BS in Visual Communication Design
At a Glance
Program
Student Awards
GDUSA’s 2023 Top Graphic Design Schools
GDUSA Students to Watch 2023
AIGA Locally Sourced
Locally sourced is a digital publication initiative from AIGA Philadelphia showcasing student creative work from the mid-atlantic region. View work here.
Honorable Mentions:
- Tessa Peña (22)
- Jen Spencer (22)
- Anya Ritter (23)
Selected for Inclusion:
- 2022: Anna Belfont, Tessa Peña, Jen Spencer
- 2023: Anna Ritter, Megan Miller
- 2024: Ashley Anousaya, Matthew Bayer, Jordan Bethea, Daymond Chan, Emma Maddaluna, Nicole Mambuscay, Erika Sheehan, Sienna Viera, Aidan Roe, Kayla Brown
- 2025: Joelle Klouda, Emma Prushan, Annika Zitto
UCDA Design Award, Award of Excellence
Brandon Bittner (22), Antonia Milas (22), Tessa Pena (22), and Anya Ritter (23)
Graphis New Talent Annual 2022
Visit Graphis Competition Site
Silver
- Jolie Zinn, Experiential Graphic Design, NYC Transit Authority COVID-19 Extension
- Maria Woyden, Capstone, Metanoia
Honorable Mention
- (VCD 22) Anna-Marie Belfon, Nicholas DiNallo, Aryana Shah, Katie Fulcher
(VCD 21) Noel Cucuzza, Ryan Monte, Hannah Tobinous, Dawson Skipper
(HCDM 21) Eli Steiker-Ginzberg, Iman Morsy, Stephen Andreo - A Visual Report on the Effects of COVID-19 on Culture & Society
C2—Creativity And Collaboration Pechakucha
Antonia Milas, Inclusive Design Collaboration:
Rethinking a Cookbook for Individuals with Intellectual Disability
Graphic Design USA Students to Watch 2022
GDUSA’s 2021 Top Graphic Design Schools
Graphis New Talent Annual 2021
Silver
Graphic Design USA Students to Watch 2021
GDUSA’s 2021 Top Graphic Design Schools
Graphis New Talent Annual 2020
Gold
Silver
- Stephen Andreo, Capstone, Pixel Bridge Press
- Abbey Pitzer, Packaging, City Rails: Sustainable Train Set Packaging
Honorable Mention
- Abbey Pitzer, Patrice Sakalosky, Eryn Griffin, Farm-to-Fridge
- Kori Hirsch, Capstone, cadence
- Abbey Pitzer, Capstone, Seedling
- Gabi Stahley, Packaging, 1872
2020 New England Graphic Medicine Conference
MCPHS University, Boston
March 27, 2020
Presentation and Panel Discussion: Fresh Trajectories
Seniors, Sara Maguire, Eli Marburger & Jack McIntyre were accepted to present a group project from their Systems Design Integration course. The project prompt asked them to create a design system that would improve health literacy among Philadelphians.
SPACE ADVENTURES: A Trilogy
Graphic books offer a way to teach emotional literacy to elementary school kids.
While mental health is becoming a more socially acceptable topic, it is still often not openly discussed with elementary school aged children. To address this gap, we developed a book series to teach kids basic emotional literacy through the three most common emotions they learn first. Through researching the Alexander Adaire School, an elementary school in Philadelphia, we found that parents lacked a language for communicating emotional literacy, specifically mental health, to children before they hit puberty. These books allow kids to gain a better understanding of both themselves and how people react based on their emotions. The book series provides an engaging and tactile way for children to understand common emotions as they encounter angry, happy, and sad through three main characters. We used universal media throughout the project—watercolor, ink, and pen—that any child can relate to and start creating themselves. In the future, these books could be used in other elementary schools, and other emotions could be added to the series. The talk described their motivation, aims, methods, media, and implications.
Graphic Design USA Students to Watch 2020
GDUSA’s 2020 Top Graphic Design Schools
2019 AIGA Philadelphia Design Awards
- Community Health Needs Report
Matt Zepp, Rebecca Lutterschmidt, Gianna DeWitt, Charlotte Rymar, Liza Marino, Katie Witmer, Amy Bachhuber, Zack Faust, Paige Graff, Matthew Maisano, Laina Healy, Devon Strine, Liz Wissman, Anna Mucci - Graphic Design USA Students to Watch 2019
Stephen Andreo, Abbey Pitzer
GDUSA’s 2019 Top Graphic Design Schools
Adobe Design Achievement Awards Top Talent
- Abbey Pitzer, Patrice Sakalosky, Eryn Griffin, Systems Design Integration, Farm-to-Fridge
- Abbey Pitzer, Capstone, Seedling
- Abbey Pitzer, Packaging, City Rails: Sustainable Train Set Packaging
- Kori Hirsch, Capstone, Cadence!
- Eryn Griffin, Capstone, Duo Brewing Company
The Library of Shandong University of Art & Design and Beijing Art A&B Co., International Exhibit
Selected Works:
- Professors: Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel, Beth Shirrell, Renee Walker,
& Frank Baseman - Students: Stefano Notarianni, Ronnie Alley, Claire Zellin,
& Stephen Andreo
Indigo Design Award
Gianna Dewitt, Juiced
Silver for Branding
Interactive Package Design published by Design Media Publishing (UK) Limited
Gabi Stahley
Paige Graff
Graphis New Talent: Merit Award Student
Paige Graff
Graphic Design USA Students to Watch 2018
Peter Aston, Zachary Faust
Adobe Design Achievement Awards Semifinalist
- Stephen Andreo, OLOGY
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Stephen Andreo, The Sea-Hare children’s book
Category: Fine Art - Illustration - Stephen Andreo | Chelsey Glidden, A&S Bagels ReBrand
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print - Devon Strine, 1872 Shoe Packaging
Category: Commercial - Packaging Design - Devon Strine, Jefferson Community Health Report: Substance Abuse
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Devon Strine, Brighter Blue
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Tabitha Porter, Disconnect to Connect
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Claire Zellin, Kulturnatten 2018 Identity
Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Joelle Rush, Paracosm Album Redesign
Category: Commercial - Packaging Design - Derek Schimmenti, Zim Zari
Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Derek Schimmenti, CenterStage
Social Impact - Web / App / Game Design - Leah Pellegrino, To Do Before I Do
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Gabi Stahley, TOOR
Category: Commercial - Web / App / Game Design - Alyssa Adoni, With The Band: Brand Identity System
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Patrice Sakalosky, Volstead
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print - Patrice Sakalosky, Tadpole Children’s TV Station
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print - Amy Bachhuber, Science Seekers
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Grieve Me Alone, Amy Bachhuber
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Trump’s Travel Ban, Charlotte Rymar
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Paige Graff, Bonafide
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Leah Pellegrino, The Raw Truth
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Alyssa Adoni, A Blast to Beer's Past
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print - Myra Lloyd, This American Life Illustrations & Alt Web Design
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Leah Pellegrino | Devon Strine | Alyssa Adoni | Devin La'Shelle Broughton, Play it Cool: Industry Sponsored Brand Identity System
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic
AIGA Philadelphia Fresh Award
Ali Doucett
Graphic Design USA Student to Watch 2017
Lauren King
Graphis New Talent Annual Merit Award:
Ronnie Alley, Versa Magazine
GDUSA Package Design Award student
Katelyn Witmer
Adobe Design Achievement Awards Semifinalist:
- Aubrey Kohl | Lauren King | Shannon Gahagan, Stop, Drop, & Grow
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Aubrey Kohl, Sabi Tea
Category: Commercial - Package Design - Laina Healy, Vinyl Collection Catalog
Category: Fine Art- Graphic Design / Print - Leah Pellegrino, The Body
Category: Fine Art - Photography - Leah Pellegrino, Philadelphia University Day of Giving ReBrand
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Gabi Stahley, Life Beyond Earth Symposium Poster
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Gabi Stahley, Gotham Typeface Specimen
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print - Gabi Stahley, LP Redesign: Jagged Little Pill
Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Myra Lloyd, IRL TV Station Identity
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Myra Lloyd, Day of Giving Event Identity
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration
Innovator Expo Entrepreneurship Award
Chess at 3 Project: Veronica Llamas, Nicole Meyer, Caroline Noebels
Graphic Design USA Students to Watch 2016
Nicole Meyer, Caroline Noebels
Adobe Design Achievement Awards Semifinalist:
- Veronica Llamas, America's Election Headquarters
Category: Social Impact - Veronica Llamas, Fork in the Road
Category: Commercial Print / Graphic / Illustration - Veronica Llamas, King Fischer and King Spassky Chess Set
Category: Commercial - Packaging Design - Veronica Llamas, Doggone It
Commercial - Category: Packaging Design - Veronica Llamas, God Save the Queen
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Nicole Meyer, National Constitution Center Voting Campaign
Category: Commercial Print / Graphic / Illustration - Emily Hennegan, Gnarly Neptune's Surfwax
Category: Commercial Print / Graphic / Illustration - Emily Hennegan, The Hero's Guide Books
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print - Kristian Bocage, "Athena"
Category: Fine Art - Illustration - Ronnie Alley, Versa Mag
Category: Social Impact Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Ronnie Alley, National Constitution Center's Exposé Lecture Series
Category: Commercial Print / Graphic / Illustration - Ronnie Alley, Toro Y Moi - Causers of This
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Jenna Granville, National Constitution Center + Game Night
Category: Commercial Print / Graphic / Illustration - Jenna Granville, Magic Belly
Category: Commercial - Packaging Design - Victoria Apeland, King Fischer & King Spassky Chess Set
Category: Commercial Packaging - Colin Hyland, Street + Cycle
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Colin Hyland, National Constitution Center Design Collaboration
Category: Social Impact - Photography / Print / Illustration / Graphic - Kendra Stepp-Daivs, Changing Tides
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print - Kendra Stepp-Davis, National Constitution Center: Electoral College
Category: Commercial - Print / Graphic / Illustration - Stephen Andreo, Neon Spades
Category: Fine Art - Illustration - Myra Lloyd, Sun 101 Information Graphic
Category: Fine Art - Graphic Design / Print
Adobe Design Achievement Awards Semifinalist:
- Lindsay Birch, Dream App + Publication + Ad Campaign
Category: Print Communications - Lindsay Birch, Fair Food Poster Series + Web Design
Category: Print Communications - Jessica Eversmeyer, BRØD Danish Cafe
Category: Print Communications - Sarah Driban, National Constitution Center Civic Holidays
Category: Print Communications - Liz Dell, Couch Tomato Rebrand
Category: Print Communications - Graphic Design USA Students to Watch 2015
Sarah Driban, Jessica Eversmeyer
2015 Collab Student Design Competition: Selfie
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Molly Coleman, First Honorable Mention; Ghadeer Helal, People’s Choice
2015 American Graphic Design Awards
Certificates of Excellence (2), 2015 American Graphic Design Awards, GD USA Magazine
Tabitha Ahnert, Sarah Driban, Jessica Eversmeyer, Julie Johnson, Bunley Lim for Kanbar Selects, volume 1 Publication and Website
2015 American Graphic Design Awards
Certificate of Excellence, 2015 American Graphic Design Awards, GD USA Magazine
Sarah Bui, Brianna DiPietro, Vicki Ewing, Elissa Flanigan, Eric Lacy, Kelly McHugh, Samantha Miller, Franklin Overstreet, Nadin Radwan for Powered To… PhilaU Title IX Awareness Campaign Against Sexual Violence on Campus, for Overall Campaign and Identity
2015 University and College Designers Association
45th Annual Design Competition
Gold Award
Tabitha Ahnert, Sarah Driban, Jessica Eversmeyer, Bunley Lim for Kanbar Selects, volume 1 Publication
2015 University and College Designers Association
45th Annual Design Competition
Silver Award and Award of Excellence
Julie Johnson for Kanbar Selects, volume 1 Website
2015 University and College Designers Association
45th Annual Design Competition
Sarah Bui and Nadin Radwan for Powered To… PhilaU Title IX Awareness Campaign Against Sexual Violence on Campus Posters, Awards of Excellence (2)
2015 University and College Designers Association
45th Annual Design Competition
Sarah Bui, Brianna DiPietro, Vicki Ewing, Elissa Flanigan, Eric Lacy, Kelly McHugh, Samantha Miller, Franklin Overstreet, Nadin Radwan for Powered To… PhilaU Title IX Awareness Campaign Against Sexual Violence on Campus, Awards of Excellence (2) for Overall Campaign and Identity
Merit Award, 2015 Graphis New Talent Design Annual
Sarah Bui, Brianna DiPietro, Vicki Ewing, Elissa Flanigan, Eric Lacy, Kelly McHugh, Samantha Miller, Franklin Overstreet, Nadin Radwan for Powered To… PhilaU Title IX Awareness Campaign Against Sexual Violence on Campus
Design for Good: AIGA Philadelphia Student T-shirt Design Competition
Awards of Merit: Kate DiGiovannantonio, Jessica Eversmeyer, Joel Hernandez, Jade Jarosz, Nicole Tuite, Kelsey Veurink, Laureen Wong
Graphic Design USA Student to Watch 2014
Kristine Maria Garcia
2014 Adobe Design Achievement Awards
Giovanni Frias, Semifinalist, Packaging category
2014 University & College Designers Association
44th Annual Design Competition
Rebecca Cox, Dan Dinsmore, Giovanni Frias and Krista Serianni, Awards of Excellence (2) for PhilaU Admissions Deck of Playing Cards
2014 University & College Designers Association
44th Annual Design Competition
John Alberto, Annelise Babula, Christina Minopoli and Lauren Yager, Award of Excellence for Single Bullet: Arlen Specter & the Warren Commission Investigation of the JFK Assassination
2014 How Magazine Self-Promotion Design Competition
Nadin Radwan, Merit Award, Student Work
Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation
Bruno Forcine, Henry Dunlap Trust Scholarship and Regis Delmontagne Scholarship
Flux 2013 AIGA Blue Ridge Student Design Competition
Carolina Barbosa, Honorable Mention, Publication category; Kristine Marie Garcia, Identity category; Kristine Marie Garcia, Publication category
2013 Adobe Design Achievement Awards
Carolina Barbosa, Semifinalist, Print Communication category; Corey Danks, Semifinalist, Print Communication category; J'Nay Penn, Semifinalist, Packaging category
Creative Quarterly 32
Emma Claffy, Runner-Up Award, Creative Quarterly 32
2013 Philadelphia Design Awards, AIGA Philadelphia
Chris Ell, Matthew Goebner, Madeline LeSage, Jessica Lutcza and Tracey McCaffrey, for the Truth About Gangs in the Garden State Publication and Website
GD USA Magazine American Web Design Awards Competition
PhilaU GDC Blog, Award, Annual GD USA Magazine American Web Design Awards Competition
How Magazine Interactive Design Awards Competition
PhilaU GDC Blog, Merit Award, Fourteenth Annual How Interactive Design Awards Competition
GD USA Magazine: Students to Watch 2013
Annelise Babula and Jewell Richardson named “Students to Watch” and featured in Jan./Feb. 2013 issue of GD USA Magazine