Autumn Graves

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Autumn Graves is a senior graduating in the Spring of 2024 with a BFA in graphic design. Growing up in Hattiesburg, MS, she was homeschooled until college which gave her the opportunity to hone her education around her love for the arts from an early age. In high school, she focused on classes like painting, classical piano, and classic literature, influencing her current creative direction and inspiration as an artist now.

Although always drawn to art, it was in college that she discovered a passion for graphic design. She loves the relationship between problem solving and creativity in design. Autumn currently works as the associate creative director for the USM Design and Marketing Team and as the graphic designer at Temple Baptist Church. Her focus lies in illustration, and she particularly enjoys branding and publication design. Autumn loves traveling, hiking, reading, thrifting, and live music.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

Music, travel, and my husband inspire me the most – with him being a musician, seeing his passion and talent inspires and motivates me.

WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?

My passion definitely lies in illustration, branding, and publication design. I would love to pursue those things in a future career, however, I am excited to keep an open mind and see where my career takes me..

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?

Design school really taught me to love the process of critique and the importance of it in the design process. Critique has made me a good visual communicator and to challenge my own bias and opinions.