Nine Elmhurst University seniors are using art—in particular, graphic design and commercial art—to explore and share a variety of compelling themes during the Fall 2025 Capstone Art & Design Exhibition.
The high point for every graduating art major, the capstone exhibition requires students to create a body of work in their area of concentration and then plan their exhibition and design the promotional materials for it. This year’s exhibition and public reception for the artists will be held on Saturday evening, Dec. 6.
About the artists:
- Zunaira Abid, a graphic design major, created a branding project for a fictional cafe named Our Blues. Abid describes Our Blues as “not only a place to eat and drink, but also a creative hub where community, warmth and connection are central.”
- Vanesa Arenas-Rubio, a graphic design major, conceived and developed branding materials for a fictional escape room, The Cryptex. The Cryptex takes its inspiration from video games and geometric typography, and incorporates creative elements like sketching and sculpture into the puzzle-solving process.
- Daniel Dettloff, an art major, created a series of digital drawings and paintings that examine contemporary figuration through an art history lens. He combined imagery from antique prints and illustrations with digital drawing and painting techniques to create colorful and varied landscapes about contemporary struggles.
- Daevon Gaines, a graphic design major, developed branding for a fictional clothing company called CampaignThreadz, which seeks to turn fashion into affirmation. Loud, text-oriented designs carry a message that reminds wearers that they are their own “best campaign.”
- Kristina Greenwood, an art business major, developed branding for a fictional makeup company called Eye Candy. The brand uses bold imagery and satirical design to relay its themes of individualism and independence.
- Lily Grosch, a graphic design major, created Printmaking for Protest, a simulated museum exhibit that examines how printmaking has historically functioned as a tool for protest and resistance.
- Tyresse Miller, a graphic design major, created book cover designs for three of his stories, each from a different genre. Although the design aesthetic differs by genre, they are connected by the theme of human vulnerability.
- Joseph Runnion, a graphic design major, conceived and developed a brand design for a fictional pickleball league titled Unity Pickleball. His branding positions sport as an inclusive activity that brings people together across differences.
- Lyla Torres, a graphic design major, created branding for a fictional cannabis company titled NEURO BUDS. The brand centers on education, safety and empowerment, and is designed to help destigmatize cannabis use within neurodivergent communities.
The Fall Capstone Art & Design Exhibition and artists reception will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Barbara A. Kieft Accelerator ArtSpace. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.
Opportunities like the Fall Capstone Art & Design Exhibition exemplify Elmhurst University’s focus on offering students a well-rounded curriculum combined with professional preparation, and enable students to gain hands-on experience, learn best practices and make professional connections.