Once again GDUSA identifies top students ready to burst on the design scene. Some are undergrads, others are graduate students or very recent graduates; all have found personal and professional growth through their programs. The Students To Watch feature has become tradition that resonates and renews: the students get recognized and the professional creative community gets refreshed. At this critical juncture, we also asked the students how they perceive their chosen profession in light of the unique challenges of the past year. Please note that in the next edition of GDUSA magazine, the institutions of higher learning from which these students come (and a few others) will themselves get the spotlight. You can check out the full edition here.

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Olivia Norris

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

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? Born New Haven CT, now in Litchfield County CT

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? On campus

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person

FAVORITE MOVIE? Coraline or Dirty Dancing

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings series

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram or Pinterest

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Edward Degas or Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin

FAVORITE BOOK? Kathryn Stockett’s The Help and Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux

FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE? National Organization of Women Foundation – International

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Running and exercising, yoga, cooking, hiking, reading, spending time with friends and family

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? The challenges of 2020 have changed my perception of the role of art, design and of creatives as a collective. Not only is design a way to interpret and represent the voices of the people, but it offers creative solutions to contemporary challenges. The turbulence has opened the eyes of creatives to the importance of art as a solution. I now understand design as a valuable communication tool, a bridge that links all kinds of people from different cultures, and inspires inclusiveness across all fronts.

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Nina Wolf

PRATTMWP COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

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

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

STUDYING ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE? Online

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning person

FAVORITE MOVIE? The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

FAVORITE BINGE WATCH? Dead to Me

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram (@ninawolf.art)

FAVORITE PODCAST? The Mortified Podcast

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST? Bao Pham (@baotpham)

FAVORITE BOOK? The Picture of Dorian Gray

FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE? The World Wildlife Fund

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Hiking and watching true crime documentaries with my mom

HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF 2020 CHANGED HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DESIGNERS? Absolutely. Designers have a huge opportunity to make a difference because they shape the way information is perceived. This means that designers have a responsibility to design ethically in order to cultivate inclusive and sustainable communities.