Two Graphic Design Students Featured on GDUSA’s Students to Watch List

Graphic Design students Megan Mersch and Rebecca Planchart were recently featured as part of GDUSA’s 2025 “Students to Watch” list.

Megan Mersch, Senior, Graphic and Experience Design

Graduating summa cum laude from NC State University with a degree in Graphic and Experience Design, Megan Mersch is a designer driven by problem-solving and human-centered thinking. With a passion for creating intuitive task flows and seamless user experiences, she aspires to work as a product or service designer, tackling real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Megan’s creative journey began with painting, drawing, sewing, and music – teaching herself the drums and ukulele. Her early talent in design was recognized when she became a finalist in the Certiport Adobe Certified Design Competition in high school, solidifying her path in graphic design.

Megan has five years of experience designing merchandise for the YMCA Super Skippers jump rope team, where she also competed as an elite athlete on national and international stages. At NC State, her design work was showcased three times in the university’s prestigious Art2Wear fashion show. In 2024, she received a Chancellor’s Scholarship to support her study abroad experience in Prague, Czech Republic.

As she steps into the professional world, Megan is eager to contribute to a collaborative, design-driven environment where she can continue refining her expertise in interaction design and user interfaces.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

My design process starts with finding the ideal atmosphere. I enjoy sitting outdoors with minimal distractions, as well as finding a cozy spot in the library and listening to some music. I find when I take the time to sketch many iterations and wireframes, my ideas flow out more naturally. I’m further inspired by projects that will be of service to people or improve the outcome of a design experience.

WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?

I’ve really enjoyed designing websites, apps, and services throughout college. More specifically, interaction design and developing user interfaces. My projects always improve when working with a team of other designers, so I’d love to continue working in a collaborative environment.

Rebecca Planchart, Master of Graphic and Experience Design

Rebecca Planchart is a final-year graduate student in the NC State College of Design’s Master of Graphic and Experience Design program, where she also earned her undergraduate degree. With a background in nonprofit marketing and communications, she is passionate about using design to drive equitable outcomes for communities. Her interests lie at the intersection of user experience, artificial intelligence, and public-sector applications, particularly in public health and government.

Rebecca has contributed to cutting-edge research projects that explore the role of design in emerging technologies. As a research assistant, she worked on an interdisciplinary virtual reality project aimed at enhancing student comprehension of scientific size and scale. Currently, she is developing visual conventions and interface design strategies for the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences, helping intelligence analysts intuitively gauge confidence and uncertainty in large language model outputs.

With a deep appreciation for collaboration, adaptability, and attention to detail, Rebecca approaches design as a process of constant discovery – believing that great design starts with knowing what you don’t know.

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?

Developing a strong research practice, without a doubt. Before starting this program, I didn’t have a formal design education — most of my experience was in traditional graphic design and branding. Now, I can’t imagine beginning a project without developing foundational knowledge of the problem and a deep understanding of the people I’m designing for.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?

I wouldn’t say there’s one specific person I look up to, but I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors who’ve played important roles in my growth. They’ve set an excellent example of what it means to be an advocate and have shown me so much support over the last few years.

This post was originally published in College of Design Blog.