2024 Graphic Design Student Showcase

For their senior project, the BFA graphic design students at Villa Maria College produce a comprehensive body of work. It represents the culmination of the visual communication and technical skills acquired throughout their undergraduate studies. It may include the branding and/or rebranding of both original or existing products, services and businesses with materials ranging from business systems to integrated marketing campaigns that include packaging, print advertising, and website design.

This is the 16th year that seniors have celebrated the completion of their projects at PRELUDE, our annual year-end gallery exhibition. This very popular event provides students the opportunity to showcase and display their work in a gallery setting. The venue inspires an energetic atmosphere where they meet, greet, and share their successes with family, friends, classmates, college administrators, Villa alumni and area design professionals. We’re also showcasing our students’ work in an online gallery format and thank you for viewing the contributions of the 2024 Prelude Exhibition.

We wish to take this opportunity to congratulate and commend Carson, Sanaa, Henny, Julia, Nick, and Zach on their incredible accomplishment. We’re so very proud of the dedication and commitment you’ve shown during this past year. We hope all of you take pride in all that you’ve achieved, especially this semester and throughout your time at Villa Maria. We know the future will be bright as you pursue your goals and further develop as designers and individuals. You’re forever part of our Villa family and we wish you all the best!

Bob Grizanti
Associate Professor, Graphic Design
Chair, Fine Arts & Design Department

Julie Zack
Associate Professor, Graphic Design

Carson Schmitt

Sanaa Kirksey

Henny Zack

Julia Gibas

Nick Ellis

Zach Skotnicki

Carson Schmitt | BioComics

Hailing from Elma, New York, Carson has always considered himself as a realistic pessimist or a mischievous knucklehead. Regardless, he has an uncanny ability to think outside the box. With an appreciation for the unique and creative art and design movements of Cubism and Dadaism, many of his designs stand apart from the more structured movements of contemporary design. While Carson counts down the days until the Apocalypse, which he hopes is a long way off, he’s counting down the minutes until he graduates and becomes a full-fledged graphic designer.

Sanaa Kirksey | Beach Tea

Sanaa’s journey toward a career in graphic design began during her days in High School. She enjoyed the creative process and expressing herself so much, it was then she decided to pursue her interest in art and enrolled in the graphic design program at Villa Maria College. Finding joy in the creative process, Sanaa considers every project a journey and a chance to explore new and interesting ideas. She aspires to become a better graphic designer each day honing her skills and expanding her knowledge as she prepares for a career in the field.

Henny Zack | Ultra Wars

Henny believes that continuing to constantly make things is the driving force of her being. She has always used art as a way to express herself and strives to learn as many disciplines as possible. Graphic design represents the structured side of her creative pursuit. She thrives in the limitations and rules of design, believing that working within restrictions can result in some of her best work. Aside from graphic design, she has many passions. Henny finds much of her inspiration from media in all its forms, although nothing is more inspiring to her than the people she loves.

Julia Gibas | Cruel and Unusual as per Usual

Julia is an aspiring graphic designer interested in making designs that are stylized and bold. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, she was unsure of her future, until she was assigned a design project in High School. From then on, Julia has been fascinated with the thought and observation that goes into all forms of design. After many conversations with her family about what career to pursue in College, Julia took the plunge, chose graphic design and has never looked back. She’s very excited to see where this journey takes her!

Nick Ellis | Shreddit

Art and Design have always been a big part of Nick’s life. As a young boy, he would sketch his favorite cartoons characters, later turning them into graffiti art. As a teenager music also became an important creative outlet. Both interests further fueled his creative side, which prompted him to pursue a career in graphic design. Designing posters, flyers, band logos, and web graphics has become his passion. Nick is always looking for edgy ways to express himself. His dream is to work with a creative team where he can devise new and inventive ways to solve complex design problems. He knows his commitment to this will help him achieve his goals.

Zach Skotnicki | North Dakota Elk

As a kid growing up in Buffalo, New York, Zach was always interested in art and especially enjoyed drawing his favorite cartoon characters. He became interested in graphic design when his family business needed ad and poster designs. It was then he decided to study graphic design and enrolled at Villa Maria College. Through his time at Villa, he’s continued to grow as an artist and designer. With the help of his professors and fellow classmates he hopes to continue and grow after graduation as he pursues a career in graphic design.