{"id":25164,"date":"2025-03-13T15:11:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T19:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/2025\/03\/13\/two-graphic-design-students-featured-on-gdusas-students-to-watch-list\/"},"modified":"2025-05-05T00:51:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T04:51:35","slug":"two-graphic-design-students-featured-on-gdusas-students-to-watch-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/2025\/03\/13\/two-graphic-design-students-featured-on-gdusas-students-to-watch-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Graphic Design Students Featured on GDUSA’s Students to Watch List"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Graphic Design students Megan Mersch and Rebecca Planchart were recently featured as part of GDUSA\u2019s 2025 \u201cStudents to Watch<\/a>\u201d list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Megan Mersch, Senior, Graphic and Experience Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Graduating summa cum laude from NC State University with a degree in Graphic and Experience Design, Megan Mersch<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Megan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s prestigious Art2Wear fashion show. In 2024, she received a Chancellor\u2019s Scholarship to support her study abroad experience in Prague, Czech Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019m further inspired by projects that will be of service to people or improve the outcome of a design experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve 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\u2019d love to continue working in a collaborative environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca Planchart, Master of Graphic and Experience Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rebecca Planchart<\/a> is a final-year graduate student in the NC State College of Design\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, helping intelligence analysts intuitively gauge confidence and uncertainty in large language model outputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing a strong research practice, without a doubt. Before starting this program, I didn\u2019t have a formal design education \u2014 most of my experience was in traditional graphic design and branding. Now, I can\u2019t imagine beginning a project without developing foundational knowledge of the problem and a deep understanding of the people I\u2019m designing for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wouldn\u2019t say there\u2019s one specific person I look up to, but I\u2019ve been fortunate to have several mentors who\u2019ve played important roles in my growth. They\u2019ve set an excellent example of what it means to be an advocate and have shown me so much support over the last few years.<\/p>\n\n\n