With projects rooted in storytelling, sustainability and community, two communication design majors earned honors in the 2025 Graphis New Talent Annual, showcasing their creativity on a global stage.
A trip to a Durham-area scrap warehouse sparked an award-winning idea for Ashley Josey ’25. Searching for materials that could tell a deeper story, the communication design major gathered recycled textures and forms that later became the foundation of her Clean Seas campaign – a project that earned a Silver Award in the 2025 Graphis New Talent Annual, one of the world’s most prestigious showcases of student creativity in design, advertising, art/illustration, and photography.
Josey and fellow communication design major Hannah Israel ’25 were both honored in this year’s annual, standing out among hundreds of submissions from international art and design schools. Their recognitions place them among an elite group of emerging creatives whose work resonated with a global audience.
“Being recognized by Graphis is incredibly meaningful,” Josey said. “It affirms the kind of work I want to be doing – design that’s rooted in purpose and created with real people and communities in mind. It also reinforces that purpose-driven design can resonate globally and stand strong on an international stage.”
In addition to her Silver Award for Clean Seas, Josey earned two honorable mentions for other projects – Neighbors, a packaging series for a natural wine label, and Goodseed, a brand identity for a sustainable outdoor gear company. Clean Seas and Neighbors were both developed in Assistant Professor Shannon Zenner’s Design of Visual Images course. A self-directed project, Goodseed was sparked by Josey’s deep interest in intentional, mission-driven design.
The Clean Seas project grew from a class assignment to raise awareness about a major social issue. Inspired by the UN Environment Program’s Clean Seas campaign, Josey designed a series of public posters to educate people about the dangers of microplastics and encourage action against single-use plastics. The final poster series presents a powerful image of fish made from plastic waste, highlighting the direct connection between ocean pollution and its impact on human health.
“Clean Seas reflects the kind of design I love most – visual storytelling that advocates for environmental justice and collective wellbeing,” Josey said. “I created every component by scanning in recycled materials from the local scrap warehouse, crafting textures and forms that were both intentional and symbolic of the campaign’s message. Seeing that process come to life, and getting to share that, means a lot.”
Israel earned two honorable mentions for two projects – her Flora Olives packaging redesign and the development of Locale, a mobile app designed to help users discover local events and build community connections.
Israel shared that her Flora Olives project also originated from Zenner’s Design of Visual Images course, while Locale was developed as part of a final group project in Assistant Professor Rebecca Bagley’s Web and Mobile Design course. Israel collaborated with classmates Lili Huddleston, Erin Martin, Grace Peach, and Brennan Martin on the app.
“Being recognized by Graphis New Talent is incredibly meaningful as an aspiring design professional,” Israel said. “It’s really encouraging to know that my work is being seen and appreciated by a wide audience. It motivates me to keep pushing creative boundaries and trust my voice as a designer.”
Israel noted that both designs challenged her in “different and meaningful ways.” In fact, Flora Olives was her initial foray into packaging design, which pushed her to think outside of the box and take creative risks to make something that stands out.
“Locale, on the other hand, was a collaborative project centered around designing with empathy, and I got really lucky to have an awesome and talented group to work with,” she said. “Both projects helped me grow as a designer, from visual storytelling to user-centered thinking, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that work recognized.”
School of Communications faculty members lauded the students’ projects and accomplishments, noting the prestige of the Graphis competition.
“The Graphis New Talent Competition is a prestigious platform for emerging creatives, celebrating outstanding student work from around the globe,” said Ben Hannam, associate professor and chair in the Department of Communication Design. “Recognized for its high standards and influential reach, the competition showcases the next generation of design, advertising, and photography talent. Winning a Graphis New Talent Award is not only a mark of excellence but also a powerful launchpad for a promising career in the visual arts.”
“The Graphis New Talent Annual is one of the most respected platforms for recognizing emerging talent in visual design, and being included is a real honor.”
– Assistant Professor Shannon Zenner
While Elon has had several students recognized by Graphis in the past – most recently Matt Newberry ’24 last spring – Josey’s Silver Award marks the university’s best finish to date.
“It means her work is standing alongside some of the best student design from around the world,” Zenner said.
Having worked with both Josey and Israel, Zenner praised their creativity, drive and passion.
“They are thoughtful, driven designers who bring a high level of creativity, craft, and intention to everything they do,” she said. “These awards are a testament to their talent and dedication, and I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
Earlier this spring, Josey also earned the Outstanding Senior Award for Communication Design at the School of Communications annual awards ceremony — a further testament to her hard work and creativity.