MN Department of Health Partnership Highlights Student Designers
Since 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health has partnered with the Adobe Illustrator course at Minneapolis College to encourage students to create illustrations for a public health campaigns. This year, six designs were selected from students in the class for a campaign about vaccines, offering them the opportunity to work alongside the Minnesota Department of Health creative team to hone their designs and earn a generous stipend for their work.
“I work closely with my students to understand and meet the expectations of the project scope, after which the Minnesota Department of Health creative team offers in-depth feedback through live Zoom critiques and written comments,” said Samantha Sather, faculty, Graphic Design and Web Design Department at Minneapolis College, who designed the course around the campaign. “The partnership is a strong example of meaningful engagement with the design industry and a rewarding way to connect students with a real-world, paid opportunity that shares their work with the community.”
Student Designer Highlights
The six students whose designs were chosen were Jaxsen Bingham, Nick Dolan, Rin Gorman, Churchill Grundstrom, Naomi Maxwell, and Porshia Williams. Following are a few highlights about three of the student designers.
Nick Dolan – Detail and Simplicity
Nick Dolan recently completed his Graphic Design Certificate at Minneapolis College, enrolling in the program to expand his skill set beyond what he gained while earning his BFA in Drawing and Painting from the University of Minnesota. Overall, the experience has been wonderful,” said Nick Dolan. “I now feel much more confident working in the Adobe Suite as a result of my studies at Minneapolis College.”
Dolan grew up in Saint Paul and attended the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley, where he developed a strong foundation for his artistic and creative pursuits.
“My inspiration for the Minnesota Department of Health design was the winter season, while also trying to appeal to a broad Minnesota audience,” said Dolan, who is grateful for the partnership and pleased that the project’s goal aligns with something he finds extremely important. “My design doesn’t include any religious, cultural, or holiday-specific subject matter. I wanted to create something that balances detail with simplicity while remaining relatable to a wide audience. This was my first experience in a professional partnership.”
When asked what advice he would give to college students, Dolan shared, “My advice is always the same: invest in comfortable pillows, soft bed sheets, and a quality comforter. When you’re pursuing higher education, proper sleep and rest are fundamental to delivering quality work.”
Naomi Maxwell – Inspired by Diversity and Inclusivity
A graphic design student at Minneapolis College, Naomi Maxwell returned to higher education after taking time away from a four-year college to reassess her goals. Encouraged by her father’s positive experience as a former Minneapolis College student, she chose the college because it felt like the right fit. Since enrolling, she has found the experience both fun and engaging, citing the inclusive, welcoming community and supportive professors as key factors in how much she has learned over the past year and a half. Originally from Saint Paul, Naomi Maxwell spent a short time living in Iowa before returning to Minnesota and now resides in Minneapolis.
Maxwell’s design for the Minnesota Department of Health vaccination campaign was inspired by the diversity and inclusivity of the Twin Cities—where she grew up—she intentionally centered those values in her work. “Having my design chosen was a surreal experience, especially after seeing the strong work of my classmates,” said Maxwell. “As a Minnesota native, the partnership holds special meaning, marking my first time creating a design that will be used beyond a classroom assignment and by a major state organization.”
Set to graduate in Summer 2026, Maxwell hopes to continue her education at a four-year college, studying graphic design alongside marketing. She encourages prospective students to give Minneapolis College a chance, emphasizing that she has no regrets about her decision. At her core, Maxwell describes herself simply as a Minnesota-born artist who genuinely loves creating and is excited to keep growing in her field.
Rin Gorman - Pop Art Influences
Rin Gorman is completing certificates in Graphic Design and Web Design and Front-End Development while balancing two jobs—working part-time as a public librarian and doing research and design work for a consulting company based in Florida. Rin Gorman chose Minneapolis College for its flexible, online asynchronous classes, which allowed him to build essential design skills alongside him professional responsibilities. With prior experience in libraries and consulting, Gorman recognized the need for stronger technical knowledge in areas such as Adobe software, print preparation, and web development. “The coursework at Minneapolis College has significantly strengthened my foundational knowledge, improved my professional work, and even sparked a new interest in web development, leading me to add a second certificate,” said Gorman.
Originally from New Hampshire, Gorman later lived in Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in information science from Florida State University. He now lives in Minneapolis and noted the design selected for a Minnesota Department of Health vaccination campaign was inspired by the department’s color palette and pop art influences, aimed to highlight diversity and connection while keeping the public health message central. Having the design chosen was a surreal and meaningful experience, marking the first time being selected as an outside designer rather than working within an existing client relationship.
With one semester remaining before graduation, Gorman plans to continue working with the consulting firm on upcoming design and website projects. Gorman encourages prospective students to consider Minneapolis College, emphasizing the practical, hands-on nature of the certificates and the supportive learning environment.
Libby Schultz-Seline, a graphic designer in the Minnesota Department of Health’s Communications Department, said she values the distinctive perspectives students bring to design work. “We recognize the time and dedication students invest and truly appreciate their talent,” she said. “They contribute their lived experiences and diverse backgrounds to the project, gaining not only professional experience but also a meaningful community platform for their work.”
Minneapolis College congratulates its students for their ambition, curiosity, and drive, bringing designs to life that will shape the health and vitality of our community. Additionally, the College expresses gratitude to its partners, appreciating any opportunity to collaborate with outside organizations, institutions and agencies to provide diverse platforms for its talented students.
