Auburn University School of Industrial and Graphic Design

Seven current and former students of Auburn’s School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) raked in commendations in the 2026 Graphis New Talent Awards.

“Seeing our students recognized on a global stage is one of the greatest honors of my career as an educator,” said Associate Professor Courtney Windham. “This year, we are incredibly proud to have multiple winners in the Graphis New Talent Awards 2026, one of the most prestigious student design competitions in the world.”

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Three students earned national recognition with award-winning projects spanning book design, packaging and motion graphics. Their work was featured by Print Magazine as part of the National Student Show and Conference, which highlights top student work from across the country.

Claire Miller received the Best Use of Paper Award for her book jacket design of “Einstein’s Dreams,” a project exploring two contrasting concepts of time through layered materials and typography. Ally Mathis earned Best of Retail—Packaging for “Scraplings,” a toy brand centered around “ugly” stuffed monsters that live in the trash. Finally, recent graduate Ryan Lee ‘26 received both Best of Motion Design and a Judge’s Choice Award for “LEGOLIVE,” a motion graphics concept inspired by video game showcases that could be used as an intro for livestreamed LEGO news event.

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With SIGD celebrating 80 years of design education this past Fall, we’re taking a look back at SIGD’s legacy with alumni who have gone on to lead the industrial and graphic design industries in various ways. Walk back through SIGD’s history with award-winning alumni from the 1990s.

From developing product design for brands like Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines, to designing museum exhibits with Disney Imagineering, the Smithsonian Institution and beyond, Lionel Ferreira ‘91 and John Kelton ’92 have built an impressive portfolio that is a true testament to the excellence of SIGD’s and graduates.

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Elisabeth Doss ‘26, a recent graduate, earned a 2026 Student Merit Award from the Industrial Designers Society of America - IDSA.

Doss was one of five undergraduate winners recognized across the United States in the 2026 IDSA Student Merit Awards, presented at the IDUSA Conference in Atlanta in April. One of IDSA’s longest-running programs, the Student Merit Awards highlight creativity, problem-solving and design brilliance among emerging design talent. As the winner of the South District, Doss received a one-year membership to IDSA and a profile in INNOVATION magazine.

This spring, SIGD welcomed over 800 students, faculty, staff, alumni and industry partners to campus for the third annual Kaleidoscope: Auburn Design Show.

Over 550 student projects lined the walls for this year’s Kaleidoscope, offering visitors a comprehensive look at the talents of SIGD students. Projects on display spanned a wide variety of disciplines: typography, brand identity, publication design, motion graphics, UI/UX and product and service design.

SIGD Advisory Council members served as jurors, giving out nearly 40 awards. Each juror selected a standout project, with winners receiving custom-designed awards and book prizes chosen by the council.

View winners at aub.ie/Kaleidoscope26.

student Jay Denning views success through creativity, discipline and a lifelong love of competition.

A member of Auburn’s Wheelchair Basketball team, Denning recently helped lead the Tigers to a 70–59 victory over the University of Alabama to claim the program’s first National Wheelchair Basketball Association championship.

Denning, who has played wheelchair basketball since the age of 4, said Auburn University stood out because of its strong team culture and the opportunity to compete under head coach Robb Taylor, whom he had known for years. That same sense of community also drew him to the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD), where the small cohort structure has allowed him to build close relationships with peers and faculty while developing professional skills.

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Kaleidoscope, Auburn University's student design show, is next Monday, April 27! 📅

Stop by and see what and students have been working on all semester!