Mercer University’s graphic design students won 11 2024 American Graphic Design Awards from Graphic Design USA, making Mercer a winning design program for four years running.

“I’m incredibly proud of our graphic design students for having 11 entries recognized on a national stage,” said Tennille Shuster, professor and chair of the art department. “It’s a testament to their creativity, dedication and ability to produce thoughtful, professional work that stands out in a competitive field and a testament to our program to see the wins increasing year over year.”

Mercer’s graphic design program 2024 GDUSA winners are:

• Brady Kuester, Editorial Magazine Layout

• Colleen Gill, Typography Booklet

• Gracen Bohling, Editorial Magazine Layout

• Harumi Kano Torres, Rose Hill Ramble Poster

• Helen O’Dell, Overpackaged Product - Packaging Redesign

• Jojo Nieman, Plushie Toy Design

• Jorden Davis, A to Z

• Jorden Davis, Kinetic Typography

• Samantha Johnston, Bumble Bingo App Design

• William Dietrich, App Design

• Abby Milam, Surface Pattern Design

Double-award winner Jorden Davis, a graphic design minor and information science and technology major, is looking to pursue graduate studies in human-computer interaction design. She says she takes inspiration for her designs from things she enjoys in life.

“Drawing is relaxing for me personally and exploring those topics in a typographic format was interesting,” she said. “For my kinetic type project, I animated lyrics to a song from one of my favorite artists in hopes of exploring the more expressive qualities of type, and I got to explore the capabilities of a new software program.”

Gracen Bohling, a senior graphic design major, said the graphic design program has been the best experience she’s had at Mercer. 

“My professors have been incredibly supportive and have helped push me to limits I didn't know were possible,” she said. “Being a smaller program has its benefits as it fosters an environment of closeness among both students and professors and helps us grow further in our skills. Winning a GD USA award was something I never expected, and it means so much to me and has reminded me the most important thing is to believe in yourself.”

The 61st GDUSA Design Awards is the annual end-of-year, best-of-year competition. This year, the competition had more than 8,000 entries, and only the top 10% were selected as winners.