Student of Distinction: Isabella Gonzalez

Isabella Gonzalez is the undergraduate student of distinction from the Department of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design.

“Isabella is a remarkable person and creative designer whose qualifications are commendable. She excels in her coursework, specifically in the advanced graphic design courses where she has produced exceptional projects that exemplify outstanding design, research, creativity and craftsmanship,” said Martin R Valencia, Professor, Graphic Design/Illustration. 

Gonzalez grew up in the Central Valley. She’s bilingual and can speak English and Spanish, a skill attributed to her by her grandparents. At Fresno State, Gonzalez earned scholarships from the Adolf Odorfer Family in 2019 and 2020. She also interned and worked for Fresno State’s Department of Art and Design under Assistant Professor Ahran Koo,  Ph.D. and MFA, on an array of projects.

In Fall 2020, Gonzalez began her internship at the Office of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State as a student graphics assistant. 

“Here I got to develop and design logos for small businesses, including posters and promotional pieces,” said Gonzalez. “This time was really special, as I had the chance to make local businesses stand apart from their competition with design.”

“She is a thoughtful researcher and a committed scholar who brings a depth of meaning to her design solutions, always exceeding the expectations of an assignment or project brief,” Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Virginia Patterson said.

During her time at Fresno State, Gonzalez has worked on various graphic designing projects, displaying her dedication to getting professional experience in her field while giving back to her community. After graduation, Isabella intends to pursue her interest in graphic design by working for a design firm.