Graphic Design

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/180169

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 463

Open Access
Trin Bonner: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Bonner, Trin, artist
The artist's statement: My name is Trin, and I am a Graphic Designer and Illustrator. Cartoon characters and vibrant, fun world-building inspire me. Growing up on Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon heavily influenced the kind of art I love to consume and create. My work explores character design and imaginative worlds within the context of graphic design. I'm especially interested in the interaction between typographic systems and illustration—my process is guided by a sense of fun and nostalgia. When I design brand identities, I embrace illustrative elements, expressive type, and bold colors. I believe the graphic design world could benefit from a bit more playfulness. While delivering a clear message is essential, I aim to do so in a way that also brings joy or a smile to the viewer's face. I primarily use Adobe Creative Suite for design and Krita for illustration.
Open Access
Caeley Eddy: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Eddy, Caeley, artist
The artist's statement: As a Graphic Designer, I am interested in creating an impact using the human experience as a tool. I want to take what most view as mundane and transform it into a new opportunity. Most people would look at a blank piece of paper and think it is just printing paper or something to be written on. But from my eyes, I see its growth, the change it had to undergo to become just a plain sheet of printing paper. The process is truly what matters in my artistic experience, getting your hands dirty to make the final product. The method of making a design is what I strive to master, from starting with a rough sketch, to transferring it into Adobe Photoshop and adding visuals or typography, to the final product. My work is not mundane but a culmination of a process that will create the finished design and be used to inspire others, just like a piece of printing paper.
Open Access
Emily Dowdey: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Dowdey, Emily, artist
The artist's statement: Beginning my art career at a young age, storytelling has always been my main objective. I have always strived to create visual narratives that evoke emotion and empathy, inviting viewers to connect with the figures I depict on a personal level. Whether it's a poster, book cover, or anything else, I aim to tell stories that feel alive and emotionally valuable. I am equally fascinated by the discipline of drawing and hold the techniques I have learned over time incredibly valuable to my practice. Figure drawing is a central focus in my work. The human figure is incredibly expressive, and I find exploring the human condition through the creative process can be a powerful way to create empathy and connection between my art and others. As I have worked with a graphic design concentration, digital illustration consists of the bulk of my work. Through this, I have kept my traditional drawing background at the core of what I make and is often a driving force in my inspiration. Sketching and brainstorming is my favorite part of everything I do, as I have found that it is the most authentic aspect of every project, showing not only what can I create, but also inviting mistakes to happen, as these often lead to the best outcomes. This fluidity in how I view my work has allowed me to form a style that is sincere yet playful. I encourage all viewers of my undergraduate work to see past the destination and enjoy the journey.
Open Access
Nolan Ferrovecchio: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Ferrovecchio, Nolan, artist
The artist's statement: I am a graphic designer specializing in character design, brand illustration, and custom lettering. My work explores the intersection of visual identity and narrative, using bold color, stylized forms, and expressive typography to communicate both personality and purpose. I approach every project as an opportunity to build connection through visual storytelling. Whether developing merchandise for organizations, crafting labels for consumer products, or creating illustrations for digital and print, I focus on crafting visuals that are both memorable and meaningful. My design process is rooted in clarity, curiosity, and a strong sense of play. I'm particularly drawn to projects that invite humor, cultural relevance, or unexpected visual elements. I believe that great design not only serves a function, but also evokes emotion- and that thoughtful aesthetics can spark lasting engagement. Ultimately, my goal is to create work that feels intentional, approachable, and alive — pieces that resonate with audiences and stand confidently in their own visual voice.
Open Access
Justin Trinh: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Trinh, Justin, artist
The artist's statement: As a graphic designer, my creative practice strongly reflects my personal background and the importance that I hold towards wanting to bring out stories and culture that are often overlooked or underrepresented. I see design as a tool for communication, connection, and empowerment all while valuing creativity with aesthetics. Using my own experiences and interest in communications and media studies as inspiration, I believe that design has the power to challenge dominant narratives and change people's perspectives. My types of work include a wide variety of mediums, such as digital art, photography, and physical media. I showcase the richness of different lived cultural experiences that are usually stereotypically displayed in the general media. Design is something that we all encounter on a daily basis without even knowing it, and with that in mind, I use it in ways that bring out its true potential. In today's fast-paced, image-driven world, it's important as designers to be very intentional with certain design choices. My goal is to contribute towards a more inclusive world of design that celebrates difference and cultural heritage.
Open Access
Kenneth Whitehead: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Whitehead, Kenneth, artist
The artist's statement: Hello! My name is Kenneth Whitehead, I'm a graphic designer with a passion for blending playfulness with purpose. My work is all about creating designs that are both engaging and clear visuals that catch your eye and make you think. I love to play with color, typography, and shape, finding ways to balance boldness with simplicity. Each project is an opportunity to explore new ideas and create something that feels fresh but still functional. Over the years, I've had the chance to work on a variety of projects, from designing logos for Airbnb listings to crafting posters for events and personal initiatives. In each case, my goal is to create designs that not only look good but also serve a clear purpose. Whether it's a logo that represents a brand's identity or a poster that communicates an event's vibe, I want my work to resonate with the audience in a meaningful way. My process starts with simple sketches or brainstorming sessions where I let ideas flowerily primarily find inspiration from many cartoons and pop culture references that are appealing to a large group of people. I also find inspiration in the world around me whether it's in the shapes, colors, or patterns I encounter daily. From there, I refine my designs, experimenting with different styles and making sure that every element works together to communicate the message. I'm always looking for ways to add a touch of personality or unexpected detail to my work without losing sight of the core idea. I work with a mix of traditional tools like pencil and paper, as well as digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, depending on what the project calls for. I believe in the power of collaboration, so I enjoy working with clients to bring their vision to life. From the first concept to the final product, I make sure we're on the same page and that the design reflects their goals while adding something unique. Ultimately, my aim is to create designs that feel approachable and effective, something that catches your eye, tells a story, and sticks with you long after you've seen it.
Open Access
Kellie Heath: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Heath, Kellie, artist
The artist's statement: As a graphic designer and web developer, I’m passionate about using design to create meaningful visual experiences. I believe good design should not only look great, but also tell a story, solve a problem, or spark a connection. My creative process starts with thorough research and conversations, then sketching by hand or using Adobe Fresco, then moving into digital tools like Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign or begin building web designs with HTML and CSS. For motion graphics and dynamic storytelling, I work in After Effects. When bringing designs to the web, I use HTML and CSS to build and style responsive, user-friendly interfaces that reflect the intent and personality of each project. I approach each project with curiosity and care, whether it's branding, web or motion design, editorial layout, or illustration. In recent work, I've been inspired by the natural world, community and collaboration, and playful visual elements. My work blends bold color, clean type, and thoughtful composition to create designs that feel both approachable and impactful.
Open Access
Hope Azevedo: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Azevedo, Hope, artist
The artist's statement: My name is Hope Azevedo. I've always believed one of the most powerful ways to receive messages is through vision. Our memories are often associated with what we see. As result, I've decided to turn the changes I wish to see in the world into designs. Even the simplest of advertisements deserves to be created with care and devotion. Graphic Design inspires me wherever I go. Our daily lives are filled with design without us even realizing it, and as a designer, it's important that these experiences are enjoyable. The world is rapidly changing with AI slowly taking over this medium, and it is important that we don't allow the human touch to fade from design. Because of this, I am inspired to keep the human touch within design. To me, people provide such passion and individuality to design. Collaborating and watching designs become one amongst artists is something that artificial intelligence can never replicate. Professionally, I like to adhere to my personal style while ensuring each piece is up to standard. I don't see my projects as complete until my team and I are satisfied with the visual result. All this to say, we mustn't take the human connection of design for granted. People are so vital in the processes of design, especially when trying to convey a message. My intention is to keep this artistic touch of humanity alive with passion in every design I create.
Open Access
Meghan Ritchie: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Ritchie, Meghan, artist
The artist's statement: When working with clients I like to get to know them personally, this helps me read the type of people they are and their specific art style that they radiate. Once that bond is established the idea and concept of their design that they want is talked about. I take note of everything they want and do not want and begin my research process. When it comes to company brands, I first look up their company, the work that they do, and the clients that they pertain to. In my designs I like to make sure that everyone, no matter the knowledge of the brand, is able to understand what it is simply by looking at it. Throughout the process of getting to a brand that a company likes I try to send my process so that if there are parts that they do not like or that they want to add then I can do so as needed. It is a group collaborative to get the brand that everyone enjoys. Once the black and white brand is established, I then ask about color scheme. It is more important to me to get the brand done before thinking about the idea of adding colors. When designing posters and book covers, I like to read what it is that I am representing through my art. I let my imagination physically take me there and then draw what I see. These works of art are filled with my love for books and fairytales. When it comes to books I do everything I can to let the author's imagination come through my hands as if they are painting it themselves.
Open Access
Elizabeth Maldonado: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Maldonado, Elizabeth, artist
The artist's statement: Elizabeth Maldonado is a graphic designer from Colorado pursuing her BFA at Colorado State University. Her work focuses on illustration, she blends digital and hand drawn elements together to create work that she is proud of. When working with clients she prioritizes clear communication and engages in depth with discussions between her and the clients. She keeps her clients involved throughout the process to ensure their end goal is met.
Open Access
Bryce Rennick: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Rennick, Bryce, artist
The artist's statement: Art has been a part of my life since I was young, particularly comics and graphic novels. I read the wildly exaggerated stories and admired the artistic passion put into them. I felt that these tales heavily influenced my perception of the real world. They guided me through my artistic learning journey and eventually showed me the beautiful world of graphic design. I've become committed to using my artistic skills to help provide illustrations, layouts, and designs for people, businesses, and the community around me. Digital medium is where I hold the most skill, but I also enjoy watercolor, acrylic, oil, sketching, and inking. Sketching and inking, I also have experience, taking inspiration from 80's & 90's comics, crosshatching, shading, and inking. My work uses inspiration from pop media, taking from poses, color combinations, styles, but also inner meanings. tone, and from the stories themselves. Where there are places that I could add something as small as a reference to something more prominent, I find ways to bring what helps and inspires me into my works. As a graphic designer, I work with many clients, focusing on quality, the time taken to work, and making sure that my motivations for getting a project done align with the client's needs while also taking into consideration their time. I respond quickly, do what I can to make sure the client is fully updated on the progress, and ask questions to see if the design is in the direction the client wants.
Open Access
Alexandra Munoz-Cordova: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Munoz-Cordova, Alexandra, artist
The artist's statement: As a first-generation Latina, I have overcome many challenges that have made me the artist I am today. My work in Graphic Design has been a display of those efforts and combines illustration and typography to showcase my perception of assigned themes and topics. My experiences and background are a display of who I am in my art. They are an upbringing of my efforts even if they don't directly speak to my Mexican identity. My diverse background is something I aspire to use as I continue to cultivate verbal, written and interpersonal skills both fluently in English and Spanish. My work is a direct showcase of not only my efforts but of the efforts of my mother and father who came here with nothing but still gave me everything. They left their families, their homes and learned a new language to give my sister and I the opportunity for a better future. I want to honor their sacrifices by taking the first step in breaking this generational chain of pursuing higher education. My parents will always be my greatest influence in everything I do, and I will do everything in my power to do good by them. And that for me is using my art as representation and as a voice for them and myself. For whenever I can't speak, I can create art to be my voice.
Open Access
Emmy Schlossberg: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Schlossberg, Emmy, artist
The artist's statement: As a graphic designer, I strive to make art that showcases stories and high technical skills. For me, graphic design is all about solving problems. Not only do I make my designs visually appealing, but I also use them as solutions. Moving forward, my design goals are to be able to apply strategic thinking to my designs making sure that every element serves a purpose. Throughout my design thinking process, I like to draw inspiration from the world around me and how music makes me feel. When I'm working on my designs, I listen to a specific genre of music that influences me to make design choices. I show this in many of my designs such as logo and branding design, packaging and print design. From picking out an artistic style to selecting a color palette, each step I take reflects the purpose of the art I design. Each element has a specific meaning to the whole design and this is what makes my designs strong.
Open Access
Noah Chacon: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Chacon, Noah, artist
The artist's statement: In my design work, my goal is to create engaging visual communication for all audiences and draw on experiences from my Mexican American upbringing, a combination of cultural variety in color, typography, and iconography. I apply these experiences in my design approach to engage with a wider audience through meaningful, bold, and vibrant designs. I acknowledge the sacrifice and work members of my family had to endure and strive to continue this mindset in my practice. In my process of designing, I find the evolution throughout my process to be ever evolving. In this sense, my work is to be adaptable and willing to explore a variety of outlets and forms to achieve the desired outcome. When designing for a client, research, and ideation become of utmost importance. Proper understanding leads to proper designs, which result in a work that communicates, connects, and provokes.
Open Access
Emily Januszewski: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Januszewski, Emily, artist
The artist's statement: Emily Januszewski is a graphic designer and illustrator who began her artistic practice at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado. Her education abroad and personal passion for global learning has helped her cultivate a design practice inspired by various cultural and artistic philosophies. Emily's focus as a designer is to use a foundation of strict attention-to-detail backed by communicative empathy to help others realize their goals. Emily's strong background in newspaper and magazine layout, as well as digital illustration has familiarised her with working within a pre established design system. This is best seen in page designs, two-page-spread layouts, photo gallery compositions, and newspaper cover work. She is comfortable, even inspired, by working creatively in a box of visual restrictions. Emily is happy working under consistent hard deadlines and working in a fast-paced collaborative environment, such as a newsroom. Within her illustrative work, Emily does not limit herself to a specific drawing style, preferring to first examine the nature of the project prompt and adapting her linework based on what best suits the piece. She is a fan of bold colors, vintage-inspired typefaces, and experimenting with various digital illustration platforms. When combining illustration and type, Emily is adept at meticulously researching accompanying typefaces that will enhance the work's message. When an appropriate pre-existing typeface is not accessible, her next course of action is typically to create one by hand. Emily's work is a manifestation of multiple international education experiences blended with her American identity. Surrounded by ever-shifting cultural practices as an American, and having studied abroad in Japan and the United Kingdom, Emily's work is often related to travel. Adventures on distant shores have contributed to her passion for working in diverse environments and collaborating with individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
Open Access
Todd Swenson: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Swenson, Todd, artist
The artist's statement: I am a character artist who excels in creating and interpreting colorful characters into quick, stylized artworks. However, I've always had a fascination with graphics and practical designs from as early as I remember (packaging, posters, etc.). My work grew from a simple hobby that had to work around my mental challenges to something special born out of said challenges. Through extensive energy dedicated in college and in private, I've been able to create a workflow that's extremely quick but doesn't sacrifice quality. With the power of digital art and illustration, I'm able to produce high quality work that meets and surpasses the requested vision(s). It starts with an idea or a prompt, which I take and quickly adapt into several ideas. I narrow it down and take a route that’s most fitting to express an idea, not yielding to a single style if that can be avoided. I'm inspired to prove myself with works that, while not for everyone, show off the dedication to my ideas and characters.
Open Access
Paige Nicholas: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Nicholas, Paige, artist
The artist's statement: Art has always been a way for me to express thoughts and feelings that can be hard to put into words. It's a personal and creative outlet where I can explore different ideas, stories, and emotions. Every piece made holds meaning for me, whether it's connected to a memory, a moment of inspiration, or something I'm still trying to understand. I work with a variety of materials, depending on what I'm creating. Sometimes I paint, ink, watercolor, or charcoal, and other times I enjoy digital tools or mixed media. I experiment and see how different textures, colors, and techniques come together. The process often starts with sketches or quick notes, and then I build on those ideas until the final piece feels right. Much of my inspiration comes from everyday life— people, nature, music, dreams, and even small quiet moments. I'm also drawn to themes like identity, emotion, and storytelling. I want my art to connect with others, to spark curiosity or offer a sense of understanding. Overall, my work represents a journey—of exploring who I am and how I see the world. Thank you for taking the time to view it. I hope you find something in it that speaks to you.
Open Access
Christian Lujan: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Lujan, Christian, artist
The artist's statement: As a graphic designer, my work sits at the intersection of storytelling, identity, and intentional design. I believe every brand has a soul something intangible yet deeply felt and my role as an artist is to give that soul a voice, a face, and a presence. My creative process begins with listening to stories, asking questions, What the identity is. I approach each project as a collaboration between intuition and structure. I don't just design to make things look good I design to make them feel honest. I draw inspiration from diverse sources the movement of the campus, the precision of typography, and the emotional resonance of photography. Each visual element in my work is chosen with intention and guided by a core belief, good design should not only reflect who you are but also elevate what you stand for. My aesthetic tends to blend minimalism with human warmth. I value clarity, but never at the expense of character. I believe in brands that breathe, systems that adapt, and visuals that tell more than one story. I'm especially interested in how identity evolves how visuals carry memory, respond to context, and engage audiences over time. The work presented in this brand book is a reflection of these principles. It is a curated expression of tone, voice, and vision, translated into a consistent and versatile identity system. It's meant to be both a foundation and a compass for something grounded enough to build trust, yet dynamic enough to grow with purpose. Ultimately, I see design not as decoration, but as translation. A brand is a living narrative and design is how we bring that narrative into the world.
Open Access
Alexa Archuleta: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Archuleta, Alexa, artist
The artist's statement: Since I was child, I knew that I wanted to communicate through creativity. I’m interested in many different mediums, with many roots in photography. Eventually, I found myself drawn to pursuing graphic design. I found this medium would allow me to grow rather quickly due to my previous understanding with the Adobe Suite for all of my photography, and these two mediums often go hand-in-hand. I am also very interested in the multitude of opportunities within the field, from book design to advertising. I'm lucky enough to try out many materials and skills, including painting and illustration, through my education at Colorado State University. I'm also experienced with coding and animation, which has helped to expand my creative reach. Even across all of these, I find that there's always a way to add them into graphic design. When starting a project, I strive to fully understand what the end goal of the design is. What should people feel, and what message do I want to convey? Once I fully understand the goal, I try out multiple designs to see which one fits the project best, then I go in and make sure that everything involved is consistent, from the color palette to the logo elements. I trust this process not only for graphic design, but for any creative project that I get to be a part of. More than anything, the work I make needs to be unique and appealing to its audience. I evoke emotions, but also need people to be able to get what they need from my art, even if that differs between each person. I draw inspiration from film and entertainment media, such as animation. I'm fascinated by how many different stories are told in one sitting, and how people read those stories differently. I like to depict movements and stories in my work, while also capturing the overall essence I want to convey. Graphic design, as it is a combination of multiple mediums, allows this sense of freedom and exploration while also being efficient in communicating.
Open Access
Olivia Critchley: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Critchley, Olivia, artist
The artist's statement: Hi, I'm Liv! A graphic designer with a passion for sports and storytelling. My work is all about bringing brands to life, whether that's through social media graphics, print materials, or design systems. I love using design to capture the energy and identity of a team, a moment, or a mission. For me, design isn't just about how things look; it’s about how they make people feel and connect with the world around them. From early brainstorming and sketching to final execution, I enjoy collaborating to understand a vision, explore ideas, and create work that’s thoughtful, exciting, and true to a brand. Every piece I make is meant to tell a story and reflect the people behind it. My goal is to keep growing as a designer and to continue making work that inspires, includes, and celebrates.

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