GDES Students Named 2026 GDUSA Students to Watch

“Choosing who will represent Auburn Graphic Design on the GDUSA Students to Watch list is a mix of reflection and excitement for faculty. It’s our chance to ask, ‘What does excellence in our students really look like? ’,” said Robert Finkel, Graphic Design professor and program chair. “For Rae and Yeeun, that answer is clear: they bring a professional mindset to their design education, they’re involved in extracurricular activities that shape their creative voice, and they’ve built strong, positive relationships with both their peers and faculty. That combination is exactly what makes them stand out for this recognition.”

Set to graduate in May 2026, Cho is an artist and designer, working across a wide range of mediums and design tools where she brings perspectives from two cultures.

As part of her quest to learn what good design is, Cho has undertaken several projects. Recently, she has found an interest in brand identity and user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design after branding a local Korean-style bakery and designing a free mental health app called SoliU with Auburn’s research group of the same name.

In the summer of 2025, Cho presented Wild Alchemy, a food truck concept centered around ecological dishes local to Mobile, Alabama, at the international Biodesign Challenge Summit in New York City, guided by Assistant Professor Devon Ward. The project, which she completed with team members Cecilia Hoffpauir, Tabatha Tolbert and Maria Rumore, received a graphic design award at the 2025 Kaleidoscope Show.

“I wanted to study graphic design because I wanted to know what being a ‘good designer’ meant,” Cho said. “Now that I am recognized as a GDUSA Student to Watch, I think I have been doing a good job learning and practicing ‘good design’.”

In addition to their graphic design studies, Rae Nawrocki has served as the station manager for WEGL 91.1 FM, Auburn’s student-run radio station. They host “Type Speaks,” a podcast that features interviews with creatives about their design processes and works across mediums to explore the intersection of graphic design, media and storytelling.

Nawrocki fell in love with graphic design in high school and has found their feet experimenting with techniques and drawing inspiration from broadcasting, speculative design and the underground music scene. For the last five years, they have worked in education, sharing their passion for art and design with the future generations.

Nawrocki finds inspiration from the mundane, finding overlooked items and exploring their potential—such as binding a book using trash gathered from a trip to New York City.

“Good design has layers no matter what kind of design it is,” they said. “Depth and effort will always shine through and be noticed.”

Nawrocki said it is incredibly humbling to be recognized nationally for the work they have poured their heart into.

“I’m so deeply grateful to the professors at the CADC who built me up, pushed me forward and of course nominated me for this honor,” they said.