Ten Baylor Graphic Arts Students Awarded in Prestigious International Competition

Multiple Baylor graphic design students in the Department of Art and Art History have been recognized in an international competition that highlights the work of artists from more than 100 institutions of higher education around the world.

Ten Baylor students earned recognition for 16 projects in the Graphis New Talent Annual 2026 –– which receives submissions from 113 leading institutions worldwide, including the Art Center College of Design, Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, University of North Texas, Savannah College of Art and Design, The Cooper Union, School of Visual Arts, Yale School of Art and the University of the Arts London. Entries are evaluated by a distinguished jury of international industry leaders, creative directors and designers.

“The success that these graphic design students from the Department of Art & Art History achieved in the international Graphis competition is truly remarkable,” said Dr. Heidi J. Hornik, chair and professor of art and art history. “This year not only did our students excel but the competition –– the finest art schools around the world –– and the judges were at an elevated level from previous years. Graphis is highly regarded by professionals in the graphic design field, and it presents an important opportunity for our students' work to be known in the industry.”

“The Graphis New Talent Annual is a premier international competition and publication that highlights outstanding student and emerging creative work in design, advertising, photography and illustration,” said Genaro Solis Rivero, assistant professor of art and art history. “It’s a respected platform for launching creative careers, with selected work featured in a curated print edition and on the Graphis website.”

Solis Rivero said that design competitions such as the Graphis New Talent Annual play a vital role in advancing both the individual growth of students as well as the excellence of Baylor’s art programs.

“They provide a powerful platform to showcase student work, demonstrate course outcomes and elevate the reputation of a design program,” he said. “More importantly, they validate students’ efforts, build confidence and foster a strong sense of pride and community.”

The winners

Allison Schnelle, a sophomore studio art major from Frisco, Texas, received a top Gold Award in the New Talent Annual for a double-spread advertisement she designed titled “It Runs in Our Veins.”

Baylor University also had seven studio art majors win Silver Awards for eight different entries:

• Lily Asher (The Cost of Bleeding, advertising campaign)
• Maci Burnett (Dulcet Carré, package design)
• Allyson Estes (Bumbu Restaurant, identity)
• CJ Kaltwasser (Buckridge Casino, identity)
• Karen Koyama (Bone Bits, package design)
• Nick Rhea (Drunk Tank, identity)
• Ella Sparks (MaMa Social Media, advertising campaign)
• Ella Sparks (Staying Cold for Centuries, single advertisement)

Five Baylor studio art majors received Honorable Mentions for seven different entries in the competition:

• Allyson Estes (Bumbu Restaurant, branding system)
• CJ Kaltwasser (Outdoor Element, branding system)
• Karen  Koyama (Luxis, branding system)
• Karen  Koyama (Midday Snacks, advertising campaign)
• Karen  Koyama (Midday Snacks, branding system)
• Noelle Rigmaiden (Aspen Green, package design)
• Keelan Thomas (Love Lingo, identity)

To see examples of the winning student artwork, refer to the departmental news release.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website.