Graphic Design Archives - �Ļ�Ӱ�� of Art and Design

Big design, bigger personality: An evening with Aaron Draplin

awalters — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

By Emma Robinson ’27, Visual Studies

Back for another attention-grabbing and eye-opening presentation, Aaron Daplin, creator of the world-renowned Draplin Design Company (DDC), spoke on campus again in the Morganroth Auditorium, hosted by the Graphic Design Department.

Although he started the presentation by calling himself a “real serious, real academic guy,” Draplin’s enthusiastic love for graphic design quickly debunked that persona as the first (of many) pranks he pulled on the audience throughout the night. His big personality, along with his wide smile and firm handshake, helped disarm an audience in awe of the quality and amount of work credited to the Draplin name.

The Draplin company first launched in 2004, and 20 years later, Draplin is proud to report that he’s managed to ‘keep everything out of the red.’ From a humble beginning in the Midwest, Draplin grew up loving snowboarding and skateboarding, with much of his future inspiration coming from the design culture of those two activities. During his presentation, Draplin said he first started drawing at age three on paper diner placemats, a last-ditch attempt from his mother to keep him from misbehaving in public. A funny anecdote from the start of his career, but Draplin continues the tradition of drawing wherever and whenever he can.

DDC has worked with dozens (if not hundreds) of organizations, big and small, including companies such as Nike, Hot Wheels, and Skillshare, public figures such as Chris Stapleton and Tenacious D, and even government organizations such as NASA, the United States Postal Service, and the Barack Obama administration. His most recognized work, the Field Notes workbooks, can be bought worldwide and are commonly found in bookstores, cafes, and malls. But that’s not all DDC brings to the table. Draplin came equipped with plenty of swag, bringing an array of stickers, pins, patches, hats, pencil bags, dice, posters, and more for purchase. His iconic book, Pretty Much Everything, currently in its 13th printing, was also for sale.

The Draplin Co.’s work is best described as classic Americana: thick outlines, efficient design, and retro colors. While never confined to one niche, Draplin’s work amasses a large body of coherent yet unique designs. One of the more unique areas of Draplin’s work, however, is his educational design. Motivated by past medical experiences and family health scares, Draplin aims to use graphic design to open the door for talking about scary topics. Education is the first step to solving problems, and if a funny sticker helps start that difficult conversation, it’s a net positive.

And that’s the crux of Draplin’s philosophy: finding the net positive in whatever you do. In a world where graphic design seems more threatened than ever, Draplin’s speech was an uplifting reassurance to the audience, emphasizing the importance of finding joy in your work. He stated that he likes to share interesting work that inspires him in the hope that it will inspire others, and inspire others he did. Draplin’s presentation was a constant reminder of the beauty that can come from graphic design and poignant advice on how to achieve it. One of the most important mottos to take from work is to celebrate what’s important, “no matter how big, small, or ugly.”

Contact:
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Ringling Graphic Design students explore New York’s design industry

awalters — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:27:46 +0000

By Camila Ayala ’27, Graphic Design

What does the professional design world actually look like? This spring break, 12 Graphic Design students from �Ļ�Ӱ�� of Art and Design traveled to New York City to learn firsthand by visiting major in-house design teams and independent studios across the city.

Organized and led by full-time Graphic Design Faculty member, Lisa Jayne Willard, the group of three sophomores, five juniors, and three seniors—toured organizations including The New York Times, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Lublin Design Center, 2×4, Collins, Pentagram, Red Antler, and Squarespace. The itinerary moved quickly: visits to The New York Times and Cooper Hewitt kicked things off, followed by a full day of studio tours in Brooklyn at Lublin Design Center, 2×4, and Collins. Students then met with members of the Pentagram team, including designers affiliated with the Italian designer Giorgia Lupi’s group, and later toured Barbarian, where Ringling alum Nancy Nyström ’15, Graphic and Interactive Communications, shared insights into her professional journey. The final day wrapped up at Red Antler and Squarespace, where alum Nicole Gavrilles ’12, Fine Arts, led a tour and lecture. Between visits, students had time to explore the city independently and shared a group dinner at John’s Pizzeria.

One of the biggest takeaways was that while many studios appear to do similar work, they are fundamentally different in their approach. Each had its own area of focus—branding, digital experiences, strategy—and its own way of solving problems. Some emphasized research and data-driven design; others leaned into conceptual thinking or visual experimentation. As one designer put it during a visit, “There isn’t one path to a solution. What matters is how you think your way there.”

Work culture proved equally defining. Some studios ran on constant collaboration, with teams continuously building on each other’s ideas. Others allowed for independent exploration before converging. The atmosphere, team dynamics, and even the physical spaces all contributed to each studio’s creative identity, a reminder that culture isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a driving force.

Perhaps the most reassuring realization was how closely professional practice mirrors what students are already learning at �Ļ�Ӱ��. Research-driven design, concept development, and critique came up repeatedly across studios. The transition from school to industry may feel like a leap, but this trip showed the foundation is already being built in the classroom.

The professionals themselves reinforced this, with many sharing that their own paths weren’t linear, and that persistence, adaptability, and growth matter as much as technical skill. “Your work should show how you think, not just what you can make,” one speaker noted. For students preparing to enter the field, the message was clear: the skills are relevant, the path is achievable, and there is room to grow into an individual voice as a designer.

Contact:
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@ringling.edu
941-309-4008

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�Ļ�Ӱ�� wins big at the Suncoast ADDYs

awalters — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

�Ļ�Ӱ�� students took home a whopping 80 Gold ADDY Awards at the AAF Suncoast gala on Feb. 21, with more recognized with Silver, Judge’s Choice awards, and a Best in Show for Bella Race ’26, Graphic Design. The annual awards honor the best creative projects produced by local students and professionals. This year’s gala once again took place at the �Ļ�Ӱ�� Studio Labs.

Race, who also received a total of four Gold ADDYs, earned her Best in Show recognition for Between Us, an infographic iPad application that visualizes data on loneliness with interconnected personal stories. She also received a Judge’s Choice award for Two Wheels @Houston, a campaign to promote bicycling as a lower-stress alternative to traffic-heavy commutes.

The other two Judge’s Choice awards went to Nathan Kipka ’27, Motion Design and Brallan Ramirez ’27, Graphic Design.

In total, �Ļ�Ӱ�� Graphic Design students took home 20 Gold Awards, one Best in Show, and two Judge’s Choice. Motion Design students won 55 Gold Awards, 12 Silver, and one Judge’s Choice. Film Students won five Gold Awards and one Silver Award.

The local ADDYs are the first step in a three-tier national competition presented by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). These winners can go on to compete in the district round, and district winners can then compete for a national ADDY Award.

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Graphic Design alum named to state arts council

awalters — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Lori Halbert ’92, Graphic Design, was appointed to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The council is comprised of 15 members who advise the Secretary of State on arts policies and funding. Halbert will serve a four-year term.

As an accomplished businessperson and artist, Halbert has worked in design, photography, and stained glass. Her political career includes three years on the Indialantic Town Council and five seasons as host of Live with Lori: Political Food for Thought, a non-partisan cable cooking show. Halbert co-founded and co-owns JLJ Importing, which imports boutique French wines for restaurants and retailers.

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Office of Marketing and Communications
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Matchmaking event brings Film and Graphic Design students together for client-focused collaboration

awalters — Wed, 07 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Each spring, students from the Film and Graphic Design departments attend a creative matchmaking event in the Studio Labs Soundstages. During the fast-paced collaborative gathering, Graphic Design students are briefly introduced to multiple Film thesis projects, helping them find the ideal director or concept to partner with and create a poster design.

The interdisciplinary project supports the development of professional skills for students from both majors. The Film students hone their pitching skills while also learning how to work with graphic designers to gather design assets for their films. The Graphic Design students gain experience working with real clients, who are deeply invested in the outcome of their projects. The promotional film posters that they create are used for years to come, as the films circulate the festival circuit.

The students create and participate in real-world creative industry workflows, encouraging collaborative problem-solving, visual communication, and the application of discipline-specific skills in a professional context.

Poster designer Isabelle Drischler ’25, Graphic Design, described her experience working on the project: “Honestly, I didn’t have a lot of knowledge about film at all. It was truly a whole new world for me. I learned a ton working with Michaela Cowan on her film Tin Can Sailors,” she said. “I got to talk to her about the process of making the film, see behind-the-scenes, and hear directly from her what made her film so special. I think my favorite part of the experience was just this deep appreciation between the designers and the film students. I knew I couldn’t do what they do, and it felt like they saw us in the same way. There was a very mutual respect, and I think it’s the biggest reason why we had so many amazing posters this year.”

Graphic Design students have the opportunity to work on a number of projects for real-life clients while they are at Ringling. Through the College’s in-house Design Center, students get credit or pay to work on real projects for the College or outside clients. Students delve deeper into their focused areas of interest through student groups, like the Screenprinting Club and the Type Club, which put together an annual typeface exhibition, Ligature.��

“It’s so special when you get to work on projects that truly mean something to someone,” said Drischler.

�Ļ�Ӱ�� Film students graduate with a strong foundation in creative collaboration. They work on 60 films during their time in the program, and learn every aspect of the process, including screenwriting, cinematography, producing, directing, production design, editing, and sound design. Their senior thesis films are produced by crews comprised of other senior Film students.��

Contact:
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@ringling.edu
941-309-4008

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INDEX students design Sarasota Police mobile unit wrap

Office of Marketing and Communications — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On Jan. 31, 2025, the Sarasota Police Department debuted its new Mobile Command Center, which sports a custom exterior wrap designed by three students from the �Ļ�Ӱ�� of Art and Design, organized through an INDEX initiative. The command center will be driven throughout the community and used for emergency situations and community outreach.

Bella Race ’26, Graphic Design, Bella Thompson ’26, Graphic Design, and Samantha Balikowa ’26, Business of Art and Design, collaborated on the project; the back of the vehicle now bears their names. The students’ ideas took into account Sarasota’s identity and history, an approachable design to encourage interactions with the community, and signage that clearly communicated the vehicle’s purpose.

�Ļ�Ӱ�� Liberal Arts faculty member Matt Giles shared his perspective on the wrap’s impact on the local community: “The wrap that the Ringling students designed for Sarasota Police Department’s new Mobile Command Center looks amazing,” he said. “By including Ringling students and faculty in the creation process, Sarasota PD builds positive relationships with community members who would otherwise be uninvolved.”

Giles, who teaches a course on Policing and Media at the College, advocates for a closer relationship between law enforcement and the community. “I teach about the essential role of outreach to different pillars of the local community, and I’m thrilled to see our local police putting in the work to connect,” he explained. Cynthia Johnson, Sarasota PD’s Public Information Officer, has taken time in previous semesters to visit the class and talk with students about the complicated role of police in working with the local community.

“I encourage students—and all community members—to actively build connections with local law enforcement so that they already have meaningful relationships with police when they later interact with them,” said Giles. “By doing so, they have the option to become visible members of the community who can help guide interactions with police toward transparency, accountability, and collaboration.”

Giles is a member of �Ļ�Ӱ��’s Subject Matter Experts, focusing on intergroup communication, communication between police and protest groups, protest art, and language as culture.

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Office of Marketing and Communications
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Graphic Design exhibit embraces the humanity of type

Office of Marketing and Communications — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:17:34 +0000

This week marks the opening of the 15th annual Ligature exhibition, a student-organized celebration of typography and lettering in various formats and media, established by �Ļ�Ӱ�� of Art and Design’s Type Club. This year’s iteration, Ligature XV: Misprint, will be on view in the Willis Smith Gallery until March 21, 2025.

In typeface design, a ligature is a single typographic character that is a connected combination of two or more letters. A common example would be the merged first two letters of “aesthetic” which in printed books sometimes appears as “æsthetic.” Graphic Design Department Head Jeff Bleitz explains the use of the character as the catalyst for an exhibition, “It’s the kind of inside-knowledge reference that you might expect for an event started by a small group of graphic design students. And that’s exactly what it is.”

Ligature XV photographed by Cecilia Marty ’26, Photography and Imaging.

Ligature XV was juried by Cymone Wilder, a lettering artist and designer who helps build products, brands, and experiences through custom lettering and design. Wilder gave a presentation about her work in the Morganroth Auditorium on Feb. 14, the day of the exhibition opening. The exhibit was produced by Type Club Officers Dave Scheele ’25, Avery Frost ’25, Jessie Cross ’25, Ivy Jenkins ’26, Daniel Mainou Reyes ’26, and Samantha Mandato ’26.

Co-creative director Dave Scheele shared, “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind putting this exhibition together! It takes a lot of work, and I’m really lucky to be a part of a great team who made it a lot of fun. Avery Frost and I have been part of the production team for the show since our sophomore year, so for us to be in charge of it now our senior year has been really exciting. The show is always a great chance for students from all the majors and all the class years to be a part of something. The work submitted this year is really great. I feel like it gets better every year, which makes me really proud.”

Poster for the first Type Club meeting in 2010.

The annual exhibit was first established in the Spring of 2011, as a one-night pop-up event on the fourth-floor hallway of the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center. Submissions were limited to Graphic Design majors and it was curated by officers of the Type Club, which had been established just the year before. For the next nine years, Ligature continued as a one-night event, moving from that hallway to the Willis Smith Gallery to the Roskamp Exhibition Hall, until �Ļ�Ӱ�� Galleries and Exhibition Director and Chief Curator Tim Jaeger invited the club to mount a proper exhibition.

The opening reception for Ligature X in 2020.

“In 2020, Ligature X marked a turning point, establishing the show as a fully supported and professionally curated exhibition within the Ringling Galleries,” Jaeger shared. “Since then, each year has built upon that foundation, raising the bar for creativity, craftsmanship, and the celebration of typography.”

As the exhibition constantly evolves and redefines itself within the spirit of the ligature concept, the organizers this year chose the theme of the misprint to embrace the humanity of type. The misprint is type behaving badly. It celebrates the intentional and the unintentional.

Co-director Avery Frost expanded on the theme and how it all came together, “Misprint celebrates the process of creating with type by hand, which Dave and I are extremely passionate about. Our juror this year, Cymone Wilder, is also passionate about creating type by hand and focuses on creating beautiful hand-painted artworks using typography.”

As a champion of the exhibition, Jaeger shared, “This year’s Ligature XV continues the tradition of innovation and excellence in typography and design. It’s incredible to see the dedication of the Type Club directors and the creative energy they bring to this exhibition. We’re proud to support their vision and look forward to another inspiring show.”

Ligature XV: Misprint, will be on view in the Willis Smith Gallery until March 21, 2025, and will be open for �Ļ�Ӱ�� Galleries and Exhibitions’ Art Walk event on Feb. 21, from 5-8 pm. The event is free and open to the public, with eight exhibitions on view, open studios across campus, and four food trucks.

Contact:

Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@ringling.edu
941-309-4008

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Rookies article by Graphic Design student Ivy Jenkins

Office of Marketing and Communications — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Graphic Design student Ivy Jenkins ’26 shared the story and motivation behind her concept for The Salty Sardine with The Rookies. The project is a fully realized business identity born out of an assignment for her Design and Typography I class. The business, a food truck serving sardine products, was envisioned as a family business with the motto, “Eat Good, Stay Salty.” The project included branded merch, a colorful truck design, logos, social media marketing assets, and more. Read more about the project and see The Salty Sardine designs in the .

Jenkins also was named for Rookie of the Year. Read more about the Rookie of the Year awards.

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DIELINE: There’s No Salty Sardine Food Truck; But IF There Was…

Office of Marketing and Communications — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 21:36:03 +0000

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Rookie of the Year 2024 awards announced

Office of Marketing and Communications — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

�Ļ�Ӱ�� of Art and Design’s Computer Animation, Graphic Design, and Motion Design majors shined in the annual Rookie of the Year awards this summer. Each year, students from around the world compete for the coveted title that awards creative emerging digital artists in 12 categories, from Motion Graphics to Immersive Media and Film of the Year. As a demonstration of their hard work, ambition, and the College’s phenomenal faculty, �Ļ�Ӱ�� students have a large presence in this list year after year. This year was no exception.

Three recent grads from Computer Animation received four awards. Recent grad Monica Lagrange ’24 was awarded both . Recent grad Elena Serenko ’24, Computer Animation was awarded . The thesis animation The Mooning: An Animated Short Film by Computer Animation alumni Mason Klesch and Vivian Osness was awarded .

Graphic Design student Ivy Jenkins ’26 was awarded and received the Highly Commended Award for Graphic Design.

Motion Design student and recent grad both received Highly Commended awards in Motion Graphics.

The College had 26 total finalists in the running for the Rookie of the Year Award, with 12 Motion Design finalists, five Computer Animation finalists, three from both Graphic Design and Game Art, and a finalist from Virtual Reality Development.

You can see all of the winners and their award-winning work on the website.

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