Students To Watch • Graphic Design USA

I’m Marina, a Hartford Art School student pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication Design. I’m very open to all forms of design, but my current interests are packaging design, brand identity and editorial work. I’m always experimenting, trying to find multiple solutions to designs and I really enjoy the whole design process. Hands-on work is something I value a lot in design, assembling and seeing my work in a real space is incredibly fulfilling.

What first sparked your interest in graphic design?

Being known as an “art kid” in high school, I was asked if I could help create a logo of sorts for an annual band concert that I was also a part of. I unsurprisingly failed due to lack of any real graphic design knowledge however, that experience along with a general interest in digital media sparked my interest and now love for graphic design.

Who are your biggest creative influences?

I’m not sure if I really have specific individuals that inspire me greatly, a lot of my inspiration comes from browsing the internet, things I see in real life, or my peers and professors.

Tell us about a design project you’re most proud of. What made it special?

I’m most proud of a recently created packaging design system for a DVD set. I was able to really play and experiment with it, especially the clearness of it all, clear acetate packaging, clear discs, which lead to interesting human and type interactions.

What trends in graphic design excite you – or concern you – the most?

The trends that excite me and that I enjoy are the more hands-on trends where you can see the humanness of it, ripped edges, custom typography and textures. The growing use of AI is very much a trend that concerns me.

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UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD

What first sparked your interest in graphic design?

Who are your biggest creative influences?

Tell us about a design project you’re most proud of. What made it special?

What trends in graphic design excite you – or concern you – the most?

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