For six decades, GDUSA has recognized ‘People To Watch’ who embody the spirit of the creative community. Individuals we have come to respect for a combination of talent, success, newsworthiness, influence, thought-leadership and community service. To kick off our 63rd year, we hear from this year’s cohort about the past, present and future of graphic design. In a field so big and deep, this is clearly a subjective process so send us your feedback and nominations for next time around.

With the help, support and guidance of many of America’s leading art and design schools and programs, we are proud to once again to recognize an outstanding group of students ready to step onto the professional stage. We honor rising stars from the great traditional design schools and continue to broaden our reach to include exceptional university departments, innovative online learning models, certificate programs, and other dynamic pathways to progress. You can read the student stories here or in the February 2026 print edition of GDUSA magazine, now on press and soon to have national distribution.

The Ability Machine, a first-of-its-kind creative agency built to empower neurodiverse talent, has launched in Nashville TN. It is founded by longtime creative producer and voiceover artist Tom Woodard.