TIM MURRAY

Tim Murray is a graphic designer and educator based in Sioux Falls SD. With over 15 years of experience, Tim’s design practice includes environmental design, print and book design, experience design, branding and identity, motion and photography, and illustration. In addition to undergraduate degrees in theatrical design and philosophy from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Tim also holds an MFA in Graphic Design from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. A former interpreter, Tim is fluent in Spanish and conversational in several other languages. His research interests include: information design in the built environment; the dual role of creative tools as both extensions and constraints; the ethics of the “attention economy”; speculative fiction as a tool for designing the future; and the interplay between our creative agency and AI.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
I have loved Massimo Vignelli’s work ever since I first saw his New York subway maps, and I’ve been interested lately in Sister Corita Kent, in her roles both as a visual creator, and also as an educator. Taking a slightly wider view of “my field,” architect Antoni Gaudí and sculptor Eduardo Chillida both made lasting impressions on my sense of how a creative voice could shape a place through shaping its visual culture, and George Orwell, William Gibson, and C.S. Lewis have shaped the way I think and tell stories.

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JEWELL MELISA MORTON

I’m Jewell Melisa T. Morton. I design because I think it’s fun, and no matter what I do, somehow I always end up back in the same place: living and breathing design. I guess I’m maybe an oddball out, but I prefer to work collaboratively with people rather than alone in most cases since I think work ends with better results when people provide feedback.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
Honestly, almost anything can inspire me if I’m in the right mood. Good food can inspire the need for a menu, branding, photography, or a video. An alluring poem, a captivating speech, or music with lyrics can inspire easter eggs or an entire project. However, my main inspiration is probably history. What’s the history of the object? Those easter eggs for me make everything click.

WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
I know people always say pick a niche, but I honestly want to work in all forms of design. I enjoy design a lot, even if I struggle with it sometimes. I know most people, prefer to work alone, but I think design is most fun when it is collaborative. Being able to ask others for opinions while receiving and providing feedback has helped me create better designs. So while I don’t have an area of design I want to specialize in, I’m mostly excited to find a great team to work with!

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
I didn’t expect to love book design. I was drawn into design because of the social media/digital marketing field and thought I’d stay within it but as I continued to design books for school and make them, I learned that there is something about book design that energizes and inspires me to create.

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FERNANDO DEL ROSARIO

Fernando Del Rosario is a seasoned advertising creative, passionate artist, dedicated educator, and lifelong learner. With nearly three decades in the advertising and design industry and over 20 years teaching at colleges and universities, Fernando is currently a student in the MFA Graphic Design program at Vermont College of Fine Arts, embodying his commitment to constant growth and creativity. Born in the Philippines, Fernando immigrated to the United States at age 11. Despite academic challenges in middle school, high school, and college, his boundless imagination and tenacious work ethic propelled him forward. He earned his degree from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and began a thriving career in advertising. His agency portfolio includes renowned names such as Y&R, Wunderman, Innocean, and David&Goliath, working on iconic brands like Hyundai, Taco Bell, Warner Bros., and Hot Wheels. As an educator, Fernando has inspired students at Cal State Fullerton, Santiago Canyon College, and The Art Institute of California, among others. An accomplished artist, his REAL HEROES collection has been featured in over 60 gallery exhibitions across Southern California and Portland, Oregon. Through his career, teaching, and art, Fernando champions creativity as a force for connection, growth, and inspiration.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
I think I was a curious cat in a past life. I love being curious, exploring, seeing, reading, watching, listening to something to both I’m familiar with to something I know nothing about.

WHAT AREA OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
As much as I love old school media (print, TV, merchandise, package design, etc.), I am intrigued and excited by AI technology. It reminds me of the same exact conversations during my undergrad at CCS when Photoshop, Illustrator & Freehand was really taking off.

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
I came into Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) as a sponge, ready to soak up everything they’re going to throw at me. I didn’t expect to have as much fun as I am having. I’m inspired by Robert Schuller’s quote, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?”

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
Dominic Pangborn. He is a modern day Renaissance Artist/Creative, friend and mentor.

WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING (BOOKS, MOVIES, TV, SOCIAL MEDIA, MUSIC)?
Books: -1521 Rediscovering the History of the Philippines, Judy Robinson-Draplin Design Co. Pretty Much Everything, Aaron James Draplin-Writing for the Design Mind, Natalia Ilyin-Start With Why, Simon Sinek-Leaders Eat Last, Simon SinekMovies, TV & Music:-From Sci-fi (Dune, Star Wars, Marvel) to Independents (The Whale, Red Rocket, Peanut Butter Falcon) and everything else in between. Same thing with music.

DO YOU, OR DO YOU PLAN TO, DESIGN FOR ANY CAUSES OR CHARITIES, I.E., DESIGN FOR GOOD?
Yes, I started a non-profit Graphic Design / Advertising agency when the pandemic happened in 2020 called CREATIVE AID. I plan to grow the agency to continue to help small local businesses and other non-profit organizations.

DO YOU FEEL THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS PREPARED YOU TO FIND A JOB?
Besides continuing to learn and expand my creative skills with VCFA, the connection and incredible network that I am now part of with VCFA is an incredible advantage that will open up creative opportunities for me.
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To learn more visit: https://vcfa.edu/programs/mfa-in-graphic-design/
Article: https://gdusa.com/studentstowatch2025/students-to-watch-2025