Diversify by Design Announces 2024/2025 Winners of AIGA Worldstudio DxD Scholarships

In its 29th year, the program awards $35,500 in scholarships to students across the country.

Diversify by Design (DxD) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024/2025 AIGA Worldstudio DxD Scholarships. Awarded annually, the program aims to increase diversity in the design profession by creating equitable opportunities for the next generation of creative talent. The scholarships are awarded to students enrolled at colleges and universities in the U.S. who demonstrate a commitment to positive social change, environmental responsibility, and cultural awareness. Jurors selected 16 students to receive awards for the 2024/2025 academic year in three categories: Communication Design, Illustration, and Photography. 

This year 16 applications were recommended for awards—Elleven $3,000 scholarships and five $500 honorable mentions—for a grand total of $35,500. 

“As a previous AIGA WorldStudio Scholarship recipient (2014), I received wonderful support, acknowledgement, and access to resources that I would have not have received from other scholarship opportunities. I know future recipients will cherish the award, for they will represent a demographic that does not get the design recognition they deserve.” – Sadie Red Wing, Assistant Professor in Faculty of Design at OCAD U

“In addition to the funds the students receive, the recognition from their future peers in the design community is just as valuable. It is only with the help of a dedicated and thoughtful jury of talented professionals that we are able to do this.” – Mark Randall, Founder and Creative Director at Worldstudio

The 2024/2025 scholarship recipients are:

Communications Design, Total Awarded: $16,000

• Aleya Knight-Jackson, College Sophomore, University of Cincinnati
• Audeep Cariens, College Junior, Washington University in St. Louis
• Camille Gonzalez, Graduate Student, Minneapolis College of Art and Design
• Neha Marina, College Junior, Parsons School of Design
• Tyrone-Evans Clark, College Junior, Full Sail University
• Xena Keo, College Senior, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
• Zachary Deocadiz, Graduate Student, Harvard Graduate School of Design

Illustration, Total Awarded: $12,000

• Aspen Wood, College Freshmen, Cleveland Institute of Art
• Kayin Bann, College Freshmen, Rhode Island School of Design
• Mayta Vizcarra Wood, College Sophomore, Institute of American Indian Arts
• Melike Kara, College Freshmen, Pratt Institute
• Tori Hong, Graduate Student, Rhode Island School of Design

Photography, Total Awarded: $7,500

• Elizabeth Sarpong, College Sophomore, Joliet Junior College
• Gabo Azurdia, College Senior, Lesley university
• Kia Pooler, Graduate Student, American Film Institute
• Xelestial Moreno-Luz, Graduate Student, University Of California, San Diego

Special thank you to the 2024/2025 jurors:

Our jurors aren't just judges; they're trailblazers in the world of design, dedicated to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for underrepresented talent in the creative fields.

We are extremely grateful for their participation as they not only embody the spirit of diversity and creativity, but positive change, as well.

The 2024/2025 scholarship jurors are:

Communication Design

• Antionette Carroll, President and CEO (Founder), Creative Reaction Lab and Institute of Equitable Design & Justice
• Doug Powell, Executive Design Leader, former IBM & Expedia
• Kelly Walters, Founder, Bright Polka Dot; Assistant Professor, The New School
• Omari Souza, Assistant Professor, University of North Texas
• Sadie Red Wing, Assistant Professor in Faculty of Design, OCAD U
• Womo Iyegha, Product Design Leader, Intuit

Illustration

• Alyah Holmes, Illustrator & Designer
• Antonio Alcala, Founder and Creative Director, Studio A; Art Director, USPS, Stamp Development
• Dian Holton, Senior Deputy Art Director, AARP

Photography

• Neebin Southall, Communications Writer, Institute of American Indian Arts

Partners

• Tom Koken, Designer, Worldstudio / Worldstudio Foundation
• Mark Randall, Founder and Creative Director, Worldstudio

This program would not be possible without the generous support of our donors, most notably the Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation who have been supporting the scholarships for many years. 

Learn more about DxD AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships.