An adopted Korean-American boy attends Catholic school in small-town Pennsylvania, joins the Marines, pivots to pursue performance at Berklee College of Music, then moves to Atlanta to break into the film business, and finally arrives at SCAD. John Varkados (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2024) has had an unlikely real-life character arc.

"I was living in Atlanta producing an ultra-low budget film in 2019, when I hired a SCAD alum named Simone Thomas," Varkados says. "She had a great reel and was super professional, and I was like, What are they teaching at this place called SCAD?"

The ex-Marine knew he had his own stories to tell. When he decided to enroll in SCAD's dramatic writing program, the discipline he had acquired in the Corps became "a foundation for all my creative endeavors, where you need that sense of grit and perseverance."

The result is "Dog Tags."

Initially scripted as a short film "about all these veterans in a therapy session," the story found its full form in a course with SCAD dramatic writing professor Greg DePaul. "I was able to write a three-act dramatic feature and leave SCAD with "Dog Tags" as a complete screenplay," John says.

DePaul, an accomplished Hollywood screenwriter ("Bride Wars," "Saving Silverman"), calls Varkados "a talented writer who pulls from the heart." "John draws from his background and knowledge of human nature to create living, breathing characters," DePaul says. "His work excels on the page as it will on the screen."

"Dog Tags" was named a quarterfinalist in Final Draft's 2025 Big Break Competition. Varkados is also a Webby Award Winner, and a quarterfinalist in the Writers Guild Foundation's 2025-26 Veterans Writing Project. His grit is earning recognition. "The writing always seems to shine through," he says.

Chair of dramatic writing Averie Storck taught John in Beyond the Page: Improvisation for Writers (DWRI 710), a course where Varkados says he developed key relationships with students from "different groups, different eras."

"One of John's greatest strengths is his willingness to take creative risks," offers Storck. "In my class, students develop characters, explore narratives, and generate ideas. From day one, John was all in. He embraced the unpredictable nature of improv, and his energy was contagious. What really stood out was how he always showed up for his peers with encouragement and support, helping create an environment where everyone felt free to take creative leaps."

For his part, John says he has kept all his notes from Storck's improv class: "I can pull them back up, because that's where I might find my new pilot idea."

In a time of industry upheaval, the dramatic writer keeps working. His day job as a business analyst at Pinterest means building strategies for business owners on the popular platform. Meanwhile, he is growing his Substack by publishing chapters of his fiction serial Hymns of Harvest. "Dog Tags" is being read by producers. Next steps are yet to come.  

"You have to make your own path of success, and it's not as streamlined as it used to be," Varkados says. "That makes it all the more fun."

Profilin': Varkados shines at the Webby Awards.

Walking across a frozen lake can be risky. The sound of creaking footsteps conveys tension and drama. That's where Foley artist Hyoenzi "Alex" Wang comes in.

Nominated this year for an Emmy for her work on Apple TV's award-winning Severance, Wang (B.F.A., sound design, 2022) created the ominous Foley footfalls of Lumon Industries employee Irving (John Turturro) at the beginning of the pivotal episode "Woe's Hollow."

Originally from Gwacheon-si, South Korea, Wang began working at acclaimed NYC sound design studio c5, inc., in 2023, a connection facilitated by SCAD sound design professor Jamie Baker.

"I am beyond proud of Alex and her Emmy-nominated Foley artistry on Severance," says Baker. "In only a couple years' time, Alex has gone from my Foley Production Techniques class to the Foley stages at c5, inc. Alex represents what we aim for when it comes to preparing students for creative careers in sound design."

Fresh from her trip to the Los Angeles for the Emmy Awards, Wang caught up with SCAD to discuss her red carpet moment and those frozen footsteps.

Gold standard: Hyoenzi "Alex" Wang at the Emmy Awards 2025.  

Alex Wang:

"I've been Severance fan since season one. To go from being an audience member to working on the show was a huge deal for me.

When I watched the first season of Severance, I noticed how prominent and important the sound of footsteps is on the show. When I looked in the credits, I found the names [c5 founders] George Lara and Marko Costanzo—of course, the Foley on the show sounds great! Then to go work at c5 and work on Severance myself, it all progressed so fast and I was like, oh my god, you know?

The scene where Irving is in the middle of a frozen lake and starts running towards the mountain, they wanted to have the sound of the ice creaking. I got to do it. Marko had shown me the technique of that frozen lake sound. You prepare a sheet of glass, duct tape it really hard, and then using a hammer you break it a little, and then you crunch it. It requires a lot of control of how much power you're putting into that glass sheet. You have to be careful so it creaks but not breaks.

Sometimes, a really good Foley stands out, but most of the time, when people don't notice the Foley, that's great, that's the art. According to our supervisors, [director and executive producer] Ben Stiller is someone who really appreciates Foley. He wants to use Foley as much as possible, especially with the footsteps, which are like a signature on Severance.

We were hoping to get nominated for an Emmy for sound, but you never know until the list comes out. I was at home doing chores and George texted me a screenshot of my name and the nomination for sound editing, and a message saying how proud he is of me. He and Marko have been so supportive and important in my career.

I flew to LA for the Emmy Awards. Apple TV booked me into the JW Marriott downtown right beside the Peacock Theater. The experience didn't feel real until the moment I was preparing for the show. I walked into the theater, took the escalator to the lobby where they were taking official red carpet pictures. I couldn't believe that I'd come to this moment professionally in such a short period of time. 

Looking back at my SCAD experience, the sound design program taught me how to be a professional sound designer from on-set sound to post-production. For Foley, SCAD is the best—Professor Baker knows everything. One of the key things I learned at SCAD is how to communicate with people from different departments and backgrounds. By collaborating in SCADpro with students from animation, film, visual effects, and motion media, I learned how to suggest ideas that improve the work.

This has been my tenth year in the United States. I want to be a resource for international students who come to SCAD wanting to succeed in a career in art and design. I hope to come back to SCAD one day to talk about my journey."

Connect with Hyoenzi "Alex" Wang on LinkedIn.

Banner image/Severance still: Apple TV+.

As told to Peter Relic.

It's visionary: SCAD announces its new fashion eyewear design minor degree program for the 2025-2026 academic year. The launch of the first accredited fashion eyewear design program at a U.S. university is a clear-eyed response to the eyewear industry's rapid growth, projected to reach $246 billion by 2030.
 
"Eyewear has evolved from a simple necessity to a bold statement of personal style," said Long-Nam TÔ, Chair of Accessory Design at SCAD. "At SCAD, we are thrilled to be the first U.S. design university to offer a dedicated minor in fashion eyewear design, one of the industry's most exciting fields where fashion meets innovation."
 
Housed within SCAD's prestigious School of Fashion, this innovative fashion eyewear design program integrates the curriculum and premier resources of SCAD's top-ranked accessory design and jewelry design programs. Led by elite faculty, SCAD's fashion eyewear design program fuses the intersection of fashion, technology, and design, equipping students with the artistic insight and technical skill to create the next generation of visionary eyewear.
 
The unveiling of the minor comes with the announcement that SCAD will continue its partnership with Marchon Eyewear, Inc. to provide certified training in this innovative field.

Looking good: Marchon's Burkhardt speaks at SCAD.

"We are very proud to continue our partnership with SCAD as the university unveils its eyewear design minor," said Thomas Burkhardt, president of Marchon Eyewear, Inc. "By continuing our successful; partnership, we are solidifying our commitment to educating and empowering the next generation of eyewear designers here in the U.S."
 
SCAD's fashion eyewear design curriculum delves into the full spectrum of eyewear design from foundational construction techniques and advanced technologies to merchandising, manufacturing, marketing, and global industry standards. Initially offered as an eyewear design course in the 2024–2025 academic year, the university's eyewear design program has already been recognized internationally with SCAD industrial design student Sophia Denison becoming the first North American honored with the prestigious 2025 Sergio Cereda Award.
 
"Through our partnership with Marchon, one of the world's most respected manufacturers or premium eyewear and sunglasses, and under the guidance of its expert mentorship, Sophia earned the Cereda Award, demonstrating how our students are already leaders in style, innovation, and craftsmanship in eyewear," added SCAD's Long-Nam TÔ.
 
SCAD's new fashion eyewear design minor exemplifies the university's forward-looking approach to curriculum and preparing students at an elite level for emerging careers in dynamic, evolving fields. The SCAD School of Fashion students become strategic, imaginative leaders ready to develop new world-class business models, runway collections, jewelry lines, and innovative materials that will define the industry's biggest names and brands. From the runway to the consumer, students explore fashion from the conceptual to the commercial in disciplines that include accessory design, fashion, fashion marketing and management, fibers, and jewelry.
 
For more information, please visit SCAD's fashion eyewear design minor.

Banner image of AVIAN eyewear design by Sophia Denison, courtesy Sophia Denison.

SCAD is proud to announce the introduction of a new Bachelor of Design in Applied AI to the university's robust program offerings for the 2025–26 academic year. This new degree is designed for students to gain the skills to imagine, prototype, and direct how AI functions — and how people interact with AI.
 
Applied AI coursework spans interaction design, computational thinking, storytelling, and systems modeling, all essential for working with agentic technologies in creative industries. As part of real-world partnerships and professional studio work, students in the degree program craft intuitive experiences, shape and choreograph machine behavior, and design with intent.
 
"Since 1978, SCAD has consistently adopted technologies to ensure students have the tools necessary to launch their creative professions," said SCAD chief academic officer Jason Fox. "AI, an invention that augments and amplifies human productivity, is the next chapter in SCAD's legacy of curricular innovation. Our programs will continue to evolve, ensuring SCAD students are prepared with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary for the future of their creative fields."

To expand access to this rapidly evolving field, SCAD will also offer a minor in Applied AI, available to all students across majors — equipping creative professionals in every discipline with the tools to integrate intelligent systems into their future careers.
 
"AI workflow is evolving at a tremendous speed, and it is imperative that all of our students are ready to employ these groundbreaking tools to enhance, not replace, their creative talent and succeed in their future careers," said SuAnne Fu, Dean, SCAD School of Creative Technology.
  
SCAD's unmatched creative ecosystem empow- ers students across disciplines — including architecture, advertising, fashion, user expe- rience (UX) design, animation, and more — to design intelligent, human-centered systems that fuse innovation with cultural insight and AI with imagination.
 
Potential professions this degree program will prepare students for include:
•      AI product developer
•      Real-time content developer
•      Autonomous agent designer
•      AI design strategist
•      Machine behavior designer
•      Creative technologist
•      Conversational interface designer
•      AI story engineer
•      Ethical design strategist
•      AI systems designer

SCAD is a global leader in creative AI education, hosting annual summits that bring together top voices and powerhouses in business, entertainment, design, and tech, including Google, Meta, Adobe, Deloitte, Maison Meta, ServiceNow, Gensler, NVIDIA, and Netflix. These events offer SCAD students a front-row seat to explore emergent trends and the future of intelligent systems, connecting them directly with major employers in the AI space who are pioneering what's next. The 2026 SCADask AI Summit will be hosted in January at SCAD Atlanta.
 
In addition to hosting the annual AI Summit, SCADask — the university's applied research arm at the intersection of commerce, creativity, and culture — publishes the AI Insights report. Now in its second year, SCAD AI Insights 2025 captures the latest applications of AI in creative practice and design education, highlighting insights from industry leaders, SCAD faculty, and student projects. The report emphasizes that meaningful design in the age of AI depends on cultivating timeless creative fundamentals — curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and taste — which enable designers to guide and elevate AI rather than be led by it. Learn more about the new Applied AI degree program.

This image began with an illustration by SCAD associate chair of architecture Mike Hill, which was then recreated in Adobe Illustrator. ChatGPT generated the prompt for image creation in Adobe Firefly.

On a sweltering evening in July, a group of students gathered in Daffin Park on bicycles, ready for a seven-mile southbound pedal of the Truman Linear Trail to Lake Mayer. "Remember, this is a multi-use trail, not a bicycle superhighway," said architecture professor Ryan Madson. "It's intended for all mobilities, open to everyone."

Roll call: SCAD SERVE students pedal Savannah's Truman Linear Trail.

The ride was a form of research, and the righteous rollout for a SCAD SERVE summer course. Eleven students from degree programs including architecture, interior design, graphic design, and illustration collaborated to create a package of signage honoring local Savannah history and optimizing the experience of the Tide to Town Trail. "What we're doing is real, not theoretical, and our emphasis is on using design for good," said Paiten Prescott (B.F.A., graphic design).

Weeks of research and ideation produced diagrammatic vector sketches and designs for pole wraps. There were discussions of how CNC-cut metal signs could affix to preexisting stanchions, and the potential for a mural beside Tapley's Antique Mall on Waters Ave. "More than designing signs, we are connecting a community corridor," pointed out Olivia Jurado (B.F.A., architecture).

Signs of the times: Professor Ryan Madson (left) with students Ethan Davis, Paiten Prescott, and Suksheetha Adulla.

At a mid-quarter meeting in Deloitte Foundry, students engaged with city reps including 4th District Alderman Nick Palumbo. "Our wayfinding packages are inspired by the Colors of Savannah by Sherwin-Williams, a SCADpro project," explained Ethan Davis (M.Arch). The alderman lit up when he saw how the 125-plus-year history of Montgomery Crossroads would be integrated into the signage. "You have captured what the Southside has been trying to say for a generation," Palumbo said.

Five weeks flew by. Summer began its slow fade. The group convened in Deloitte for a final presentation to local luminaries. Megan Rigsby (B.F.A., interior design) began: "Our focus this summer was on trailhead design, a wayfinding package, historical research, and overall branding for the Tide to Town initiative. Safety, connection, community — this is what Tide to Town is all about, and Montgomery Crossroads is an important link in this initiative."

Talk of the town: Megan Rigsby get the final presentation rolling.

The presentation focused on case study locals Henry, Taylor, and the Nguyen family, who all had different yet connected reasons to be on the trail. It was a masterclass in concision and storytelling.

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Board of Education member Denise Grabowski observed, "Thirty of our schools are within a quarter to a half mile of the trail. What you've done here is give so many young people, families, and citizens of all ages a reason to get out onto the trail, and to enjoy being there."

What began on that first evening bike ride to Lake Mayer had succeeded. As City of Savannah transportation coordinator Harold Taylor said: "This is the future of Savannah."

School's in: Savannah-Chatham County Public School Board President Roger Moss discusses wayfinding with Suksheetha Adulla and Khue Tran.

Special thanks to everyone who attended the final presentation and those who offered advice and encouragement along the way. And to the superb students who took part in Design For Good 560: SCAD SERVE x TIDE TO TOWN SAVANNAH 2025:
 
Suksheetha Adulla (M.Arch)
Ethan Davis (M.Arch)
Sophia Haggerty (B.F.A. interior design)
Emily Hoedl (B.F.A. architecture)
Olivia Jurado (B.F.A. architecture)
Katie Luck (B.F.A. interior design)
Aranza Perez Ares Salas (B.F.A. interior design)
Paiten Prescott (B.F.A. graphic design)
Megan Rigsby (B.F.A. interior design)
Valeria Torres Parada (B.F.A. interior design)
Khue Tran (B.F.A. illustration)

When Rutuja Pawase (M.F.A., fibers, 2025) folds a piece of paper, it's not just design — it's dialogue.

In her thesis exhibition The Geometry of Making at Gallery 2424, Pawase brought viewers into a landscape where tradition and technology are collaborators. With each crease and weave, Pawase challenges the binaries between hand and machine, sacred and scalable, past and future.

"My work is moving beyond functional design into deeper explorations of meaning and cultural continuity," she says.

"Amalgamate," which received an Honorable Mention at the IDA 2024 Awards, combines hand-folded origami and digitally fabricated components in a biomimetic structure inspired by the fiddleheads of ferns and the golden spiral. "I never begin a project on the computer. It starts with paper folding, touching the material. The algorithm emerges from the hand."

This "hands-first" philosophy grounds her practice. She follows Richard Sennett's philosophy of material consciousness, a deep awareness of each material's geometric memory, its resistances, and its willingness to collaborate. In Reclaimed Tapestry, which won the Red Dot: Next Gen Award, Pawase worked with salvaged leather and discarded fabrics to explore sustainability. "Each salvaged material carried its own story," she says. "Some wanted to hold a fold, others pushed back, and in their resistance, I found new forms."

Pawase roots her design philosophy in the ideals of Rabindranath Tagore's model of "constructive Swadeshi," which champions innovation through selective integration. "This framework allows me to explore technological tools without betraying craft traditions."

Her Indian heritage informs her aesthetic vocabulary. Pawase draws inspiration from the Sri Yantra, a complex diagram composed of nine interlocking triangles. "These patterns aren't just decorative. They are ancient algorithms, visual expressions of mathematical harmony." What once was intuition is now recognized as algorithmic thinking.

"The Geometry of Making: Unfurling Geometries," 2025, Canson Mi-Teintes Paper 160 gsm, Felted-Cork boards, Origami, Laser etching, Flatbed UV resin printing. Courtesy of the artist.

This harmony between the analog and digital is central to Pawase's work. "Hand techniques carry imperfection and human touch. Digital fabrication allows for precision and repeatability. I often blend them, scanning hand-crafted elements, digitally modifying them, and returning to the physical. Technology doesn't need to create distance between maker and material. It can deepen that connection when used consciously."

At the 2025 International Textile Alliance Industry Tour, Pawase engaged with large-scale manufacturers like Valdese Weavers and Arhaus, bringing these insights to industry dialogue. "The challenge isn't choosing between artisanal integrity and scalable innovation," she says. "It's about designing systems that honor both."

Before she came to SCAD, Pawase spent four years in the fashion industry, where her experience honed her attention to detail and form and also demanded that she unlearn certain aspects. "I had to let go of trend-based thinking. I had to stop treating materials as passive substrates. Now, I see them as collaborators."

That respect for material agency extends across all her formats, including wearable art, large-scale sculptures, and even screen-printed commissions for HGTV, which was created in collaboration with fellow SCAD alum Malavika Singh Thakur.

As AI reshapes creative industries, Pawase sees potential — with caveats. "AI is an evolution of tools, not a replacement for craftsmanship," she explains. "It becomes problematic when it distances the maker from the cultural and material context. But within the right framework, one rooted in presence and material knowledge, it can be a powerful partner."

For emerging textile artists navigating a fractured design landscape, her advice is clear: "Resist binary thinking. Develop your framework. Understand your materials before you design for them."

Visit rutujapawase.xyz.

"I aim to lift artists up," says Mark Biletnikoff (M.A., creative business leadership, 2014; M.A., preservation design, 2020). "Where there's a creative spark, that's my focus, and that means empowering people regardless of their status or fame."

Speaking with the painter, curator, and community organizer is a master class unto itself. Biletnikoff flows from discussing a ten-foot curvilinear abstract canvas he's just completed to reframing the popular notion of work-life balance as his own personal "work-art balance."

Currently, the Louisiana native is curating an open call for a show at the Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge in 2026. Called One Light, the exhibition embraces artists across all disciplines and backgrounds, emphasizing an authentic definition of what inclusivity truly means.
 
Mark Biletnikoff:

"I live in Baton Rouge, where I run an artist studio complex called N the Art Space. In May, we celebrated 20 years for the space. For me, the dynamic of curating different people's artworks and seeing their evolution has led me to this portion of my journey. Providing support and encouragement are always major factors in what I do.

Recently, the Mall of Louisiana had an open storefront. It was a Forever 21 that had just closed. A massive two-level store with tons of windows, and instead of blacking it out or putting up advertising, they called me, asking 'Any chance you can fill this with art?' A week later I have 14 artists showing their work there, across all different types of media, including a tattoo artist. That's the kind of thing that makes me feel alive.

I studied painting at Southeastern Louisiana University, and after I finished undergrad, I knew I wanted to earn a master's degree at a high-caliber school where I'd make a difference. I chose to study arts administration at SCAD because, at the time, I was in the process of founding a state-run Cultural District here in Baton Rouge, which offers tax breaks and incentives for artists, and networking and educational opportunities. It fit perfectly.

Eventually, through SCADnow online, I earned my second master's degree, in preservation design. I tied my two SCAD degrees in with what I've done here in Baton Rouge over the past 20 years. Everything is coming together now as One Light.

One Light aims to promote accessibility for all creatives. The concept emphasizes that when we create, our creative energy is unified. From many individual expressions, we become "One Light." The title also underscores the idea that each artist is unique, with their own way of translating and sharing that light, fostering a sense of unity and diversity within the creative community.

We launched the open call for One Light on August 1st with an application fee of $45. The open call will go through December 31st, and then we'll review the submissions and make a final selection. One of the jurors is Denise Plauché (M.F.A., illustration, 2014), who's currently the model coordinator at SCAD Atlanta. I look forward to seeing how the jurors' selections will shape the final exhibition.

My SCAD experience remains a source of inspiration. I get stopped at gas stations and in parking lots because I have the SCAD alumni sticker in my window. I'm happy to put on my pompoms and speak highly of it as a place that supercharges creative aspirations. The clout that comes from a SCAD degree means a lot."

Learn more about One Light and connect with Mark Biletnikoff on LinkedIn.

Sydnei Berry can kick it — and she's got the sneakers to prove it.

On a muggy summer morning in Boston, Berry (M.F.A., illustration, 2024) sits in her apartment across the street from New Balance's global headquarters, where she recently completed a yearlong apprenticeship as a lifestyle footwear designer. "When you're making a shoe, anticipate the needs of the person who'll wear it," she says, nodding from experience.

The cool, colorful footwear Berry worked on at New Balance is currently flying off the shelves at Foot Locker, part of a growing global sneaker industry that exceeds $80 billion in annual sales. The Men's 2002R in pastel blue and green, the Women's 530 in blue and white, and grade-school, preschool, and toddler editions all bear Sydnei's color choices. "By creating colorways, you curate different personalities, using color to translate and pop out and add definition to the sneaker," she says.

Let it pop: the New Balance 2002R, colorways by Sydnei Berry. Image courtesy New Balance.

Berry's New Balance sneakers will continue to hit market through 2026, and while her apprenticeship's conclusion is a moment for reflection, Syd serves her backstory with unabashed exuberance. 

It was in 2022, while walking to SCAD House in Atlanta, that she saw a poster announcing a new degree program at SCAD: sneaker design.

"I was like, Oh, I want to try sneaker design from an illustrator's point of view! I spoke with [sneaker design professor] Q Williams, showed him I'm proficient in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate, and he equipped me with a VR headset and got me up to speed."

When Berry arrived for day one of Digital Sneaker Design: VR to 3D Prototype (SNKR 475), she was, she says, "taking it just for fun." Williams believed she had the potential to transform the discipline.

"Sydnei was a unicorn," Q says. "SNKR 475 was made up of an even split between industrial design students and fashion students, and Sydnei coming in as an illustration student meant she brought organic forms in her own design language. Her ability to maximize her potential in sneaker design opened up a world of possibility."

Berry's coursework combined the avant-garde and the highly practical. Mention the chunky-soled hiking sneaker she designed called Gnawing Gnasher, and Berry beams: "If an animal sees you before you see it, but they only see your feet, what message are your shoes sending?" She attributes her integrated approach to Williams: "Q encourages you to be extremely imaginative, and then he'll ask, How would we go about actually making this shoe?"

Animal logic: Gnawing Gnasher boot designed by Sydnei Berry. Copyright Sydnei Berry.

Getting grounded in materials was a process for the Augusta, Ga. native who describes her own work as "extravagant" and "exploratory."

"Coming to SCAD in 2021 for my graduate studies, I wanted to segue into fashion while still working with illustration," Berry says. "I learned that what I wanted to do is called surface design. It means adding illustrations — hand-painted, screen-printed, or done digitally — onto everything from children's toys to a rococo corset to sneakers. We're essentially storytellers and can go into whichever avenue we want to take."

Professor Phivi Spyridonos taught Berry in courses including Illustration Markets (ILLU 735) and Directed Projects for Illustration (ILLU 742) and inculcated an appreciation for the limitless potential of surface design. "Sydnei built entire narratives — layered, personal, and visually striking — through her sneaker designs and illustrations, and her ability to merge concept and design with meaning was truly exceptional," Spyridonos says. "Plus, her kindness and positivity made her really stand out."

That compelling combo — call it Syditude — kicked in as Berry completed her master's degree and saw the LinkedIn listing for the New Balance apprenticeship. "I applied with a link to my portfolio, which was something my SCAD professors drilled into me — keep your website updated at all times, you never know who's looking!"

New Balance contacted her for an interview, and "I walked them through the shoes that I'd worked on at SCAD, and they saw I knew how to work with tech packs." An ensuing conversation with New Balance VP of Lifestyle Brad Lacey led to an offer of a one-year apprenticeship in Boston.

"New Balance immersed me in their work environment right away, in meetings with designers, working hands-on on the same projects," Berry says. She calls the New Balance workplace "communal" and mentions NB Gives Back, as well as company viewing parties for the 2024 Olympics, and her own adventures exploring Boston, a city new to her. "I went kayaking on the Charles!"

Contemplating what's next, putting her best sneaker-wearing foot forward, Syd smiles and sends a "big shout-out to SCAD!" Her sneaker design professor Q Williams says it best: "Sydnei is fearless, boundless, and knows how to adapt and get her vision across. She makes it happen."

Connect with Sydnei Berry on LinkedIn!

SCAD is proud to announce that three talented students have been named 2025 Gucci Changemakers: Jeremiah Elias (B.F.A., film and television, 2026), Courtland Walters (B.F.A., jewelry, 2025), and Sydnie Hicks (B.F.A., fashion, 2026) have each been awarded this prestigious honor and a combined prize totaling $60,000. They are newly minted members of the sixth cohort for the Gucci Changemakers North America initiative.
 
The 2025 Gucci Changemaker recipients were selected from thousands of applicants across the North American continent. The Changemakers program includes a multi-year $5 million Impact Fund for non-profit organizations and a $1.5 million scholarship program, demonstrating Gucci's commitment to creating lasting social impact in our communities and the fashion industry. Established in 2019, Gucci Changemakers North America is an initiative focused on increasing inclusion and diversity.
 
"This recognition fuels my commitment to creating bold, intentional work that bridges all of my skills, knowledge, and experiences," said Elias, from Riverdale, Ga. "My portfolio reflects my growth as a storyteller, where fashion, film, and movement intersect. Each piece reflects the lessons, risks, and revelations that have shaped me, showing a version of myself that I love and that continues to evolve."
 
"I am truly honored to receive the Gucci Changemakers award — being noticed by such a pristine house is surreal," said Walters, from Detroit, Mi. "My portfolio reflects my roots, inspirations, and love for sculptural design. From the bronze ‘C' heel inspired by Chicago and Detroit architecture to sterling silver eyewear featured in Vogue, each piece tells a story of collaboration, identity, and form. Jewelry, for me, is where structure meets self-expression."
 
"I am so honored and thankful to everyone at Gucci Changemakers for believing in me and helping me to accomplish my dreams," said Hicks, of Lithonia, Ga. "My portfolio is a mix of space-age fantasy, bold denim, and dramatic silhouettes, basically everything I wish existed in the real world. I design to make fashion more magical, more chaotic (in a good way), and to remind people that being different isn't something to tone down, it's something to design louder."
 
Elias, Walters, and Hicks were chosen for their outstanding works in film, jewelry, and fashion design, respectively. Elias is the first student from SCAD Film and Acting to receive this honor and Walters is the first jewelry major from SCAD to be named a Gucci Changemaker. This year marks the first time that more than one SCAD student has received the award.
 
SCAD faculty supports these students in the classroom, and praises their achievements.
 
"Jeremiah is a talented director, producer, actor, and performance artist whose unique storytelling style blends poetic intimacy with bold shapes, striking color, and a deep curiosity about the interplay between love and power, bringing an emotional depth and visual boldness to every project he touches," said professor of film and television Nabila Lester.
 
"Court's visionary approach where bold design meets powerful storytelling makes him a trailblazer," said SCAD Chair of Jewelry Design Jay Song. "Court's audacious sensibility and cultural awareness embody the spirit of our jewelry program, and we are so proud of him."
 
"Sydnie's work is sharp, intentional, and rooted in impact," said SCAD fashion professor Andrew Fionda. "I have no doubt she'll be a force for genuine lasting change in this industry and beyond."
 
Congratulations to Jeremiah, Court, and Sydnie, and to the SCAD Gucci Changemakers recipients who preceded them:
 
●      2024 Mariana Robledo (B.F.A. fashion, 2025)
●      2022 Nathan Batra (B.F.A. fashion, 2023)
●      2021 D'on Lauren Edwards (B.F.A. fashion, 2022)
 

Learn more about Gucci Changemakers 2025.

Here’s the scoop: Ella Corbett turns tiny props into big ideas for bite-sized frozen treats. Of all the aspects of Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches that creative marketing specialist Corbett (B.F.A., advertising, 2024) works on — influencer marketing, social media management, content creation, and more — one element may come as a surprise.

“The funniest thing is that our ice cream sandwiches are small. So, we have to source tiny props,” Corbett says. “And that's, like, such an important part of our day.”

As the art director for photoshoots, Corbett scours thrift and art supply stores. It’s not unusual for her to field a call from her boss announcing she’s spotted dollhouse benches and umbrellas out in the wild. Miniature beach chairs at Michael’s?  "I don't know what other people are using them for, but we're going to put ice cream sandwiches on them," Corbett says.

Totally chillin': Food styling by Diana Jeffra. Photography by Tyler Darden. Courtesy of Nightingale Ice Cream Co.

Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches first took shape in a Richmond, Va., restaurant kitchen and are now stocked at Kroger, Costco, and Whole Foods. Its founding owners, pastry chef Hannah Pollack and Belgian chef Xavier Meers, prize premium ingredients like 14% butterfat ice cream, fresh-baked cookies, and fresh produce. Corbett joined the team in January 2025 as the company prepared to launch its cult offerings like Banana Pudding, Strawberry Shortcake, and Cookie Monster at 2,400 Kroger stores nationwide.

When the job posting first popped up, Corbett was living in Richmond and seeking an in-person role. (In a full-circle moment, she had filmed a TikTok about the brand two years prior for a SCAD class project.) She reached out via DM to company leaders to introduce herself, express her interest, and share her skills. She soon found herself in a Zoom interview and felt connected to the company’s vision and team right away.

“I love Nightingale,” Corbett says. “Prior to me joining, they'd done a flavor collab with Duke's Mayonnaise, so I could tell they were so into fun, and I'm all about that.”

Corbett calls her job “a unicorn role, because I do a little bit of everything." Her day-to-day combines her creative interests across design, social media, copywriting, and video — the same mix of storytelling that inspired her to major in advertising and branding at SCAD. In one of her most memorable early assignments, she created mood boards and a vibe for each flavor in Nightingale’s limited-edition Spring Pâtisserie collection.

Blanket coverage. Food styling by Diana Jeffra. Photography by Tyler Darden. Courtesy of Nightingale Ice Cream Co.

She often takes inspiration from the beauty industry, as well as keeping tabs on fellow food brands. Her lifestyle shoots for Raspberry Croissant, Just Peachy Crisp, and Lemon Meringue Pie were a smash hit. And the brand’s fans — including a recent effusive DM from the bassist of My Chemical Romance, Corbett’s favorite middle-school band — couldn’t be more on board as the company flourishes.

"For one of our upcoming winter flavors, I had this crazy idea: What if we froze an ice cream sandwich in a block of ice and then melted it to make a gif?” Corbett says. “I called the food stylist and she was like, ‘We can do that.'"

As Corbett continues to churn out innovative campaigns and build the Nightingale brand, one thing's for certain: she has found her perfect flavor of success. "SCAD really prepared me for being ready to work with other people and to be a great collaborator."

View more of Ella Corbett’s work at byellacorbett.com.