Graphic Design students Erin Secosky and Bhavana Veeravalli were recently featured as part of GDUSA’s 2024 “Students to Watch” list.
Bhavana Veeravalli, Senior, Graphic and Experience Design
Bhavana Veeravalli (she/her/hers) is a senior studying Graphic and Experience Design. Her integration into the world of design began when she was young – starting with fingerpainting as a toddler and traditional media in high school before graduating into digital media and product design as an adult (even if she has a hard time believing it). Outside of design, she enjoys reading, volunteering at her community’s Women’s Center, and building connections with and between people.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
For the sake of being succinct, I will focus on someone who is a career mentor. Their name is AJ Griffies (they/them) and they are a UX Researcher who has worked for a variety of companies such as Lexus Nexus, IBM, Amazon, and now Workiva. However, what I find inspiring about them is how they live and embody their values in whatever context they find themselves in. They lead with kindness and empathy. Although they are a researcher and I am a designer, they have influenced how I approach design as a research-centered process. In doing so, I see more of the humanity in what I design, because people are at the forefront.
WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING (BOOKS, MOVIES, TV, SOCIAL MEDIA, MUSIC)?
Right now, I am thinking a lot about my spirituality, so I have been re-reading the Bhagavad Gita, which is an important text in Hinduism that discusses what purpose means in life. Outside of that, I am listening to a lot of Shakira.
DO YOU CURRENTLY, OR DO YOU PLAN TO, DESIGN FOR ANY CAUSES OR CHARITIES?
I am currently designing for the Women’s Center at North Carolina State University. I am working on the promotional materials and branding for Take Back the Night, a protest, march, and survivor speak-out for survivors of sexual violence. In the future, I would like to be part of non-profit or NGO spaces that do similar work in protecting survivors.
Erin Secosky, Junior, Graphic and Experience Design
Erin Secosky is a graphic and experience designer from Raleigh, NC. Currently in her third year at North Carolina State University, Erin wants to explore how design can shape better futures for our world and question ideology. In her design work, she loves to experiment with new mediums, both digital and analog, like 3D modeling, augmented reality, screen printing, and cyanotype. When she’s not designing, you can often find Erin dabbling in cooking, collecting records, being outdoors, and spending time with loved ones.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
Randomness. I love browsing Wikipedia using “Special:Random” and just seeing what turns up. It’s a great way to find new topics I would’ve never heard about. In a more visual way, I’ve always been inspired by math and modular patterns. I’ve been really inspired by ASCII art, particularly the work of Heikki Lotvonen and his website glyphdrawing.club. I’m fascinated by modular design, especially when it comes to typography and I’ve been using the site to develop my own glyphs for a variable typeface!
WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
I have no clue. I’d love to work a variety of jobs to learn through doing what I enjoy, but at the moment I’m interested in type design, cartography, and speculative design. I’d also love to be a professor one day- there is so much to learn from teaching others.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
Iteration. I never would’ve expected the amount of changes and versions that I make within the scope of my studio projects. My freshman year, I took an interdisciplinary studio and definitely was shocked by the twists and turns the design process can take you on. I’ve really grown to love the process of designing and I appreciate learning to embrace change as an inspiration to my designs.
- Categories:
