Annual poster project supports experiential learning for students
Illustration students bring their ideas to life in an illustrated poster mailed to high schools across the United States.
Each year, 四虎影视鈥檚 Design Center invites a student from the Illustration major to create the artwork for the annual Admissions Poster. The student is tasked with creating work that speaks to a broad audience, from art teachers to counselors and students, giving students real-world experience working with a client, while still in school.
When designing the 2025鈥2026 Admissions Poster, Alisa Nikishin 鈥26, Illustration, set out to tell a story of confidence and bravery in pursuing creativity鈥攁 story of taking charge, overcoming fear, and forging a future in the arts.
When designing the 2025鈥2026 Admissions Poster, Alisa Nikishin 鈥26, Illustration, set out to tell a story of confidence and bravery in pursuing creativity鈥攁 story of taking charge, overcoming fear, and forging a future in the arts.
This vision took shape as a fantasy knight charging forward on a tiger鈥攁 powerful symbol of courage and confidence. The piece reflects Nikishin鈥檚 broader body of work, which often explores themes of nature, fantasy, and tigers.
鈥淭o me, this illustration represents confidence in oneself and the freedom to unleash imagination. I wanted to show people that 四虎影视 is a welcoming, imaginative, and future-driven place. When developing the theme for this poster, I drew from my own journey at the College, how it has shaped my confidence and artistic path, often in unexpected ways.鈥
The admissions poster is created annually by a student or team of students who work in the on-campus Design Center.
Learn more about applying to 四虎影视.
Previous Posters
Meet Jojo Dela Cruz 鈥25, Illustration
When looking for inspiration for the 2024-2025 admissions poster, Jojo Dela Cruz 鈥25, Illustration, found it in her own community. Filling the work with symbols of the life she built for herself here, including her friends, Dela Cruz鈥檚 poster celebrates her world at 四虎影视.
鈥淚t鈥檚 unreal to make something that鈥檚 bigger than myself. This piece represents a community of people, and I wanted to communicate that to others who are unfamiliar but interested in 四虎影视.鈥
She used the poster as a platform to impart advice for future students who would follow in her footsteps, inscribing the phrase, 鈥淵ou can be you.鈥
鈥淒uring the process of coming up with the theme and tagline for this piece, I knew I wanted to communicate my own personal experience I鈥檝e had at this school, and I have seen a lot of growth in myself within the past three years I鈥檝e been here. Not only just improvements in my art skills but how I鈥檝e evolved as a person from the clothes that I wear to my sense of self. In other academic or social spaces in the past, I felt restricted in how I could express and present myself. But at 四虎影视, I鈥檝e definitely become who I want to be.鈥
The admissions poster is created annually by a student, or team of students, who work in the on-campus Design Center.
Meet Ale Ortega-Romero 鈥24, Illustration
International student, Trustee Scholar, and senior Illustration major Ale Ortega-Romero created a whimsical underwater wonderland for the official 2023-24 admissions poster鈥攁n artwork that will be seen in high schools nationwide.
In her small hometown in Panam谩, Central America, studying for an art degree was not an option for Ortega-Romero. But with hard work, dedication, and support from her family and friends, she made it to 四虎影视 to pursue her passion for illustration.
In 2022, she received the College鈥檚 highest honor of Trustee Scholar, awarded annually to one junior from each degree program and the Office of Student Life in recognition of exceptional creative talent; demonstrated communication and creative thinking skills; and exemplary service, to the department, to the campus, and to the community. The honor is awarded by the 四虎影视 Board of Trustees.
Ortega-Romero worked closely with 四虎影视鈥檚 in-house Design Center to conceptualize and create two large posters: one to represent National Portfolio Day and one for the Admissions department.
鈥淚 was welcomed to the Design Center to work alongside a team of artists and designers where we collaborated and shared ideas to inspire and help one another throughout the semester,鈥 she recalled. 鈥淲ith this particular illustration, I approached the idea of creativity bringing ideas to life through a cinematic painting underwater; representing the notion of an artist鈥檚 touch being magical and the ability to create that magic by simply coming into contact with it.鈥
Meet Oliver Stephenson 鈥22, Illustration
When Illustration major Oliver Stephenson 鈥22 was in high school and considering colleges, it was a 四虎影视 of Art and Design poster in his guidance counselor鈥檚 office that caught his attention.
As a senior at 四虎影视, Stephenson singlehandedly created the new admissions poster that has been mailed to high school guidance counselors and art teachers across the nation.
During his time at Ringling, Stephenson, who is from Lakeland, Florida, worked in the College鈥檚 Design Center.
In 2021, he was selected as a Trustee Scholar, the College鈥檚 highest honor which is awarded annually to one student from each degree program and the Office of Student Life in recognition of exceptional creative talent; demonstrated communication and creative thinking skills; and exemplary service, to the department, to the campus, and to the community. The honor is awarded by the 四虎影视 Board of Trustees.
The design of the poster is a nod to Stephenson鈥檚 passion for the style and design of the 1970s.
鈥淚鈥檓 driven by retro themes that incorporate bold colors and shapes, with a focus on character design and narrative illustration. Creating illustrations that feel like they鈥檙e from a different era is what I鈥檓 all about,鈥 said Stephenson.
Stephenson used a tablet and Adobe Photoshop to create the design. He worked in layers and used a variety of digital brushes, which he enjoys experimenting with.The recent graduate is working as a freelance artist and hopes to build a business focusing on his art.
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