an aesthetic, but a powerful emotional engagement to communicate a brand message. It is an integral force in our daily lives. As the world keeps progressing and innovating, good and thoughtful design will be paramount.

NICOLE JOANNA PIERZCHALSKI ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR THE WALKER GROUP, BROOKLYN NY Nicole Joanna Pierzchalski is an award-winning designer and Associate Art Director at The Walker Group, an Information Technology company and Digital Agency based in Connecticut. Nicole’s clients vary across industries from manufacturing, video producers, non-profits, and law firms, among others.

In 2016, Nicole graduated Dean's List from the University of Connecticut earning a B.A. in Digital Media & Design. She is the first generation of her family to be born in the U.S. from Poland. She currently resides in Brooklyn NY and has a strong passion for the arts. Alongside her design career, Nicole has

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

The past two years have made an impact on every individual. It was an incredibly difficult time. I do believe, however, there was a positive effect. I feel there has been a true awakening of people from the structure and chaos of their former, daily routines.

I believe human beings overall have taken a soulful journey of self-discovery during this time and gained greater clarity on what truly matters to them. For me, personally, the pandemic allowed me time to tap deeper into my creative side. I picked up my charcoal pencil for the first time in four years. I was drawing, painting, and designing every thought that came into my mind. It was a true, deep, artistic period of self-discovery.

been training and competing in Latin ballroom dancing since childhood. Her extensive background in different forms of art has shaped her to be the designer she is today.

During the day, you can find Nicole working with clients to translate their visions into tangible beauty with business impact. She works closely with clients to design and develop logos, create aesthetically-pleasing and effective

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

In today’s brand-saturated world, there are endless brands in any given market. Design has become a great way to distinguish one from the other — particularly within website design, where we are communicating the ethos of a brand to the consumer. This is powerful information for consumers to consider when deciding which brands to support, and it allows them to make purchases that align with their beliefs.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

With the pandemic moving everything to remote work, we’ve had to find new ways to connect with our clients and colleagues. Pre-pandemic, we had a lot of time to build relationships during in-person meetings and regular office downtime, which doesn't happen anymore. So we’ve had to build in time to our meetings for organic discussions and relationship building. It can make the meetings longer, but the outcome is always better and feels much less transactional.

CALEY ADAMS FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR WILDES DISTRICT, NEW YORK NY Caley Adams is the Founder & Creative Director of Wildes District, an NYCbased design studio that specializes in emerging women's and e-commerce brands. Wildes District works closely with founders to build meaningful experiences that span multiple touchpoints — including brand, web, app, print, packaging, and more.

Caley has over a decade of design experience working for some of the world’s most celebrated brands, including Chanel, The Row, Rolex, Warby Parker, Birchbox, Ralph Lauren, and Barkbox. After spending years building larger brands, she turned her focus towards working with early-stage companies to help them navigate the many phases and challenges of brand development, from pre-launch to post-launch life and created Wildes District in 2018.

Today, she leads the Wildes District team and partners with founders to help build brands from the ground up, with visually compelling but scalable design.

Their clients include some of the most “of-the-moment” names today including Andie Swim, Aurate, Chief, Clare Paint, Coterie, Elix Healing, Kin Euphorics, and Margaux.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I have an amazing opportunity to work with companies, of all sizes, with a like-minded approach to creative relationships. This ‘what’s next’ conversation has come up often lately — and I believe there is huge optimism for the role we will continue to play in visual messaging through graphic design. Many ideas come to the table with an initial goal and I always make sure the conversation includes questions to expand beyond that goal. Making certain to address how the project fits within its intended audience and what are the impacts. There are always opportunities to take something to the next level. We as graphic designers have to ask the right questions at the right time. Take time to dig deep — the effort is worth it.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

WENDY WHITE FOUNDER/CREATIVE PRINCIPAL TRYBE CREATIVE, BENICIA CA Wendy White is Founder and Creative Principal for TRYBE Creative, a Bay

Yes, the last two years have required a few adjustments in the way I communicate with my clients.

I am hands-on and like to work at client locations frequently — and this has been a challenge due to restrictions. Although technology has allowed us to work through some of these challenges, I make sure voice-to-voice meetings are key. This connection is very important to me. Also, work-life balance is a daily target. As we evolve together as a society, through this time in our world, a positive, kind approach will be key to all of our success. I work to bring this attitude to every table I sit at.

Area graphic design agency specializing for over two decades in the food, wine and spirits industry. TRYBE balances creative and technical expertise with solid hands-on experience in digital, print and photography. Wendy is committed to listening to and understanding the long-term vision of clients, and accurately, consistently, reinforcing the design goals in all visual media. Her design work has been recognized with awards nationally and has been showcased in publications, including GDUSA. She is proud of the creative relationships formed with clients, many that have continued since TRYBE’s inception. When working on projects, whether an established brand, or a client coming to the table with fresh new innovations, each day is a thrill of collaboration. Taking ideas from concept to truth. Wendy is passionate about art and supporting local artists, and is on Board of Directors for Arts Benicia, a community based non-profit organization providing exhibitions and programs in the San Francisco Bay Area Community.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Designers have a huge role to play in every aspect of society especially as the challenges we face continue to outpace our ability to solve them. We’ll need all our collective design know-how to build the kind of solution that people can get behind.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

In the past two years, we witnessed the threads of our structured society begin to unravel rather quickly right in front us. That has made me question many things that I took for granted so I’ve been making a more conscious effort to focus on what’s important to me: my relationships, my family and how I use my time.

SAFWAT SALEEM ARTIST, ILLUSTRATOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER, PHOENIX AZ Safwat Saleem is a visual artist, illustrator and graphic designer. He works in a variety of media and humor is often a key ingredient in Safwat’s work, acting as a crucial starting point for thought-provoking discussions about underlying social issues. After spending the early part of his career working solely as a graphic designer, Safwat began experimenting with different media like collage, sound, video, animation and sculpture as he slowly shifted the focus of his work toward visual art. Having experienced his childhood in the UAE as an immigrant from Pakistan, and then, as an adult, experiencing a two-decade-long naturalization process to become an American citizen, Safwat’s work focuses on the idea of belonging. His art attempts to simultaneously understand and question what it means to be a part of a community and the responsibility we have toward those who feel they don’t belong. Safwat is a TED Fellow and a recipient of Rocky Mountain Emmy and the American Advertising Awards.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Graphic design plays a very important role in every aspect of life and influences the way people look at the world. I’m sure the business of graphic design will grow very fast in the future as the growing economy requires more and more designers to brand emerging startups and campaigns. Graphic design is also crucial for communication in cultural events and social causes.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

Yes, I think the past two years’ pandemic changed a lot of things in the graphic design working environment. I’m more and more used to working and communicating online and have picked up many online collaborative working platforms.

JIAYUE LI CO-FOUNDER, ONIKI, NEW YORK NY Jiayue Li is a graphic designer, artist and illustrator from Chengdu, China, based in New York. Her passion lies in creating narratives using graphic design, illustration, and art direction. She is the co-founder of creative agency Oniki, based in New York and Istanbul. Focusing on strategy, branding, and communications, the firm partners with cultural and commercial clients around the world who value purposeful design and meaningful stories.

Her clients have included Pfizer, The New Yorker, Bon Appétit, Vogue Singapore, Google, Thom Browne, The Baffler, Alipay, etc.

Jiayue is a graduate of the College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University in Shanghai, and the MFA Design Entrepreneurship program of the School of Visual Arts in New York. She created illustrations for renowned magazines globally, and her work has been recognized by prominent publications. In addition, Jiayue’s work has been exhibited at in numerous art galleries. And she was shortlisted in the 2021 ADC 100th Annual Awards and 2021 Communication Arts Illustration Competition. Her graphic design work got the 2020 Graphis Design Annual, Honorable Mention, and 2019 Graphis Design Annual, Gold Award.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH feel and sound the best they possibly can. Lauren’s work has garnered multiple national creative awards across a variety of categories, from retail to tourism, but her true passion is to make work that has a positive impact on the world and changes people’s perspectives for the better.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

With so many creative tools and psychological insights at our fingertips with our phones, the world cares about aesthetics and graphic design more than ever.

The bar is set high to create unique and eye-catching designs that stand out and inspire consumers to “stop the scroll” and find interest in businesses and causes. Graphic design and creative generally are how brands affect people — where applied psychology creates changes in behavior.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

Oddly, I feel more connected to the world around me.

The pandemic, BLM, the economy — all helped bring everything into focus. As creatives, we need to use our skills to help others around us. It’s inspired me to focus on concepts that better our environment and our people.

LAUREN BARNETT CREATIVE DIRECTOR INTERMARK GROUP, BIRMINGHAM AL Lauren Barnett began her creative career in fine art and showed her paintings in galleries across Atlanta. After realizing she got more of a kick from promoting gallery shows than displaying her work, she dusted off her backpack and got her masters in Advertising at Savannah College of Art and Design. Shortly after, she landed her first gig at one of Atlanta’s best agencies, Fitzgerald+Co. She then came to Intermark Group as a Senior Art Director. Intermark’s game-changing work shapes brands by using persuasive psychology to determine how people really think, feel and act. This approach gives Intermark’s work an advantage over traditional agency “insights,” which are often mere observations. After a few years, Lauren’s commitment and passion for great work earned her a promotion to Creative Director.

Lauren strives to forge great relationships with her clients — the more a client trusts you, the more out-of-the-box ideas they’ll let you produce. Still, she believes the best ideas are the simplest ones, those that make you think “why hasn’t anyone else thought of that before?” She uses her knowledge, experience, and 20/20 vision to formulate great ideas and make them look,

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I’m very optimistic. In recent years a lot of companies and individuals have come to rely on the power of visual communication more than ever. Especially with everyone having a smartphone in their pocket, the need for quick information or storytelling at-aglance has only increased. From the rise of TikTok to seeing people following the CDC and White House social media accounts. The role of graphic design has increased in our society, and I expect that will continue well into the future.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

LESLIE FUNKE SENIOR DESIGNER SPEAK CREATIVE, PHOENIX AZ Leslie Funke (pronounced “funk-ee”) discovered a love of design and visual

I think it’s impacted the way companies approach communication in general and, thus, design. Companies are more aware and thoughtful about what they’re trying to say and how they say it. Our job has always been to help achieve that thoughtfully on their behalf — and that role is even more vital now.

Another interesting change/ripple effect is when you compare the 2008 recession to the 2020 pandemic. In 2008, the first thing clients cut back on was marketing budget. In 2020, clients realized the huge importance their websites have in reaching their audiences and in encouraging interaction with customers. I’ve done a lot of design audits for clients to look for ways to improve their website’s messaging, features and functionality which has resulted in some amazing improvements for brands how their customers interact with them.

communication at a young age. By the age of 10, she designed her first website. By high school, she owned a freelance design business and designed websites for several well-known artists. After receiving a BFA from The Art Institute of Phoenix, she began working full-time as a web and print designer.

Today, she has more than 15 years of professional experience with both fullservice agencies and inhouse marketing departments. Leslie currently works as a Senior Designer at Speak Creative, a digital marketing agency based in Memphis TN with a focus on museums and attractions, zoos, and nonprofit verticals. Her work has garnered numerous GDUSA awards; most recently, she was the lead designer on the Illinois Holocaust Museum website which won several awards for design, ADA compliance, and user functionality. While her specialty is web design, Leslie is multi-disciplinary, having designed branding, logos, print campaigns, packaging, websites, emails, banner ads, illustration, and textiles. for brands such as Pinkberry, Cold Stone Creamery, Red Hat, the Musical Instrument Museum, and the International Rhino Foundation. In her spare time, Leslie enjoys creating art prints.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

People are consuming more media in a day than they used to, making the need to communicate ideas through quick visual storytelling more prevalent. Our challenge as designers is to come up with innovative ways to break through the noise. Bold graphics and data visualizations help businesses connect with their audience in a more effective way, making graphic design a vital part of communication strategies.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

The pandemic hit everyone in very different ways and brought to light some heavy societal issues. As the shift in social awareness becomes louder, so does the need for community and collaboration. For me personally, I’ve felt challenged to be intentional about the conversations I have with the people around me and acknowledge the gaps in my understanding of social inequities. As a visual communicator, it’s important for me to understand the impact of my work and translate that into effective creative storytelling.

BIANCA BORGHI DESIGN LEAD BRUNET-GARCIA ADVERTISING, JACKSONVILLE FL Bianca Borghi is a Design Lead at Brunet-Garcia Advertising, a multicultural agency that focuses on areas of social impact. While the portfolio of work she has created for Brunet-Garcia’s clients features traditional tenets of advertising and graphic design, Bianca’s instincts are those of a fine artist. Her application of photography, typography, grid systems, and vector graphics is elevated and helps turn campaign collateral into truly special brand elements.

She has applied her signature touch to clients as diverse as the Phase Eight Theatre Company, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, and other local and national non-profits.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Graphic design will always be a key ingredient in moving business, culture, causes and ultimately society forward. Good design makes people more aware of causes they should care about. Good design helps people decide which brands are for them.

Society and culture is inherently shaped by design and it’s only getting better and better.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

In some ways it’s been easier to work, less in person interruptions mean more time to get into an actual flow with what you’re doing. Though, I have tried to be more intentional about making time to collaborate with others, as it’s the one thing I miss from the office.

COURTNEY BOWDITCH CREATIVE DIRECTOR, CO:COLLECTIVE, NEW YORK NY Courtney is the Creative Director at creative and strategic transformation company co:collective — co-founded by Ty Montague, Rosemarie Ryan and Neil Parker. She is a multidisciplinary creative with a storied background in design, branding and art direction. She has worked with a wide range of brands at co:, from launching brand new brands, like Juvenescence and Lightbox, to helping established brands, like Google, LinkedIn, E!, Under Armour and Puma, live their purpose out in the world. Prior to joining co:, Courtney worked as an art director at Crispin, Porter & Bogusky, where her clients included Old Navy, Kraft, Jello, Triscuit, Microsoft, American Express and Dominos. She also helped start P.ink, a non-profit that helps breast cancer survivors get tattoos to cover their mastectomy scars. She then freelanced on the west coast (with a stint in Australia), doing everything from branding for small start-ups, to creatively developing and producing projects for big brands like Apple, Target and Airbnb.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Sure, the universal access people have to unlimited design resources like Canva and pre-set apps can make the visual world feel saturated void of creative intention. That’s at first glance though. I think there’s a reason we can still look at a sign painter’s work from hundreds of years ago and it will look light years better than the work of some marketing associate with thousands of dollars of equipment, programs and a Pinterest account. As subjective as real creativity is, it always stands out. When they say ‘They don’t make ‘em like they used to,’ that's because ‘they’ used to have way less resources to lean on besides pure creativity. And that’s where all great work comes from, right?

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

HUGH MCCORMICK CREATIVE DIRECTOR/DESIGNER HUGH MCCORMICK DESIGN CO. (HMDC), YARMOUTH ME Hugh McCormick is a graphic designer and founder of the Hugh McCormick Design Company based in Portland ME. He specializes in brand identity systems, packaging, mural and spacial design. Originally from Baltimore, McCormick moved to Maine to cut his teeth taking on freelance design work while earning a BFA from the Maine College of Art. In 2016, he moved into his first studio in downtown Portland where he has become a staple in the Portland creative community, designing branding, various packaging, murals and pieces of apparel for clients of all shapes and sizes.

McCormick is known for his ambitious and oft-times relentless work ethic.

What began with foundations in simple branding and packaging work for Maine’s emerging craft beer and cannabis industries has evolved into creating immersive brand experiences. From spacial design to innovative creative direction, he now provides work for brands across the country and internationally, often followed by national recognition. While McCormick continues his work with the craft beer and cannabis industries, he continues to branch out to other inspiration-driven clients who seek to create brands full of detail oriented consideration backed by compelling reasoning.

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Throughout the isolation and quiet of COVID, I kept reflecting on good old Sagmeister’s piece “obsessions make my life worse but my work better.” When the pandemic hit, the company I rented my studio from let go of their building, so I had to move my studio into my home. I found that my productivity skyrocketed without as many distractions. However, those distractions were reminders of my personal life and the reason “why” I do what I do. Sure, I think it made me a stronger designer, but I think it’s primarily because it helped me find my voice. It gave me time to remember “why.” Finally, I learned (1) there’s no shame in drinking decaf coffee throughout the day (2) its extremely easy to keep a pair of Nikes fresh in a quarantine and (3) your life gets exponentially better when you consider yourself free instead of alone.

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Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

Absolutely. I ensure our work at FMG is as accessible as it is effective. It is exciting to see clients embracing the need to address cross-cultural audiences and underserved communities through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to ensure their message truly engages people and communities to make the world a better place.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

One thing that has not changed is my priority as a leader. FMG is a people-first company and that remains my primary focus as well. While we always look for new ways to challenge ourselves and create new opportunities, it’s always done in a collaborative and supportive environment.

ANGELA DEVLIN CREATIVE DIRECTOR FORS MARSH GROUP (FMG), ARLINGTON VA Angela Devlin is the Creative Director of Fors Marsh Group (FMG), a research and marketing firm and Certified B Corporation. FMG uses business as a force for good to compound the positive impact it creates across federal government and commercial clients. Angela leads the company’s Creative division, which is responsible for developing creative campaigns that measurably change people’s behavior and promote citizen-based programs. She has led campaign development for clients such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), and AmeriCorps. In previous roles, she designed for notable brands and institutions like UnitedHealthcare, Comcast, YWCA, and Uniroyal. Angela is a graduate of the University of Idaho and the Creative Circus in Atlanta,GA.

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2022 | PEOPLE TO WATCH In the midst of it all, my best friend and I founded Scout, an intentional design duo. Our business is rooted in co-creating the birth of your ideas, bringing that vision to life, with you.

In my current role as a UX Designer, I work for a company called Litify, transforming the legal industry.

All that is to say, I am happiest at any organization, empowering and supporting a team, bridging communication gaps, establishing relationships, creating efficiency, and being trusted to do what I know how to do best.

Create.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

It feels like now, more than ever, the field of Graphic Design (and the many names it goes by) is becoming invaluable across industries. Though, as creators, we have also known the impact we bring, but now companies across industries are giving Design a seat at the table. Understanding and appreciating the way that design and design thinking impacts the relationship between your brand and the world.

REBA JOY BILLIPS UX DESIGNER + CREATIVE, LITIFY, NEW ORLEANS LA It all started with one special internship at Peter Mayer after I graduated from Loyola University New Orleans’ Graphic Design program, that launched my now 10-year career. While at Peter Mayer I learned invaluable lessons about designing for big brands, creating processes to create efficiency, building file organization foundations that create ease, working extreme volume, stewarding brands, and so much more, within the first two years. I worked on a spectrum of clients, ranging from brands like Zatarain’s and Centurylink, the largest telecommunications company in the US. From there I segued to a role as the sole designer for a 15,000 attendee festival, designing every experience from large format signage, print programs, designing stage graphics, animation intros and so much more. There were over 300 unique pieces created for the initial festival. And from there I worked for 5 years as the Creative Director of The National WWII Museum, where I established the foundation for the work, and workflow we are able to maintain to this day. Building file structures, naming conventions, style guides, and more alongside a small team of incredible people. This work, and the stories we get to share, are incredible.

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Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

COVID has definitely shaken the world in many ways and the realm of work is no exception. In the beginning, it felt like a tall order to shift from working within an office every day, to working through apps like Slack and Outlook, but we did it. Somewhere in the middle of it all, I had enough space from the hustle and bustle of traditional environments to discover new ways of working that worked better for me as a person. In all honesty, I often worked more than I would if I were in the office but having the time and space to take care of myself along the way was transformative. So yes, it shifted me and helped me discover balance in the way that I work.

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Being an artist my whole life and years of managing retail stores (in my younger years) gave me a great background to not only run and manage the company but it gave me great insight to really go the extra mile for all our clients.

Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?

I am very optimistic about the future in our everchanging culture, politics, environment, etc. There are so many sections of our lives where a designer can really find a niche and be a part of something incredible. Whether it’s local communities or nationwide there are a lot of opportunities.

Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?

It made me really take a step back and see the business of design from a whole new perspective.

You must then ask yourself “what’s working and what is not working?” Eliminate areas that are not productive and concentrate on what is missing.

Made me stronger as an owner and a designer.

JAN MILLER PRESIDENT/OWNER 21-13 IMPACT GRAPHICS, INC., IRVINE CA 21-13 Impact Graphics, Inc. was founded back in 2005 with the belief that a lower budget should not mean poor or less quality when it comes to your branding and marketing.

I have been designing professionally since 1998 and worked with a couple of great companies. One was for a company working with credit unions and banks where I really got to understand design from creation to preflight to press to the mail house. And in 2000, I started working in the DVD market doing editing, animation, and design for various entertainment companies. Which turned into full time designs for various movie posters and DVD packaging.

I left there in 2005 and started my own company.

Our specialty, it’s hard to say. I love design and all aspects of it. One day we can be working on a cigar company branding, next day a medical brochure, or movie posters for various studios. We specialize in creativity and that allows us to do so many varieties of projects. Learning and researching subject matter for various projects is all part of that.

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2022 | S TUDE 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 or continuing education 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. Given the unique challenges of the moment, we also asked the students how they perceive their chosen profession, what inspires them, and what paths they plan to pursue. Please note that in the next edition of GDUSA magazine, the institutions of higher learning from which these students come (and select others) will themselves get the spotlight.

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MALIYA NAZ

THE NEW SCHOOL, PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Maliya is majoring in Global Studies and Creative Coding at Parsons School of Design. Her academic studies have allowed her to focus on the intersections between code, law, and social justice. Postgraduation, Maliya aims to use her knowledge of computer science and human rights advocacy to directly engage in educational efforts to empower marginalized communities.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I would love to work on a data visualization project that showcases the effects of violent border making. In particular, I want to highlight the 1947 partition (of India and Pakistan) through visuals and showcase the relationship between ethnic violence and migration.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Currently reading: Resisting Disappearance: Military Occupation and Women's Activism in Kashmir by Ather Zia Currently listening: The Qarawiyyin Podcast

I am inspired when I see a visibly hijab-wearing Muslim woman like myself in tech or when I witness women of color breaking boundaries in the field of technology and law. Some of my inspirations stem from Nadah Feteih, Saima Akhtar, and Cierra Mcdonald. When I read about all of their accomplishments and what they have done, I think to myself that I want to make a similar change after higher education someday. I especially enjoy analyzing algorithms that produce powerful and valuable information for real-world situations. I’m interested in programming because I have a passion for tech, creativity, and finding solutions. I love the mental challenge that programming presents and the possibility of being able to conceive a new idea.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

TANYA KAR

CAITLYN STUPI

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (SCAD)

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (SCAD)

Tanya is an independent graphic designer from India, and is based in Georgia, United States. She’s pursuing her master's in Graphic Design and Visual Experience from SCAD and has 5+ years of work experience in the industry. Tanya specializes in Brand Design — right from Brand Strategy and Development to the final execution, Packaging Design, Illustration and Art Direction. She is a self-taught 3D Designer who is constantly fascinated by the three-dimensional world and its endless possibilities.

Caitlyn Stupi is a graphic designer, illustrator, and enthusiast for all things across the creative continuum. She has a passion for transforming goals, complex problems, and untapped opportunities into visual experiences. With professional experience as a branding and graphic designer, Caitlyn has led creative initiatives across multiple industries including non-profits, start-ups, video production, financial services, health and wellness, and foodservice.

She is pursuing her M.F.A. in Graphic Design & Visual Experience at SCAD in hopes of inspiring the next generation of thinkers as a professor and creative leader.

Tanya is a self-confessed glutton and projects involving food make her ecstatic. Often finding inspiration in the simple and the mundane, she lets a riot of colors take over. She strives to provide comfort and happiness through her work and wants to bring representation in the society, creating an inclusive, diverse environment which celebrates people over everything else! Currently, Tanya’s experimenting with newer techniques, taking more risks than standing still. She’s ready to embrace whatever comes her way — whether small wins or sloppy failures.

In addition to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in digital and studio art, Caitlyn’s background as a fine artist and performing artist allows her to approach visual communication in a unique way. Her mission is to develop innovative solutions through creative problem-solving and storytelling. From designing award-winning campaigns to serving as guest presenter and reviewer at educational institutions, she aims to place human experience at the heart of design.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

Making unexpected connections with the most ordinary things and following what other talented folks in the design community are doing!

Being a relational person, I’m inspired by the reciprocal nature of design.

Not only does our world inform design but design also informs our world. Knowing the breadth of a creatives’ impact drives me to consider the endless opportunities for design to intersect with our lives.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

A satire on politics / all-gender condoms.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Design Matters with Debbie Millman and Beeple.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Designing graphic props for filmmaking and film sets is a dream job of mine!

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Visual Storytelling: Inspiring a New Visual Language, Save As . . .

Digital Memories, and The Art of Creative Thinking.

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OTTO HOMRUEN

JENNIFER SANDRA WITTOR

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY

My name is Otto Homruen. I’m a graphic designer based in San Francisco. I was born and raised in Hua Hin, Thailand. I specialize in packaging, branding, and editorial design.

My name is Jennifer Sandra Wittor. I am a 25-year-old San Franciscobased graphic designer, born and raised in Darmstadt, Germany near Frankfurt. I’m a graduate of the School of Graphic Design at Academy of Art University, specializing in packaging design, branding, typography, and motion graphics. I recently finished a Design Internship at Sterling Brands’ San Francisco office. My main goal is to create designs that serve a purpose and make a difference.

Growing up in Germany, I drew a lot of inspiration from European design styles. I speak fluent English and German and have knowledge of Spanish, Polish and Latin. As a retired D2 college athlete, I have a passion for all sports, especially soccer. When I am not watching sports, I listen to music 99% of my free time and I recently discovered a love for reading which helps me find my balance after a busy day.

I think design is like a journey because wherever I go I’m surrounded by graphic design. So, I can observe so many beautiful things that inspire me, and sometimes I come up with new ideas from something unexpected while traveling.

Besides graphic design, I am a former D2 college athlete. I was a member of the Academy of Art’s men’s golf team. I enjoy music and collecting vinyl records. I usually spend my free time in a record store to explore new music. Sometimes beautiful album covers can be a good inspiration to my work as well.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to work in any campaign that relates to the music industry. (ie. music festivals, album covers, branding for artists, etc.)

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Now I’m really into photography and graphic design magazines. I’m open to any kind of music and I explore new music every day but The Beatles would be the only band that I cannot stop listening to. I always love watching food documentaries on Netflix because I like the food cultures from different countries.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I would say Josef Müller-Brockmann because I was drawn to graphic design because of his work, especially his style on typography.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to work on projects like the FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl, or a music festival. That would be an excellent opportunity to combine my passions and create something truly meaningful. On the other hand, one of my biggest dreams is someday to collaborate in the fashion industry. I would love to work on graphics for clothing.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

During the pandemic, personal growth and wellbeing have become my priority. I am currently reading Emotional First Aid by Guy Winch and Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller. If I don't read, I like to listen to true crime podcasts or patiently wait for the second season of HBO's Euphoria.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Some of my present favorite designers are Jennet Liaw and David Milan. I am a massive fan of expressive and bold graphic design, which breaks rules to tell stories. That is why I have always looked up to David Carson. A designer that has been inspiring me for years is Virgil Abloh.

What fascinates me about his work is how he was able to tear down the walls between luxury and streetwear.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

FOROUGH ABADIAN

JADA AKOTO

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD)

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD)

Forough Abadian is an Iranian graphic designer based in Providence RI. She received her undergraduate degree in Architecture from the American University of Sharjah, UAE. Her background in architecture has influenced her approach to graphic design, where she relies on spatial, complex, and layered methodology to express her point of view. She goes back and forth between digital and physical mediums and particularly enjoys labor-intensive processes. She achieves a great sense of accomplishment by doing house chores and cooking. She currently feeds herself off of Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook. Highly recommended!

Jada Akoto is a graphic designer. Originally from Memphis TN, she learned about graphic design through YouTube videos and online tutorials. Today, her work centers around storytelling and building archival practices, particularly stories of Black women. Through her work, she hopes to spark joy, as well as moments of introspection and reflection. She enjoys playing with the materiality of both the physical and digital spaces we occupy. Jada believes all information should be accessible and designed for the forgotten. When she's not designing, she enjoys reality television, ordering take-out, and scrolling through Tiktok.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

My maternal great-grandmother. I've heard that she was a one-of-akind woman and had many entertaining and funny stories to tell.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Rapper Min Yoongi.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?

To be in grad school is an extreme privilege that I often take for granted.

You have access to valuable resources and amazing mentors, while many other aspiring designers can't easily access them. As I’m getting closer to graduation, I’m beginning to ask myself how I can share this privilege with others and what my responsibilities are coming from the place of privilege.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Sometimes, I watch Hautelemode, a Youtube channel run by Luke Meagher, while having dinner. He talks about the fashion industry and fashion brands in a digestible and understandable manner for an average person like me. I find his commentaries very entertaining!

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YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?

Design and arts education should be free and easily accessible to all.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Reading Zeba Blay’s Carefree Black Girls. Listening to my monthly Spotify playlist. Watching Real Housewives of Potomac.

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MADELINE MCELWEE

ADAM MYERSCOUGH

RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Originally from Long Island NY, Madeline McElwee is a senior, majoring in graphic design. Madeline is consumed by art and creativity within the arts has always inspired her. As a young child, you could find her drawing pictures, making up dances, or designing costumes. Now, having grown up, she has found immense passion in the world of design. As a student at Ringling College of Art and Design, she has grown as an individual and as a graphic designer who faces artistic challenges with confidence. Madeline finds passion in expressing her own and others’ thoughts and goals visually. She is constantly working to broaden her horizons and push boundaries. She is eager to enter the industry, collaborate, and continue learning every day.

Unlike many other creatives, Adam Myerscough was never drawn to art or design in his youth. Favoring a career in business but carrying a passion for working with artists, he faced a difficult decision about where and how to continue his education after high school.

Seemingly by chance, or maybe destiny, he ended up at Ringling College of Art and Design and fell in love with the world of graphic design. Adam is enamored with the possibilities that design has to offer and always pushes himself to try new things. He strives to learn everything he can about designing for different platforms and mediums. One day, Adam hopes to share what he has learned and teach others about graphic design at a university.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

Being back on campus for my final semester, I have felt extremely inspired by my surroundings and my peers. I have found that I am most creatively inspired when I am around other creatives.

I get my inspiration from the little parts of day-to-day life. Whether it’s looking at packaging at the grocery store, talking with other designers, or even just watching tv, I am always amazed and inspired by the creativity that surrounds me.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to create something with a global reach. Language barriers pose difficulty, but design is universal. I think it would be amazing to have my work viewed around the world.

If there were no barriers or constraints, I would design systems and user interfaces for video or board games. I grew up playing games and have met some of my best friends through our shared hobby. It would be really rewarding knowing that I have a part in an activity that brings people together.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I love discovering new music. In January 2020, I made a goal to create a new music playlist every month with new artists and songs to broaden my listening. I can proudly say that since then, I have stuck to my goal and haven't missed a month yet! Over the past 2+ years, I’ve discovered so many amazing artists!

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Working on projects is much more fun when I’m listening to my favorite music. My go-to playlist right now consists of a lot of alternative rock bands and many local artists. Over the past summer, I also made a goal to watch every episode of The Simpsons. After watching an episode or two every day since then, I’m not even halfway finished!

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MADELINE COYTE

ARES TAYLOR

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF DESIGN

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Madeline Coyte is a senior at Syracuse University pursuing a BFA in Communications Design with a minor in Public Communications. She has been a lifelong lover of the arts and all things creative. Madeline has found her passion for branding, publication design, and other communications design applications. During her time at Syracuse, she has become involved in the Syracuse School of Design student chapter of AIGA, currently acting as copresident, and previously served as the Resident Advisor for Syracuse's Design Living Learning Community. She has organized various events and initiatives to help connect students with one another through design. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys working on creative projects like calligraphy and crossstitch and can frequently be found working on the New York Times Spelling Bee and crossword puzzles.

Hi, my name is Ares (eh-reez) I am, however, a libra. I was born and raised in Vallejo CA in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am currently a senior at studying Communications Design. I would describe myself as an artist in every sense. From my passions to the way I dress to the way I articulate my ideas. I have so many dreams of what my future can be like. Could I be walking in Milan Fashion Week someday? What about being a backup dancer for Ariana Grande? Wait, I thought you wanted to work for Pixar? Well, I once held the notion that there was only time for one of my dreams. But I have since come to believe that there is a time and space for each of them. Not all at once, but still . . . yes to all of them. So, when you see me walking for Burberry, or on tour with Ari, or just on the sidewalk in a cool outfit, please say hi!

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

Sunlight. Fluidity. The complexity of human consciousness. Life. A melody that hits the spot. The color periwinkle. My family. Myself. The concept of time. Seeing other Black & queer artists thrive. The sky (a giant painting that changes every day, you know it’s cool).

I am inspired by visiting museums; admiring and analyzing the works of past and present designers and artists.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

My dream project would be one that impacts the viewer’s perception of a subject. I hope to create designs that inspire people, whether it is seen by a small few or a large group.

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Some of my current favorites are listening to Taylor Swift’s re-recorded albums, watching West Wing and Gilmore Girls, and reading my latest find from a local bookstore.

My parents’ forever home. I was fortunate enough to be raised with love and told that I can do it all, but I hate that the world that raised my parents told them otherwise. When I make it out, they will too. I also want to make a cartoon that focuses on transgender and gender nonconforming peoples, but that’s like another discussion for another time. Be on the lookout though!

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Reading: Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington and Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi. Listening: “Allegedly?!”, a podcast looking at American culture and society. I am also listening to PARTY SAD FACE/CRAZY WORLD by Amaarae at least twice a day.

Watching: Single’s Inferno on Netflix

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JESSICA FLEMMING

MAX LI

YALE UNIVERSITY

MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART (MICA)

Jessica Flemming was born and raised in Southern California and moved to San Francisco where she received her BFA in Printmaking from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2012. Jessica is currently focused on animation and the moving image, but continues to obsessively love the printed object and admire independent publishing. She's convinced design allows a person to wear many hats — editor, researcher, filmmaker, writer, curator, facilitator — depending upon the subject or problem at hand. The real world will put this hypothesis to the test, but her main goal in life is to stay curious.

Hi! I’m Max Li, a senior pursuing my BFA in Graphic Design at MICA. I’ve always had a great passion for building visual identities, whether it is creating branding systems or IP characters. I explore creative ideas and solutions often through multidisciplinary approaches. My work covers a wide range of fields, including branding, 3D, UI/UX, illustration, motion graphics, and publication design.

Coming from Shanghai, China, I was fortunate to work with several local businesses to help elevate their brands’ unique voices. I’m currently working on my thesis project as well as collaborating with MICA’s Fiber Department to design their Multimedia Event’s identity.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Playing with my pets. Going to pet fairs. Reading news. Playing indie games. Chatting with my family and friends.

Having a cup of coffee with the director Pier Paolo Pasolini would be incredible. I’d have to somehow inspire him to speak about all of his different titles and the inspirations behind his work. Might require multiple cups.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?

Since Yale's design program is a department rather than the entire school, there's an interdisciplinary desire to participate in Yale's larger community. Having access to research resources like the Beinecke and the Center for Collaborative Arts and Media was a completely unexpected and transformative experience.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Based on my growing interest in 3D I will probably work on a VR or AR-related project.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I watched Tick Tick Boom, a very underrated and beautifully executed movie.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently reading Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s Dictee, Apostolos Doxiadis’ Logicomix, Mark Fisher's The Weird and the Eerie, and Samuel R. Delany’s Silent Interviews. I’m listening to Eliane Radigue’s Triptych and I’m watching Dr. Phil reruns on YouTube.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

ROLANDO CASTILLO

SYED HAMZA-SALAR HASSAN

ARTCENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN

ARTCENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN

Early in life my uncle suggested that I look into Graphic Design as a potential career. I had no idea what Graphic Design was but a seed was planted. In my teens I drew graffiti letters in a sketch book while listening to independent hip-hop music. Lately I have been seeing the spirit of graffiti mesh with the love of typography and it makes me feel at home. My love of letters continues. I investigated what Graphic Design was at Los Angeles Trade Technical College and I learned how to use Adobe Illustrator. I became well trained on the production side of the trade and started taking ArtCenter night courses to learn more about typography. I became very engaged because I realized I could continue learning what Graphic Design was for a lifetime.

Syed Hamza-Salar Hassan (He/Him, preferred name “Hamza”) is a graphic designer and monster enthusiast. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Art and Philosophy, graduating Magna Cum Laude and with Dean’s Honors from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2017. Hamza was an illustrator prior to joining the Graduate Graphic Design program at ArtCenter College of Design in Fall 2020.

His interests in design include visual systems and typography, particularly in the areas of entertainment, art and culture. When not working or binging multi-hour video essays on the internet, Hamza enjoys listening to music, playing table-top games and making puns.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

FAVORITE MOVIE, TV SHOW, BOOK, AND/OR PODCAST?

I was born and raised in Glendale CA and I still live here.

Movie: Paterson (Dir: Jim Jarmusch, 2016) TV Show: Mad Men Book: Circe by Madeline Miller Podcast: Insert Credit

FAVORITE MOVIE, TV SHOW, BOOK, AND/OR PODCAST?

Kung Fu Hustle, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Voice of Knowledge and Congratulations.

IF YOU COULD BE REMEMBERED FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

If I could be remembered for one thing I hope it would be for something kind. People mean a lot to me. There have been many kind words and actions people shared with me that moved and inspired me. I would hope that I have done or said something that was kind to someone when they really needed it.

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Lahore, Pakistan and am currently based in Pasadena CA.

IF YOU COULD BE REMEMBERED FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

The positive impact I’ve had on people’s lives.

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DAVID KIM

BINA THORSEN

SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS (SVA)

SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS (SVA)

David (Doyoon) Kim is a Senior majoring in Advertising at the School of Visual Arts. Born in South Korea, then raised in Australia, he always had an ambition to ‘Go Bigger’ and moved to New York City to continue his studies. David considers his passion for Advertising stemmed from his father, who is a film director in advertising.

He recalls his childhood playground to be film sets. David loves to tackle different creative challenges, which then he can have fun creating various solutions with his innate Aussie Kangaroo punches.

His goal is to drive advertising away from boring tv ads and create something that truly moves audiences through human insights. As David is wrapping up his college chapter, he is very much excited about what his future holds for him.

Bina Thorsen is a senior studying graphic design. She grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden, and moved to New York for college in 2018.

With her mom being an artist/product designer and her dad working with E-learning, Bina says that graphic design felt like the perfect middle-ground. Her work is heavily derived from sociocultural observations, and she often merges digital and analog materials.

She has always been intrigued by the tension different methods create when combined and loves working in unconventional ways.

Bina is currently interning at Pentagram on Matt Willey’s team. A few other things she enjoys: hummus, Broadchurch, and badminton.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

Questioning everything, being hungry for more, mixed with a little dose of craziness.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I get inspired by people, materials, objects, photographs, movies, books, anything. I will say that my best ideas usually come at night, though.

It's always right when I'm about to fall asleep, which is unfortunate.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

That's such a difficult question because I've never been in a scenario where that was the case. Usually, it’s exactly the other way around. If I found myself with no limitations to my design, I would probably make something huge, just for the sake of it. Maybe I would make a kilometerlong book with one word on each page, and you have to find that word in the one kilometer that the page is covering. Or maybe I would design a planet that functions as a clock. We could see it from Earth as we rotated around it. I don’t really know. It would probably be something strange, though.

I want to make something like Doctors Without Borders, but for design.

Designers Without Borders? Building cool buildings? Making fashion for the ones in need? Idk! Still having fun thinking about it!

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently reading The School of Life Dictionary, overhearing convos on New York streets, and rewatching Fleabag.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently reading Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, and I am anxiously waiting for the finale of La Casa De Papel. I never really got into podcasts. I think I’m too restless and too bad of a listener to ever get into anything that requires me to concentrate.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MORGAN BAKER

MAC JO SMITH

FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY

FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY

Morgan Baker is a professional graphic designer and an adjunct visual communication professor. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Media Design at Full Sail University. Morgan has an impressive portfolio of work including branding, publishing design, print design, packaging, UX design, and photography. After obtaining a BFA degree in Graphic Design from Bowling Green, she has since been working as a design professional in Ohio. Morgan is currently a full-time graphic designer for a coloring book production company, as well as teaching, freelancing for local sports teams, and her studies on the side. Her short-term goal is to become a program director or professor of graphic design and visual media. She has a passion for design, teaching, sports, trivia, true crime, travel, and her dog, Bear. Her long-term goals include being happy, successful, esteemed, and leaving a positive impact on every person that encounters her. “Life is about making an impact, not making an income.” – Kevin Kruse

Mac Jo Smith is a student from Pennsylvania who moved to Florida to pursue Digital Art & Design at Full Sail University. They enjoy discovering new techniques and tools for industry use and sharing their skills with others, working on group projects in and outside of college activities. Previously, they were a student art director at the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center for Commercial Art & Design leading many student projects. They are currently an active member of Full Sail’s SPARK program, a studentoperated production crew that produces work for local non-profits, small businesses, and the city of Orlando. In their free time, Mac enjoys practicing character animation in After Effects and Cinema 4D, as well as developing new techniques for title and logo reveal animations. When they aren’t working on motion design projects, they enjoy exploring Florida with their friends, as well as keeping up with their garden and playing video games.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would have loved to work on the Spiderman: Across The Spiderverse (Part One) opening and ending sequences and title animation. I would also love to do animation work for PBS’s Crash Course.

I would love to work in professional sports media (like logo design, jersey design, social media, and other promotional materials), unique shoe designs, or movie poster designs for major motion pictures. I love pop culture, current trends, and I am a huge sports fan.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently listening to multiple podcasts about true crime and watching a lot of football!

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I look up to other professors and teachers. The term teacher can refer to any mentor whether it be an actual teacher, a parent, grandparent, colleague, or friend. Teachers in general have always been important to me because of the impact they have on their students’ lives. I want to make an impression on everyone I meet just like my teachers have done (and still do) for me.

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IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’ve recently been enamored by the style and animation of Eyedesyn and Kurzgesagt, two channels on YouTube that are a big inspiration for me. I’ve also gotten into the habit of watching opening title animations, my favorites now being from Hawkeye, Good Omens, Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse, and Artiswitch.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

All of my instructors at Full Sail University have had a massive influence on my education, and by extension, my life, and I will always be thankful. And Mr. Baird, my LCCTC Instructor, who pushed me to pursue further education in Graphic Design and set me on my path.

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KEVIN DAVIS

JEROD HILL

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (UCO)

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (UCO)

I currently live in Oklahoma City and attend the University of Central Oklahoma’s School of Design in Edmond OK. UCO Design is where I discovered my passion for design and realized my future in the creative industry. Creativity has always been central to my life. As a child, I was drawn to creative outlets like woodworking, painting, sculpting, art, videography, photography, creative writing, and more. My mom always encouraged me and little did she know how it would influence my future. Music has also been a central part of my life. I took piano lessons for seven years and still enjoy playing and making my own music. This was a significant outlet because it allowed me to explore emotion and creativity through sound. My passion for music, art, and design has pushed me to dream of working professionally in these industries and eventually becoming a creative director or establishing my own business.

Graphic design is a very fulfilling and ever-growing field. As a junior graphic designer and student at the University of Central Oklahoma, I see each project as an opportunity to hone my design skills and help my client reach their goals. I appreciate that graphic design is a discipline that challenges me to solve problems and generate solutions. Being a designer also allows me to communicate beyond verbal and written communication. Graphic design expands my means of communication to written, verbal, and visual, allowing me to better serve my clients. Visual communication is arguably one of the most effective means of presentation. With this tool in my possession, I can expand my effectiveness and voice. Practicing this will help me become a more well-rounded professional, not just a professional designer. I also enjoy playing the piano at my church, dabbling in photography, cooking, mentoring young boys, and coaching basketball.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

I would like to work with a mainstream artist or musician to create album artwork, music videos, campaign collateral, social media presence, and motion graphics for live performances.

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

With no barriers or constraints, I would work with Nike to design the city edition basketball jerseys for every National Basketball Association (NBA) team.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently reading a sci-fi series called The Chaos Chronicles by Jeffery Carver and I enjoy listening to a wide range of music genres, like electronic, alternative, and even film scores. Some of my favorites include Rüfüs Du Sol, Marsh, Neil Frances, Hans Zimmer, and Jon Hopkins.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I look up to Australian Graphic Designer, Tyson Beck.

I am currently listening to the Ramsey Show Podcast and The Table with Anthony O’Neal.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I am a big fan of the graphic designer Armin Hofmann and the photomontage artist Jerry Uelsmann, as well as current artists in the digital art community including: @dorianlegret @aeforia @geoglyser @oggarts @jrdsctt

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

PAOLA ESPINOSA

MINGMING LIU

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USC)

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USC)

Paola Espinosa is a creative, skilled, and dedicated designer with a drive for a sustainable future. She is currently a second-year graduate student in the MFA Design program at the University of Southern California where she is focused on the research of biomaterials and their viable use within the fashion industry. Her goal is to design clothing that will positively impact the apparel industry’s future and transform the way society views clothing.

Hello, this is Mingming, currently a graduate student, majoring in Design at USC Roski School of Art and Design. I love to try new techniques and work with various materials and media methods to create works in design. I’m good at many art and design technical procedures of two-dimensional, three-dimensional, animation as well as hand-making art practice. I applied them all to my various compositions. I'm interested in creative work with immersive technologies that strive to deliver better experiences and designs to everyone regardless of age, gender, culture, and language.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I am inspired by the endless possibilities there are to experiment with new materials. The more that we become aware of climate change and the effects it will have on our future, it allows for new creative ideas to grow. As Designers we have the ability to think beyond the “what if” and bring into action new ideas that have the possibility to change our future.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

New things and the unknown world, abstract art and land artist — James Turrell, his artworks inspired me a lot in color usage.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed-reality. I think to explore a new world is very interesting.

If there were no barriers or constraints I would like to work/experiment with biomaterials and their growth at a larger scale. I currently work with really small pieces and design small items. Having the opportunity to grow and work with larger pieces will help to progress my current research at a faster rate.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Currently I have been enjoying listening to some house music.

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WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

The Field Study Handbook. This book is about how to understand people's thinking from the perspective of international field study and ethnography. And how to build trust in diverse teams.

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ALEX CROWE

LANE MULLINS

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Alex Crowe is a senior from Birmingham AL. As she has progressed through her studios, Alex found her passion in motion graphics.

She is particularly fascinated by the connection between traditional print media and motion, working with Artivive technology to bridge her 2D designs and motion pieces. She has also participated as a member of the Auburn University Marching Band Danceline while simultaneously balancing studio classes and involvement in CADC Ambassadors, AIGA, and the Auburn Circle magazine. As a student, Alex has received recognition from various design competitions, including Communication Arts, and was selected by faculty as the 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate for Auburn’s graphic design program.

I grew up near Birmingham in Helena AL and currently live in Auburn while attending school.

Lane Mullins is a senior from Birmingham AL. He found an interest in design after happening upon a role as a graphic designer at a community center while living in Eswatini, and has since fostered a passion for design and gone on to work for various creative agencies while attending Auburn University. He is particularly fascinated by interactive design and branding, exploring how designers can harness technology to communicate, tell stories, and create new experiences. He also enjoys exploring typography as a tool for expression and finding ways to use type as image, manipulate it, and create unexpected solutions. As a student, Lane has received recognition from various design competitions, including GDUSA, Auburn University’s Juried Show, and others. After graduation, he plans to continue exploring branding and interactive design and the design opportunities presented by new and emerging technologies as he continues his career.

FAVORITE MOVIE, TV SHOW, BOOK, AND/OR PODCAST?

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Favorite book (by far): Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking.

Favorite Movie: The Holiday.

Favorite TV Show: So many to pick from, but I love Chernobyl, GOT, and The Great British Baking Show.

Favorite Podcast: Radiolab!

I grew up just outside of Birmingham in Alabaster AL, moved to Eswatini, a tiny country in Southern Africa during my high school years, and currently live in Auburn while attending school.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

IF YOU COULD BE REMEMBERED FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would hope to be remembered as a people person. Whether it’s been through some of my projects and work or right here in our design school, I love seeing people come together and build off each other.

FAVORITE MOVIE, TV SHOW, BOOK, AND/OR PODCAST?

Favorite Favorite Favorite Favorite

book: Anything by Agatha Christie.

Movie: Interstellar.

TV Show: What We Do in the Shadows.

Podcast: S-Town.

IF YOU COULD BE REMEMBERED FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would hope to be remembered as someone who is driven and helpful.

I enjoy being there to support my classmates and collaborators, and it’s awesome to see those around me succeed.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

KENSLEY BULLINS

ETHAN CANDELARIO

VIRGINIA TECH

VIRGINIA TECH

Kensley Bullins is a senior graphic design student. One of her main interests is exploring how environments connect people to place and the role design plays in making the complexity of the world a bit simpler. Throughout her collegiate career and work experiences, she has come to love branding, packaging, print, and publication design. As a conceptually driven designer, she attempts to extend beyond project prompts and engage with other topics that challenge a viewer conceptually or visually. When Kensley is not designing, you can find her hiking, trying a new coffee shop, or reading a book with her cat, Opal.

Ethan Candelario is a senior at Virginia Tech's School of Visual Arts, with a concentration in graphic design. During undergrad, he has worked on several large projects, including an interactive exhibit at the Utah Museum of Natural History, and a projection-mapped documentary to celebrate Virginia Tech’s sesquicentennial. He also manages the photography section at the student newspaper, the Collegiate Times. Past employers tend to describe Ethan as a generalist — but his true passion lies in After Effects. While working on the exhibit in Utah, Ethan saw firsthand how motion graphics have a unique ability to both educate and entertain, and Ethan hopes to one day have a career where he can blend technology and design to do just that. While not working, Ethan enjoys thrift shopping and photography.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would work on sustainable and environmental design, specifically within exhibition design for museums and educational institutions.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I am currently reading Designing Design by Kenya Hara and rewatching Grey’s Anatomy fort he fourth time.

If I could work on any project right now, it would have to be another exhibit at a large museum like the Smithsonian.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I greatly admire Aaron Draplin’s approach to design and his passion to serve others with his skillset. His craft, kindness, and undying enthusiasm for design inspires me every day.

Abstract: The Art of Design.

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WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Paula Scher and Saul Bass.

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JESSI BLACKHAM

DINA LUTFI

VERMONT COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS (VCFA)

VERMONT COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS (VCFA)

I’m a designer, art director and illustrator with over 10 years experience elevating brands. These have ranged from internationally established enterprises to tiny baby startups. Each project comes with its own nuanced needs so I work in a broad range of disciplines, leveraging my diverse skillset to bring holistic direction to each solution. I seek to supply vibrancy and storytelling that enhances connection, whether it be between a brand and its audience or between an author and reader. In addition to branding work I also create graphic novels and comics. I enjoy long walks on the beach, the music of Muse, and anything slathered in Nutella.

Dina Lutfi is a Sudanese American graphic designer, artist, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Multimedia at the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Saudi Arabia. Lutfi holds a BS in Visual Communication from the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, a Master of Arts in Art Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and a Doctor of Education in Art and Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She’s currently an MFA candidate in the Graphic Design program at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. As a practicing artist, designer, and educator Lutfi engages in visual dialogues about form, multiculturalism, semiotics, and visual communication in the vernacular. As an educator, her academic focus encompasses art and design history in addition to contemporary perspectives. Lutfi also teaches studio-based classes centered on visual exploration and open-ended dialogue. Her current published research focuses on the development of educational pedagogies, and shedding light on Arab and African visual communication.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I'm currently reading a lot of Jung (thanks to VCFA faculty member Natalia Ilyin haha) and The Umbrella Academy to lighten things up a bit. I'm watching Demon Slayer and I’m listening to a heavy rotation of La Dispute and DPR Live.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

James Victore has been my hero for a while. His mix of philosophy and design methodology has pulled me out of some low points career wise.

I'm here today because he told me I had something to give.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

SOMEONE STARTING DESIGN SCHOOL?

Reading: Your Private Sky by Buckminster Fuller and The Politics of Design by Ruben Pater. Listening: the podcast series Sudan Moves.

Watching: the documentary series The Mind, Explained.

There's no one right way to do this and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'D GIVE TO

Ibrahim El-Salahi WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'D GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING DESIGN SCHOOL?

Design is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about who you design for and why.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

JOSH MARRUFFO

ALEXIA WOODWARD

THE MODERN COLLEGE OF DESIGN

THE MODERN COLLEGE OF DESIGN

I'm Josh Marruffo. When I was younger, I was always that one kid that spent more time drawing than talking. I would try my best to redraw some of my favorite Marvel heroes from comic books.

Luckily, I was able to translate some of those skills to graphic design.

In 2017, I was introduced to an amazing college that allowed me to find my own path in the design field. I graduated from The Modern College of Design with an associate degree in 2020. I’m currently a fourth-year student in the Design Leadership Program and on track to receive my bachelor's. I specialize in UI/UX as well as digital and traditional art. I’m also working on refining my animation skills.

Alexia Woodward is an adventure-seeking creative who’s always down for a challenge and ready to see where her work takes her.

Currently, she is a third-year student with a focus in everything digital. Her desire to create started early, and she began to concentrate on print design and photography in high school. Alexia has since developed a passion for web design and UI/UX. She serves as the Community Outreach Leader on the Student Senate and President of the Student Optimist Club. She has also participated on the National Student Advertising Competition team as the Plans Book Director in 2021 and is now leading the team as Creative Director in the 2022 competition. Alexia loves to travel and explore new places both near and far. What makes those trips even better is when she can take her dog along.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to work on any project that is affiliated with Marvel or Star Wars.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I’m currently rewatching Netflix's Daredevil for the third time.

A dream of mine is to open a non-profit organization with the overall objective of helping people. There are several causes and initiatives I have a passion for, and this would allow me to take my love for design and use it as a way to give back. Another thing that has intrigued me is the film and music industry. The stories and the cinematography are a source of inspiration, and it’s an area that I would love to design for.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Andy Sharpe.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m always listening to some Spotify playlist. Right now, it’s a toss-up between Taylor Swift’s newest album, anything from Quinn XCII, or my personal playlist, Off the Beaten Path, filled with songs that aren’t considered mainstream. I’m always down to rewatch any episode from my all-time favorite show, One Tree Hill.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Through a class project, I had the opportunity to speak with a German designer, Susanne Weiskopf, Creative Director of UX and BX at .21 design studio. We had a conversation about launching her own design studio, something that I would love to do someday. Since then, I have followed their work, gaining inspiration both creatively and personally.

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KRISTY REN-HAYZLETT

KYLIE WELSH

SESSIONS COLLEGE FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN

SESSIONS COLLEGE FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN

Kristy Ren grew up surrounded by art, and it has always been her passion. Kristy’s father, who was an illustrator and fine artist, was her mentor, teaching her the foundational elements of drawing and encouraging her creative interests. Past art and illustration jobs include designing anatomy flashcards for her local community college, and creating birth announcements, wedding announcements, and portraits. Kristy’s favorite medium to work with is pen and ink, but she also loves graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, watercolors, oils, and digital painting. Kristy is an Illustration major in the second year of an Associate Degree program. Her plan after graduation is to continue building her career as a freelance illustrator with a focus on illustrating children’s books, particularly books about animals. She would love to play a part in teaching children to respect nature and all of its creatures.

Kylie Welsh is a California-based graphic designer and is currently a fourth year student working towards her BFA in Graphic Design.

Having always had a passion for design and problem-solving, she took a special interest in packaging, branding, layout design, and typography throughout her schooling career. Currently working as a freelance designer, she takes on projects that allow her to exercise her creative abilities in which facilitating visual connections is top priority. She believes that great design is “serious, not solemn” and that the intrinsic values of art and design have the power to truly change the world - for the better. When she’s not working on projects, you can find her hiking in the National Cleveland Forest, gaming, drawing, or riding her dirt bike.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

My favorite book series is Harry Potter. I would love to redesign the book covers and illustrate the stories.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently reading The Master Key System, a personal development book by Charles F. Haanel. The book describes the power of the law of attraction and creative visualization.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Something big, elaborate, and educational such as Poster No. 524.

Finding new meanings in graphic design, through deconstruction and contextualization.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently reading through “How To” by Michael Bierut, listening to Atmosphere, and (re)watching The Office.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

There are many graphic designers I look up to; most notably would have to be Paula Scher. She is truly a master of her craft.

There are several illustrators I look up to, but my favorite would probably be Arthur Rackham. His ink and watercolor illustrations are incredibly beautiful and unique. My favorite fine artist that I look up to is Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, I could stare at his paintings for hours.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

ZUZANNA MLYNARCZYK

LUCINDA STROL

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

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

Zuzanna Mlynarczyk is a senior graphic design student at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. After realizing that nothing else is as exciting as a phenomenal typeface, Zuzanna has leaped into the world of design, immersing herself in as many opportunities as possible. When on campus, Zuzanna creative directs the graphic design team for FADS (Fashion & Design Society), a student-run design collective. She also models and creates clothes for the group’s semester fashion shows. When she’s not clicking and dragging away in the Adobe suite, she’s DJing, screen printing or doing yoga. As much as she enjoys working digitally, she finds it important to exercise her mind and body in ways that expose new creative excitements and forms of inspiration. She is currently an intern for Nowhere, a 3D virtual meeting Space.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

100% I would want to organize and design an electronica concert.

Everything from the physical posters to digital promotion to merchandise to media graphics and even the lighting design. To use design to translate the musical atmosphere into visuals. And I would be the dj too.

Lucinda is a senior studying graphic design at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She’s hoping to focus on UI/UX design in the future. Some of her favorite projects have involved layout design, illustration, and web design. Over the summer, she interned in the IT department at Tapestry, the parent company for Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. Now she’s continuing her position part-time during the school year, helping the department develop their communication materials. Some of Lucinda’s favorite things that influence her design and lifestyle: painting, nature, travel, and music.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS OR CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would work on a project which involved travel to different places, to learn about the different art and design styles and then incorporate them into my own work. It’s valuable to draw inspiration from other artists and new places to experiment with new styles and gain unique perspectives.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently watching Ozark on which is good, but not as good as Breaking Bad. Most recently, I read The Shining by Stephen King and I’m usually listening to either Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, or Cage the Elephant.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m always listening to music, most days its Daft Punk or bands in similar vein that make me want to jump around. I love to watch animated shorts like Midnight Gospel or Love, Death and Robots.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

I would probably write a book about color. How it acts in different spaces, how it can affect the way you feel — maybe even how it tastes or smells.

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IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

I don’t have any million-dollar book ideas but something that really interests me is interior and home design. I enjoy decorating spaces and looking for home decor inspiration. I am inspired by Russel Wright’s house, which is located near my hometown, where Wright incorporated natural materials such as rocks and trees into the fabric of his home.

The visual harmony he created between the home’s interior and the surrounding woods is eye-opening.

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ELLIE FARR

DIANA LE

PRATT MWP COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

PRATT MWP COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

Ellie Farr is an artist from Vermont. Since she was a child, Ellie has been constantly creating, fantasizing about a career in visual art. She is currently completing her BFA in Communications Design at Pratt Institute, working towards that same childhood dream. Ellie specializes in illustration, taking inspiration from the relationships we share with nature, ourselves, and each other. She also loves to experiment in more analog methods, with printmaking and painting being among her favorite mediums. While away from her desk, you can often find Ellie reading or spending time with her two cats.

Diana Le is a Vietnamese-American artist born in Boston MA in 2001. She is currently a sophomore at PrattMWP and is planning to continue her studies in graphic design at Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn campus. She was given PrattMWP’s Outstanding Freshman Award and earned the opportunity to display her work at The McCulley Gallery. Diana’s studies focus on graphic design but she also enjoys painting, sculpting, and illustrating with various traditional mediums.

Despite ranking 3rd in her high school class, her love for the sciences, and knowing that her family's true wish was for her to pursue a career in the medical field, she instead chose to stay true to her artistic passions. She hopes her future accomplishments and ambition as a designer become something they look on with pride.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I have always been interested in film, and my style is heavily influenced by animation. I would love to produce an animated short using both digital and analog methods. I have experimented with animation before, and I would love to fully immerse myself in such a project.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Since the release of the new James Bond film, my long-standing interest in the franchise has been reignited. I am obsessed with the visuals and sounds of the Bond films, especially the famous opening credits sequences. illustrations by Robert E. McGinnis featured in the promotional material for the 60s Bond films have inspired me to purchase a book of his work, which has been incredibly motivational.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I’m currently developing a story, as well as character and concept designs, that I would love to further develop into a full comic series or even an animated TV show. Additionally, I would like to share my work with a wider audience by expanding my online presence on various social media sites.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently finishing up a book series called Market of Monster by Rebecca Schaeffer and I’m planning on reading Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim afterwards.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I really admire illustrator Julie Benbassat. Her use of color and texture combined with creative ideas are endlessly inspiring to me.

Bao Pham is a wonderful artist who I greatly admire. His artwork is very elegant and my favorite piece of his is titled “Rosewater.”

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

JENNY LIU

MAGGIE MA

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

Hello! I am Jenny Liu, a junior communication design student at Carnegie Mellon University School of Design majoring in humancomputer interaction. I love to play with graphics, color, and type, still or in motion, big or small. Observing how images reside on products and in environments helps me grow and brings me joy. I draw and sketch all the time, either with a Wacom tablet or with a simple, basic black pen on paper. Expressing ideas graphically helps a lot with my design process. Aside from all the design work, I am a passionate digital artist (and gamer). I do CG commissions for various game studios.

Maggie Ma is a junior studying Communications Design and HumanComputer Interaction. She is interested in designing for branding, user experience, and marketing across both 2D and 3D mediums and environments. She is passionate about expressive, playful, and unapologetic typography and imagery, and enjoys any form of creating that communicates memorable and visceral stories. She enjoys exploring multimedia art forms with design and loves incorporating and combining analog art methods with the digital. She takes creative inspiration from her childhood memories and artifacts, and her family’s culture and traditions. Maggie is quite interested in exploring art direction, brand design, and UI/UX design. Outside of design, you can catch Maggie snacking on too many Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Planter’s Peanuts Tropical Fruit & Nuts Trail Mix. She also enjoys changing her hair color and wearing really big boots that get progressively taller and chunkier. She recently just picked up a new skill: glassblowing!

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Alphonse Mucha!

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?

The importance of peer-to-peer support and studio culture. Around twenty of us are in the communication studio, and we are constantly supporting one another, giving casual critiques, resolving technical issues, sharing sources of inspiration, and so on. I am amazed at how we can maintain the integrity of our voices while forming a unified voice as a group of communication designers. I truly feel lucky and proud to be in such a passionate, supportive, and talented community.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

A bunch of older issues of Eye Magazine that my professor brought into the studio for us to flip through. Stunning visuals aside, the writings are so inspirational, and I relate deeply to many of them.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Tank Man! The mysterious man who stood in front of the tanks after the crackdown at the Tiananmen Square Protests in Beijing, China.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?

How to make simple yet polished presentation slide decks, and how to deliver convincing and concise pitches! I never expected to get so much practice with public speaking in design school, but it has helped grow my confidence to get so much practice presenting my designs. (Another thing I didn’t expect is how many late nights/sleepless nights I would be getting in the studio...)

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Listening to Emotional Oranges. Watching Love Island Season 3, Life with Mag on Youtube, and rewatching Bojack Horseman. I’ve been saying it for the past year, but I’m . . . still . . . trying . . . to get back into reading . . . .

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JANEL MITCHELL

YULIIA OSTAPOVYCH

CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

Design can be a potent tool for communication and social transformation. I am an elevated artist who wants to change the world.

My intent as an artist is to penetrate people's intellectual boundaries by creating from a place of purpose, to saturate and shift viewers’ perspectives. I want to challenge normative context and extract love and understanding of the human condition.

Yuliia Ostapovych is originally from the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv.

Her patriotism and creativity, combined with strategy and desire to influence the future of her country and the world, ignited her passion for design. A person with a keen sense of justice, Yuliia is a perfectionist who believes there are no limits to excellence. Her design work is driven by aspiration for building a more aware, accessible, and welcoming place of equal possibilities.

Graphic design allows artistry to function as communication for solving problems, and it has the ability to cross cultural and language barriers. I am a passionate social justice warrior and avid researcher who constantly craves knowledge on how to improve humanity and the world we inhabit. I refuse to be overwhelmed by the heartache inflicted throughout society — historically, politically, environmentally, and socially — but instead choose to rally on a daily basis through my actions to improve conditions for all.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I draw strength from artists and individuals who exemplify commitment, passion, and tenacity while faced with adversity. David Hammons, Kerry James Marshall, Deana Lawson, and Shirley Chisholm — a black woman who ran for president in 1972 — all embody this. Any of these legends would be my ideal coffee date!

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?

Design school taught me that community, critique, crazy work ethic, and deep research are essential to effective and purposeful design.

Yuliia gets inspired by traveling around Europe and exploring every corner of a new city while experiencing different cultures, exposing herself to unfamiliar languages and sensations, and making them familiar. Her ambition is to simply follow her heart, big dreams, and shiny stars.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Coffee, yes, always! With Louis Armstrong, oh yeah, anytime!

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?

Fear of the new became for me a sign of the right direction. I realized that in order for me to grow both as a designer and as a human being, I should be willing to step out of my comfort zone as well as to experiment and play with the fragments I’m dealing with.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m rereading the book of Ukrainian author Dmytro Kalynchuk, Divcha v prytsili (Girl in Sight). I’ve also started learning German, so I’m listening to a lot of German words daily.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Just Us by Claudia Rankine / Tim McGraw & E-40 / ALL documentaries, and of course Tiger King!

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

KRUTTIKA SUSARLA

LILIA JIMÉNEZ

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

Kruttika Susarla is an illustrator and designer from Andhra Pradesh, India, who has worked with political magazines, creative agencies, and advocacy groups in the global south. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture at Washington University’s Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts and making comics.

Lilia Jiménez is an interdisciplinary designer with a focus on graphic design and illustration. She is a senior at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, working towards a BFA in Communication Design with minors in Marketing and Art History. Originally from Hopewell NJ, she is from a multicultural family and her Latinx and Jewish identity has inspired and informed her work. She believes that truly successful design allows for the incorporation of multiple perspectives and approaching problems in untraditional ways.

Honoring and investigating the female experience as well as examining ways to become more inclusive in the design field are two of her professional goals. She embeds research and history within her design work to inform multiple layers of understanding. Her interests include female artists of the Renaissance, flamenco dancing, multicultural cuisine, and fashion. In the summer of 2021, she interned as a graphic designer at V Magazine, a fashion publication, in New York City. After college, she hopes to return to the city to pursue a design career.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

My peers and mentors at school, work that my friends are making, graphic novels at the public library in my city, the internet archive.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

The story I’m working on right now! My thesis project is a comic set in a world where libraries are disappearing. The last remaining library is on an island called the Strange Garden and it is being taken over by the . A secret club of nerds is set to change that with a pigeon and some unlikely friends in tow.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/ WATCHING?

Currently reading: Things We Found During the Autopsy

by Kuzhali Manickavel Currently listening: Ayonha by Hamid Al Shaeri Currently re-watching: C/O Kancharapalem by Venkatesh Maha

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

With a background in painting and a love of art history, I find myself turning to art of the past to inform my own. I also find inspiration in observing and interfacing with those around me and my surroundings.

The most mundane objects excite me, from an old elevator button to ’60s wallpaper.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I have always been fascinated with the Met Gala. I would relish being able to art direct and design assets for the event.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/ WATCHING?

Currently listening to the podcast You’re Wrong About with Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall — incredibly entertaining, educational, and humorous. I cannot stop listening to Lorde’s Solar Power, which has been a fantastic album and a source of inspiration in itself. I am currently reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and cannot put it down.

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EMMA CLARK GODFREY

YARITZA VELAZQUEZ-MEDINA

OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Originally from Philadelphia PA (go Birds!), Emma began her undergraduate studies at Occidental College, double-majoring in Economics and Psychology. In her sophomore year, she transferred to Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, obtaining a BA in Visual Studies. Following graduation, Emma worked at the nonprofit Women Against Abuse before accepting a role as the Production Designer at Masters Group Design, a creative agency for other nonprofits.

During her off-hours, Emma dabbled in the Philadelphia comedy scene, ultimately leading to a passion for performance, stand-up, and improv. Throughout her experiences, she noticed an intersection between comedy and design. She decided to pursue this further in the MFA Graphic Design program at Otis College of Art and Design.

At Otis, Emma’s work has primarily focused on the role and frameworks of comedy, the relationship between design and comedy, and the role of education. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Freddie.

Yaritza is a Los Angeles-based creative who grew up in the Bay Area, in the small town of East Palo Alto, right at the heart of Silicon Valley. She has a BA in Media and Cultural Studies from the University of California, Riverside, and is completing her BFA in Communication Arts from Otis College of Art and Design. In her free time, she photographs vernacular types (doodles, graffiti, murals, signs, etc) around her neighborhood or watches films on the “Hidden Gems” category through Netflix. As a designer, she is passionate about visual sustainability and learning about BIPOC designers like W.E.B. Du Bois, Mona Chalabi, and Charles “Chaz”Bojorquez.

She loves reinvention, which is why she enjoys creating expressive type and personalized identity systems. Her goal is to produce work that highlights the value of marginalized communities.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I love to laugh! Watching any type of comedy or enjoying quality time with friends or family can be sources of inspiration for me.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I gravitate towards street culture, film, and music, it's all about the story and how it makes people feel. But I am a huge fan of Kelli Anderson, James Jean, and Maria Medem, you will most likely find me on their social media during my free time.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would like to create a graphic novel of short stories that highlight women in design. It would be an alternative to traditional bureaucratic history books in school. The book would have an illustrated short story on the designer, about how they discovered their craft. It would also include a short biography and portfolio of their work.

I have three immediate responses. The first is continuing to explore how and where the frameworks of design and comedy overlap as well as how techniques in comedy, specifically improv, can aid design education. The second is exploring ways in which visuals and design can aid in the earlier identification of students with masked learning disorders.

The third is a combination of the first two.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I just finished reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab and The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. Recently, I've been listening to meditation music, it’s calming! I’m perpetually watching The Office. Aside from that, I'm rewatching Russian Doll — I love Natasha Lyonne and the underlying message.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently listening to a TED & PRX podcast titled “How to Be a Better Human,” and "Balance ton quoi," a song by Angèle, a Belgian singer-songwriter. I am watching Blown Away and the Final Table on Netflix, as for reading — Fun Home by Allison Bechdel.

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CINDY HA

ALI PERRY

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

My name is Cindy, and I’m a senior studying Communication Design at the University of Cincinnati. Before living in Cincinnati for school and NYC for internships, I grew up in the suburbs of Arizona, surrounded by desert. As a fifth grader, I used to be in my elementary school’s video announcements club, where I would help edit videos and make simple motion graphics. Funnily enough, over 10 years later I’m still doing a lot of the same things. My interests in design encompass a lot, but I most enjoy working on projects that are digital, moving, or have unique systems and processes. Lately I’ve been experimenting with 3D and game design as well. Outside of design, my hobbies include drawing, painting, baking (but only when I have access to my parent’s stand mixer), and exploring museums.

Ali Perry is a student at the University of Cincinnati in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning studying Communication Design. She enjoys collecting miniature things, drinking a nice cup of tea, boxing, and thrift shopping. From a young age, Ali has been a book lover and has now become a collector of design books and hopes to one day have her own library full of them. She is inspired by experimental typography and believes in working on paper before working digitally.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Currently reading: the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

by Taylor Jenkins Reid Currently watching: White Lotus Currently listening to: All Too Well (10 minute version) (Taylor’s version) (From the Vault) by Taylor Swift OR an episode of the podcast Radio Lab

It would be fun to work on a project that incorporates AR/VR alongside physical elements, like a book or an object. That said, I would have to learn how to make AR/VR experiences first.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently watching The Great British Bake Off, Blue Period, and the last season of Buzzfeed Unsolved. And, like everyone else, listening emotionally to Red (Taylor’s Version) and 30.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

I keep saying to my sister that if someone were to make an entertaining piece of media about going to design school, I’d be obsessed with it.

Since that’s one of the things I have relatively deep knowledge of, I’d make a graphic novel about that experience.

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IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would work on a redesign of exercise gyms that would lend a hand to making the space feel more inclusive, and less intimidating.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

The negative effects on body image that social media causes and ways to reframe our minds.

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YEJI KIM

MAXWELL MASTERSON

THE COOPER UNION

THE COOPER UNION

Yeji Kim (she/her) is a graphic designer, illustrator, and multidisciplinary artist who plays with printmaking, design, painting, and animation at The Cooper Union School of Art. She holds a special interest for the use of graphic design and satire as a tool for critical social engagement. Yeji is currently interning at Poster House, the first poster museum in the U.S., where she engages with the intersection between design and education. In her free time, Yeji can be found cooking, reading, hanging with her cat Mona, writing, and playing the NYT Spelling Bee.

Maxwell Masterson is a 21 year old designer and student at The Cooper Union School of Art in New York. His design work is driven by play though poster, print, and motion design. He has been heavily influenced by print designers and New York based publications, and translates that print influence in his digital design. He has previously worked for NBCUniversal, Sony Music, Milk Studios, The Standard Hotels, and more. He has exciting things coming in the future! His work can be found at www.maxwellmasterson.com IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would acquire an old farm property somewhere along the Hudson and transform it into a studio ranch (with dogs, cats, and goats!) that has printmaking (+ riso and letterpress) and ceramics facilities. It would be a dream to collaborate with artists, designers, writers, and thinkers in that space.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Rewatching Black Mirror, started House of Cards recently. Reading Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine and re-reading Beloved

by Toni Morrison.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Recently, I’ve been compelled by the idea of place branding. The thought of creating a singular brand identity for a city or a region, which must encompass and represent everyone in it, seems nearly impossible, but is something I’d love to work on.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

How to overcome your childhood by The School of Life. Tibor Kalman’s work for colors magazine. Lana Del Rey. Elton John’s Madman Across the Water. Tiktok. Jessica Chastain. The Sex and the city reboot.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

A monograph on myself but it must be in like 40 years. A la Michael Gericke’s Graphic Life.

If I were to write a book, it would be a cookbook of some sort. I am not sure what will it be of, since I am constantly fascinated by many things.

Recently I have been very intrigued by Onggi, which is a traditional Korean vessel that is used in many traditional fermentation and preservation processes — it would be interesting to write a cookbook about the different things that could be made in Onggi in a non-traditional, urban environment.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

ANNA CAI

KELLY PHAN

SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO (SAIC)

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

Anna Cai (they/them) is an Asian American designer who tells stories that explore identity through costume design, performance art, film, graphic design, and print media. Originally from Memphis TN, they have created for audiences in Indonesia, China, Lesotho, South Africa, and the United States. They earned their BS in Architecture from the University of Virginia in 2016, and shortly after, relocated to Lesotho where they served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2016-2018. They continued working in Lesotho at the intersection of community activism and art until 2020 when they returned to the U.S. They are currently enrolled in the MFA Visual Communication program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where they are immersed in rituals of play around how history and culture is preserved.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I'm inspired by the vibrant community of artists and thinkers of color around me who are interested in practices of magic, imagination and play to destroy what doesn't serve us, to heal, and to invent.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

Kelly Phan is a senior graphic designer getting her BFA in 2022 at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. Her works consist of bright color palettes, bold typography and flat style illustrations. Kelly always knew she had a love for design, and is glad every day that she followed her heart and pursued it. Kelly’s interests are: crocheting, books, anything Greek myth, and playing with her cat. Her love for animals inspired her senior thesis. It’s a cat cafe called Cranky cat cafe. The cats housed here are all adoptable and saved from being euthanized. The cafe portion pays homage to her culture featuring Vietnamese coffee.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I’d really like to take the time and learn screen printing. I love the way they look and think it would be a fun idea to screen print posters with my designs on them.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Reading: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim Listening to: Sword from the Stone - The Passenger Watching: Once Upon A Time

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD

I would love to collaborate with my favorite creators to create a circus: an immersive show with sound design, light design, drag, trapeze, projection, set design, and costumes.

Lauren Hom and Gabby Lord.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently reading Minor Feelings by Cathy Hong Park and the graphic novel by Chicago artist Emil Ferris entitled My Favorite Thing is Monsters. I’m listening to Ashnikkos DEMIDEVIL, as well as my favorite podcast about erotic fanfiction, also Chicago made, Fangasm.

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ISAAC RUDER

NATALEE DECKER

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA)

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA)

Isaac Ruder is an artist and designer based out of Long Beach CA. Currently pursuing an MFA in Design Media Arts at the University of California – Los Angeles, Isaac has experience working in branding, web, film, and publication with clients including Aspen Art Museum, IN-FO.CO, and Amalia Ulman. Previously Isaac earned a BFA in Web + Multimedia Environments at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and studied Graphic Design at the Royal Academy of Art – The Hague (KABK).

Natalee Decker (they/them) is a Chicago-born Los Angeles-based artist currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at UCLA in Design|Media Arts and Disability Studies. Via a multidisciplinary practice, they investigate disability aesthetics, technology, and crip fantasy. Their recent work utilizes 3D computer graphics to creatively reimagine the mobility devices — walkers, scooters, wheelchairs, canes — they use each day, imbuing them with fluid impractical form, vivid celebratory color, and questions about desirability. Along with artist Cielo Saucedo, they are creating a web archive of digital disabled embodiment using motion capture and 3D modeling software. This project relies on collaboration to create custom “terms of use,” challenging issues of safety, exclusion, and exploitation of disabled people in digital space. In 2020, Natalee helped start the UCLA Disabled Student Union working towards better equity and access on campus. They are passionate about mutual aid, social justice, and love. Natalee is a white, non-binary, disabled queer.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I am curious to explore the realms of fabrication to build a larger scale installation. It would be cool to create something surreal in the physical world that when photographed looks like a 3D render, an experience that walks the fine line between the physical and digital.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Arca’s kick iii and Eartheater’s Trinity are playing on repeat. Currently reading Ruben Pater’s CAPS LOCK and Michael DeForge’s Familiar Face.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

The book would be a queer transhumanist daydream and love letter to my laptop, its compositional materials, the ubiquitous internet, and the infrastructure that makes it all a reality. Meanwhile a construction site pounds rhythmically; heavy machinery destroys, hammers, drills, assembles. The motionless body of a human cyborg leaks toxins into the earth as it decays.

I would create a paid artist residency program for disabled creators/ designers which radically promotes accessibility and care.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Reading: Beasts of Burden by Sunaura Taylor, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, Captivating Technology: Race Carceral Technoscience, and Liberatory Imgination in Everyday Life an anthology edited by Ruha Benjamin, Animacies by Mel Y. Chen, and A Prehistory of the Cloud by Tung-Hui Hu. Listening: Dinamarca, Terry Callier, Zsela, Hyd, Sade, serpentwithfeet, Swamp Dogg, Mandalay, Bjork, Elliot Smith, Ojerime, Holly Herndon, Omar S, Mr. Fingers, Kim Jung Mi. Watching: Station 11, Foundation, Great British Baking Show, Love Island, Fargo, Democracy Now!.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

HANNAH-RAE ERNST

HUSNAIN NOORBHAI

KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE (KCAI)

KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE (KCAI)

Hannah-Rae is currently a senior in Graphic Design. Before moving to Kansas City, she spent most of her life out of a suitcase, between Seattle WA, Cape Town, South Africa and San Diego CA. Those years gave her a unique perspective and way of thinking about the world that adds layers and depth to her design process. HannahRae is curious and deeply passionate about the human experience, and the power design has to empower individuals. Her practice focuses on branding, web design and UX/UI and is foundational in typography, design thinking and idea generation, with a questionbased approach. Hannah-Rae is bottom line obsessed with design and realizes the power she holds to push the boundaries of creative communication in a world where smart design can engage audiences, catapult ideas, and transform the communities we live in.

She’s fired up to add to the push.

Currently finishing up his BFA at KCAI, Husnain Noorbhai’s affinity towards technology and code, history and culture, user centered design, and motion design give him a fresh outlook on design solutions. He is particularly interested in physically based rendering and how it can be utilized in all facets of product, interface, and typography design.

Husnain is a two-time recipient of the Muriel Cooper award for boldly embracing technology, has completed a 2-year-long curatorial fellowship at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art as well as an internship in digital interpretation. In his free time he enjoys leafing through art books and playing video games.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

Our new generation which has an attunement to the problems facing the world and a refreshing empathy towards our fellow man.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

The most inspiring thing to me is quite possibly also the cheesiest.

It’s people. It’s the everyday hard workers, the curious, the driven — the people who go after what they want in life. It’s seeing the power design has to truly empower people. Whether that’s through a message that touches someone and sparks a new idea or action, or whether it’s helping make people’s dreams come true. Individuals’ stories, goals, passions, talents, and confidences inspire me.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I’d probably offer every small business owner in the U.S. that needed it or wanted it, a full rebrand. Small businesses are the heartbeat of this country and are made up of people who’ve taken a risk and put their heart and soul into an idea.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

So much. Currently watching Yellowstone and re-watching Modern Family. I’m also a big podcast gal, currently listening to The Joe Rogan Experience. Also, I’m making a new deep house playlist.

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IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would like to work on projects that make fantasy worlds real and collaborate with many different artists with different skills to create something that is bigger than what any one person can accomplish.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Currently I am waiting for the final season of Better Call Saul, but I recently watched The Witcher series and thought it was a good adaptation.

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CINDY KAO

AIMEE LIOU

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Cindy Kao is currently a fifth year senior at The Ohio State University, majoring in Visual Communications Design and Chinese with a minor in French. Fueled by 75% curiosity and 25% storytelling and humanity, she loves learning about different languages and culture and constantly seeks out new challenges and hobbies.

I’m currently watching Atlanta, Arcane, Killing Eve, and listening to Clairo and Mitski.

Aimee is a senior studying Visual Communication Design with a minor in Social Psychology & Personality. Last-minute, before college applications were due, she took a leap of faith by switching majors to design. She owes her design journey to her high school photography teacher who let her sit in on his Introduction to Digital Arts class at a community college where he was also teaching.

Attentive by nature, she loves asking questions and enjoys the process of solving challenging problems. Aimee is enthusiastic about building simple user-centric experiences, connecting with new faces, and constantly learning and growing further both as a designer and listener. Her ambition (and a little luck) led her to an internship with IBM, designing enterprise systems and seeing the power of collaboration and teamwork in action. When she’s not glued to her laptop designing, she’s being creative in the kitchen cooking new recipes.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

I would write an anthology of life stories I’ve heard growing up all about my mom’s life, from owning her own tailor shop in China, to immigrating to America.

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

As a broader project, I would want to work on a project that connects me to other people from different countries and cultures and provides a means of cultural and language exchange around the world. More specifically, I would want to start a business.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I'm not sure, but it would probably be food-related.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Reading The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer, listening to High Tops by Del Water Gap, rewatching New Girl.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

A collection of different people's perspectives, lessons learned, and advice on a similar experience (experience to be decided).

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

DIANNE BAHRAM ZADEH EBRAHIMI

GARRETT MAJEWSKI

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (FIT)

Born and raised at the Jersey shore, now residing in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, Garrett Majewski is in his last year finishing up his degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology with a minor in Art History. At the core of his work, Garrett utilizes typographic layout and exploration along with strong conceptual pieces to create his work. Garrett also dabbles in various other digital mediums experimenting with 3D through Blender, Cinema4d, and Voxels. His work focuses around finding proper solutions with a creative flair adapting to different styles and mediums. Garrett’s main focus is on publication and editorial work but he loves working in any style learning new techniques and solutions. With a strong, dedicated passion for design, he hopes to bring a new, interesting, and creative perspective to design and any project he is involved in.

Dianne Bahram Zadeh Ebrahimi is a Senior in the Graphic Design BFA program,minoring in Art History, English and Theater. She is a NYC-based graphic designer and artist. She has been granted the Type Directors Club Superscript Scholarship, and The Young Designers Graphic + Package Design Award. Since day one she was a very ‘spirited child.’ As an adu this has translated into a fierce drive to do and create. Design for her has added depth and a sense of meaning to life that absolutely nothing else does. She has special interests in publication design, poster design, bookbinding, and typography.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Rainer Maria Rilke (German Language’s Greatest 20th Century Poets.)

I’ve only come across him recently. However, his work is so complex and the images used and how they interweave and play off each other is stunning. Rilke is certainly light years beyond me, as he is for 90% of all his readers. That being said, reading his poems certainly change your life, if only I had enough of one to change.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN’TEXPECT?

I learned that mydesign education isn’t something static. It is an ongoing journey that involves exploration and experimentation. Most importantly, I’ve learned to design based on research, developing and formulating concepts iterated by appropriate mediums.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Reading: Indistractable by Nir Eyal Listening: Intimations of Creativity, a podcast by Jordan P. Peterson, and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Miles Davis Watching: Endeavour, the British tv detective series.

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FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (FIT)

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I would love to have a coffee (or tea) with Wolfgang Weingart. I draw a ton of inspiration from his work and typographic layouts and I think it would be an inspirational conversation.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN’TEXPECT?

The most important things I have learned are the need for time management and self motivation. These two ideas go hand in hand when I am designing and they are quintessential to creating strong conceptual work (and also meeting deadlines in time).

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently reading Draplin Design Co: Pretty Much Everything by Aaron Draplin and Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline.

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GRACE HOUDEK

GABRIELLE MCKEEVER

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Grace Houdek is a senior BFA graphic designer from West Bloomfield MI. Ever since elementary school, Grace has always loved to draw and color within the lines; however, it wasn’t until college that she learned that it’s okay to color far outside the lines and explore what she was capable of. Her time in the graphic design program has not only taught her valuable design skills, posed creative challenges and created lifelong friendships, it has also allowed for career opportunities that turned her passions in logo and editorial design into areas of proficiency. For the past two years, Grace has been graphic designer for the MSU-based publication, The Current, where she collaborates with writers, creates online graphics, designs seasonal magazine issues, and engages in freelance work outside of the publication. Recently, she was honored to be a Gold and Silver ADDY recipient from the 2021 American Advertising Awards. In her free time, Grace enjoys experimenting with new cooking recipes, playing board games, and snuggling with her Goldendoodle, Finn.

Gabrielle McKeever is a senior in the Graphic Design BFA program at Michigan State University. She is actively involved in the design department, serving as the president of the AIGA Student Group and as a teaching assistant for the History of Graphic Design courses.

Gabrielle strives to be a well-rounded designer, finding experience in editorial for a fashion magazine on campus and creating promotional materials for the student government. Her favorite thing about design is visual storytelling, and she aspires to create projects that feel all-consuming for viewers. Gabrielle hopes to go into brand identity once she graduates. Apart from design, she loves watching MSU basketball and hanging out with her two French bulldogs.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I feel inspired by individuals, and particularly artists, who wholeheartedly love what they do. An artist that strongly inspires me is singer/songwriter Jacob Collier. Jacob’s excitement about music theory and creating complex harmonies is more than apparent in his performances, and his rise in fame does not seem to taint it.

I would want to work on the branding team for the Google Cloud Next Conference, as I was really inspired hearing VSA Partners discuss that project a couple of years ago.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I am most inspired by collaboration. I love to bounce ideas off fellow students and see how we approach problems differently in order to gain perspective.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently listening to Past Lives, a podcast about the different backgrounds of designers at Spotify.

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to work on the Olympics/Paralympic Games. There is so much intent and passion that goes into the design and branding. Taking the host city’s culture and history into consideration during the design process is a really exciting creative challenge as well.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently watching the show, Joe Pera Talks With You. Based in Northern Michigan, the show follows comedian Joe Pera throughout his day as he teaches you how to appreciate the little things in life (while maintaining a subtle, hilarious undertone).

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MACY EIESLAND

NIA MUSIBA

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Macy Eiesland is a Senior Graphic Design student at Portland State University. Her work weaves color, texture, and typography to create playful, engaging narratives. She is interested in how we see the world around us and is extremely interested in the spaces we move about. Macy dives into her work wholeheartedly and digs deep, seeing to create concept-driven work that continues to grow beyond her touch.

My community! I am so lucky to live in Portland and go to Portland State where the design community is so intertwined with school and is available as a resource and guiding light.

Nia Musiba lives and eats and sleeps and goes to school and creates work and makes new friends in Portland. Her identity as an African-American woman and the daughter of a Tanzanian immigrant influences her work, and she uses art and design as a tool for her exploration of Blackness throughout history. Her creations are about being human, about hands and feet and bodies and love and sadness and flowers and sunshine. She views her depictions of Black and brown bodies as a direct response to the hyper-sexualization, brutalization, and overall negative depictions of BiPoC individuals within art and media. She believes in people, representation and love, among other things — and has a soft spot for the primary colors.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I’m inspired by the people and things around me — there are so many talented and exciting people to talk to and things to look at, it never ends.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I would love to design a hotel from the graphics to the furniture, to the physical space. I love the idea of touching everything from the architecture down to a matchbook or room key.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I listen to podcasts while I work which really keeps me moving. My new favorite is: Did I Do That with Sean Schumacher. The podcast features different designers talking about the mistakes they made along the way.

I wish more than anything that I could throw the most amazing and well designed gigantic dinner party with all of my friends and all of my inspirations. I’ve been daydreaming about designing beautiful invitations to fun places.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Listening: the Babbling Brook Soundscape on the Calm App Reading: All About Love by Bell Hooks (again) Watching: So much Queer Eye

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SAMANTHA MANTUA

JOHANNA MORETA

COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES (CCS)

COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES (CCS)

My name is Samantha Mantua. I am a sophomore at the College for Creative Studies, majoring in Communication Design. Growing up in the suburbs, I have enjoyed experiencing more of the city of Detroit. So far at CCS, I have worked on typography, motion and interaction projects. I am excited to explore other areas of Communication Design such as branding and experience design. CCS is hard work, but I am really proud of everything I have created. I enjoy making collages and ceramics to exercise my creativity outside of school.

I’m a Junior graphic design student, born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Currently, I am pursuing my BFA at the College for Creative Studies. My passion for art developed at a young age, and after graduating high school, I was introduced to the odd world of graphic design during my freshman year of college. I didn’t choose it, it chose me. I was drawn to graphic design because of its strong visual communicative powers, and its creative freedom. Through my college experience and the incredibly experienced faculty, I developed a knack for branding, motion, and UI/UX. I consider myself a flexible, creative, and observational designer that grows through the challenges and struggles. Whenever my inner child takes command, I am able to create simple, quirky, and dynamic visual stuff.

I admire and care about the tiniest detail in every design aspect, where I am able to bring fresh perspectives into my work by taking information and turning it into a new artistic approach. On the weekends, when I’m not immersed in work, I like to spend time with my friends and family, dancing, or binge watching shows.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Impressionist painter, Berthe Morisot WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?

Your design will evolve so much from start to finish.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

A big pile of magazines for design inspiration and collage materials, Finneas and New Girl.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

It would definitely be coffee with Paul Rand.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?

The realization of how small I am and how big the world is. I began to see and appreciate the mundane and the madness of the world in a different way. This gave me the opportunity to sharpen my perspective and acquire with more criteria the things that surround me.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Currently watching a show called Money Heist.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

AARON MONRO

ASHLEY WIEDERSPAHN

DREXEL UNIVERSITY

DREXEL UNIVERSITY

Aaron Monro is a senior pursuing a BS in Graphic Design at Drexel University, he is set to graduate in the spring of 2021. He was born and raised in Bellevue NE. Soon after graduating high school, Aaron served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps as Platoon Communications Chief. While attending Drexel, he expanded his education with two minors in User Experience /Interaction Design and Marketing. He also has worked with a multitude of freelance clients on projects that involved front end development, UX, animation, and visual design. During his junior year, Aaron worked at SimpleTire as a marketing intern. There, he had the opportunity to work on projects that ranged from weekly data analysis to UX design. With his skills in UX design, typography, branding and marketing, Aaron hopes to create experiences for the world that have a meaningful impact.

My name is Ashley Wiederspahn and I am a self-motivated, curious, and enthusiastic graphic designer who loves learning more, challenging myself, and trying new techniques. I strive to create and execute ambitious, experimental, and bold designs as well as communicate and engage with others visually while enhancing people’s lives through design.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I look up to Paula Scher. Not only is she a highly respected designer, but her work with identity and branding systems is beautiful, timeless and inventive, and she is someone I aspire to emulate as I develop my graphic design career.

A large-scale brand redevelopment for a well-known company. There is something very exciting about taking a risk creating something that is on public display.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Last Podcast on The Left is my all-time favorite podcast but I am a big podcast nerd so I listen to anything true crime, political or history related.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Brian Collins. He has a fiery passion for design and I find him very inspiring.

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IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love the challenge of working with well-established companies to develop their identity as a brand designer. I would enjoy the ability to further evolve their brand image while also honoring their legacy.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I have been reading The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St Clair, listening to the Madhappy Podcast, and watching the show Money Heist.

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CAROLYN IZAGUIRRE

AMANDA RENTERIA

WOODBURY UNIVERSITY

WOODBURY UNIVERSITY

Hello! I’m Carolyn Izaguirre and I am currently a senior at Woodbury University in Burbank CA. Growing up, I was always interested in the arts. Design has always instinctively been a practice of mine even before I knew what graphic design really was. Throughout most of my childhood, I would cut out images from magazines and glue them into pages of composition books, and call them art. I started dancing and learning choreography at the age of 8 and taught myself how to draw. I never opened a single Adobe app before my freshman year of college began, but I have learned a lot in the past 3 years. I love typography, package design, branding, and information design the most. For fun, I like making posters of my favorite indie artists and playing Minecraft. I look forward to working in different design fields in order to expand my skill set and would like to travel internationally.

Amanda Renteria is a Los Angeles-based graphic designer and a senior at Woodbury University. From a young age she knew that she wanted to pursue a career in the creative arts; growing up she filled her free time with things like art, music, and dance. Becoming a graphic designer has allowed her to mix her creative nature with her interest in critical thinking. Amanda enjoys problem solving and finding new and exciting design solutions that help to communicate in thoughtful and creative ways. In the summer of 2021 Amanda began interning with an entertainment network company where she most enjoyed working on UI design for their website.

After graduating in the spring, she hopes to further her career as a designer working with others to create meaningful and impactful design that can promote positive change in our society.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Recently I’ve been reading Daisy Jones & The Six, watching Love Life and listening to My Favorite Murder podcast

I’m currently listening to a true-crime podcast called My Favorite Murder.

I am also doing a lot of personal writing as a way to self-reflect.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Mike Perry is a designer who has done a variety of projects with the usage of a lot of vibrant colors and shapes. I love the way he approaches his work this way.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'D GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING DESIGN SCHOOL?

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I really look up to Jessica Walsh and her design work.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'D GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING DESIGN SCHOOL?

Try to build strong relationships with the designers in your classes because you are going to learn so much from each other and help one another grow along the way.

Design can give you opportunities you may have never been able to imagine, so take advantage of that and don’t be afraid to let all the creativity flow out of you. Observe, learn, unlearn, and create.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

SOLEDAD ALONSO

HAYDEN GALLIARD

UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD (UHART)

UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD (UHART)

Hey there! I’m Soledad Alonso, an undergraduate Visual Communication Design major graduating May of 2023. Currently, I am interning in the Office of Marketing and Communication in Hartford as a Digital Design Specialist. I have always known I’d be set on a creative path since I was four years old, and my dedication to my career still stays as strong as it did then. While I am studying at UHart because of my art merit scholarship, I also have an immense dedication to illustration and bringing all sorts of influences from fiction or the real world into my work. I aspire to experiment every time I create something new, crediting love to my family who has always supported my discoveries.

Hayden Gaillard is a junior pursuing both a BFA in Visual Communications Design and a minor in Printmaking. Their inspiration comes from connecting the digital to the analog, whether that be through heavy texturing and noise on design pieces, or using traditionally digital aesthetics in their printmaking practice. They are currently the General Manager and creative director of WSAM Alternative Radio, the University of Hartford’s only fully student-run radio station. This role perfectly connects their love of indie music with graphic design, working on visuals for countless shows on campus and it’s semesterly zine, while also assisting with booking and managing said shows. Outside of design, Hayden loves indie game development, often participating in online game jam competitions, even placing in the top 75 of the largest online jam in history.

They’re eager to enter the industry, with an understanding of the print history of design, and the digital future.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I have always loved working in the genre of fantasy, and that can expand to a lot of things! But for me, I’ve always wanted to be a part of a project that focuses on vibrancy and expression. Recently I’ve been experimenting a lot with special effects in digital design. Ultimately, I would love to work with a brand that could have fluid, abstract mixed media in their packaging.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

My friends and I recently have been loving Lost In Space, a sci-fi drama.

The fast-paced action and cinematography are absolutely amazing, I would recommend it for sure!

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Maggie West, a Los Angeles based artist who dives into the medium of colorful photography, has just become a huge inspiration for me. I admire their work because of not only their non-profit installations that are interactive and wonderfully detailed, but also aesthetically. It is so easy to appreciate their use of color theory and composition once you check them out, I definitely encourage you to take a look!

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IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I’d love to lead a rebranding project for a large-scale music or arts festival. Projects like that have so many teeny elements, and just make so many people’s experiences that much better.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

SKA DREAM by Jeff Rosenstock has been on repeat since it dropped last year! Though I do have to also shout out ctverses’ heavy rotation playlist on Spotify, the CT scene never ceases to make bangers.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Elliot Ulm, or @elliotisacoolguy everywhere. They’re a content creator, so definitely not the path I want to go down, but their outlook on how graphic design should be thought of really drives my work. So often, graphic design is made out to be something with such gravity or is completely gatekept, but it truly doesn’t have to be that way, and their cheeky yet encouraging content shows how positive fighting against that outlook can be.

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LIZZIE BUTLER

EDWARD VALDEZ

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

Lizzie Butler is a Graphic Designer and Visual Artist devoted to making minimal designs that evoke an emotional connection with her client and audience. While solving design problems, she focuses on building communication and functionality in her work. She is passionate about typography, branding, packaging, and UI/UX design. In addition to design, Lizzie has worked with beauty brands such as Elemis, Dr. Dennis Gross, and Gisou as a product photographer and content creator. This unique experience allowed her to enhance her composition skills and color theory knowledge. It also served as a creative outlet where she found much inspiration for her designs. Originally from Thomasville GA, Lizzie is currently based out of Atlanta where she has just graduated with a BFA with a concentration in Graphic Communications at Kennesaw State University. She plans on pursuing UI/UX Design post-graduation.

Edward Valdez is a Filipino-American graphic designer. He is finishing his senior year at Kennesaw State University with a BFA in Graphic Communications. He currently works in the print and packaging industry at Heidelberg USA as a Creative Services Specialist intern. In his free time, Edward serves as an artistic coordinator for a K-pop performance team known as SIN-K. He works on producing videos and graphics to help build his extensive portfolio in an area he is passionate about. Performance and fine art are quintessential Edward.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to take existing brands and visualize products that you wouldn’t imagine them creating such as designer energy drinks or restaurant gaming consoles. Part of being a designer requires you to send a message. Why not make these messages silly and irreverent?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I would love to design for a new major beauty brand. I am a product photographer, designer, and beauty lover, and I would love to combine my love for all three into a new innovative beauty brand.

I just finished watching the very popular Squid Game; and you can always find me listening to K-pop. Most of my media consumption involves any Asian-related music and tv show as it closely relates to my identity.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I listen to a lot of podcasts while I work. My favorite is What We Said

by Chelsey Curtis and Jaci Smith. I am currently reading Dune for the first time after loving the 2021 film. Lastly, I just started watching the series Yellowstone.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I’m inspired by designer Josef Muller-Brockmann. The Swiss design of geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and heavy emphasis on grid-use catches my eye and inspires some of my designs.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I look up to Julia Fernandez (2021 GDUSA Student To Watch). She is a new designer who is documenting her journey from student to professional designer in a vulnerable and informative way in her YouTube web series #DesignDiaries. Julia inspires me to push my concepts and be vulnerable as a designer.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

ELLIE BRADLEY

TAYVIA RIDGEWAY

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

Ellie J. Bradley is a designer studying at DePaul University. Her love for design started in her high school’s computer lab, where she began learning the principles of design and never looked back. Since then, she has learned so much through her education at DePaul, an internship, and freelancing when she can. She especially enjoys working with typography, visual identity, and packaging. She loves problem-solving in creative ways. The moment she gets an idea and can bring it into the world motivates her to keep working. She is a type nerd, minimalist and often has to push herself not to make everything black and white. She admires how much opportunity for good there is in the industry — there is never just one job to be done, and so many great causes need design to succeed. In her free time, she likes taking care of her plants and hanging out with her friends and family.

Tayvia Ridgeway is a junior at DePaul University, earning her BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in Illustration. She has always had a passion for visual arts and has expanded her range of work using digital media. As a fine art student, first and foremost, Tayvia incorporates traditional art styles and transforms them into a contemporary and clean aesthetic. Her illustrative qualities have an immense influence over her collective style. Tayvia utilizes her designs as a vessel for self-expression and representation of otherwise unseen communities. In her personal exploration, she gravitates towards depictions of minority and female figures to highlight the importance of marginalized peoples deserving their space in today’s graphic design world. Professionally, she has created graphic advertisements for DePaul’s Athletic Department and has branded her small business beauty brand TAIGA ROSE, included logos, website media, packaging, and accessory products.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

I think I would want to be an eternal student. I want to learn how to design typefaces. I want to improve my illustration. I want to try designing something unique like a pop-up shop or a museum exhibit. Maybe I could even learn how to build things, like industrial design. Oh, and I want to use a letterpress. So, if anyone has one lying around, please reach out.

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

If I had no constraints, my dream project would be to design and install a gallery exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago. I would also be interested in creating a large-scale mural in Chicago’s downtown loop area .

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am watching The Queen’s Gambit again.

I am watching the Hulu show The Great, a comedic satire on the takeover of the Russian empire by Catherine the Great. It recently released its second season, and it is absolutely hilarious!

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

My professors. They have been a source of motivation and support during my years at DePaul, and I will always look up to them.

As a female designer and person of color, I value the voice of Sylvia Harris within the Graphic Design community. She has used her skill in design to positively improve the urban communities around her. I identify with her and aim to be just as impactful as her in my career.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

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AUBREY HAYDEN

ELIZA KUHN

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Growing up, Aubrey always had a passion for studio art, but it wasn’t until hersenior year of high school that she discovered her love for graphic design. Aubrey is currently a Senior at Ball State University majoring in Visual Communication and minoring in Art History, and she pursues projects that combine her passions for design and art history. She has worked and interned as a designer at various locations over the past four years, but she is excited to complete her first museum internship in a museum at the David Owsley Museum of Art in the spring of 2022.

I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in art, but it was not until my senior year of high school that I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer. Fast forward three and a half years, and now I am a senior completing a major in Visual Communication and a minor in Art History. I enjoy graphic design because I have the opportunity to create visual stories and messages that benefit and help other people. I am currently a Team Lead at Studio 165+, an award-winning, student-led design studio and have been able to participate in several design projects for clients in Muncie IN. I am thankful for Studio 165+ because I have learned how to work with other designers and gain real-word experience prior to graduation. Additionally, I participated and won second place in a 24-hour design competition in Fall 2021. When I am not working on design projects, I enjoy watching movies, trying new recipes, and taking care of my plants.

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

I was born in Memphis TN but I live and grew up in Avon IN. IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

As of right now, I would love to live in Chicago.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’RE FACING AS A DESIGN STUDENT RIGHT NOW?

I think the largest challenge I’m facing as a design student right now is keeping up with the pace at which things change in the industry. We work in a field that is constantly evolving, so keeping up with newly released programs, shifting style trends, and increased expectations from employers can be overwhelming but exciting.

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

I was born in Princeton NJ and I currently live in Muncie IN. IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

I would like to live in London, so I plan to move there after I graduate.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’RE FACING AS A DESIGN STUDENT RIGHT NOW?

One of the biggest challenges that I am facing right now as a design student is keeping up to date with the software and industry advances.

Each year new design applications become the standard for companies and therefore it can be difficult to learn the new software while balancing school projects. That being said, I enjoy learning different techniques from the applications and implementing the skills into my current design projects.

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MAURA DUPRÉ

RACHEL BROYLES

M.AD SCHOOL OF IDEAS/FURMAN UNIVERSITY

M.AD SCHOOL OF IDEAS/FURMAN UNIVERSITY

Maura Dupré is a strategic designer based in Atlanta GA. She’s inspired by retro fashion, hand-lettered typography, international food, and surreal cinema. Originally from Baton Rouge LA, she earned her BA in Moving Image Arts from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She recently received her MA in Strategic Design from Furman University and M.AD School of Ideas where she was awarded the Tom Wright Neenah Paper Scholarship. She’s a visual artist with a background in advertising, graphic design, video, and social media management.

Rachel Broyles is a designer and lover of all things creative. A small-town Tennessee girl originally, she earned her BA at Furman University in Business Administration and Studio Art with a concentration in design and sculpture. Recently, she received her MA in Strategic Design from MA.D School of Ideas and Furman University and upon graduation, was awarded the Tom Wright Neenah Paper Scholarship. She is passionate about hand-lettering, illustration, branding, and beautiful typography. Her inspiration is often found on long hikes or strolling through antique shops.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

If the sky were the limit, I’d love to design a hot sauce line, a makeup line, or brand and design an amusement park. I love any opportunity to design a character, and tell a story with color.

One of my favorite projects from my Master’s program was designing, branding, and handlettering a whiskey bottle inspired by my great-grandpa.

If I had the opportunity, I’d really like to continue bringing history and stories to life through branding and creative lettering. A dream project for me would be to rebrand and create a travel campaign for the town of Hexham, Northern England, where my mom’s side of the family is from. The town was founded in 647 AD, making it one of the oldest and most historic towns in England (Hadrian’s Wall actually borders it and Robin Hood was filmed there!)

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently listening to Yo La Tengo, Talking Heads, and the Cocteau Twins, watching the tv show Community for the first time and reading Tibor Kalman, Perverse Optimist.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

A modern day design icon, Zuzanna Rogatty is a huge inspiration. She’s a Polish designer and art director working at COLLINS in New York.

She inspires me by pushing the limits of typography as a lettering artist with her own unique bubbly colorful style.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I re-read Jane Eyre every holiday season so that’s on the docket, but I also just picked up a copy of The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker. I’ve been watching the German crime show Dark, and I’m always listening to Maggie Rodgers and the My Favorite Murder podcast.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I really admire Jessica Walsh — she’s an icon, and what I love about her is how she really blurs the lines between photography, design, art installation, and illustration. You can see her hand in everything she makes, and her bold style is just as bold as all the ventures she’s taken on after leaving Sagmeister & Walsh.

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TRISTEN TRIVETT

VICTORIA G. KUZMICKI

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Tristen Trivett is addicted to design in all forms. Trivett constantly seeks to find the art in everyday life and to challenge the traditionalist mindset. They aim to create shocking works which haunt the consumer into reflection and transformation. As a firm advocate for abolitionist and radical politics, Trivett aims to incite class consciousness through the use and study of art and design. Trivett pursues and explores exhibition work, publications, printmaking, photography, philosophy, and nature. An ultimate goal of Trivett’s is to change how the world defines value. What beliefs are in place when we make decisions regarding what is good or bad for our future? How do modern commodities continue to use older systems of exploitation to remain intact? Whose voices go unheard? How do we dissolve the leeches of the past to ensure a sustainable, free world hereafter? Through systemic rebuilding, we can use contemporary knowledge and design thinking to create a society liberated from currency and obsessive privatization; a new world no longer dragging its feet in the repetitive horrors of the status quo.

Victoria “Tori” Kuzmicki is currently in her second decade of selfdiscovery. She recognized her talent for drawing in the 8th grade and decided to venture into graphic design after working as a yearbook editor in high school. Outside of the arts, Tori finds clarity in being surrounded by nature. She often escapes to beaches at sunrise and plant nurseries during the week as a method of recharging the soul.

Tori also enjoys learning about psychology and watching cartoons in her free time. These activities inspire her work as an artist and designer. She hopes to serve as a museum curator following her graduation from NSU (but she wouldn't turn down an opportunity to design tattoos).

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

My ideal project would serve community and grassroots activists in a way which captures international attention and protests environmental destruction and disgusting inequality. As the museum invigorates and changes the soul, my project would take over an entire popular establishment and promote controversial emerging artists.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently chipping away at Kahlil Gibran’s Collected Works and The Mystery of Consciousness by John Searle. The former is beautiful, romantic writing while the latter reminds me we ultimately have no idea what any of us are doing on a floating space rock.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Barbara Kruger is the designer who first got me interested in the power of type and graphic design. I am inspired by her use of images and her way with words which deeply move and confront the reader with serious questions.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I daydream about creating 3D floor designs for gallery spaces that guide exhibition visitors. This idea came to me after I created flooring graphics for a virtual 3D exhibition that I co-curated last year. It would assist impaired individuals in safely and comfortably navigating open museum spaces and guide access to the artwork. I want to help visitors have a fulfilling experience in galleries.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I've asked myself tough questions this year regarding my identity and the state of life, and I search for others interested in growing selfawareness of how life unfolds. Video essays analyzing the impact of films, books, and economic activities intrigue me the most. People are continuously evolving as individuals, so I seek content that prompts me to question my perspectives, feelings, and beliefs. I also enjoy rap and R&B from the 90’s and 2000’s. This music relaxes my mind so I can design more openly, and also reminds me of my childhood.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

My peers at NSU. I appreciate their rejection of outdated design principles and desire to do something different. I love that my classmates are unconcerned with appealing to the exclusive and prestigious design standards that have silenced the voices of so many people outside the status quo.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

CHRIS BAKER

MASON GOOLSBY

CRANBROOK ACADEMY OF ART

CRANBROOK ACADEMY OF ART

Chris Baker is an artist/designer working as an MFA Candidate in 2D Design. He lives with his wife Brittany and cat Tiggy in Ferndale MI. Chris’ work revolves around the articulation and re-articulation of the nuances of religious belief, process, and perception. Specifically, the parts of those things that work naturally, and synthetically.

Throughout the last few years, he has worked on some long form design projects and has been working in a variety of different fields, learning odd processes and hanging out with odd people. While he is not in the studio he enjoys bad television, good books and slow motorcycles.

Mason Goolsby is an artist/graphic designer. He received his BFA in Graphic Design from VCUarts in 2019. Growing up as a queer person in the “Bible Belt” brings unique hardships, and living openly in this area of the country often results in ostracization by religious organizations and faith communities. Such experiences have helped mold Goolsby’s values, spirituality, identity, and ultimately, his graphic design practice. Following his undergraduate study, working as a freelance designer in NYC, he was called to create work exploring the nuances of living life after experiencing religious and cultural trauma. Goolsby’s approach to graphic design and art is to synthesize complex ideas into digestible media for an audience through familiar imagery. The opportunity to give form to forgotten stories and unspoken experiences is something he explores in his time at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he is currently an MFA candidate in the 2D Design Department.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

If there were no constraints I'd love to create a residency type situation for others to come write, work, and collaborate.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

At the moment I’m reading New Modernism(s) by Ben Duvall, listening to some Weyes Blood, and watching What We Do in the Shadows.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Recently I have loved listening to interviews with Tal R and looking at Tauba Auerbach’s work, but I'm really just trying to pay attention to the people around me and work in front of me.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to partner with a nonprofit like The Trevor Project, to create a massive campaign to help further spread awareness about resources for LGBTQIA+ youths.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently listening to The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley on audiobook, and watching Succession and The Great.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

My mentor from my time at VCUarts, Nicole Killian, is an educator and designer who I greatly admire. As an educator they challenge old modes of design pedagogy and hold space for emerging queer and marginalized designers. Their commitment to design and their students is something that I wish to model in my own design practice.

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SAVANNAH DURINGER

LANDON MILLER

MERCER UNIVERSITY

MERCER UNIVERSITY

Savannah Duringer is a graphic designer and illustrator, with an emphasis in digital media. She attends Mercer University in Macon GA where she will complete her BA in May of 2022, majoring in Graphic Design, with dual minors in Marketing Communications and Fine Arts. Savannah is a Gilman Scholar, having completed her internship with Andina, a high-end jewelry company based in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the summer of 2021. The same summer, she worked at Fiserv, as their Global Brand and Communications Creative Services intern.

Landon Miller is a Graphic Design major currently attending Mercer University in his hometown of Macon GA. He recently finished up his collegiate football career. When not busy watching inspiring digital art YouTube channels, Landon spends his days designing, lifting, growing his faith, and hanging out with family.

Savannah is a layout design editor for the school newspaper, The Mercer Cluster; she is also employed at The McEachern Art Center, designing both promotional and exhibition graphics; she works as a freelance designer and illustrator in the areas of website design, branding, and custom illustrations; and she creates commissioned fine arts in both acrylics and mixed media.

Savannah contributes regular and significant amounts of time as a volunteer, creating both digital and print materials for a non-profit organization that serves the elderly disabled population. She loves living a multi-faceted creative life and aspires, in all of her endeavors, to create work which invites accessibility to personal joy.

Landon grew up collecting sneakers, inspired by the photo composites that major shoe brands would use to advertise new shoe releases. Combining his love of athletics and design, Landon recently completed an internship for the Mercer Athletics Department, where he was able to further explore his passion for photo compositing. Landon finds a fun challenge in bringing multiple images into a single document in order to create one coherent piece of art.

Regardless of what Landon pursues, he always strives to put his best effort forward. After graduation, he hopes to find a career where he can expand his design knowledge and skill set, while also producing visuals that businesses and clients will be proud of.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Photo composites for Nike or Adidas’ new shoe releases.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would love to illustrate a children’s book.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m listening to The Lumineers on repeat.

I am watching Parks and Recreation, though The Office is my all-time favorite.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I think Benny Productions and Phase Runner are two of the best digital artists in the business.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Eric Carle.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

HANNAH CANTRELL

KEELY TRAIL

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (USM)

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (USM)

Hannah Cantrell is a senior Graphic Design major and a Hattiesburg, MS native with a love for illustration and branding. She hopes to create the change she wants to see in the world by producing work that encourages self-expression, creativity, and authenticity to oneself. Her favorite problems to explore are creating atmospheres and identities for unorthodox concepts and brands, and she often looks to nostalgic elements from times past to create unique solutions.

Hannah is also a member of the USM Honors College and will be completing a thesis concerning these very design problems within the next year. After graduation, she hopes to explore the full range of her design capabilities and broaden her experiences within the art world.

I grew up in Northern Virginia, where I frequented many of the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC. My favorite museum was the National Gallery of Art because that was where I fell in love with art and its transposition across generations and cultures. I attended the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina for my first two years of college, there I was a BA graphic design major and played DII lacrosse. After transferring, I am now finishing up my last year of college at the University of Southern Mississippi where I will be receiving my BFA in graphic design. While in college I work as a parttime designer for Creative Distillery, a design agency in Jackson, Mississippi. I am also on the executive board as the Secretary for our student-led graphic design club Creative Collective.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would want to brand an alternative clothing line from the ground up, including the environmental design of the store as well as unconventional promotional materials like zines and stationary.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m currently watching the entirety of David Lynch’s filmography and listening to My Brother, My Brother, And Me religiously.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I’ve looked up to Paula Scher ever since I heard about her work in school.

After watching her Abstract episode, I think she’s an absolute rockstar.

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IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

If there were no barriers and constraints, I would design a project for social good that focuses on destigmatizing mental illness and promoting a positive message about seeking a better personal and societal understanding of mental health.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Currently, I enjoy watching reality tv, specifically Keeping up with the Kardashians. I know it is a ridiculous show but who doesn’t love a guilty pleasure pop-culture tv show.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Someone I look up to in my field would be Paula Scher. Her book Make it Bigger was the first graphic design book I had ever read, and I love how she is able to absorb and interpret her environment and apply these unique findings to her work.

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TANNER PEREZ

JOSLYNN TAYLOR

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

I’m a senior in the Graphic Design BFA program at Utah Valley University currently designing part-time while in school. I enjoy making and appreciating designs that do what they set out to, but I take a special interest in experimental approaches that use concept and form to disrupt the expected in unique ways. But there are also few things better than a workhorse font. I'm leaving my career path pretty open but would like to join an agency and art direct at some point. When not designing, you can find me reading, playing tennis, watching movies, writing, or dreaming about adopting a dog. Thanks for taking the time to read my profile!

I’d like to build a printing press, cast type, make ink and paper, etc. in order to print and bind my favorite books by hand. Or really any project that promotes reading, especially of lesser known or translated literature.

I have always had an interest in the arts and creativity. I received an Associate Degree in photography from the University of Utah, where I took a digital media course and developed a deeper love for design. I am currently pursuing a BFA in graphic design and expect to graduate Fall 2022. My love of art and design comes from my love of people and connection. Being surrounded by those I love is when I feel most happy. I use graphic design as a way to express my thoughts and feelings, and hope to make an impact in the world through my work. My work often explores themes very personal to me, such as women’s issues and racial equality. I love graphic design because of the power it can have. The way it can be used as a tool for change, a bridge for connection, a way to communicate ideas or tell a story, is what makes it so important. I am so grateful to my amazing professors for teaching me there is much more to design than just making something look nice.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

Reading Mason & Dixon, watching What We Do in the Shadows, and relistening to The Teacher’s Lounge podcast.

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

There are many, but to continue the theme of books, Barbara Dewilde’s book covers for Knopf in the 1990’s speak to me. Her sophisticated use of the weird or ugly in many more of her designs is inspiring. They were less immediately pleasing than book cover trends now (generally) dictate but more raw and personal for it.

I would love to work on a project that involves all of my passions: photography, art, design, and fashion. A girl I know works as an art director and photographer for the creative studio, Object & Animal, and I would love to be a part of one of her projects.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am very indoorsy so this question is my jam. I'm currently watching Insecure on HBO, one of my favorite shows. I am a huge podcast nerd.

My favorites are: Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard, The Tim Ferriss Show and Sex with Emily. I am currently listening to Daring Greatly by Brené Brown and Recollections of my Nonexistence by Rebecca Solnit.

Life-changing.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I look up to my professor, Gareth Fry. He always has his students’ best interests in mind and goes above and beyond to help us succeed. He is a brilliant designer and professor, and I am truly grateful to learn from him. I would not be the designer I am today without him.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

MICHAEL MICHALSKI

SYDNEY WEBER

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO (CCC)

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO (CCC)

Michael Michalski was raised in Detroit MI, and is a designer and student at Columbia College Chicago. Michael works in all mediums and see's the value of design in music, film, tattoos, everything.

One of Michaels’s greatest strengths is championing his peers. He cultivates a rich environment of compelling students to push each other and bring forth excellent work. Michael aspires to become a candidate at a graduate design program, and hopes to teach and run a design department of his own one day. He likes to attend live music and take photos with his Polaroid camera when he's not designing.

Sydney Weber, a first-generation adopted Chinese senior, is completing her BFA in Graphic Design and Minor in Motion Graphics, with Honors. Raised by in-browser Flash games, she began designing fan-organized digital events with promotional materials at fourteen. After her first year, Sydney interned at C-Suite Quarterly Magazine in Los Angeles — using print and digital media to highlight innovative industry leaders. She has since created the branding for a student lead, character-driven mini-series while handling brand manager duties for Columbia College Chicago’s Echo magazine (Shift issue). Understanding the impact of the pandemic, Sydney envisions a future where design and multimedia are at the helm of a fullydigital landscape. She is committed to dynamic communication — driven to make narratives more poignant by realizing her creative vision through digital, kinetic human experiences.

IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The historical figure I would want to have coffee with is Samuel Steward. Steward was a history professor turned tattoo artist who documented queer street gangs at the lowest and roughest social levels.

He was influential within Chicago queer culture, and I have an eagle design of his tattooed on me. In this fantasy interview, I get tattooed

by Steward and see his Polaroid photography.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?

I have learned that every project is an opportunity to put thoughtful design out into the world. Everything you design should be something you want to hang on your wall.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

There are so many great shows out right now. Currently, I’m watching Arcane and Super Crooks on Netflix. John Rechy’s City of Night is in my backpack, and I'm currently listening to Bicep and Gilligan Moss in my headphones.

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IF YOU COULD HAVE COFFEE WITH ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHOM WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The giant Walt Disney is an obvious choice. I’d love to hear his thoughts about the Metaverse and the future of storytelling.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?

I learned patience. I used to be paranoid about losing out on opportunities. I now know that waiting and preparing can be as valuable (if not more so) than chasing today’s play.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Ask Iwata has been a very insightful read — absorbing Satoru Iwata’s perspective concerning Nintendo’s history and values. Flaunt, 2nd Edition has been so helpful, opening up the many possibilities of what a portfolio can be. I watch Ben Marriott faithfully on YouTube to hone my motion graphics skills and remain current on trends.

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MINU AKTAR

JONAI GIBSON-SELIX

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

Minu Aktar is studying at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA with a major in Graphic Design and a minor in Business. Born in Bangladesh, she moved to the USA six years ago to pursue her dream as a designer. She knows four-plus languages: Bangla, English, Hindi, Urdu, and she can read Arabic. Her hobbies include photography, road trips, movies, arts and culture, languages, reading, writing, walking on the beach, and hiking. Minu has worked in the creative realms of graphic design and illustration and, more recently, in branding. She strives for clear visuals and authentic information in all of her creative projects by using mindful thinking.

Jonai Gibson-Selix is a senior graphic design student at the University of the Arts. Surrounded by the thriving arts of Philadelphia PA all her life, she tried her hand in almost every medium until she crossed paths with design. She has since worked at the intersections of design and culture, identity, and justice, challenging boundaries through her process and creating fresh and provocative editorial, digital, and environmental solutions. When not designing, Jonai can be found documenting her world with her camera, spending time with her chosen family, and traveling.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

Lately, I have taken interest in my family tree, specifically the lineage of women on my maternal side. I have been pondering the fact that, despite how close I am to these women, I know nothing of their dreams, passions, or creative pursuits. I would love to explore their stories and translate them across various forms of media — creative writing, photography, film — to be presented to a larger audience.

A festival for designers to showcase the talents of creative people, students, and graduates. There can be events, seminars, exhibitions, presentations, and a get together. This project would raise funds for talented artists and designers, and feature a variety of live music, arts, poetry, and dance performers. For creative people, this festival will be the best place to meet, greet, or reunite with peers and a perfect place that brings together art and design.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton. From typefaces and type families to kerning and tracking to using a grid, this book covers all you need to know about typography.

Reading: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Listening to: It’s Okay by Lion Babe, OSHUN, Lakim. I always spin Lion Babe when I need to dance.

Watching: Insecure by the FABULOUS Issa Rae. I’m also binging Sex and the City for the first time.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

About design, my hope for the future. A book with the potential to influence millions. So many people are fighting every day of their lives to find a glimmer of hope in order to go forward. I'd like to spread that message of hope through design.

I would write a memoir that compiles all the things I imagine my ancestors and guardian angels would say in response to my life choices and experiences. A little humor, a little grief, and everything in between.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

ANTONIA MILAS

TESSA PEÑA

THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY

THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY

Originally from the Scranton PA area, Antonia Milas is currently earning her B.S. in Visual Communications Design at Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She has been interested in the visual arts for her whole life, and decided to pursue graphic design as it allows her to apply her passion for the arts to many different fields, particularly the sciences. She specializes in bright, colorful, and detailed illustrations, and is also interested in animation and motion graphics. This past summer she completed a Data Visualization Design internship at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and continually creates a variety of artistic freelance work, including portraits, illustrations, and murals. Outside of art and design, Antonia loves the outdoors, enjoying hiking and astrophotography.

She also has a passion for international travel.

I’d love to create data graphics and illustrations for NASA.

Tessa Peña is a senior graphic design student set to graduate in Spring 2022. Coming from a family of creatives, Tessa grew up exploring many forms of art and media, eventually leading her to attend Thomas Jefferson University to pursue a career in design. She has studied various sub-disciplines of graphic design such as information design, illustration, and photography to aid her in her creative endeavors.

She strongly believes that design branches out into all aspects of life (whether others may realize it or not) and is constantly inspired by the works around her. She loves finding new ways to communicate information and ideas, challenging herself to create and execute abstract concepts and her audience to look at content from a new perspective.

She has also worked with various groups, businesses, and agencies around Philadelphia to design unexpected, impactful pieces, and aspires to continue working in the city post-graduation. When she's not designing, Tessa loves to spend her time traveling, running, and caring for her houseplants as a self-proclaimed plant mom.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS,

The Little Prince for about the hundredth time.

WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Illustrator James Gurney.

I’d love to work on a worldwide campaign to advocate environmental conservation. Growing up on the East Coast, I’ve developed a long-time fascination and appreciation for the oceans, forests, and everything between. I admire organizations like Sea Shepherd, and I’d jump at the chance to design professionally for a project like that.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

At the moment I’ve been reading George Orwell’s 1984, watching The Handmaid’s Tale, and listening to lots of indie pop and modern rock (as well as every other genre of music for that matter).

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Gavin Strange has been a major inspiration. I admire the wide range of media he uses across his works; from photography to motion graphics, Strange has always brought a certain kind of energy and passion to his projects. He keeps me inspired to use any and all materials in my designs, and reminds me to have fun.

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STEPHANIE SZEMETYLO

CASEY RHEAULT

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Stephanie Szemetylo is a design researcher and industrial designer passionate about investigating humanity-centered dilemmas and working at the intersection of design and sustainability. After design internships in jewelry, watches, and surgical devices, she struck a balance between aesthetic sensitivity and meaningful problem solving at Kohler Co. There, she designed the initial prototypes for Real Rain, an overhead shower panel that delivers a luxurious yet water efficient natural rainfall experience. This new-to-world, brand-building product was issued numerous patents and earned three international design awards. Continuing as a full time designer at Kohler, Stephanie worked on a range of kitchen and bathroom projects, design research inquiries, and sustainability efforts. Her most rewarding contributions were designing prototypes for safe sanitation for the Indian market with funding from the Gates Foundation and facilitating workshops with the company’s Design for Environment team to identify opportunities to reduce the impact of products in development using a lifecycle framework. As a Stamps MDes student, Stephanie’s thesis research explores how design can encourage plant-based dining in restaurant settings as a climate change mitigation measure. After graduation, she hopes to continue this work and find new opportunities to develop environmentally responsible products, services, and systems.

Casey Rheault is a designer at the University of Michigan studying Art & Design with an Environment minor. In his time at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, he has become inspired by design’s power to be a universal communicative tool and its ability to break down the most complex of ideas. Casey has been able to explore a variety of design contexts. During the Summer 2021, he worked with The Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project in 2021 to streamline restaurant operating procedures, and in the Fall 2020, he was a part of a student team that designed alongside the Creative Campus Voting Project to encourage and facilitate student voter registration. These experiences have shaped his interests in exploring communication design’s role in built environments.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I have dreams about designing trail and park systems that make the land’s history more present.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

Reading The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay. Listening to lots of Hovvdy and Outkast. Rewatching Parks & Recreation for the hundredth time.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

Giorgia Lupi and Lance Wyman.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I believe it is Charles and Ray Eames who said “Design depends largely on constraints.” But, if I remove my personal constraints, I would extend my thesis research and collaborate with area restaurants to develop more sustainable practices, whether that’s around food choices, sourcing local ingredients, or packaging waste.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?

I appreciate Liz Sanders, the design research scholar. She has contributed so many tools and methods that integrate the voices of non-designers to the design field and has inspired my approach to research and design.

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2022 | STUDENTS TO WATCH

NGAN HOANG

NIRALI OZA

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

Ngan Hoang (she/they) is a designer and artist, who is passionate about accessibility and equity. Over the last decade, she’s dedicated herself to building more human-centric, intuitive, and inclusive spaces and products within the technology industry. She’s worked with small startups to high-profile brands such as Vox Media, Automattic, and The Washington Post. Recently, she relocated from Washington DC to Austin TX, where she’s pursuing a graduate degree at UT Austin, as a Master of Arts in Design focused on Health candidate. Through thoughtful and empathetic design solutions, she hopes to inspire positive change within health systems to be more value-based, integrated, and focused on improving patient experiences and outcomes.

I am a Dallas-based physician turned designer interested in making care delivery services and experiences equitable, accessible, and enjoyable for both care receivers and providers. I learn, think and communicate visually. Fascinated by every aspect of design, from design research to visual design and committed to improving healthcare, I have been serving as a vital liaison between the fields of design and health to bring value to health innovation projects. I consider creating beautiful, informative, and compelling visual stories through various artifacts as my superpowers, something that the healthcare field should utilize more. I graduated with the inaugural class of the Design in Health Master’s program and continued my healthcare design career path as one of the first recipients of the MA in Design Alumni Fellowship at Design Institute for Health.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

As a refugee and first-generation immigrant from Vietnam as well as the first in my family to go to college, I’m most inspired by my pa’ents.

They’ve sacrificed so much in order to provide me a better life and more opportunities they’ve never had. Their resilience and selflessness encourages me everyday to practice compassion and kindness towards others in everything that I do.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I am a huge advocate for self-care and mental health, especially being neurodivergent as well as being diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I’d love to work on a project that shifts perceptions and helps eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

My friend Philip just lent me “The Truth About Keeping Secrets” by Savannah Brown, which I’m super excited to read. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Kehlani, specifically “Altar.” Finally, I’ve been watching season two of “The Great” on Hulu.

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WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

Identifying and creating innovative methods to understand and empathize with users.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would work on the Women's Health Literacy Project, empowering them through education using engaging, informative, and inspiring visual designs.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision by Fritjof Capra

Feb 2022 Students to Watch Impo.qxp_Layout 7 2/2/22 3:50 PM Page 117

ASHLEY OWEN

CLAUDIA ZELAYA

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

My name is Ashley. I am a senior undergraduate student at the University of North Texas majoring in communication design and minoring in advertising and art history. Since childhood, I have enjoyed technology and art, and I love that graphic design allows me to merge those fields. I am passionate about what I do because it gives me a way to put things into the world that make an impact.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, drinking coffee, listening to music, and cuddling with my cats.

My name is Claudia Zelaya, and I am a designer and illustrator based in Dallas TX. My creativity was nurtured by my mother and family.

Growing up, I was surrounded by the prowess of her green thumb, with all the lush plants at every window. My father played guitar and sang, and my older brothers had imaginative skills. Creating art has been constant in my life, though I discovered my interest in design later on. My high school art teacher challenged me to explore another form of art, and I chose collage-making. I immediately fell in love with the idea of making a unique piece, forming a narrative, and experimenting with many materials. Since then, my enthusiasm for visual design has grown. I strive to create meaningful, well-crafted solutions to elevate everyday experiences as a designer. Branding, packaging, and editorial design are what excites me the most. This past year, I received recognition from Salute Student Design Competition, Graphex52, and DSVC National Student Show.

In my free time, I enjoy exercising, listening to Kaytranada, eating dumplings, and spending time with my four cats.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I do not know the specifics of what I would like to do, but I love UX/UI design and would enjoy working on a large-scale project that would allow users to make a lasting, positive impact in their life. I am passionate about helping others and human/animal rights, so doing anything to support the betterment of our world would make me happy.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I’m so focused on my portfolio and last semester of college that I currently don't have anything on my nightstand. However, I will admit that I recently watched Disney’s Encanto, my guilty pleasure.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

If I wrote a book, I would focus on my personal experiences overcoming barriers to pursue my goals. It would explain my story of how my health complications forced me to drop out of middle school and how I — despite still having pain and struggles — was able to make it to where I am today. I would hope to inspire others to not give up on themselves.

IF THERE WERE NO BARRIERS AND CONSTRAINTS, WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK ON?

I would really enjoy rebranding a neighborhood restaurant named Tino’s. It was one of our city’s first Tex-Mex restaurants back in the ’70s.

My dad was a waiter there for many years, and I have fond memories of eating there. These memories have been bittersweet since my father’s passing. It has a special place in my heart.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?

I am currently catching up on the Mandalorian and rewatching Rilakkuma and Kaoru as my comfort tv.

1 IF YOU WERE GOING TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

The loss of my father, exploring his past. Particularly how he escaped the Salvadoran Civil War, and how I used art and design to get through one of the most challenging times in my life.

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HOW TO BUILD A COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

BY PAUL FLAHARTY

You’ve found a great candidate for your open creative role,

● Attract Top Talent — Building a workforce full of people with

moved them through interviews (without cutting corners, of

high-value skills could enable you to expand your client base

course) and extended a job offer. Your hopes are high — until

or execute more complex projects. Having a top-notch team

they tell you they’re going with a different opportunity. With

also helps boost your firm’s reputation — among potential

competition for top talent so fierce right now, building your

clients and talented creatives alike.

ideal creative team may feel like an impossible quest. ●. Drive Down Recruiting Costs — Cost-per-hire is a crucial metric

How can you make the most sought-after creatives choose you over your competitors?

for hiring managers, particularly in smaller firms. By improving compensation, you reduce the risk of talented candidates slipping through your fingers after you’ve spent time and

Understanding what today’s creative professionals look for in

money pursuing them.

a compensation package will help. Research from the 2022 Salary Guide From Robert Half shows not only what salary

● Retain Your MVPs — When staff are well-compensated and

levels are appropriate for creative positions in cities across the

feel valued, they’re more likely to stick around, saving managers

country, but also what benefits and perks job seekers value

time and money on recruitment, onboarding, and training.

most and other trends in the hiring market. Taken all together, this information can help you craft an attractive offer that makes

● Add Value Through Improved Performance — Competitive com-

top talent say yes to yours instead of another company’s.

pensation (particularly when it’s linked to performance) incentivizes employees to produce work that leaves stakeholders,

WHY COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION MATTERS Salaries, benefits and bonuses may feel like expenses, but they’re actually investments in your firm’s future. Offering competitive compensation allows you to:

118 G D U S A

customers and clients impressed.

flaharty.qxp_feb news play 2/2/22 3:51 PM Page 119

4 TIPS FOR BUILDING A COMPENSATION PACKAGE A good compensation package makes both sides happy. The candidate feels like their value has been recognized; the employer is satisfied they’ve made a worthwhile investment.

Here’s how to construct a win-win offer.

what workers actually want. Tuition assistance, for example, sounds like a desirable benefit, but research from Robert Half reveals that only 6% of candidates regard it as a priority. The same survey found that health insurance is a must for threequarters (76%) of employees, followed by paid time off (57%) and a retirement savings plan (51%). Flexible work schedules

1. Make It Competitive

are also highly desired as employees seek to maintain a healthy

Candidates read salary guides, too, and do other salary research.

work-life balance in the wake of the pandemic, and over half

They know their market value. If your offer is average, above-

of creatives would appreciate having the option to work remotely

average talent may not apply. Use the Salary Guide and Salary

at least a day or two per week.

Calculator to assess median pay for the position in your city.

If you can, set your offer a little higher than the going rate to

Following these tips will help you set up the bait, but it doesn’t

attract the attention of highly skilled candidates. If you can’t,

guarantee your preferred candidates will bite. Don’t despair.

flesh out the package with tempting benefits and perks (see

Recalibrate your package if needed, but stick to your strategy.

below), and make these prominent in your job posting. If you

If you’re offering the right opportunity with the right compen-

don’t usually list salary ranges in your job descriptions, consider

sation, it won’t be long before you make the right hire.

doing so now. Talented candidates have abundant opportunities in today’s market and may skip over the least informative job ads. Transparency could be your best policy.

PAUL FLAHARTY is executive director of the marketing and creative practice at global

2. Make It Strategic

talent solutions firm Robert Half, which con-

Your compensation package should be designed to further your

nects professionals with companies hiring in

firm’s short- and long-term goals. For example, if your priority

marketing, creative, digital, advertising and

is to raise profits in the next 12 months, you could offer a bonus

public relations. His primary responsibility is to develop and oversee the growth strat-

for hitting a certain metric, running a successful marketing campaign or bringing new products to life. If you’re looking to build a highly experienced creative team, your compensation

egy for the company's marketing and creative contract talent solutions teams across the United States.

plan might include gradually accrued benefits like company

Paul began his career with Robert Half in New York City in 2005. After

matching for a retirement plan or a company share scheme to

seven years of building successful operations in the tri-state area, he

reward loyal employees.

relocated to Los Angeles. Paul has held several leadership positions, including division director, regional vice president and district director.

3. Make It Fair Everyone wants to do well, and that’s a lot easier to achieve if

He most recently oversaw operations throughout Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area for the company’s technology and marketing and creative practices.

the goalposts are well defined. Knowing how bonuses are awarded, how much you’ll earn for each commission or how to

Paul is a spokesperson for Robert Half and frequently quoted expert

get a raise is important for morale. To eliminate unconscious

on various hiring trends and workplace topics. A graduate of Cornell

bias or perceptions of favoritism, bonuses should be given across the board or clearly linked to performance in line with

University, Paul is now based in Los Angeles and is proud to be raising two incredible children.

the company’s mission. The more transparent you can be about your compensation process, the more motivated staff

ROBERT HALF is the world’s first and largest specialized talent

will be to focus their efforts in the right direction.

solutions firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Our marketing and creative specialists are

4. Make Sure It’s What Employees Want Benefits and perks can be just as important as salary in a hiring and retention strategy, so make sure your incentives are

ready to support your contract, temporary and permanent hiring or job search needs. Find your next marketing and creative hire or career opportunity at roberthalf.com.

G D U SA 119

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