Students receive national honors from Society of Illustrators

Four illustration students and graduates from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) received national honors from the Society of Illustrators. MIAD’s Illustration and Animation programs were also ranked highly by Animation Career Review magazine.

Current Illustration senior Logan Guo and alum Sophia Briej ’23 (Illustration) received scholarship awards from the Society of Illustrators. Briej was awarded the David Apatoff scholarship, while Guo received the Christopher Darling scholarship.

“Christopher Darling is an incredibly versatile illustrator,” explains Guo, who was selected to showcase two works. “To be chosen for the award named after him motivates me to make work that one day can be at the same level as his. His work is also so exploratory, and seeing that in another artist always inspires me to grab my sketchbook!”

Illustration alum Maggie Carroll ’23 and current Illustration – Animation Track senior Alessa Truong were also selected to show work at the Society of Illustrators 2024 Student Scholarship Exhibition. The result of an international competition of works submitted by professors of Illustration and Animation, the exhibition runs from May 8 – June 8, 2024 in New York, with an award ceremony on May 10.

“Having my work recognized by the Society of Illustrators is such an honor,” says Carroll. “I’m happy that my work can be seen by more people and is featured alongside so many talented illustrators!”

Truong adds, “I’m really shocked, but happy to have this recognition. I’ve been going through a period of imposter syndrome and this recognition is putting that feeling to rest, knowing that people do enjoy what I make.”

In its 2024 rankings, MIAD’s Animation and Illustration programs were each named #1 in Wisconsin by Animation Career Review magazine. MIAD’s Illustration major was ranked among the top 10 programs in the Midwest and Animation among the top 15. MIAD’s Animation track is housed within the college’s Illustration program. The Illustration major was also named in the top 25 in the country among schools offering an Illustration-related Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

“Being recognized by a prestigious association like the Society of Illustrators … is an honor,” finishes Guo. “I often look toward communities of artists like the Society to see the best of the best. To be chosen feels like a big step in the right direction in my career as an illustrator.”

Learn more about MIAD’s Illustration and Animation programs!