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November Events at ���Ĵ�ý

A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

���Ĵ�ý Students Bring Arts in the Dark to Life

Students across disciplines are creating puppets, masks, costumes, performances, and more for the Oct. 24 parade and official afterparty.

Built to Last: Two ���Ĵ�ý Alums Create Permanent Work for the Obama Presidential Center

Norman Teague ’12 led the design of custom benches for the Obama Presidential Center with support from studio manager and designer Daniel Overbey ’17.

���Ĵ�ý Names Five Dean Appointments to Lead Academic Growth

As part of ���Ĵ�ý’s Renaissance Rising initiative, the college has appointed five deans to lead its eight schools beginning August 16, 2026.

Colossal Founder Christopher Jobson ‘04 on Curiosity, Creativity, and “Curating Wonder”

Ahead of his June 3 AIGA Chicago conversation, ���Ĵ�ý alum Christopher Jobson reflects on the interdisciplinary creative culture that helped shape contemporary art platform Colossal and Joy Machine gallery.

Award-Winning Chicago Architecture Center Tour Highlights ���Ĵ�ý’s Role in South Loop Revitalization

An award-winning Chicago Architecture Center tour explores ���Ĵ�ý’s role in preserving architecture and shaping the South Loop.

Julie Minbiole Named Editor-in-Chief of “The American Biology Teacher”

���Ĵ�ý Associate Professor Julie Minbiole, PhD, has been named the next editor-in-chief of “The American Biology Teacher,” bringing her interdisciplinary approach to science education and scientific literacy to a national leadership role.

���Ĵ�ý Students’ Animated Short “Frankie” Selected for Oscar-Qualifying New York International Children’s Film Festival

“Frankie,” a capstone animated short created by ���Ĵ�ý alums, has been selected for the 2026 New York International Children’s Film Festival.

���Ĵ�ý’s Semester in LA Returns to the Fox Studio Lot for Speaker Series

Students from ���Ĵ�ý will engage with entertainment industry leaders on the same lot where “Avatar,” “The Sound of Music,” and other great films were made.

Bruce Mau Challenges ���Ĵ�ý Students to Design for the Full Human Experience

Bruce Mau, one of the most influential voices in contemporary design, visited ���Ĵ�ý for an immersive presentation that asked students to rethink how design engages the senses.

���Ĵ�ý’s 25 Favorite Photos of 2025

From the thousands of images she captured in 2025, ���Ĵ�ý alum and staff photographer Julie Lucas ’96 curated 25 standout photos that show ���Ĵ�ý at its best.

Top Stories of 2025: What Readers Loved Most

From new leadership to standout student and alumni achievements, here are the stories that captured the most attention on ���Ĵ�ý’s website in 2025.

Graphic Design Student Lands Career-Launching Role at L’Oréal

A ���Ĵ�ý class set Angie Belloso on a path to a full-time role in L’Oréal’s 2026 Management Trainee program.

Interior Architecture Student Receives Prestigious 2025 NEWH National Scholarship

���Ĵ�ý Interior Architecture student Eyerusalem Hagos has received the 2025 NEWH Scholarship sponsored by Tackett Hospitality, a competitive national honor in hospitality design.

Animation Professor John Losacco Wins International Award for “The Perfect Present”

���Ĵ�ý Animation professor John Losacco wins Best Animated Short Film in North America for “The Perfect Present.”

���Ĵ�ý Lights Up State Street at Chicago’s Arts in the Dark Parade

���Ĵ�ý students brought light, sound, and imagination to the city’s annual Arts in the Dark parade on State Street.

Designing for Better Learning: Dave Broz Presents Research at Global Education Summit

Associate professor of Interior Architecture Dave Broz presented research at the researchED Education Summit in Brisbane, Australia.

Students and Faculty Explore Radical Futures in the Chicago Architecture Biennial

���Ĵ�ý students and faculty are showcasing bold, community-focused projects in the 2025–26 Chicago Architecture Biennial

���Ĵ�ý Senior’s Illustration Featured in Adobe Social Media Campaign

Senior Graphic Design major Angela Kalish turned a connection from the Adobe Creative Retreat into a high-profile commission, creating an illustration for Adobe’s back-to-school social media campaign.

Recent ���Ĵ�ý Graduates Win Second Place at AEJMC Student Magazine Awards for 'In Flux'

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) recognized the story “Surviving the Housing Crisis,” which appeared in the ���Ĵ�ý student-created interactive digital publication “In Flux.”

���Ĵ�ý Students Explore Creativity and Culture in Japan

This summer, ���Ĵ�ý students participated in an immersive study abroad trip to Japan that sparked personal growth, cross-cultural collaboration, and new creative perspectives.

Robin Whatley and Research Team Discover North America’s Oldest Known Pterosaur

Faculty member Robin Whatley helped uncover North America’s oldest known pterosaur, a 209-million-year-old fossil that reshapes scientific understanding of prehistoric ecosystems.

���Ĵ�ý Design Students Earn Global UX Award Nominations

Two student teams from ���Ĵ�ý’s School of Design earned nominations for the 2025 International UX Awards in the New Talent category.

���Ĵ�ý Animation Students’ Film Wins Multiple Animation Festival Awards

���Ĵ�ý Animation students’ film “Hitchhiker” is winning national acclaim, earning awards at both the New York Short Animation Festival and Feel The Reel International Film Festival.

Science and Mathematics Professor Luis Nasser Publishes Research on Musical Harmony

Luis Nasser’s new paper explores the thermodynamic roots of why harmony sounds pleasing to the ear.

Animation Career Review Ranks ���Ĵ�ý’s Animation Program Among the Best in the Nation

���Ĵ�ý’s Animation program ranked #5 nationally among schools offering an Animation-related BA by "Animation Career Review."

���Ĵ�ý Interior Architecture Students Selected for Metropolis Future100

Three interior architecture students were honored in “Metropolis” magazine’s 2025 Future100 list for their innovation and design excellence.

Smart Strands: ���Ĵ�ý Students Launch 'Braid' App for Textured Hair Education

Four seniors from ���Ĵ�ý’s UX/UI design program are addressing a longstanding gap in the beauty industry with Braid, an educational app offering extensive resources on textured hair care.

Students Launch “In Flux,” an Interactive Digital Magazine

���Ĵ�ý students from six majors collaborated to create “In Flux,” an innovative interactive magazine that addresses real-world issues through bold storytelling and cutting-edge design.

UX Design Students Develop App Prototype for Easier Campus Navigation

CampusNav, an app prototype developed by a UX Design student team, helps ���Ĵ�ý students navigate campus and access key resources.

The Power of Persistence: ���Ĵ�ý's Student-Led Gala Celebrates Creativity and Resilience

"The Power of Persistence" gala showcases student innovation, teamwork, and determination, all while raising funds for scholarships supporting student success.

School of Design Receives $75,000 Grant for Student-Led Game Development

The School of Design has been awarded a $75,000 Illinois Innovation Voucher grant to fund a student-led project developing an educational game focused on college and early career development.

Work of ���Ĵ�ý Alum and Adjunct Professor Shines on the Emmy-Winning Show FX’s ‘The Bear’

Adjunct Professor Lisa Korpan ’19 reflects on her pride in working as art director on FX’s “The Bear,” the impact of her ���Ĵ�ý education, and how her experience informs her teaching.

Welcoming Interim President Jerry Tarrer and a New Academic Structure for 2024-2025 School Year

���Ĵ�ý kicks off the new academic school year with a renewed spirit and excitement to welcome freshmen and transfer students to its South Loop campus on September 3.

Summer Programs at ���Ĵ�ý Ignite Young Talent

���Ĵ�ý keeps its campus vibrant during summer with initiatives like Blues Camp, Design Your World, and Summer at ���Ĵ�ý, offering local youth immersive experiences in music, design, and media while fostering their creative futures.

���Ĵ�ý Honors 24 Alums for ‘24 in 2024’

As a kickoff to ���Ĵ�ý’s 135th Anniversary, the college is honoring 24 distinguished alumni across all disciplines as part of “24 in 2024,” a college-wide initiative that celebrates ���Ĵ�ý alumni and their career accomplishments.

���Ĵ�ý Students Rock L’Oréal's Global Competition 

Angie Belloso, Brianna Jennes ’24, and Breyona Smith ’24 just had the trip of a lifetime to London, snagging second place at L'Oréal Brandstorm.

���Ĵ�ý Students Partner With NASCAR to Create Race-Themed Games

You don’t have to be a race enthusiast to enjoy the interactive activities produced by ���Ĵ�ý students in preparation for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

Spring Semester In Review At ���Ĵ�ý

Spring 2024: ���Ĵ�ý Highlights

Fashion Show Leverages Student Talent From Multiple Disciplines

���Ĵ�ý students come together to produce and promote an end-of-year showcase of student fashion designs.

Get Ready for Manifest Arts Festival 2024, a Student-Powered Event

This is everything attendees need to know before ���Ĵ�ý’s Manifest Arts Festival: Breakthrough 2024.

���Ĵ�ý to Confer Honorary Degrees on Two Higher Education Trailblazers at its May 2024 Commencement

Higher education leaders Nivine Megahed, president of National Louis University, and Raymond E. Crossman, president of Adler University, will be honored at the college’s 2024 Commencement ceremonies

Meet the 2024 Manifest Student Team

���Ĵ�ý’s annual Manifest Arts Festival is a student-driven tradition that showcases the work of talented creatives across disciplines. Meet the team who is making Manifest into a reality.

���Ĵ�ý Team Wins U.S. L'Oréal Brandstorm Competition for Fourth Year in a Row

As the U.S. winners, students Angie Belloso, Breyona Smith, and Brianna Jennes earn an all-expense paid trip to London for the next stage of the international competition.

Students Enjoy Action-Packed South by Southwest

Led by dedicated faculty, ���Ĵ�ý students journeyed to Austin for immersive experiences, collaborative projects, and valuable networking opportunities, reinforcing the institution's commitment to practical education and student success.

Empowering Creatives at Shop���Ĵ�ý

During Women's History Month, we honor female-identifying artists who make Shop���Ĵ�ý a unique shopping experience in the heart of ���Ĵ�ý’s campus.

Student-Run C3 Expo Welcomes Anime and Manga Fans to ���Ĵ�ý

���Ĵ�ý students hosted a pop culture extravaganza that showcased student art, event-planning savvy, and love of cosplay.

Advertising Students Discuss the Best Super Bowl Ads of 2024

���Ĵ�ý students got together in their Communication Department courses to discuss the details of the biggest night in advertising

Student-Produced Musical Theatre Concert Set for Feb. 15-16

���Ĵ�ý students are collaborating to present the inaugural Musical Theatre Dance Concert.

Apollo Baldoz ’09 Created Visuals for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

Apollo Baldoz ’09 was part of the design and animation team that created the visuals for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Stand Up, Speak Out with Actress and Playwright Regina Taylor

���Ĵ�ý, in partnership with award-winning actress and playwright Regina Taylor, launched a community-based project series called Black Album Mixtape.

���Ĵ�ý Professor, Alum Explore Conversational AI in New Book

Professor Laurence Minsky and Scot Westwater '99 delve into the evolving landscape of marketing, analyzing the power of Conversational AI in their new book.

Corporate Collaboration Presents Students Opportunity to Bring Gift Bag Designs to Market

Students at ���Ĵ�ý learn the art and business of design thanks to partnership with gift bag seller and marketing firm.

���Ĵ�ý Announces the 2023 Chicagoland Transfer Awards

The award provides ten $15,000 scholarships and one full-tuition scholarship to students transferring from Chicago-area community colleges to ���Ĵ�ý.

���Ĵ�ý Ranked No. 1 Illustration School in Illinois

‘Animation Career Review’ announces 5th annual rankings in Illustration, with ���Ĵ�ý topping the list.

���Ĵ�ý Launches Advertising and Marketing Campaign

The Spring 2023 campaign targets prospective students across the United States.

Three-Peat First-Place Win for ���Ĵ�ý's L'Oréal Brandstorm Team

Student team from ���Ĵ�ý wins innovation competition by leveraging new technologies to promote brand.

Assistant Professor Dave Pabellon on Design, Equity, and Communities of Protest

Why leaning into connections and fostering relationships is more important than ever.

Thank You, ���Ĵ�ý Community

���Ĵ�ý recognizes the students, faculty, and staff who comprise ���Ĵ�ý's vibrant creative community.

���Ĵ�ý Faculty Member Helps Create Upcoming Art on the Mart Exhibit

Graphic Design Faculty Member Guy Villa, Jr.’s ‘Chicago Design Through the Decades’ exhibition opens Friday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m., and will run nightly through December 30 as part of the Merchandise Mart’s Art on the Mart series.

National Transfer Student Week

In honor of National Transfer Student Week, we interviewed five ���Ĵ�ý students about their transfer experience.

���Ĵ�ý Interior Architecture Students Reimagine Chicago

���Ĵ�ý courses use Chicago as a focal point for students studying Interior Architecture.

���Ĵ�ý Earns Spot on List of Top Graphic Design Schools in the Midwest

Animation Career Review ranked ���Ĵ�ý #13 on their list of Top Graphic Design Schools in the Midwest.

Dave Pabellon on Being a Design Practitioner and Why He Chose ���Ĵ�ý

���Ĵ�ý faculty member talks about design, maintaining human connection, and dismantling privilege and power structures as an artist

���Ĵ�ý’s Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Marketing Campaign Features the Artwork of Two Alums

���Ĵ�ý highlights the artistry of its alums in a marketing campaign that features an alum’s illustration work, commissioned by the college, and an alum’s public art installation.

Yulia Yrkoski on Illustration and Staying True to Yourself

Illustration student Yulia Yrkoski talks about their ���Ĵ�ý experience, revolutionizing the industry

Elsa Brydalski on How Graphic Design Keeps Her Sharp and Creative

On the road to self-discovery, ���Ĵ�ý student Elsa Brydalski finds that Graphic Design was exactly what she was looking for.

Assistant Professor Guy Villa Jr. on Design, Teaching, and His Latest Award-Winning Design Projects

���Ĵ�ý Assistant Professor of Instruction tells us about how he got into Design, his latest projects, and how those projects inform his teaching.

���Ĵ�ý Student Talks About Her Passion for Illustration

Illustration student Mary Lee Fenner tells us about her passion for art, promoting illustration and design, and her latest projects

Four ���Ĵ�ý Students Named Finalists for E3 College Game Competition

The students created the game “Kakette Koi Yo” in the Interactive Arts and Media Department’s annual Indie Game Studio capstone and will compete in the finals June 13th.

“Work at Hand, Michael K. Paxton” to Screen at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center

Art and Art History and Design faculty member Michael K. Paxton will hold a conversation following the screening of the documentary “Work At Hand, Michael K. Paxton,” which chronicles his life as an artist.

Graphic Novel Captures a World on the Brink

Illustration alum Nick Drnaso’s "Sabrina" is the first-ever graphic novel to be longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Who is Chicago for?

Associate Professor Joan Giroux and Assistant Professor René King guide students’ exploration of Chicago through its urban planning and activism.

Crafting the New Activism

Faculty member Shannon Downey’s viral embroidery balances traditional crafts with internet activism.

Community Spaces By Design

Joan Giroux and René King collaborate to teach Interior Architecture students how to design spaces with a real-life impact.

See It All with 360 Video

Television Associate Professor Mat Rappaport’s course in 360 video expands the boundaries of content creation.

Under the Covers

Associate professor of Design Ivan Brunetti reveals his creative process behind illustrating covers for 'The New Yorker.'