Iowa State graphic design senior Ton Ngoc receives 2026 Janice Peterson Anderson Medallion Award  

u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAboveu003c/strongu003e: Ton Ngoc.u003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eMay 6, 2026u003c/emu003ernrnAMES, Iowa — Ton Ngoc, an Iowa State University senior in graphic design, is the recipient of the 2026 Janice Peterson Anderson (JPA) Medallion Award in Design.rnrnEstablished in 1968 in memory of 1960 Iowa State graduate Janice Peterson Anderson, the award is presented annually to an outstanding graduating senior in art, graphic design, or interior design who “shows the greatest potential for distinguished work in design.”rnrnThree finalists for the award—one from each major—are first selected as the top graduating students in their programs. These finalists then exhibit portfolios of work for review by an interdisciplinary faculty committee, which determines the medallion winner.rnrnFinalists this year were Ngoc, from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; art senior Ella Christensen, from Des Moines; and interior design senior Macy Rieser, from Omaha, Neb. They shared their work in the “u003ca href=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/events/2026-jpa-medallion-exhibition/u0022u003e2026 JPA Medallion Exhibitionu003c/au003e” in the College of Design’s Gallery 181.rnrnu003cimg class=u0022size-large wp-image-62650u0022 src=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ADAI-2025-entries-resize-7-scaled-e1778099666875-1024×689.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0026quot;Shapes of Saigon, Vietnamu0026quot; by Ton Ngoc.u0022 width=u00221024u0022 height=u0022689u0022 /u003e u003cemu003eu0022Shapes of Saigon, Vietnamu0022 by Ton Ngoc.u003c/emu003ernrn“The jury was impressed by the breadth of Ton Ngoc’s work and by her skillful handling of several media and styles. Her portfolio demonstrated technical versatility and a strong creative voice,” said Peter Scheidt, assistant professor of art and visual culture and member of the JPA Medallion selection committee.rnrn“We felt her combination of range, consistency, and artistic and design maturity made her especially deserving of this year’s award,” he said.rnrnNgoc will receive her JPA Medallion Award at the u003ca href=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/events/assembled-graphic-design-graduation-exhibition-reception/u0022u003e“Assembled: Graphic Design Graduation Exhibition” receptionu003c/au003e on Friday, May 15. All three students will graduate with their bachelor of fine arts from Iowa State at the university’s u003ca href=u0022https://www.graduation.iastate.edu/u0022u003eUndergraduate Commencement Ceremony #2u003c/au003e on Saturday, May 16.rnu003ch2u003eAbout the honoreeu003c/h2u003ernu003cimg class=u0022 wp-image-62645u0022 src=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TonNgoc_ThreeHeadsSixArms_image1-1-1024×775.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0026quot;Three Heads Six Armsu0026quot; illustration by Ton Ngoc, 2025.u0022 width=u0022370u0022 height=u0022280u0022 /u003e u0022Three Heads Six Armsu0022 illustration by Ton Ngoc, 2025.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://tonngc.com/ngoc-tonu0022u003eNgocu003c/au003e is a multidisciplinary designer who focuses on bold storytelling, cultural connection, and interactive design. Working across print, digital, and interactive media, she explores identity, inner emotional landscapes, and complex social issues, with an emphasis on work that asks questions as much as it communicates answers, she said.rnrn“Through my art, I hope to inspire people to pause, contemplate, advocate for collective progress, and foster community action toward a more inclusive and empathetic future,” Ngoc said. “I believe that art and design are powerful communication tools, capable of resonating with deep emotional truths and motivating others to take action.”rnrnHer work has earned local, national, and international recognition. In 2025, she received the ADAI (Art Directors Association of Iowa) Harry K. Watts Scholarship through Iowa State’s Department of Graphic Design. Her projects have been recognized by the World Illustration Awards and AIGA Flux, and in 2026, she was named a Graphic Design USA “Student to Watch,” a national distinction highlighting emerging talent in the field.rnrnu003cspan style=u0022font-size: 1rem;u0022u003eOne of her most personal and popular projects, the “Babygirlism” animated sticker set she developed in her Graphic Design Studio III course, has garnered more than 80 million views on u003c/spanu003eu003ca style=u0022font-size: 1rem;u0022 href=u0022https://giphy.com/tonngc77u0022u003eGIPHu003c/au003eu003ca style=u0022font-size: 1rem;u0022 href=u0022https://giphy.com/tonngc77u0022u003eYu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022font-size: 1rem;u0022u003e.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cimg class=u0022wp-image-62649u0022 src=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BabygorlismAnimatedStickerSet_01-1024×554.pngu0022 alt=u0022u0026quot;Babygorlism Sticker Sheetu0026quot; by Ton Ngoc.u0022 width=u0022309u0022 height=u0022167u0022 /u003e u003cemu003eL: u0022Babygorlismu0022 gif by Ton Ngoc. u003cbr /u003eR: u0022Babygorlism Sticker Sheetu0022 by Ton Ngoc.u003c/emu003ernrnu003cimg class=u0022alignright wp-image-62648u0022 src=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gif-2.gifu0022 alt=u0022Motion graphic from the u0026quot;Babygorlism Sticker Sheetu0026quot; by Ton Ngoc. GIF says u0026quot;Babygorlism.u0026quot;u0022 width=u0022146u0022 height=u0022146u0022 /u003ernu003cp class=u0022text-align-leftu0022u003e“Receiving the JPA Medallion signifies an incredible affirmation of my hard work and dedication. It’s a tangible reminder that my journey is meaningful and that I’m on the right path,” Ngoc said.u003c/pu003ern“Looking ahead, I am eager to explore a wider array of artistic mediums and design tools to expand my skill set and push the boundaries of my creativity. I also hope to connect with amazing individuals in the field, collaborating and learning from them as I continue to grow.”rnrnu0026nbsp;rnu003ch2u003eAbout the finalistu003c/h2u003ernu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-62636u0022 src=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1-300×200.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Ella Christensenu0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022200u0022 /u003e Ella ChristensenrnrnChristensen is a mixed-media artist whose work explores overconsumption and the cycle of human-made materials returning to the earth. Combining painting, textiles, and photography, she creates layered, process-driven pieces that incorporate found objects, reused materials, and scraps from past work.rnrnHer practice emphasizes texture, translucency, and depth, using cycles of making and reworking to reflect themes of decomposition, environmental impact, and reclamation.rnrnRieser creates intentional, human-centered spaces that connect people to place through thoughtful spatial storytelling. Her work spans retail, educational, and workplace environments, with each element designed to enhance how users experience and navigate a space.rnrnu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-62635u0022 src=u0022https://www.design.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_5678-1-300×178.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Macy Reiseru0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022178u0022 /u003e Macy ReiserrnrnHer recent projects include a law firm concept developed for the Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition, where she was named a top finalist; a Bottega Veneta retail environment exploring reflective materiality and customizable layouts; and the Tiguex Children’s Library, which draws from Pueblo architecture to support literacy and cultural connection in New Mexico. Across her work, Rieser emphasizes purpose, narrative, and user experience to create meaningful, immersive environments.rnrn“The overall quality of the work presented was highly impressive,” said Christopher Scott, assistant teaching professor of graphic design and member of the JPA Medallion selection committee. “Individually, each student produced work that was creative, personal, and reflective of a clearly defined emerging voice. While their areas of focus were distinct, it was compelling to see the underlying connections across their work.”rnu003ch3u003eContactu003c/h3u003ernSky Wilson, Communications Specialist, College of Design, skyw@iastate.edurnrn-30-