Xinyi Shao is a visual designer based in Brooklyn, NY, specializing in brand identity, editorial design and research. Her work has been recognized and awarded by Core77 Awards, TDC, Graphis Awards, Communication Arts Awards, Creative Communication Awards, IDA Design Awards. Influenced by her former finance background, her emphasis on reasoning and precision has made her value research and process, which brings originality and depth to her work. Within a root in typography and interests in technology, she explores new ways of making according to the rapidly changing world and media environment. She holds an MFA in graphic design from ArtCenter College of Design and a BS from Southern University of Science and Technology.

I’m Verena Michelitsch, an independent designer and art director from Austria by way of New York City. I specialize in conceptualizing and creating unique visual expressions, spanning graphic design, art direction, illustration, pattern, editorial, and digital design. I’ve had the pleasure to work with an array of international studios and clients, including Apple, Nasa/JPL, Facebook, Red Bull, The Smithsonian and Opening Ceremony. I work from my studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Textile Designer

Lotta Nieminen is a multidisciplinary designer and illustrator from Helsinki, Finland. She has studied graphic design and illustration at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and the Rhode Island School of Design, and has worked as a freelancer in both fields since 2006. After working for fashion magazine Trendi in Finland andPentagram Design in New York, Lotta is now based in NYC, working for design studio RoAndCo. In 2010, Lotta received the Art Directors ClubYoung Guns 8 award and was selected by Print magazine for its annual New Visual Artists review, highlighting 20 international rising designers under the age of 30. Her work has also won honorable mentions at Vuoden Huiput (Best of Finnish advertising and graphic design) as well as in various logo competitions. She has illustrated for the likes of clients such as United Airlines,International Herald Tribune Magazine,Monocle and Bloomberg Businessweek. As an illustrator, Lotta is represented by illustration agency Agent Pekka.

Josh Cochran works as an illustrator based in Brooklyn specializing in bright, dense and conceptual drawings. His work ranges quite a bit from editorial drawings to large scale installations and murals. He has a number of side projects, and sometimes exhibits his work in galleries. Josh currently has a children's book published by Big Picture Press, "Inside Out: New York".