MILLIGAN, Tenn. (April 10, 2026) – Seniors in Milligan University’s graphic design program will display their creative work in a showcase titled “Intersection” on display in the Milligan Art Gallery in Derthick Hall from April 12–17.
An opening reception will be held on Sunday, April 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The showcase features pieces by graphic design seniors Mary Grace Bitting, of Waxhaw, North Carolina; Ariana Floyd, of Bristol, Tennessee; Nathan McKissick, of Gulfport, Mississippi; and Marnie Tallon, of Houston, Texas.
The title for this year’s exhibit, “Intersection,” was a concept conceived by Floyd. She described “Intersection” as a meeting point for the four graphic design seniors.
“Each designer brings their own perspective, style and visual language,” Floyd shared. “Together, they converge in a shared space. The showcase highlights how individual creativity can intersect to create new meaning.”
Floyd enjoys exploring the use of texture, composition and vector-based design. She is motivated by the idea that design rarely has a single solution, and she enjoys exploring multiple directions in her designs.
Ultimately, Floyd is driven in her designs by something written on the sides of a Bible by a close friend who passed away. She had written to “walk the Earth and leave footprints of love.” Graphic design is Floyd’s avenue for leaving a lasting impression.
Bitting is a double major in graphic design and accounting. She appreciates how both majors help her approach visual communication problems from various angles.
“My background in accounting enables me to apply analytical thinking, organization and attention to detail to my design work, and my graphic design background allows me to translate my ideas in a compelling visual way,” said Bitting.
Bitting pursued a graphic design major because she always enjoyed painting and drawing, and she knew graphic design would help her incorporate those passions into a professional setting.
For Tallon, Milligan’s graphic design program helped her grow confidence in her skills and her use of design programs and tools. She recounts that she entered the program dreading applications like Adobe InDesign and now, she loves working with it.
Tallon emphasizes that at a time with so much impersonal AI and Canva templates for design, she always tries to produce designs with a friendly, hand-drawn look.
For McKissick, the graphic design major appealed to his approach to problem solving through a lens of simplicity. His next steps involve attending the University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a Master of Education in order to pursue a career teaching the concepts and fundamentals of graphic design to high schoolers.
Milligan’s graphic design program teaches the elements of design and how to apply them across various media, in addition to the fundamental skills, theories, principles and technologies necessary for design work. Central to all design and art majors at Milligan is the integration of the Christian liberal arts.
For more information on Milligan’s visual and communicative arts program, visit www.milligan.edu/pvc.
