4 years in a row: BGSU graphic design students earn national recognition

Seniors Blake Rupp and Madelyn Junk were named 2026 ‘Students to Watch’ by Graphic Design USA

For the fourth consecutive year, two Bowling Green State University students have been recognized among the nation’s top emerging designers, earning a spot on Graphic Design USA’s 2026 “Students to Watch” list.

Seniors Blake Rupp and Madelyn Junk received the distinct honor alongside 98 students from public and private colleges and universities nationwide.

BGSU was one of only three Ohio public institutions represented on the annual list. Graphic Design USA has served graphic designers and the broader creative community for more than 60 years. 

Rupp and Junk are graphic design majors in the BGSU School of Art, which is the largest undergraduate art program at a public university in Ohio. Grateful for the national recognition, both students reflected on the support they received at Bowling Green as they developed and refined their design skills.

“The design program has consistently promoted, encouraged and guided me to pursue activities and methods that have brought me success,” Rupp said. “From nominating me for awards to helping with my portfolio to land my dream internship with the Cleveland Cavaliers to their time and care in critiquing my projects, I have felt a true investment from every graphic design faculty member.”

Junk, an Honors College student, shared a similar experience.

“During my first visit to BGSU in December 2021, it genuinely felt like the professors wanted to see us succeed, and they have proven this sentiment time and time again throughout my four years here,” she said. “I am incredibly lucky to attend a larger university that offers smaller classes, allowing for closer relationships with professors who truly know and care about you. It is something really special about BGSU.”   

A recent design Rupp created as an intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers is now featured on merchandise being sold in their official team store at Rocket Arena. He developed the concept by hand-drawing many of the assets and collaborating with the Cavs’ design team to refine the idea.

Rupp continues to develop his design style through work both in and out of the classroom. He owns a clothing brand and has built a reputation within the underground rap scene, designing album art, merchandise and music videos for musicians across the country.

“Receiving this honor has been incredible,” Rupp said. “As I graduate from BGSU in May, it feels like a validation of my hard work and love for design, built over the past four years inside the design department.” 

Junk has a specific interest in design and environmental work. To broaden her knowledge, she enrolled in environmental science and marketing courses, where she became fascinated by how design can foster a sense of place, create public good and drive human connection. 

This past fall, both Junk and Rupp worked on the design team for a collaborative exhibition, In the Roots: Ohio’s Native Plants. As the design lead for the broadsheet team, Junk helped create several of the touchpoint pieces for the exhibition focused on the power of community connection, environmental education and a sense of place in northwest Ohio. The project won a Gold Addy and Student Best in Show award from the Toledo chapter of the American Advertising Federation, as well as a Silver Addy at the AAF District 5 level, which includes Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. 

“I feel incredibly grateful to be recognized on this national level,” Junk said. “It is very rewarding to see all the hard work and long nights in the studio honored in this way.”