Alumni Stories

Erik Maell’s career has taken him from Victoria’s Secret to Lucasfilm, Walt Disney, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and other clients. But for the last few years, the Mona Lisa has inspired a passion project.

Anthony Baker (BFA, 1986) discovered medical illustration after CCAD, earning a second degree in the field from OSU. Now, he illustrates for doctors and researchers at Ohio State, combining his art and science skills to advance medical understanding.

The summer before he arrived at CCAD, Jeremy Rosario (Advertising & Graphic Design, 2000) worked to save the money for his airfare from Puerto Rico. The portfolio he’d created in his arts-focused high school had won him a spot at CCAD, and he was ready to live his dream of a life in art. Why let a little thing like the fact he couldn't speak English stop him?

Jerry McDaniel arrived in NYC in 1957, soon creating illustrations for major brands. A versatile artist, he later taught at FIT/SUNY and lectured at CCAD.

Andy Harkness, Disney art director since 1993, shaped Mulan, Tangled, Zootopia, & Moana. His journey from cleanup artist to Emmy winner inspires.

Brooklyn-based Zach Dilgard (Media Studies Still-Based, 2002) is a photo director, producer, and editor with 15 years’ experience shooting and producing photo shoots, primarily in the entertainment and TV industry.

Twigg (Fine Arts, 2003) owns Twigg’s Bindery, which is based in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and specializes in handmade luxury journals, everyday books, custom editions and albums. She and Twigg’s Bindery have been featured in a number of national publications including The New York Times, Design Sponge, and New York Magazine.

Fifteen years ago, two friends — Nand Dussault and Andy Hayes (Advertising & Graphic Design, Class of 2001) — collaborated on a piece for the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts to promote a visiting speaker and graphic designer, Chip Kidd.

CCAD grad Bobby Silver (Fine Arts, 1999) combines art, business, and community at Yellow Brick Pizza, featuring art by local artists and creative pizzas.

Alicia Jean Vanderelli did not take a traditional path to her degree at CCAD, but her path since graduating has taken her to operating her own namesake gallery in one of Columbus’ fastest-growing art hubs.

Maddie Etter, a 2009 CCAD grad, is building her jewelry design business, Phyllis & Hazel, on the foundation of her education at Columbus College of Art & Design and the business expertise she gleaned from store and gallery owners — and her mom.

A few years ago, Brian Kellett and Emily Brown probably didn’t seem like the plant store type. Brian, a CCAD-trained photographer, was working at Rockmill Brewery, and Emily was studying industrial design at CCAD. But after Emily worked on a project about the horticulture industry as a student at CCAD, things changed.