Designing Our Everyday World
UIW Graphic Design Student Recognized at 2024 American Advertising Awards
By Devin Castillo
At the UIW School of Media and Design, the Graphic Design department supports and educates designers to intentionally create the way people see and experience the world around them. By using their creative vision to manufacture specifically curated designs that convey thoughts, concepts and emotions, graphic designers can connect with others in unique ways. The program’s curriculum is designed to “inspire every student to produce exceptional work in the hopes of producing award-winning students who become graduates with fulfilling careers (uiw.edu).”
Senior Graphic Design student Isabelle Shipley is just one of these remarkable graphic designers who is demonstrating her skillset both to the University and to the city of San Antonio.
Shipley has been an artist her entire life. Wanting to pursue a career that allowed her to continue to express and showcase her creative skills, she explored various fields of study offered at the University. After her search, she concluded that an education in Graphic Design was an excellent fit for her.
“I enjoy the creative process when starting a new project,” said Shipley. “When I get a new assignment, I start out seeing it as a picture in my head. Then I get to put that idea down into a computer and really get to refine it to make it look like what I imagined. It’s complicated to explain those early visions to others, so I especially like when I create something, and people get to visually see my idea come to life in front of them.”
In summer 2024, Shipley was unexpectedly asked to help with a big project before the start of her senior year. As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with 55% of its student population coming from Hispanic or Latin descent, the University hoped to showcase special graphic designs in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Knowing her experience in the program, they entrusted Shipley with creating the designs.
“It was a little nerve wracking, but I was also very honored to be asked to help,” shared Shipley. “I was super excited and got to work right away!”
As a Hispanic woman herself, she was excited to work on a project that reflected a cherished part of her identity. Recognizing that the Hispanic and Latin cultures are complex, broad and diverse, she dedicated herself to researching extensively to ensure that she represented as many cultural details as possible in a limited number of graphics.
The final products were exceptionally created designs that demonstrated the significance of Hispanic/Latin heritage from both wide and University-specific lenses. Her designs incorporated UIW staple pieces such as the Marjorie Jordan Carillon Plaza clock tower, the Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium football field and cardinal birds, including UIW’s beloved mascot Red the Cardinal. Her design resembled Otomi embroidery and cards from the popular card game Loteria.
Shipley shared that she enjoyed finding intersections between UIW and Hispanic/ Latin cultures during the design process. It took a couple of trials and adjustments, but to see her intended representations come to fruition and be displayed across campus made her feel pleased with all her hard work.
Soon after, Shipley was encouraged to submit her designs to the 2024 American Advertising Awards hosted by AAF San Antonio. The American Advertising Awards “honor innovation, excellence and the bold ideas that shape our city’s advertising landscape. This year’s theme, Keep It SA, pays tribute to the vibrant culture and creative spirit that make San Antonio truly one of a kind” (adfedsa.org).
In prior years, Shipley had submitted her student graphic works to the competition during both her sophomore and junior years but had yet to receive an award. As a senior, she decided to compete again, submitting a number of her student works in addition to submitting her original Hispanic Heritage Month designs at a professional level given that they weren’t designed as part of her class curriculum.
In the end, Shipley was recognized with three awards: two awards for her student works and one professional award for her Hispanic Heritage Month designs. “I could not believe that I won not one, but three awards,” said Shipley, wearing a gleeful smile. “I just kind of sat there for a little bit rereading the email to make sure it was correct. This accomplishment has definitely given me more confidence in my work and skills as a graphic designer.”
The near future looks just as bright and exciting for Shipley. In May, she will walk the stage at the Freeman Coliseum as a 2025 graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word. After she leaves the Nest, she intends to continue growing as a professional and learning all that she can in the field so she can be the best graphic designer she can be. One day, Shipley hopes to demonstrate her leadership skills as a creative director in charge of her own team or to work in film production.
Although she is sad to soon leave the University that has positively impacted her life for the past four years, she takes comfort in knowing that her designs will still be a part of UIW as it continues to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the future. “Even though I'll be gone, my work will always stay here and be a part of UIW, which is such an honor,” shared Shipley.
It is graphic designers, like Shipley, who have the courage to believe in their artistry and share their innovation with others that help to connect and unify others through their original ideas. Without them, everyday life would lack the added vibrancy, inventiveness and soul that their works contribute to the world. Shipley is just one of UIW’s living representations of the Word that will surely continue to leave her impact wherever she may go.
