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Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Award

goersab — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:35:00 +0000

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Awardgoersab June 11, 2026

Interdisciplinary team of graphic communications, graphic media, print management students’ ‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ celebrates print media

Abbey Goers

In an international competition designed to celebrate the way print media brings people together across the globe, a team of 91��Ƭ Polytechnic students won the coveted TAGA Student Choice Award at the 2026 Technical Association of the Graphic Arts, Helmut Kipphan Student Chapter Competition. The award was announced in April during a watch party hosted by Konica Minolta, in Chicago.

The winning team is made up of students in the B.S. graphic communications and B.F.A. graphic design and interactive media programs and the graphic media and print management minor. Their design, “Mail Across Minneapolis,” inspired by postcards, is a folding carton mailbox made of paperboard. Their submission included the final deliverable, a journal publication, and detailed production notes, which reinforced their skills in design, technical execution, project management and collaboration.

Sam Mireles-Melgarejo, Theodore Cerny, Becky Gaspord, Red Moser, Mallory Jakubiak, advisor Bethany Wheeler and Ariel Kissel, pose in front of the Konica Minolta building with the T / Becky Gaspord and Ariel Kissel

“Students are pushing new ideas, and industry folks are genuinely interested. It feels collaborative, not just competitive,” said TAGA President Birgit Plautz, adding that TAGA helps “connect new ideas with what’s actually happening in the industry,” creating opportunities for student work to influence real-world practices.

TAGA Student Choice Award team members were:

Mallory Jakubiak, of Shakopee, Minnesota
Red Moser, of Manitowoc
Trevor Anderson, of Menomonie
Ariel Kissel, of Neenah
Theo Cerny, of Maple Grove, Minnesota
Brynn Hessel, of South Range

“Competitions like these are so beneficial for students to participate in because their open-ended structure leaves a lot of room for the students to decide what direction to take the projects. This allows them the flexibility to make something they are really passionate about and something they can be really proud of,” said graphic communications Program Director Bethany Wheeler.

Other participating student chapters were from Ball State University, California Polytechnic State University, Clemson University, Ferris State University, Illinois State University, Rochester Institute of Technology and Toronto Metropolitan University.

TAGA’s Vice President of Education Celeste Calkins noted, “These students are the future of this industry,” highlighting the importance of providing opportunities for them to grow, connect and exchange ideas.

‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ winning design

During the ideation phase, the team chose to focus on mail in general, noting different types of mail through the iconography in their journal publication, including letters, bills, postcards, newspapers, packages and more.

Becky Gaspord, Ariel Kissel, Mallory Jakubiak, Theodore Cerny, Sam Mireles-Melgarejo and Red Moser at Mittera / Ariel Kissel

“We wanted our journal publication to look like a letter arriving in the mail. We cut a sleeve that looked like an envelope to hold the journal and added small details such as a cut-out window to see the address and recipient on the back, like you would an actual letter,” said Kissel, who will serve as 91��Ƭ Polytechnic TAGA chapter president in 2027-28 during her senior year.

Working in various labs across campus, the team used Adobe Illustrator and InDesign in the GCOM computer labs. They designed and cut out stamps according to official U.S. stamp regulations and requirements and made an ink stamp for the envelope, like the United States Postal Service would place on mail and packages. They used the 3D Printing Lab to make wax seals, as well as the Packaging Lab to cut out the mailboxes and assemble them using an industrial glue gun.

“We decided our overall package design would be a mailbox. We made more stickers to place on the outside to decorate, as someone might actually do to customize their own mailbox, and added a small detail of the address. We wrote ‘2026’ as though it were the house number and made the street name ‘91��Ƭ Street,’” Kissel said.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

Kissel thinks working in a cross-disciplinary team was really helpful. “We were able to bounce ideas off of each other and build on them as we worked. When we ran into issues, which we did quite often through the process, we found our best method was to adjust what we were doing and try again,” she said.

A big issue the team faced was the splitting of the spines of the journal. They initially planned on printing two journals on one block, binding them, and then splitting them in half when trimming the blocks. “Every time we split the block in half, the pressure being applied by the blade would cause the spine to split,” Kissel explained. “As a team, we bounced off ideas of possible solutions, and when we had something we thought might work, we gave it a try. We repeated the process until we found a solution.”

91��Ƭ Polytechnic’s TAGA chapter toured multiple facilities while in Chicago for the award watch party, including Mittera, Specialty Print Communications and Konica Minolta.

TAGA student tour Mittera / Ariel Kissel

This was the chapter’s first time in a decade entering the TAGA competition. “It’s been an extremely rewarding experience to assemble a team of students so passionate about showing off their skills and abilities by competing in this competition. The pieces they produced were incredible, and I couldn’t be prouder of the projects they were able to complete,” Wheeler said. “I’m thrilled to guide this team through a successful competition after many years without a TAGA chapter. I know our projects and team will continue to grow and dazzle the TAGA judges as we recruit more students and strive to showcase the very best of what we do at Stout.”

Kissel was extremely proud to be able to show the team’s work to the other competing chapters. “I was even more proud to be a part of the team to bring home an award after a 10-year hiatus! It was an honor to work with such talented designers,” she said.

Kissel has a summer internship at OEC Graphics, in Oshkosh, helping with quality checks on label and carton designs for BP Lubricants products.

“The biggest lesson I’ve been able to apply so far is to work with my team. I’m only one person, and I can really only do so much,” she said. “The same goes for the rest of my peers on the team. We each are given our positions to ensure things run smoothly and efficiently. By working all together, we really are a well-oiled machine (pun intended).”

TAGA student chapters play an important role in shaping how students understand the graphic communications industry and their place within it. Participation in the competition exposes students to current trends, emerging technologies, and evolving industry needs. The experience also underscores the role of research in driving innovation, encouraging students to think beyond individual projects and consider broader industry applications.

91��Ƭ Polytechnic’s graphic communications program blends design, technology and business strategy to prepare students for careers in printing, packaging, publishing, and related industries, emphasizing the university’s applied learning and industry collaboration.

With an average starting salary of $50,000, 100% of recent graphic communications graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, according to Career Services’ annual First Destination Report.

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Recent graphic design graduate rebrands Twin Cities' Amplify Graphic Installations

giffeyt — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Recent graphic design graduate rebrands Twin Cities' Amplify Graphic Installationsgiffeyt April 22, 2026

Polytechnic partnership empowers alum's company update in preparation for expansion

Tom Giffey

91��Ƭ’s polytechnic approach gave industrial and product design alum Trevor James the skills to create his own business and carve out a niche in large-scale graphic installations. It’s also what prompted him to connect with his alma mater when he wanted to rebrand and expand that business.

Now, with the help of recent graphic design and interactive media graduate Opal Lawrence, James’ Minnesota-based business, Amplify Graphic Installations, has undergone a relaunch.

James, a 2002 graduate, said his 91��Ƭ industrial and product design education helped him create a career in the graphics installation industry, first working for several companies while developing a broad skillset that reflected his experience at 91��Ƭ.

“91��Ƭ has a polytechnic, hands-on way of doing things, which I’ve always just loved,” he said. “When anybody says, ‘Hey can you do this?,’ I say, ‘I’ll be able to figure it out.’”

Amplify Graphic Installations specializes in large scale commercial branding. / Submitted photo

In 2013, James started his own business, originally called Artistinu, which now includes his wife, Kristin, and another employee. Originally focused on installing vehicle wraps, the business has grown and evolved, with 80% of their work now involves brick-and-mortar installations. They use a variety of applications – including vinyl, acrylic, 3D letters, banners, wayfinding, silicon edge graphics (SEG) frames, and more – and mainly do installations for commercial businesses in Minnesota and beyond, including high-profile clients such as Wells Fargo, Target and US Bank Stadium. One client thought highly enough of the team that they flew them to New York to install graphics in Times Square.

Recently, James decided to rebrand the business as Amplify Graphic Installations, which is both more descriptive of what the company does and more easily spelled than Aristinu. It’s all part of an effort to expand, he explained, which will allow him to spend more time on operations and growth and less time on installation.

However, other than hiring someone to design a new logo a few years ago, the couple didn’t make headway on the project. Ultimately, Kristin wondered, “How can we economically work with somebody to help us do a full rebrand?”

The answer came when they reached out to 91��Ƭ.

December 2025 91��Ƭ graduate Opal Lawrence, shown with her senior capstone project.

Engaging with businesses of all sizes

The inquiry reached 91��Ƭ’s Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement, which supports the university’s polytechnic mission by catalyzing applied learning to help businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and community organizations.

External Partner Outreach Manager Sarah Sippl coordinated a meeting between the couple and Associated Dean Aaron Durst, director of 91��Ƭ’s School of Art & Design, and Assistant Professor Katie Lupton, program director for the B.F.A. graphic design and interactive media program. Lupton identified Lawrence, a former student, as the perfect candidate to complete the work.

“She’s going to get it done, she’s a great designer, she’s super reliable,” Lupton recalled saying. “This is going to be a home run.”

The partners created and signed a scope-of-work agreement, and Lawrence was brought on as a limited-term employee to help Amplify Graphic Installations upgrade its brand. It needed new print materials, such as business cards and brochures. But it also needed a refreshed website, redesigned to highlight the business’s new name and branding and to emphasize its accreditation as a 3M Preferred Graphics Installer, which indicates workers have passed advanced tests and specialize in installing specialized graphics such as those on walls, windows and fleets of vehicles. In addition, the business needed its social media channels – including LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook – to match the new look.

Inspiring Graduate: Opal Lawrence, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

Perfecting her portfolio, bringing thoughtfulness to design

Lawrence said she was pleased that Lupton, who she had as a professor for several classes, including her senior capstone course, thought of her for the opportunity. She talked with Trevor and Kristin and got to know them, their business and what they wanted to do with it. The team soon established weekly check-ins to discuss the project’s progress.

“They already had a logo, but they needed everything else to have that new identity,” explained Lawrence, who graduated in December with a B.F.A. in graphic design and interactive media. Because of her coursework and professional experience – including a current internship with Forma, a Menomonie-based multidisciplinary design company – Lawrence had the know-how to create printed materials as well as the technical skills to reboot the company’s online presence.

“This is not a weeklong, ‘cram it in and get it done’ process,” Trevor explained. “Opal does a lot of different things, and then we talk about them, she makes whatever changes are needed, and we move on to the next thing.”

An image from Amplify Graphic Designs' new website, created by 91��Ƭ graduate Opal Lawrence.

Business relaunches with new look

“It’s been very good, everybody’s been on the top of their game – very professional,” Trevor added. Lawrence has helped not only with adopting the logo, colors and branding but also with important behind-the-scenes details such as changing email addresses.

The experience has helped Lawrence apply and polish a wide range of skills. “It’s been cool being able to handle and manage the communication side of things,” she said. “I’m doing the work, but I’m also setting up the meetings and confirming with them what they’re looking for. It’s been interesting to have that very rounded experience – doing it all.”

Now, after several months of work, Amplify Graphic Installations has relaunched with its new name and new look.

“Working with Opal and learning about things that they can do with their design process and the business has been really great for Trevor and Kristin,” Lupton said. “I feel like it’s been a positive experience and a great first example of projects for the future."

“There definitely could be more relationships and partnerships like this,” she continued, adding that businesses may not realize they can form such beneficial connections with 91��Ƭ.

These partnerships – whether class-based or stand-alone – are coordinated through the Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the office at 715-232-2397 or corprelations@uwstout.edu.

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Polytechnic partnership empowers Minnesota company’s update 91��Ƭ alum Trevor James of Amplify Graphic Installations

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Hero Caption: Trevor James, a 2002 91��Ƭ alum, recently contacted his alma mater for help rebranding his business.

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Minnesota AdFed honors 91��Ƭ undergraduate with Best in Show award for Red Cedar Trail branding project

giffeyt — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:13:51 +0000

Minnesota AdFed honors 91��Ƭ undergraduate with Best in Show award for Red Cedar Trail branding project giffeyt April 8, 2026

Graphic design majors receive regional awards, have work showcased on international website

Tom Giffey

A student-designed marketing campaign encouraging people to replace the digital din of contemporary life with the calming sounds of nature along the Red Cedar Trail was honored with the Best in Show for Students award at the annual Minnesota AdFed awards, sponsored by the Advertising Federation of Minnesota on March 5 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Senior Taylor Sherack, a 91��Ƭ B.F.A. graphic design and interactive media major from Crosslake, Minnesota, created the wide-ranging campaign, which included magazine layouts and trail signs as well as Snapchat filters and Spotify playlists. The campaign describes the 15-mile all-season trail – which connects Menomonie to the Chippewa River – as an “escape from everyday noise pollution,” where the sounds of nature replace the “chaotic clamor of notifications and traffic.”

91��Ƭ student Taylor Sherack with her AdFed award. / Submitted photo

Sherack created the project – which also earned gold honors in the American Advertising Federation district awards – in an advertising design course after being assigned to build a new campaign for something that already existed. Instead of picking a business, Sherack chose the Red Cedar Trail, which she sometimes enjoys exploring in the spring weather.

“We were tasked with creating multiple forms of advertisements, ranging from digital to print to web or anything in between that seemed applicable to the brand,” she explained. “The goal was to increase or improve your brand’s perception and to add a fun twist on your campaign to create a unique selling point for your product or company.”

The campaign paired lush woods-and-water imagery with auditory themes, such as a picture of the arm of a record player poised above the circular rings of a tree stump, as well as Spotify playlists filled with tracks titled “Falling Leaves” and “River Rapids.”

Of utmost importance was a unique, consistent brand identity, including a new logo and signage for the trail, as well as a typeface, color palette and other elements.

“I met my goals through a lot of trial and error, especially with creating and editing the typeface that I ended up using as my brand’s main display type,” Sherack said. “I would say that making sure my campaign felt cohesive throughout multiple mediums was a large challenge.”

Student Taylor Sherack's mockup of a newly designed sign for the Red Cedar Trail. / Submitted image

Competition success brings professional exposure

Entering – and often winning – the AdFed competition is an important experience for graphic design students, Professor Nagesh Shinde said.

“This competition gives them exposure to what is happening in the profession,” Shinde said. “It is judged by professionals from across the country. It’s a great resume-builder for them. When they apply from internships and jobs, it carries a lot of weight.”

Sherack attended the event knowing she had won an award but not aware it was Best of Show for Students until she heard her name being announced on stage. “It was a shocking yet fantastic experience,” she said.

It was also thrilling and inspiring to have an opportunity to talk to design and advertising industry professionals about her project.

“I think that the event opened me up to a whole new world of design and introduced me to some fantastic designers and firms,” Sherack said. “This project itself was a fun introduction into advertising, and I think it will aid me in growing as a designer and be a good starting point to look back on when creating new work for my future!”

Sherack will graduate in May, and after that will intern as a designer for the marketing and creative service team at Allianz Life in Minneapolis.

Among those mediums was social media, and Sherack relied on a cross-campus collaboration for some of her source material. Several of her social media campaign mockups used drone footage of the Red Cedar Trail captured by Assistant Professor Abhishek Verma of the B.S. mechanical engineering program. Over the past several years, Verma said, the university’s Engineering & Technology Department has invested in several pieces of commercial drone equipment.

“In collaboration with Nagesh and his design class, we worked with the City of Menomonie and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to obtain permission to fly a Stout-owned drone along the Red Cedar Trail in Menomonie,” Verma said. “The resulting drone footage was shared with students in Nagesh’s class, who used it in a variety of creative course projects.”

Verma added that 91��Ƭ is continuing to explore similar drone-related partnerships with the City of Menomonie.

Taylor Sherack's design project included this mockup of a magazine spread promoting the Red Cedar Trail. / Submitted image

91��Ƭ junior Zoe Smith was also honored by AdFed, receiving a bronze award for a campaign promoting Notion, a customizable productivity app. Smith, a graphic design and interactive media major originally from Otsego, Minnesota, created the integrated campaign for Shinde’s advertising design class last semester.

“My strategy was to promote Notion to make people’s busy lives easier and find a way to better organize their lives,” Smith said. “By positioning Notion as a ‘second brain,’ this campaign visualizes the shift from chaos to clarity.”

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M.F.A. design, graphic design students receive several awards during annual regional competition

This isn’t the first time 91��Ƭ students have been honored at AdFed. Last year, M.F.A. in design student Ashley Jandro created a social awareness campaign focusing on microplastics, for which she received a Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Silver Pin award. And in 2023, senior Isabel Roberts won Best in Show among student entries for an ad campaign promoting under-desk treadmills.

“We have been consistent in producing very strong advertising portfolios over the years,” Shinde said.

91��Ƭ student Grace Dose created these designs for new salsa packaging. / Submitted image

International website showcases students’ packaging designs

Two other graphic design and interactive media students recently had their work showcased on an international website that publishes high-quality student work. The Packaging of the World website highlighted the work of two students from a packaging design class Shinde taught last fall.

91��Ƭ junior Grace Dose, a graphic design and interactive media major from Green Isle, Minnesota, aimed to boost the visual appeal of Mama Torrez Salsa, a small, family-owned food brand.

“My main goals with this project were to create a more visually appealing package that tied into the brand's rich history and represented the freshness of product, as well as making a more sustainable solution to the containers they use for their products,” Dose said.

The new label design included hand-drawn Mexican tiles with a pallet of two distinct colors for each variety of salsa, as well as square jars to reflect the tile motif.

“I think the most challenging part of this process was making a design full of character and culture, without being cliché,” Dose said. “But I think in the end I ended up giving it the touch of culture it needed without being predictable.”

Dose added that it was an honor to have her work displayed on Packaging of the World, which highlights designs from China, India, Egypt, Kenya, Spain, Greece and scores of other nations. “Especially being a student, it is such a great way to get my name out in the industry,” she added. “It can serve as a starting point for networking, as well as an opportunity for feedback on my work from people already in the industry.”

91��Ƭ student Grace Weber created designs for a fictional brand of Hungarian-style fruit brandy. / Submitted image

A fellow graphic design and interactive media major, junior Grace Weber of Durand, drew on her family’s history to inspire a project showcased on Packaging of the World. Assigned to create beverage packaging and to use a language besides English, Weber tapped into her grandfather’s Hungarian heritage and designed packaging and branding for apricot pálinka, a traditional kind of fruit brandy from Hungary.

“I was inspired by Hungarian folk-art styles and motifs, which often include symmetrical botanical illustration, so I created some custom illustrations based on the apricot flavor of my product,” Weber said. “The brand I created is called ‘BARACKMAG,’ which translates roughly to ‘apricot pit.’ I created a word mark and logo (pulled from the illustration) which are featured prominently on the packaging.”

Weber said she aimed to make her designs personal and handmade, to match the product, which is often homemade.

“It’s definitely exciting and an honor to have my work published by Packaging of the World!” she added. “There’s something uniquely terrifying about sharing your work for anyone to see, but I’m really glad my class was encouraged to do so.”

91��Ƭ’s School of Art & Design, one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest, offers bachelor’s degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, as well as an M.F.A. in design.

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All Graphic Design & Interactive Media News

Graphic design, graphic communications students win international TAGA Student Choice Award

Interdisciplinary team of graphic communications, graphic media, print management students’ ‘Mail Across Minneapolis’ celebrates print media

Recent graphic design graduate rebrands Twin Cities' Amplify Graphic Installations

Polytechnic partnership empowers Minnesota company’s update

Minnesota AdFed honors 91��Ƭ undergraduate with Best in Show award for Red Cedar Trail branding project

Graphic design majors receive regional awards, have work showcased on international website

Graphic design majors receive regional awards, have work showcased on international website Red Cedar Trail sign mockup

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Hero Caption: 91��Ƭ graphic design and interactive media major Taylor Sherack created a design project promoting Menomonie's Red Cedar Trail, including this mockup of an installation in the university's Memorial Student Center.

Nagesh Shinde

Brief Biography: Born near Mumbai, India, Nagesh holds a BFA from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and an MFA in graphic design from Fort Hays State University. He served as art director for J. Walter Thompson in Bombay and senior art director for both Leo Burnett and Virtual World Entertainment Group. During his tenure as Brand Design Manager at online education company Cardean Learning Group, Nagesh had the pleasure of working with cognitive and usability gurus Don Norman and Jakob Nielsen.

Teaching Interests: Courses Taught: Undergraduate- B.F.A  DES- 220 Computer Imagery;  DES- 360 Graphic Design I& II;  DES- 410 Product and Packaging Graphics;  DES- 386 Publication Design;  DES- 256-Interactive Design-Multimedia Design;  DES- 380 Advertising Design;  DES- 382 Information Design- Online;  DES- 480 Senior Project-Graphic Design;  DES- 456-Senior Project-Multimedia Design; Graduate Courses- M.F.A Des-725 Research Strategies in Design

Research Interests: - Brand Design management - Package Design - Experience Design - User Experience

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Inspiring Graduate: Opal Lawrence, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

giffeyt — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:40:00 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: Opal Lawrence, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Mediagiffeyt December 23, 2025

Perfecting her portfolio, bringing thoughtfulness to design

Inspiring Graduate: Opal Lawrence (’25)

Hometown: DeForest
Degree: B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media
Concentrations: Communication and Interaction

Opal Lawrence’s goal as a graphic designer is to make designs that consider the whole person and to work in a collaborative studio environment where thoughtful design systems and meaningful storytelling are valued.

“I want to contribute to work that feels human, not just polished. I care about how something works and how it feels. If the things I make can be visually pleasing while also being understandable and supportive to the person interacting with them, that is the kind of impact that matters to me,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence, of DeForest, earned her B.F.A. in graphic design and interactive media and crossed the commencement stage on Dec. 20 as one of 527 91��Ƭ graduates. She is refining her portfolio as she works as a guest service leader at Kwik Trip.

Opal Lawrence receives her diploma from Chancellor Katherine Frank during the 2025 fall commencement.

“I’ve spent my time at Stout balancing school with multiple jobs, so I want to give myself the time and space to be intentional in my next step,” she said. “I want my portfolio to be something that feels true to the voice I’ve grown here at Stout, and I’m excited to step into design roles that allow me to bring thoughtfulness into my work.”

Lawrence graduated high school in 2021. Having spent her senior year at home during COVID, she wasn’t able to tour universities in person. She learned about 91��Ƭ’s School of Art & Design from her high school media teacher, an alum.

“I enrolled without ever stepping foot on campus, not fully knowing what to expect. It ended up being the best decision I could have made,” Lawrence said. “Stout’s focus on hands-on learning felt right. Stout gave me a place where I could grow creatively and personally. I am leaving with a community I care so deeply about. I am really grateful for that.”

How has 91��Ƭ prepared you to work in your field?

Stout prepared me by letting me learn through doing. The studio courses and the importance of critique in my courses taught me how to accept feedback, refine my ideas and communicate decisions clearly.

Working as a Graphic Design Lab Monitor and Tutor was an important part of my learning. Supporting other students and helping create a welcoming studio environment taught me that design is something shared. We wanted the lab to feel like a place where people could work together, not just pass through between classes.

I worked on campus at the Memorial Student Center Service Desk, where I helped students and faculty with printing and production. My design background made it easier to solve problems and talk through files, and the role helped me feel really connected to the campus community.

I also completed a remote design internship with ARC Community Services, a nonprofit focused on recovery support. The work shifted often, so I learned how to ask clear questions and adapt based on real needs.

These experiences showed me that design is not just about making something look good. It is about listening, communicating and creating with intention.

Opal Lawrence looks at students' graphic design creations.

What stands out about your 91��Ƭ experience?

One of the most meaningful experiences I had was studying abroad in Belgium and the Netherlands. We spent about a month moving through Antwerp, Brussels, Arnhem, Utrecht and Amsterdam visiting studios, museums and design schools. We worked directly with internationally recognized designers in multiday workshops.

Seeing how they approached form, language, and how integrated design was in their lives was so inspiring and changed how I think about my own practices.

That experience was closely tied to my work with Professor Alex DeArmond, who led the program and also oversaw my role as a lab monitor and tutor. Learning from him both in classes and abroad strengthened how I understand (and love) typography, publication systems and design history. His passion and guidance have helped shape how I work and what I want for myself in the future.

Other professors that majorly influenced and improved my time in the GDIM program were Robert Fraher, who taught my interaction courses and helped me understand design as something people use and move through. His teaching made me pay attention to how something feels to experience, not just how it looks. Katie Lupton helped me understand what I value in my own process. She encouraged reflection, clarity and intention in the choices I make. Rachel Bruya, my printmaking professor and advisor, reminded me that making can be tactile, imperfect and intentional. She created space for me to step away from the computer, to reflect on what it means to be a creative and use that as a guide of exploration and direction in my printing.

These professors did more than teach technical skills. They helped me understand how to make work with clarity, curiosity and care.

Student-created magazines, including Opal Lawrence's Catalyst, upper right.

How did your involvement on campus impact your experience?

I was involved in American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), which gave me a way to connect with other designers outside of class and feel part of a larger creative community. I participated in the Mind to Mind Mentorship Program through AIGA Minnesota, where I was paired with an industry mentor whom I met with throughout the semester.

Those conversations helped me understand what I value in design and how I want to work.

Also, through AIGA I attended Design Camp after receiving the Emerging Creative Scholarship. It was an experience that broadened my understanding of what a design career can look like and helped me feel connected to the wider creative community beyond campus.

My publication design, “Catalyst,” was selected by Professor DeArmond for exhibit in “A Year in Design – An Invited Student Showcase,” at the Furlong Gallery. And my printmaking was displayed in “WALLS CAN TALK,” an exhibition in Gallery 209. Seeing my work displayed alongside my peers was meaningful and affirming of the time and energy I put into my work. It reminded me that creative work deserves to exist out in the world, in conversation with other people, not just on a screen or tucked away in a portfolio.

My experiences helped me see myself not just as a student working toward a degree, but as a designer who is part of a larger creative network. I am so grateful for how I was able to learn from and contribute to it in real ways.

Opal Lawrence while studying abroad. / Submitted photo

What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?

Balancing coursework while working multiple jobs was a real challenge. There were semesters where I was stretched thin and had to learn how to manage my time and energy. I had to learn how to ask for help and how to be patient with myself. It was not always smooth but learning how to advocate for myself and how to find balance in my life are skills I’ll carry with me far beyond graduation.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

I am proud of the person I have grown into while earning this degree. I kept showing up, even when things felt overwhelming, and I held onto curiosity and care in the things I made. I am also proud of the relationships and community I built here. This degree feels like something I earned, not just something I finished.

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Perfecting her portfolio, bringing thoughtfulness to design Opal Lawrence at 2025 fall commencement

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Student illustrations inspired by holiday songs showcased at Symphony, Dec. 7

goersab — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:37:34 +0000

Student illustrations inspired by holiday songs showcased at Symphony, Dec. 7goersab November 20, 2025

'Music in Motion' to feature pieces from 'The Polar Express,' classics like 'Sleigh Ride,' 'Sailing with Whales'

Abbey Goers

The comfort of holiday music will be paired with festive visual art at “Music in Motion,” presented by University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Symphonic Band at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall.

The concert will feature music about various kinds of transportation, including a train ride with music from “The Polar Express,” an ocean voyage with Rossano Galante’s “Sailing with Whales,” and a holiday favorite, “Sleigh Ride.”

Jay Holtz's illustration for "Sailing With Whales" / Erik Evensen

Each musical piece will be paired with illustrations created by 91��Ƭ students, projected on the screens in the Great Hall. The illustrations are a visual representation of the music, based on the composers’ theme or musical expression.

Purchase tickets at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Kaleigh Kahl's illustration for "Sleigh Ride" / Erik Evensen

Illustrations inspired by music

The collaboration was developed by symphony Director Erika Svanoe and Professor Erik Evensen, program director of B.F.A. in illustration. The series of images were produced by illustration, animation and digital media and graphic design and interactive media students in Evensen’s Digital Illustration class.

Featured student artists include Erin McKinley, Jay Holtz, Jenna Good, Kaleigh Kahl, Renee Smith, and Harper Leighton, whose piece is a tribute to her grandfather, a WWII veteran and 91��Ƭ alum.

Harper Leighton's illustration for "Moorside March" / Erik Evensen

When Leighton first listened to “Moorside March,” images of planes flying over the English moors flashed through her head. As she listened, she thought of her Great Grandpa Lee Roy Bedsted, a member of the 546th Bombardment Squadron in the United States Air Force.

“My great grandpa was the top turret gunner and engineer of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress airplane, 'Aces & Ates,'” Leighton said. The plane’s name is reflected in her illustration. “On the last of his 28 combat missions, he was shot down over Germany. He spent 10 months as a prisoner of war, with three of those months on a 500-mile, forced march across northern Germany in the winter. If he hadn't survived his ordeal in WWII, I literally would not be here today. I am so thankful for his bravery and dedication, while serving this country.”

As a benefit of the GI Bill, Bedsted earned a Bachelor of Science in education from 91��Ƭ in 1950. He also met and married his wife, Beverly, a fellow student. He returned to 91��Ƭ to earn a master’s in counseling in 1962.

“Lee Roy Bedsted was an incredibly kind and loving person, who did so much for his family and community. He also started a long family tradition of 91��Ƭ education; I will be the 11th person from my family to graduate from Stout,” said Leighton, an illustration junior from Excelsior, Minnesota.

Jenna Good's illustration for "Ride" / Erik Evensen

McKinley, a GDIM senior from Little Falls, Minnesota, chose to illustrate “Sleigh Ride” because it brings her a sense of nostalgia and comfort. “My family would listen to the song when visiting our extended family for the holidays,” she said.

Her artwork captures the joy and excitement of the winter season, even in the midst of winter flurries, rosy cheeks and foggy breath. She was inspired by the color palettes of artist and animator Mary Blair, intentionally selecting bright colors.

“Winter can be dark and gloomy. I wanted to balance the cool gray tones of the sky with magenta and warm greens,” McKinley said. “There is a joy and energy to the song. The horses emulate the energy, movement and intensity of the song. It’s like they are dancing.”

Renee Smith's illustration for "Still Here" / Erik Evensen

Listening to “Sailing With Whales,” Holtz felt a powerful forward movement, he said, “along with the story behind the song, talking about sailing out for whale watching, specifically orcas. Somewhat inspired by ‘Treasure Planet,’ it’s mainly an original concept from my head.

"I like the highlights from the sunrise, and the form of the clouds. I hope others can feel the movement and power of the song,” added Holtz, an illustration junior from Rhinelander.

Erin McKinley's concept art for "Sleigh Ride" / Erin McKinley

Introducing children to music

Seven members of the Symphonic Band performed for preschool students at the university’s Child and Family Study Center recently in a short concert coordinated by Rachel Larson, an early childhood education major, with the help of Senior Instructional Specialist Marica Wolf, afternoon lead in the four-year-old classroom.

Symphony students gather at the Child and Family Study Center / Erika Svanoe

Larson, of Cameron, is in her second semester of lab experiences at the Child and Family Study Center, learning from the head teachers and teaching her own lessons, including playing her flute for the children. She also plays the alto saxophone and piano.

Symphony members played for preschoolers at the CFSC / Rachel Larson

“I hope to grow my musical talents and use them in my future classroom,” she said. “I think sharing music with the community is important, as it creates a powerful sense of connection — both within the band and beyond it. It brings us together as performers, forming our own supportive circle, while also inviting others to experience and celebrate our talents.

The small concert introduced children to different musical instruments / Rachel Larson

“I believe it’s especially meaningful to introduce music to children early on, helping them explore their interests in a warm, inclusive environment that fosters creativity, confidence and belonging. I am incredibly grateful for Erika in devoting her time to being our conductor; she has made my experience in the 91��Ƭ band so fun, warm and inviting.”

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Student illustrations inspired by holiday songs showcased at Symphony, Dec. 7

'Music in Motion' to feature pieces from 'The Polar Express,' classics like 'Sleigh Ride,' 'Sailing with Whales'

'Music in Motion' to feature pieces from 'The Polar Express,' classics like 'Sleigh Ride,' 'Sailing with Whales' Erin McKinley, Sleigh Ride

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In 2025-2026, 91��Ƭ is celebrating a Year of Design to highlight the innovation, leadership and impact central to Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. Upcoming signature events include:

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo, western Wisconsin’s largest game developer exhibition.
Thursday, Dec. 11, 1 to 3 p.m.: STEMM Student Expo will showcase more than 250 students’ research in nearly 100 projects across a dozen fields of study.
Friday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m.: School of Art & Design Senior Show, featuring the works of more than 200 graduating seniors.

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Hero Caption: Erin McKinley's illustration inspired by "Sleigh Ride" will be one of many featured at the Symphonic Band performance on Dec. 7.

Erika Svanoe

Dr. Erika Svanoe (b. 1976) is a conductor and composer for wind band, known for her lyrical melodies, nods to classic literature, musical deconstruction, humor, and pastiche. Her works have been performed by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, the United States Navy Band, the National Concert Band of America, featured at the Midwest Clinic, the American Bandmasters Association National Conference, and the Boston New Music Festival, and on Wisconsin Public Radio, in Bandworld's Top 100, and the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. Her first major work, The Haunted Carousel, won the 2014 NBA Young Band Composition Contest. Her first album, "The Music of Erika Svanoe," was recorded by Andrew Boysen, Jr. and the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony, and released in 2022.

As a conductor, Dr. Svanoe has held residencies with the Manhattan School of Music, USAF Heritage of America Band, the Atlanta Freedom Bands, and numerous universities. She has held collegiate appointments at Augsburg University, Bemidji State University, and the University of New Hampshire. She is active as a guest conductor and clinician, appearing with high school, university, All-State and festival ensembles across the United States.

She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The Ohio State University under Russel C. Mikkelson, where she served as conductor of the OSU Collegiate Winds, assistant conductor of the OSU Wind Symphony, and taught undergraduate conducting classes. Her DMA dissertation included a critical edition of Aaron Copland's El Salón México for wind ensemble. She holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

Her music is published through Alfred Music, G.Schirmer/AMP, and self-published through Swan Maiden Press. She is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). She is also the creator and publisher of Marrying Mr. Darcy, the Pride & Prejudice card game, and occasionally advocates and speaks on the topic of arts entrepreneurship, with appearances at the XOXO Festival and in a variety of gaming-related media. Originally from Whitewater, Wisconsin, she currently lives in Menomonie, WI with her husband, designer and graphic novelist Erik Evensen.

Full Name: Erika Svanoe

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Area of Expertise: Wind Band Literature Music Conducting Music Composition Music Education Arts Entrepreneurship

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Visual & Performing Arts Department

Education:

Degree: D.M.A. Conducting

University: Ohio State University

Degree: M.M. Instrumental Conducting & Pedagogy

University: Oklahoma State University

Degree: B.M.Ed. Music Education

University: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

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Erik A. Evensen

Erik A. Evensen is Professor of Design and the founding program director for the B.F.A in Illustration. He has taught studio courses in illustration, design drawing, concept art, graphic design, and typography, and regularly serves as a graduate thesis advisor. He has been recognized with the university's Outstanding Teaching Award and Outstanding Research Mentor Award.

His academic research and creative practice sit at the intersection of visual communication disciplines, encompassing narrative and storytelling, culture studies, information visualization, and interactivity. His creative projects have been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and received recognition from Communication Arts, Graphic Design USA, and the Paul Revere Awards for Graphic Excellence.

His comics industry credits include the independent graphic novels Gods of Asgard and The Beast of Wolfe's Bay, and the licensed series Ghostbusters and Back to the Future from IDW Publishing. His board game credits include “Distilled,” “Marrying Mr. Darcy,” “Class of ’89,” and their product lines. His ongoing creative work with myth and folklore frequently yields citations, appearances, and speaking engagements about history, culture, and comparative literature.

Erik holds an M.F.A. in Visual Communication Design from Ohio State University. He received a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of New Hampshire and continued his education at Boston's School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in New England with clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies through local small businesses and non-profits.

Full Name: Erik A. Evensen

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Area of Expertise: Design Drawing & Visualization Illustration Graphic Design Design Research Comics Graphic Novels

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Curriculum Vitae: CV (1.33 MB)

Website: Erik Evensen

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Visual Communication Design

University: The Ohio State University

Degree: P.B.C. Studio Art

University: School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University

Degree: B.A. Studio Art

University: University of New Hampshire

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Graphic design alum creates exclusive Timberwolves basketball hoodie

goersab — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:30:00 +0000

Graphic design alum creates exclusive Timberwolves basketball hoodiegoersab October 22, 2025

Kunes’ merchandise inspired by nature and teamwork on the trail

Abbey Goers

In their 2024-25 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves collaborated with nine local artists to launch a merchandise series that blended Timberwolves basketball with the creativity of the Twin Cities.

The Timberwolves Artist Series featured graphic design alum Matt Kunes, owner of Motelprint Studios in Minneapolis, whose game-day exclusive hoodie was dropped at the Dec. 19, 2024, home game versus the New York Knicks.

Matt Kunes exclusive hoodie design for the Timberwolves / Matt Kunes

Kunes discovered printmaking at 91��Ƭ, where Professor Brian Ritchie taught him the process of creating clean and precise detail-oriented prints. He developed a passion for screen printing and lithography during a study abroad trip to Germany.

His artwork is inspired by elements of the natural world and by outdoor activities.

“I like observing nature’s interactions upon itself and then contemplating how I interpret those interactions. I strive to create abstract but realistic creatures by using striking lines and vibrant colors,” said Kunes, a 2002 graduate.

After a weekend mountain biking through granite hills and towering pines on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota, Kunes drew inspiration for his Artist Series hoodie from the pack mentality of a bike posse. “We take turns leading on the trail, which in turn makes everyone a stronger rider. Much like in basketball or any team sport,” he said. “If the leader is stoked, the whole team will rise up and jam just as hard or harder than the leader.”

That sense of connection and the thrill of being part of something bigger – much like a wolf pack – is something Kunes hopes fans feel when they wear his hoodie, which features the North Star on the front, symbolizing guidance and leadership. The back showcases a near-symmetrical collage of three wolves’ faces above a plain by trees. Splashes of navy, blue, light blue and lime green make the abstract scene pop like a stained-glass window.

Kunes grew up in Colorado as a Denver Nuggets fan and even saw Michael Jordan play. He gave basketball a shot in junior high school but then pivoted from organized team sports to skateboarding and snowboarding.

“The game has changed a bit – so many three-pointers. But I still watch the finals, and with the T-Wolves getting stronger every year, it’s hard not to support your local hoops team,” said Kunes, an artisan and installer for Shea Makes, a branch of Shea Design, while maintaining his studio.

The graphic design and interactive media program is part of the School of Art and Design, one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest. It also offers bachelor’s degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, and an M.F.A. in design.

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Kunes’ merchandise inspired by nature and teamwork on the trail Matt Kunes' Timberwolves hoodie design

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MicroWhat?: Student’s social awareness campaign on microplastics wins Minnesota AdFed award

goersab — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:23:00 +0000

MicroWhat?: Student’s social awareness campaign on microplastics wins Minnesota AdFed awardgoersab April 1, 2025

M.F.A. design, graphic design students receive several awards during annual regional competition

Abbey Goers

Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found in the oceans and Great Lakes, with an estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic trash entering the oceans every year. And microplastics – those about the size of a pencil eraser and smaller – come in a variety of forms.

Microplastics are everywhere – in the air and water and even in the food we eat – posing risks to both the health of the environment and to people. To address this concern, University of Wisconsin-Stout Master of Fine Arts in design student Ashley Jandro created a social awareness campaign focusing on microplastics.

For her campaign “MicroWhat?,” she received a Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Silver Pin Winner for her ad at the Minnesota AdFed awards, sponsored by the Advertising Federation of Minnesota on Feb. 28, at the Machine Shop in Minneapolis.

"MicroWhat?" won a Silver Pin award at the Minnesota AdFed awards / Ashley Jandro

“The amount of damage microplastics can do to our ecosystems and bodies is alarming. By notifying the public of their impacts, there is hope to cut down on plastics and find alternatives for material,” said Jandro, who is interested in sustainability.

Jandro entered the competition as part of an assignment in Professor Nagesh Shinde’s Advertising Design class. She submitted “MicroWhat?” to the integrated campaign category, designing a campaign with multiple applications across different platforms.

She designed outdoor and indoor installations with animations of characters based on different types of microplastics, sharing statistics and details about how microplastics affect the environment and the human body. She also created magazine and Instagram ads and a corresponding app.

Kids can teach adults about sustainable practices

Geared toward a younger audience, “MicroWhat?” encourages learning through gamification. A QR code directs a user to a downloadable Monster app, which includes a game to “collect” monsters using augmented reality, similar to Pokémon-Go, and a mini-challenge to go “A Day Without,” bringing awareness to how much plastic the user actually uses in a day.

“MicroWhat?” encourages learning through gamification in the downloadable Monster app / Ashley Jandro

“I feel that educating the younger audience is where we lack a bit. Education is very focused on recycling, however, there are a lot of materials that are not able to be recycled,” she said.

“I think the information young people are given will help them make smarter decisions in the future. There is this ideology of kids teaching parents as they are having fun playing the game. They can inform the older generation of what they are learning and find better solutions or materials that they could be using rather than plastic.”

Jandro doesn’t normally create content for young adults. Her creative process relied heavily on research and visual storytelling.

“Honestly, it was a very fun journey. I played with a lot of color and tried to gamify the content to make it more interesting for that age group,” she said.

“I had fun creating the campaign, and the award was just the icing on the cake,” said Jandro, who earned her B.F.A. in graphic design and interactive media from 91��Ƭ in 2023. “In my undergrad, I loved the environment and thrived here. So, when I got the opportunity to continue my education at 91��Ƭ, there was no doubt in my mind of where I wanted to go for my master’s.”

The integrated consumer campaign included ads across multiple media platforms, including Instagram / Ashley Jandro

M.F.A. in design Program Director Erik Evensen is excited that Jandro received the accolade. “Ashley is an incredibly motivated student, with a diverse set of interests in the Graphic Design field. She has been diligently pursuing a research agenda focusing on packaging, sustainability and the user experience. She’s a great designer,” he said.

Several 91��Ƭ graphic design students were awarded at this year’s AdFed as well:

Regan Haack, of Minneapolis. Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Silver Pin: “Posca: Everyone Can Paint”
Carly Kauffman, of Hanover, Minnesota. Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Gold Pin: “Monkey Around with Sun Bum”
Hannah Kim, of Korea. Student – Outdoor and Transit Campaign Silver Pin: “Enough Deaths”
Alex Martin, of River Falls. Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Bronze Pins: “Live’more” and “Live’more” television campaign
Clara Nicolai, of Bangor. Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Gold Pin: “Experience the Purple”

"Experience the Purple" won a Gold Pin award / Clara Nicolai

Kauffman also received an American Advertising Federation District 8 silver ADDY® award. “Monkey Around with Sun Bum” will have the opportunity to move forward to the national AAF competition.

Nicolai’s campaign “Experience the Purple” received an AAF District 8 Judge’s Choice award. “Experience the Purple” shared the calming experience of lavender, while highlighting Pondview Lavender Farm, a small business, locally owned by operations and management Lecturer Bob Sworski.

“By inviting consumers to ‘Experience the Purple,’ the campaign highlights the farm’s handcrafted products and experiences, connecting lavender to relaxation, wellness and everyday moments of tranquility,” Nicolai said.

“Enough Deaths” advocates for stricter gun safety measures and responsible firearm storage to protect children from gun violence. “Through education and awareness, we empower parents, caregivers and communities to create a safer future where kids can grow up without fear,” Kim said.

91��Ƭ’s School of Art and Design, one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest, offers bachelor’s degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, as well as an M.F.A. in design.

91��Ƭ’s School of Engineering offers a B.S. in plastics engineering, ranked as a No. 1 Best Value Polymer and Plastics Engineering Schools in 2023. 91��Ƭ also offers minors in environmental health and sustainability.

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Hero Caption: An interior grocery store ad for MicroWhat?, a social awareness campaign designed by M.F.A. in design student Ashley Jandro

Nagesh Shinde

Research Interests: - Brand Design management - Package Design - Experience Design - User Experience

Professional Interests: AIGA Acadia

Full Name: Nagesh Shinde

Job Title: Professor

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Nagesh Shinde CV (193.91 KB)

Website: Personal Site

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Degree: M.F.A. Graphic Design

University: Fort Hays State University

Degree: B.F.A. Applied Art

University: Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

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Erik A. Evensen

Full Name: Erik A. Evensen

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Area of Expertise: Design Drawing & Visualization Illustration Graphic Design Design Research Comics Graphic Novels

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Curriculum Vitae: CV (1.33 MB)

Website: Erik Evensen

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Visual Communication Design

University: The Ohio State University

Degree: P.B.C. Studio Art

University: School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University

Degree: B.A. Studio Art

University: University of New Hampshire

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Epic Systems partner with design students to improve UX in healthcare software, apps

goersab — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:14:47 +0000

Epic Systems partner with design students to improve UX in healthcare software, appsgoersab March 19, 2025

Industry partnership with one of nation’s largest healthcare software companies aims to impact patients’ quality of life

Abbey Goers

Graphic design and interactive media students at 91��Ƭ are collaborating with professionals from Epic Systems, one of the nation’s leading healthcare software companies, to improve the user experiences of patients and healthcare providers.

Within Professor Nagesh Shinde’s Healthcare User Experience Design course, students are working with designers at Epic Systems, who serve as mentors for students as they create web, mobile app or kiosk products and services.

“Building this partnership with Epic has taken immense effort, and promoting healthcare user experience – UX – on our campus is vital,” Shinde said. “It shows how an interdisciplinary collaboration can shape students’ experiences.”

Founded in 1979, Epic Systems develops software to help improve the way more than 325 million people receive healthcare. The Verona-based company is one of the biggest privately held U.S. tech companies, with reported revenue of $4.9 billion in 2023. Currently, 2,400 hospitals and 45,000 clinics in the U.S. use Epic software.

“The pairing of design and healthcare is an interesting emerging space,” Shinde said. “The healthcare profession didn’t always appreciate design, but it now recognizes the user experience as essential to the quality of accessible and meaningful service. There’s a new shift in understanding that design has to be a part of everything we do.”

Over the last two years, Shinde has worked closely with Epic UX Design Team Lead Joshua Canale and UX Designer Adrienne Hoover to strengthen students’ experiences in the course.

“The healthcare sector used to place functionality first in software design. Usability was an afterthought,” Canale said. “Now, UX is at the forefront of design in healthcare, with a focus on efficient and intuitive software programs. UX is a powerful tool that can positively impact patient care, as well as empower doctors and clinicians.”

One recent graduate’s capstone project is being referenced by a national nonprofit organization. Ceci Feldt’s research and concepts for her MyVCP: Rare Disease Tracker are providing valuable insights for a new study app by Cure VCP Disease, driving research, support and education initiatives.

Ceci Feldt presents MyVCP at 91��Ƭ's School of Art and Design Senior Show / Ceci Feldt

Although the collaboration with Epic began after Feldt graduated in 2023, the Healthcare UX Design course was a turning point for Feldt in her college career. It introduced her to the idea that her two passions — healthcare and design — could merge into a meaningful and impactful career.

“It opened my eyes to the vast opportunities where design can serve as a powerful tool, not just for aesthetics but for creating solutions that genuinely improve people’s lives,” Feldt said.

“This course helped me recognize that design is everywhere, embedded in every profession and practice, and has the potential to drive real change. It reinforced my belief that my creativity could be used for more than just visual appeal — I could build tools that make a difference in healthcare,” she added.

The course is offered through 91��Ƭ’s School of Art and Design and is one of the first courses of its kind to be offered among design departments.

Using design to impact care, empower caregivers

Canale has coordinated outreach activities for Shinde’s class with Epic’s software, UX design and artificial intelligence divisions.

“Josh’s team has been an incredible pillar of support for our program. He has had a large impact on getting students excited about the healthcare space. I’m committed to strengthening our collaboration in the years ahead,” Shinde said.

Canale starts his conversation with students by having them think about a time when they struggled with a confusing app or website. He then asks them to imagine that same frustration happening in a hospital, where time and clarity are critical, and the risk is high.

“UX design in healthcare isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about making sure clinicians and patients can access the right information quickly and accurately. If they can't, it could hurt patient care. A well-designed system can literally help save lives,” Canale said.

Inspiring Graduate: Ceci Knudsen, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

'I can see the level of my work improve, and I will continue to be motivated to achieve what seemingly can’t be done.'

An example the Epic team shares with students is how even small design choices can have massive consequences in healthcare: Imagine a doctor entering a patient’s weight for a medication dosage. If a system allows shorthand, such as "k" for kilograms and "l" for pounds, it creates a risk because the letters are next to each other on a keyboard.

“A simple typo could mean entering 80k (80 kilograms) instead of 80l (80 pounds) – a mistake that could lead to a drug dosage meant for an adult being given to a child, or vice versa. In extreme cases, that kind of mix-up could be fatal,” Canale explained.

To prevent this, Epic designed a system to require full unit names – such as “kg” or “lb” – instead of single-letter entries.

“Even though this adds an extra step in a workflow that is already time-crunched, it removes the risk of a life-threatening typo,” he added. “It’s a clear example of how good UX isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about making sure critical decisions are accurate every time, especially when lives are at stake.”

Shinde invites other working professionals to share input and feedback on students’ designs throughout the course and during their final presentations. In the future, the course may be open to students from other universities.

Creating solutions to improve people’s lives

Feldt’s drive for advocacy in healthcare, combined with her experience as a CNA, led her to develop an app as her senior capstone for patients with VCP disease, a rare neurodegenerative condition that can affect a person’s muscles, bones, brain and nerves. There is no cure or treatment as of yet.

The core goal of MyVCP app closely aligns with Cure VCP’s initiative for its study app. / Ceci Feldt

Her senior capstone project, MyVCP: Rare Disease Tracker, is a customizable app that helps individuals with VCP disease and caregivers track symptoms, health events and disease progression; take surveys to aid in research; discover trends based on symptoms to reveal triggers and remedies; and digitally share their experiences with their doctor and support system.

Cure VCP is developing the app through the CZI Rare as One grant in collaboration with 4YouandMe. It is currently in the testing phase, and patients will soon enroll in the study.

The core goal of MyVCP app closely aligns with Cure VCP’s initiative for its study app – to leverage patient-reported outcomes and biometrics to empower patients and leverage their experiences for research, Feldt said.

Feldt’s personal connection to VCP disease inspired her project. Both her family and her husband’s family are affected by VCP disease.

“I see firsthand the difficulties of navigating this disease, and I wanted to develop a tool for patients and caregivers to have a voice and contribute to research,” said Feldt, who lives in San Diego with her husband, Brandon, the development and partner relations coordinator for Cure VCP Disease. They are caregivers for his mother, who has FTD caused by VCP disease.

Since 2022, Feldt has volunteered with Cure VCP Disease as an ambassador, assisting with the facilitation of conferences, networking, and contributing to marketing, social media, patient outreach, and design projects, including the I CAN MOVEment virtual Move-a-thon logo. Most recently, Feldt has been assisting in the launch of a new support group for young adults whose families are affected by VCP disease.

MyVCP helps individuals and caregivers track symptoms, health events, disease progression and more. / Ceci Feldt

“Through my volunteer work during my senior year, I built strong relationships with the VCP patient community — many of whom I now consider friends — and received valuable insights from patients, caregivers and researchers. Dr. Armelle Pindon, who was Cure VCP’s chief scientific officer at the time, played a key role in helping me refine the goals and intended outcomes of my app. My hope is that my capstone project has planted seeds of encouragement in patients, demonstrating that technology can have a real impact on the future of this disease, and inspiring more people to participate in the Cure VCP Disease study app.” Feldt said.

She is eager to see the graphic design program at 91��Ƭ continue to emphasize the importance of design in healthcare and equip students through partnerships with companies like Epic Systems.

To other young designers looking to make an impact, Feldt said, “Utilize your gifts and leverage your life experiences to make lasting change. Find a need and merge that with your passion for design.”

View Feldt’s MyVCP project to see her design iterations and research for her app.

The graphic design program also partners with Great Northern Corporation, which sponsors a collaborative experience course that brings together graphic design and packaging students’ education. Formed in 2021, students within the cross-disciplinary course design and develop products for GNC’s national clients, with GNC representatives and mentors involved throughout the semester-long process.

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Industry partnership with one of nation’s largest healthcare software companies aims to impact patients’ quality of life Ceci Feldt presenting her MyVCP app senior capstone display

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Search Keywords: Epic Systemsgraphic design degreeCeci Feldthealthcare user experience design

Nagesh Shinde

Research Interests: - Brand Design management - Package Design - Experience Design - User Experience

Professional Interests: AIGA Acadia

Full Name: Nagesh Shinde

Job Title: Professor

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Nagesh Shinde CV (193.91 KB)

Website: Personal Site

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Degree: M.F.A. Graphic Design

University: Fort Hays State University

Degree: B.F.A. Applied Art

University: Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

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Video production, graphic design students win international award for Adobe Express Play

goersab — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:44:51 +0000

Video production, graphic design students win international award for Adobe Express Playgoersab March 17, 2025

Team receives D&AD New Blood Award for Gen Z ad

Abbey Goers

A crew of video production and graphic design students at 91��Ƭ won an international 2024 D&AD New Blood Award for their advertisement geared toward Gen Z, for which they built a unique mobile gaming app from scratch.

Designers were given a selection of briefs to create an innovative branding solution set by real clients, including Adobe, Airbnb, Coca-Cola, Google Fonts, IMAX, Kraft Heinz, Universal Music and more.

The 91��Ƭ team selected a prompt to “Make Adobe the Go-To Tool for Gen Z Creatives.” Within their one-minute video ad, they debuted the app, Adobe Express Play, a concept of their own design.

Adobe Express Play team members Cole Finn, Ella Johnson, Ava Hedlund and Doran Exline, with their Wood Pencil award / Cole Finn

Adobe Express Play aims to teach graphic design through interaction with the mobile app, while providing a fun introduction to learn Adobe Express and Photoshop toolsets. Players receive a random daily creative prompt to complete in a short amount of time, competing with friends, anytime and anywhere.

The international ad competition for students and aspiring designers is judged by the industry’s top creatives. The Adobe Express Play team received the New Blood Awards’ Wood Pencil as the best of the year in advertising, design, craft, culture and impact. The students’ roles in the collaboration played off of their individual strengths:

Cole Finn: director, cinematographer and editor; Mondovi
Ella Johnson: writer, electric and graphics; Hugo, Minnesota
Ava Hedlund: electric, sound and color correction; Rochester, Minnesota
Doran Exline: electric, sound and graphics; Marathon

Watch the team's Wood Pencil award-winning ad for Adobe Express Play / Adobe Express Play team

“We needed to tap into what motivates Gen Z as creators and reach them by implementing Adobe Express and Photoshop in their culture and subcultures and build their awareness of Adobe’s apps and products,” Johnson said.

“The directions we could take were endless in how we wanted to create this campaign. After going through the creative process, we decided to create a mobile game to be the center of our campaign. There was no game like Adobe Express Play before,” she said.

Adobe Express Play: Create anything, anywhere

After extensive brainstorming and research, they developed Adobe Express Play, born from more than 20 proposals. As members of Gen Z, the team had the advantage of being able to directly relate to their target market.

“We thought about what Gen Z does and doesn’t like in advertisements. They like relatability and being able to seamlessly add a fun and creative task in their everyday lives,” Hedlund said.

They also focused on one of Gen Z's main challenges in everyday life: finding cures for boredom.

A still frame from the ad, featuring Mia Hazen / Adobe Express Play team

“The idea that kept sticking with us was of being able to create anything, anywhere,” Finn said. “This soon sparked Ella’s idea for developing an advertising campaign around an Adobe mobile game app, and she developed the script from the idea in her head.”

Finn and Johnson finalized the script and storyboard for the commercial, ultimately choosing one that functioned like Pictionary. Johnson designed the app interface and notifications, Finn animated the assets used by players in the commercial, and Hedlund and Exline provided audio effects to complete the overall experience.

“We outlined key details, including popular Gen Z locations, actor profiles, props and storyline. Using rough draft storyboards, we mapped out our advertisement, scouted locations and cast actors,” Johnson said.

Once they hit the greenlight for production, filming took three days to compete at three different locations, including Golden Leaf Café, and featured fellow students Mia Hazen, of Bloomington, Illinois; Kyle Mialkowski, of St. Michael, Minnesota; and Ana Kanzler, of Hayward.

Using the slider to film in the moving car / Ava Hedlund

Everyone had a role on set to keep things moving smoothly. Postproduction involved integrating visual effects and graphic design, editing, reshoots and additional graphic elements. “This collaborative process allowed us to create a relatable but also effective campaign,” Johnson said.

“For a lot of the project, we thought we were scrambling with creative ideas until we had the idea for Adobe Express Play. Even as we were actively working, we felt lost sometimes. Sometimes it was difficult, like when we made camera movements on two tripods in a moving car,” Hedlund said. “Working together and having effective meetings really helped push our project along. When someone needed help with something, we offered our time and skills. Filming days were long but productive.”

Finn and Johnson graduated in spring 2024 and were notified of the team’s win a couple of days after graduation.

“The competition was an excellent opportunity to be provided with a professional creative brief and develop an advertising campaign from start to finish,” Finn said. “The award was the perfect way to close this chapter in my life – a five-year academic journey that was full of ups and downs. I feel it best represents what you can accomplish within a team of highly creative and motivated people in the best way,” Finn said.

Johnson thinks that as a creative person, it is important for her to take risks, develop a wide variety of unique and outside-the-box creations, and share them with those around her. “Doing this with my group during my last semester of college was rewarding, but it is also surreal to know people worldwide saw what we created and felt it deserved this award,” she said.

Power in collaboration proven in D&AD New Blood win

91��Ƭ students have taken part in the D&AD competition for three years. Participation is a required assignment in the Advertising Photography and Video course. The 2024 New Blood winners were in a section taught by Assistant Professor Jonny Wheeler.

“As their instructor, I feel tremendously proud that their hard work was recognized by being awarded such a prestigious award,” Wheeler said. “Each of the group members contributed their unique skills to the project, working together to develop an advertising campaign from the whiteboard to the final screening. They’ve proven the undeniable power in collaboration.”

A still frame from the ad, featuring a daily 'play' notification / Adobe Express Play team

Video production Program Director Keif Oss called the team’s recognition “impressive. Our students achieved the same award level as the Miami Ad School, one of the top 10 ad schools worldwide.

“The video production program provides students with applied experiences that result in portfolio work resembling the fields they may work in,” he added. “The New Bloods Awards provide a platform to legally use major brands’ IP and address-specific messaging goals through the audio/visual platforms of video and photography. Participating in the D&AD competition connects students’ work to the pipeline of a multichannel campaign spanning design and marketing fields.”

D&AD is a nonprofit advertising and design association founded in England and Wales in 1962. Its mission is to stimulate, enable and award creative excellence in design and advertising. Its awards are recognized globally as the ultimate creative accolade.

Unspooled Film and Animation Festival

91��Ƭ will host the annual Unspooled Film and Animation Festival on Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, in Harvey Hall Theatre. The two-day festival will feature incredible short films and animations, showcasing the talents of students and professionals from both near and far. Screenings will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come and be inspired by creative stories from around the world. Tickets will be available online.

Emerging and seasoned storytellers are invited to submit their films for consideration. Films must be received by Sunday, March 30.

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Adobe Express Play

Students win international D&AD competition

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Jonathan Paul Wheeler

Jonny has a diverse and extensive background in stop-motion animation, photography, video production, graphic design, sculpture, and art/design education. Over the years, he has honed his skills across multiple disciplines, blending traditional techniques with contemporary technologies to create visually compelling and thought-provoking works. His work in sculpture, in particular, has given him a unique perspective on the intersection of physical and digital media, enabling him to explore how tactile, three-dimensional forms can enhance narrative storytelling in film and animation.

Jonny's formal education includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, where he developed his foundational skills in the arts. He later earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education, equipping him with the tools to teach and inspire others in the creative fields. His academic journey culminated in a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he further refined his expertise in design and creative processes.

In addition to his academic achievements, Jonny has dedicated much of his career to education, designing and hosting cinema workshops for secondary students, where he nurtures the next generation of filmmakers by guiding them through the creative and technical processes of filmmaking. He has also taught summer video production camps on campus, helping young students explore video production techniques and the power of storytelling through film. His ability to make complex concepts accessible and engaging has earned him praise from both students and peers. He has also contributed to the Visioneers Design Challenge at the Peck School of the Arts, where he mentors students to develop innovative design solutions, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and problem-solving.

Jonny’s educational journey also includes a transformative study abroad trip to Iceland, where he taught photography. Immersed in the unique landscapes of Iceland, he shared his expertise with students while also drawing inspiration from the country’s dramatic natural beauty. This experience deepened his understanding of visual storytelling and enriched his approach to teaching and creating art.

Currently, Jonny’s research is focused on the development of narrative cinema, with an emphasis on virtual production—a rapidly growing field that integrates real-time digital environments with live-action performance. He is particularly interested in how new technologies, including AI, can enhance storytelling, automate certain aspects of production, and open up new creative possibilities for filmmakers and animators alike. His work explores the intersection of human creativity and technological innovation, with a keen eye on the future of the film industry.

In addition to his research, Jonny is actively involved in the development of the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival. This festival aims to bring together emerging and established filmmakers, animators, and creators who are pushing the boundaries of storytelling through both traditional and digital media. By embracing AI-driven creativity, innovative techniques, and cutting-edge production methods, the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival celebrates the evolving landscape of film, animation, and sculpture while fostering a space for collaboration and experimentation in the arts. Through this festival, Jonny hopes to inspire a new generation of creators to explore the limitless potential of storytelling in the digital age, encouraging the integration of multiple artistic forms, including sculpture, into cinematic experiences.

Full Name: Jonathan Paul Wheeler

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Degree: M.F.A. Design

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: B.F.A.

University: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Degree: B.S. Art Education

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

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Keif Oss

Keif has an M.S. in Career and Technical Education and an MFA in Digital Filmmaking. He is an Assistant Professor of video production and serving as Program Director for the B.S. Video Production degree. Keif teaches a variety of courses in video production and photography with both narrative and commercial aspects.

Keif has worked on a range of professional and commercial video projects as a senior video producer and owner/independent contractor of A Creative Advocate, LLC. His work includes television/web advertising, documentary, motion graphics and a variety of marketing-oriented materials. Keif’s expertise and creative contributions include work for 100+ clients including Mayo Clinic, Seventh Generation, State Farm Insurance, Royal Credit Union and others.

Keif has also worked on short and feature film projects in various capacities including writing, producing, directing, camera operation and post-production/VFX.

Full Name: Keif T. Oss

Job Title: Assistant Professor / Program Director

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Area of Expertise: Video Production Cinema Production Photography Graphic Communications Cross-Media Graphics Technologies

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Design Department

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B.S. Video Production

Curriculum Vitae: Keif T. Oss CV (408.56 KB)

Education:

Degree: M.F.A. Digital Filmmaking

University: Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Filmmaking

Degree: M.S. Career & Technical Education

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: B.S. Graphic Communications Management

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

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PHOTO ESSAY: A City Built of Art

goersab — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:15:00 +0000

PHOTO ESSAY: A City Built of Artgoersab March 7, 2025

Discover the far side of Chicago’s history with students in a comics course

Abbey Goers

Photos by Erika Saindon and Mary Climes

Calvin and Hobbes. Batman. Snoopy. What comical, heroic or nostalgic characters spring into your mind with a * POW! * when you hear the word “comics?”

Does Chicago come to mind? If not, it should. Characters like Dick Tracy, Little Orphan Annie, Jimmy Corrigan and so many more were born in Chicago.

Between 1880 and 1960, the publishing industry in the Windy City played a large role in the development and transformation of comics as a legitimate art form.

To discover the rich historical and contemporary comics scene, 13 91��Ƭ students ventured around the city as part of an inaugural faculty-led study away Comics in Chicago course, led by School of Art and Design Assistant Professor Mary Climes.

“My goal is for students to be immersed in the culture and history of one of the best comic cities in the world,” Climes said. “Each space we visit allows students to broaden their knowledge of comics, visual storytelling and illustration.”

Erika Saindon, of Albert Lea, Minn., has a concentration in comics and working in a Chicago gallery is her ultimate dream.

She joined her studio art peers, as well as graphic design, animation and illustration students on an eight-hour Amtrak ride from St. Paul to Chicago, spending a week in January visiting museums, cultural spaces, libraries, galleries and artist studios.

“When I first saw the city, I knew that this was the place for me,” Saindon said. “As a girl from a small town, you grow up realizing how undervalued art is.

“But in Chicago, there is art everywhere. Whether at different museums we visited, our daily outings or murals on buildings, like the nine-story mural of blues legend Muddy Waters. Chicago is entirely built of art and the artists in their communities.”

The class stayed in downtown Chicago, within walking distance of all their destinations, allowing them to take in the whole city, a new experience for Saindon.

They wandered through the Art Institute of Chicago, taking in centuries of artwork, including “Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica,” exhibiting more than 350 works by artists from Africa, the Americas and Europe, spanning nearly a century of art.

In the museum’s Prints and Drawing Study Collection, they viewed original comic pages and were lucky enough to look at some drawings unprotected by glass, as well as unfinished works before going to print.

A walk to Wicker Park led the class to a cache of bookstores, including a huge Barnes & Noble and Quimby’s, a local indie comics store – a favorite to many. They read comics set in and by Chicago cartoonists, including Chris Ware, Emil Ferris and Ivan Brunetti.

They saw lithography, relief, etching and screen print examples at Hoofprint press shop, and attended a risograph workshop at Spudnik Press, a community print studio, creating their own risograph printed comic books inspired by the city.

As a studio course, each student kept a daily diary of comic sketches and scientific illustrations. They spent time studying the wildlife exhibits and the vast collection of scientific illustrations at the Field Museum.

Saindon painted birds, bison and more with watercolors as visitors watched and walked around the museum.

The subway in the Latinx District was the most colorful subway she had ever seen. “Going to this part of Chicago was my all-time favorite part of the trip. Mostly because this is my culture, and I love it being celebrated and recognized, especially throughout art,” Saindon said.

She stayed warm basking among the tropical plants at the Garfield Park Conservatory, taking time to smell the roses and paint the bright colored flowers.

At the National Museum of Mexican Art, they visited Cecilia Beaven’s exhibition “Semilla” (Seed). “Semilla” incorporated elements of Aztec mythology and Mexican folk art, with magical beings created through many mediums, even comics.

The class was graced in winter sunlight under the Preston Bradley Hall Tiffany Dome in the Chicago Cultural Center, formally the first Chicago Public Library. The massive translucent dome, spanning more than 1,000 square feet, is the largest Tiffany glass dome in the world. Its glass panels are cut in the shape of fish scales, adorned by the signs of the zodiac at the dome’s peak.

They also visited the Harold Washington Library, the Newberry Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Smart Museum of Art and the Renaissance Society.

Walking through Chinatown, they stopped for a bite to eat – steamed trays of dim sum piled high on the table was Saindon’s favorite meal of the week.

They toured the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, West Town and Pilsen, visiting the Pilsen Arts and Community House.

Walking back to the hotel on the last night of their trip, the class stepped off the subway near the Chicago Theatre and strolled under the famous “CHICAGO” sign, illuminated in red and gold.

At Federal Plaza, they passed Alexander Calder’s 53-foot-tall Flamingo sculpture – its red, elegant arcing neck sweeping downward to graze invisible shrimp off the pavement.

“Honestly, I don’t see how it would be a flamingo, but I guess it’s up for interpretation. It was quite beautiful to see, especially at night,” said Saindon, who will graduate in spring 2027.

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