March 25, 2024 GDUSA Names Two Vols in Annual Students to Watch

Seniors Lauren Favier and Jaiden Kasaval have been recognized as a part of Graphic Design USA’s 2024 Students to Watch. More than 100 students were selected from across 60 of America’s leading art and design schools and programs.

Lauren Favier

As a second-generation Vol, Favier knew the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, felt like home, but didn’t discover her interest in graphic design until she arrived on campus.

Once in the program, she used general education courses to inspire her designs and storytelling. Her recent months-long medieval phase was inspired by a class on Pre-Renaissance Italian Art.

“During my time in the School of Design, I have learned to lean less on what makes me comfortable,” she said. “While my earliest projects predictably use my most reliable color schemes and type choices, I’ve grown to appreciate the value in experimenting, pushing my boundaries, and failing fast. I am learning to constantly expand my ‘style’ and experience is maybe the best lesson I’ve learned in the program.”

Favier manages the school’s two risograph printers and hosts workshops to teach students and faculty about the printing process. The opportunity grew her public speaking, teaching, and management skills.

Jaiden Kasaval

Kasaval entered UT as a computer science major but his artistic and creative background drew him to transferring into the graphic design program where he cultivated passions for printmaking, typography, and publication.

“Near the beginning, I think I was more into these wild methods of form. I would try just about anything,” he said. “Now, I feel as though my style and taste has been refined. I’m inspired by the space between digital and tangible, and where those lines can intersect. Form and function drive my practice, with a passion for storytelling.”

This past summer, Kasaval traveled to Seoul, South Korea as a part of the School of Design’s first study abroad program. While visiting the city, he embarked on many cross-cultural experiences including various multimedia workshops, collaboration with design students from Hongik University, and a class publication documenting their personal and emotional journeys.

“The entire experience was very enriching for me as I was able to explore my normal habits and art and design practices, but in a whole new lens and amongst a totally unknown environment. I was able to perceive an entirely different side of design, one that wasn’t entirely Western-influenced,” he said.

Favier and Kasaval will participate in the school’s senior design show on from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the Emporium in downtown Knoxville. Read more about each of the students online.