OSU graphic design students honored at Oklahoma’s Graphex competition

OSU graphic design students honored at Oklahoma's Graphex competition

Monday, May 12, 2025

Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney | CAS Marketing and Communications Manager | 405-744-7497 | egosney@okstate.edu

Fourteen graphic design students from Oklahoma State University were recognized on May 1 at the annual Graphex Art and Design Competition in Tulsa - an event hosted by the Art Directors Club of Tulsa that features the best work of Oklahoma creatives.

"The student categories are the same as the professional categories, which means the student projects are similar to projects the students will face when they graduate," said Nick Mendoza, OSU associate professor of graphic design. "We hope that this recognition validates their time in our graphic design program, as their work is being selected by working professionals in the graphic design field."

Each year, guest judges from across the country are invited to evaluate students' work, which ranges from branding and self-promotion pieces to complex multimedia campaigns. This year, 10 seniors and four juniors from OSU's Department of Art, Graphic Design and Art History were recognized, six of whom won first place in eight categories.

Mendoza explained that each student's award-winning work reflected a strong grasp of design fundamentals, creativity and professionalism. They were required to demonstrate conceptual thinking and technical execution, blending traditional and digital techniques in innovative ways.

"The students use a variety of analog and digital methods to complete their projects," Mendoza said. "Some use analog methods that are then converted digitally to get a more traditional feel and look to their work."

Success at Graphex highlights the strength of OSU's graphic design program and the dedication of its students and faculty to creative excellence.

OSU's 2025 Graphex Honorees

• Jazmin Aguirre, senior
• Hannah Bernstein, junior
• Karlie Boothe, senior | Category Winner: illustration
• Parker Collins, senior
• Brad Fletcher, junior
• Kayla Gross, junior | Category Winner: print
• Jacob Larson, senior | Category Winner: identity; motion
• Jacqueline Luevano, senior | Scholarship Winner: Student Portfolio
• Delaney Luttrell, junior | Category Winner: photography
• Kendall McGhee, senior
• Gretchen Nantz, senior
• Sam Romain, senior
• Jayla Truong, senior | Category Winner: digital media; packaging
• Laurel Wilbanks, senior

Story By: Kierstin Pigg, graduate assistant | kierstin.pigg@okstate.edu