MIAD seniors receive 2024 Alumni Senior Thesis Awards

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the college, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) will award $5,328 to 27 seniors to directly support the fabrication and installation of their senior exhibition capstone projects. Through the application process, students submit plans and sketches for their final project, as well as a budget for materials. Winners were selected by a panel of a record 54 MIAD alumni with experience in fine art and design career fields.

MIAD invites the Milwaukee community to view the seniors’ award-winning work from April 19 – May 11, 2024 during the MIAD 2024 Senior Exhibition, hosted in MIAD’s main building at 273 E Erie St. Over 200 students will be present on Friday, April 19 from 5 – 9 p.m. to discuss their projects in person. This event is open to the public. More information is available at miad.edu/seniorexhibition.

An architectural rendering of a dark-hued, luxurious hotel lobby, dining rooms and staircase.

Bree-De-Vries_SeniorThesisAwards

Bree De Vries, “The Asteria,” 2024.

An illustration of two people in wheelchairs wearing fancy dress clothes in front of an ornate wall.

Zachary-Scharrer_AlumniSeniorThesisAwards

Zachary Scharrer, “Löwe: Bespoke Luxury Adaptive Apparel,” 2024.

An illustration of a person doing various tasks, like stirring a pot, looking flustered, reading a phone and carrying a cat. There is a sense of rushed motion in the image.

Cyprien-Morin_SeniorThesisAwards

Cyprien Morin, “Pepe’s Kitchen,” 2024.

A mockup of a new product called "Snack Emperor" with orange, red, yellow and black main colors. The product sends international snacks to kids.

Brandon-Fong_SeniorThesisAwards

Brandon Fong, “Snack Emperor: Culture Made to Share,” 2024.

A partially finished painting of a giant wasp in a puddle against a tan background.

Stella-Koslowski_SeniorThesisAwards

Stella Koslowski, “Is a Dream a Memory?,” 2024.

A four-panel series of splash illustrations of different locations inspired by different fabrics: muslin, rayon, velvet and satin.

Intan-Zulkifli_SeniorThesisAwards

Intan Zulkifli, “NeedleWork,” 2024.

The 2024 MIAD Alumni Senior Thesis Award recipients (in alphabetical order) and the titles of their works are:

Bree De Vries (Interior Architecture and Design), The Asteria
Jayden Ellsworth (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), “What’s left behind” Making baskets out of Milwaukee’s trash
Brandon Fong (Communication Design), Snack Emperor: Culture Made To Share
Heidi Goodale (Illustration), Mermaids of the World
Logan Guo (Illustration), Maria and The Tree
Peyton Hartis (Product Design), Visualizing the Unseen
Raven Higginbotham (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), Self perception
Jasper Huber (Communication Design), Fair-It!
Koltun (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), In My Free Time
Stella Koslowski (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), Is a Dream a Memory?
Jillian Langenecker (Illustration), Creatures of the Warped Woods
Adriana Lassa (Communication Design), Tastebuds
Kiki Lyzenga (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), Title TBA
Sarah Madden (Communication Design), Bugbite
Chalice Michael (Illustration), Holistic Flower Dishware Sets
Sammi Micklewright (Communication Design), Koda
Cyprien Morin (Illustration), Pepe’s Kitchen
Alivia Rapp (Illustration), Doodle Sprout “The Mighty Midwest” Backyard Nature Activity Kit
Aiyana Robinson (Communication Design), Petterment – Your Personalized Pet Care
Kya Sablatura (Illustration), Mischief Cat: Outdoor Adventures
Zach Scharrer (Product Design), Celebrating Disability in Formal Space: Bespoke Luxury Adaptive Apparel
Anni Smith (Illustration), HUA Patchblock Collection
Greta Solien (Illustration), Playing in the Parks!
Evan Udovich (Product Design), Enhancing Comfort in the Kitchen
Brady VanderHart (Communication Design), Rally
Kayla VanProoyen (Illustration), Staircase to Elsewhere
Intan Zulkifli (Illustration), NeedleWork

News

Sabbatical journey: Revelations and a new course for students

A sabbatical year immersed in Japanese culture, language and the study of Ukiyo-e – images of Japan’s “floating world” – led Professor Chelsea Holton to two main “aha” moments and development of a new course for students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD).

Fashion students design adaptive clothing for Independence First

For the second year in a row, Fashion and Apparel Design students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) worked with Independence First to design adaptive clothing tailor-made for two people who use wheelchairs. The project is part of a junior-level Patternmaking & Construction course.

MIAD Values Recognition Award: Nichole Uecker

Nichole Uecker, Student Accessibility Coordinator, received the October 2025 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Nichole’s nominations highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Community, Inclusion and Kindness.

Personal and professional passion inspire Product Design student

When senior Carmen Briones’ mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during Briones’ sophomore year at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), finding a bra that was comfortable with a medical port became an additional challenge. Briones ’26 (Product Design) answered that challenge in her Design for Human Interface class by designing a product that reduces pain while increasing mobility.

Toy design at Squishmallows: MIAD student develops confidence

When she first got the internship offer from Squishmallows at Jazwares, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior Melody Frias ’26 (Communication Design and Illustration) thought she was in shock. Months after the internship concluded, Frias still reads that email when she needs a boost.

Apply Now

Request Info