News
Spring 2026
May 19, 2026
Image Making and the Natural World
2026 Department of Design RSCA grant
This collaboration emerged as an outgrowth of a BFA Graphic Design image-making class, and two Juniors who showed interest in scientific subject matter.
Meigan Lew | 鈥淪tudies of a Cyan Cosmos鈥�
Inspired by astronomical phenomena, this series uses cyanotype printing to explore and reinterpret cosmic forms through studies of light, exposure, contrast, and chemical reaction. The resulting prints examine the relationship between scientific observation and experimental imagemaking and ultimately create stunning physical hand-produced artifacts. Selected reference imagery adapted from NASA and affiliated public-domain archives.
Natalie Lim | 鈥淒istant Realms鈥�
Distant Realms explores the boundary between flesh and environment, where images become an interconnected ecosystem, where animals, insects, and plants fade into one another. This work blends cellular forms and shapes with anatomy to evoke certain metaphysical spaces like Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Whimsical, yet uncanny, these images blur the line between biology on molecular and anatomical levels, to create a natural world for organisms to inhabit.
Work made possible through a 2026 mini传媒 Department of Design Interdisciplinary RSCA grant.
Graphic Design Faculty Advisor: Julio Mart铆nez Villeda
Spring 2025
May 27, 2025
Faculty Citations:
Wivina Soong is an aspiring interior designer from Hong Kong, passionate about transforming spaces into memorable experiences that go beyond functionality.
She has worked on diverse projects, including adaptive reuse in Hong Kong, and gained hands-on experience in furniture selection, interior finishes, and space planning for ADUs, commercial offices, and behavioral correction facilities.
Curious and eager to grow, Wivina pushes creative boundaries while balancing aesthetics and function. She values collaboration, embraces teamwork, and believes in the power of design conversations to drive better outcomes.
Industrial design taught Will that even small changes can meaningfully impact daily life. Through thoughtful design, he believes everyday objects can become easier to live with鈥攁nd more memorable to live around. He finds deep value in craftsmanship at every stage of the design process, seeing it as a reflection of care and intention. Will hopes that anyone who uses something he creates will feel a personal connection to it鈥攕omething worth keeping, using, and cherishing over time.
Katerina 鈥淜at鈥� Earnest is a Graphic Design BFA student at San Jos茅 State University, based in Santa Clara, CA. During her time in the program, she has worked as a student assistant designer at the Mineta Transportation Institute, where she鈥檚 honed her strengths in leadership, organization, and taking initiative鈥攕kills that help her thrive in fast-paced, high-demand environments. A recipient of the President鈥檚 Scholar award and on track to graduate with Magna Cum Laude honors, Kat is passionate about design as a tool for building thoughtful systems that solve real-world problems. She finds joy in learning, takes pride in her attention to detail, and is always eager to help others. Outside of design, Kat is a devoted bookworm who finds time to read every day, no matter how busy life gets.
Lexi Johannessen is a storyboard artist with a strong interest in development, screenwriting, and producing. Their creative journey began at the age of eight with Sonic the Hedgehog fan art, which quickly evolved into original characters and stories. That early passion for visual storytelling set them on the path to a career in animation. Outside of their artistic work, they enjoy practicing yoga, playing Dungeons & Dragons, listening to Vocaloid music, and diving into Metroidvania games鈥攅specially while awaiting the long-anticipated release of Silksong.
April 30, 2025
The Graphic Design Program is being named a Top Design School (Highest Honors) by ! See the page about .
March 20, 2025
On behalf of the Graphic Design Program, I am honored to invite you to the opening of our 2025 Graphic Design BFA Senior Show. This special event is an opportunity to celebrate our graduating students and recognize their hard work and achievements.
We would be deeply grateful if you join our event. Your presence and words of encouragement would mean a great deal to our students, as they take pride in being acknowledged by esteemed professional designers such as yourself.
The grand opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 27th, at 6 PM (runs
till 9 PM) in Student Union, 2nd Floor, Ballrooms B and C.
(Please check this website out for more details)
We sincerely appreciate your time and support and look forward to celebrating this milestone with you.
馃搮 Dates: March 27鈥揗arch 29
馃晿 Time: 10 AM鈥�7 PM
馃搷 Location: Student Union, 2nd Floor, Ballrooms A & B
Fall 2024
October 14, 2024
The BFA Class of 2025 presents What鈥檚 Your Type? Explore how typefaces have a unique personality that goes beyond words, shaping our perceptions and enhancing the power of typography. Explore a world where typefaces come alive, each with their own voice and character!
馃搮 Dates: Oct 14鈥揙ct 24
馃晿 Time: 9 AM鈥�6 PM
馃搷 Location: mini传媒 A&D Building, Room 214
September 30, 2024
Join us for the BFA Class of 2025 Exhibition, Evoke: Where Type Meets the Mind. From Monday 09/30 to Thursday 10/10, 9AM to 6PM at A&D Building Room 214. This engaging showcase explores the powerful psychological impact of typographic design, revealing how font choices shape our perceptions and interactions with the world around us. Don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to see where design meets the people.
August 29, 2024
The Prince鈥檚 Dilemma, produced by Devin Rowe as a graduation thesis project in May 2023, is a short film that pays homage to classic 1950s animation with a modern twist that aims to reinvent the classic princess fairytale genre for an LGBTQ+ audience, and has been screened so far in 100 film festivals worldwide.
Devis says, ""Producing this short film in the Animation/Illustration department of San Jose State University has given me the opportunity share a personal story that would otherwise go unheard.
It has been thrilling running the film through the festival circuit to be shared with a global audience. Having people from places like London, Hong Kong, India, and Australia excited about the art you create is a rewarding experience.
Most notably was having the distinct pleasure of presenting the film at San Diego Comic-Con to a warm reception.
It鈥檚 a great feeling to have so many people around the world resonate with the art you have created and to be receptive of your hard efforts in creating something unique and beautiful.
This wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without the education and guidance provided to me through the talented professors and experiences I鈥檝e had at San Jose State University".
