Who is Comma?
OUR CURRENT STUDENT LEADERS
NIA MUSIBA
She/Hers
Junior / Graduating 2022
Nia is an artist and designer passionate about the primary colors, representation, and embracing vulnerability. When she's not in school, you might catch her painting murals or hanging out at Outlet.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
NAOMI LIKAYI
She/Her
Junior / Graduating 2022
Naomi Likayi is a first-gen Congolese American, majoring in Graphic Design at Portland State University. Illustration and design is an outlet for her to express herself and capture the nuances of her subjects and inspirations. She is also a student leader for Comma, a community of BIPOC designers and part of the PSU AIGA student chapter. In the future, she hopes to make daring and energetic work that can inspire and pay homage to her linage.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
SONIA CHAVEZ-GIRON
She/Her
Senior / Graduating 2021
My name is Sonia. I’m a senior in the design program. I’m a first generation college student and I am Mexican American. During my free time, one of the things I enjoy doing is volunteering with a local nonprofit organization in Salem, OR. We help young BIPOC find a voice for themselves and encourage them to bring awareness to issues that directly impact their community. After I get my Bachelor’s degree in Design I hope to work at a nonprofit and implement the things I learned at PSUGD into that aspect of my life.
SYD DOLZINE
They/Them
Syd is a white, trans-nonbinary designer who focuses on social and environmental sustainability through brand, illustration, motion, and spatial design. They work on projects in hopes to further develop conversations and connections that revolve around accessibility and community building.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
JERALYN MEDRANO
She/Her/Hers
Graduating Spring 2021
Jeralyn is a Filipino-American designer in Portland, OR. She believes in the power of diversity in design and values the importance of culture and community. She loves connecting with others about representation in the arts. She is currently finishing up her last terms at Portland State University as a student leader for the school’s Filipino-American Student Association. When she’s not designing, she enjoys reading comics and catching up with her film watchlist.
OUR AMAZING FACULTY SUPPORT
Precious Bugarin
Precious Bugarin is a creative director, designer and educator. She uses design as a language for equity to connect nonprofits to supporters, students to design aspirations, entrepreneurs to bigger audiences and diverse voices through creative events. She advises Comma along with Stephen Lee.
Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Portland State University, where he advises the group Comma along with Precious Bugarin. His practice includes interactive, experience, branding, and motion design. A Korean-American, he has lived in various parts of the United States and abroad and is interested in expanding the range of cultural influences in design.
PAST STUDENT LEADERS
JULES CORDOVA
She/Her
Graduated 2020
Jules is a queer Latinx designer, ceramicist and aspiring community builder + educator. She’s currently working as a contractor at Instrument and in her free time co runs POOL Resources, throws ceramics and hangs out with her dog.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
Email Me
@julesdoesart
@pool_resources
LEXI MARION
She/Her
Graduated 2020
Lexi is a designer who believes in design that is rooted in the human experience. Her identity as a black woman influences much of her design, and she is interested in projects that explore branding, spatial/experiential design, and a general willingness to break the rules. Her ideas are often bold, a little bit out there, and tell a story. She is currently working as a designer at Owen Jones.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
KIERRAH BYRD
She/Her
Graduated 2020
Kierrah believe's design should be friendly and approachable. She is a storyteller, designer, and community organizer who empowers underrepresented communities in her work. Social justice is at the forefront of everything she does, as she has always been an advocate for those whose voices are not as strong as hers. This attitude is manifested through large floods of color and friendly typefaces present in her work.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
ERIKA NATHANIELSZ
She/Her
Graduated 2020
Erika is a Graphic Designer based in Portland, OR. She cares deeply about diversity in design, and making design more diverse/accessible overall. She is currently a Jr. Designer at Kamp Grizzly.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
JACOB SALAZAR
He/Him/His
Graduated Fall 2019
Jacob is a designer dedicated to creating work that exists at the forefront of culture. He values pushing the boundaries of what we consider to fall under the pop culture umbrella, while remembering to take a step back and remind people what’s important. These ideas are brought to life through page layout & editorial design, branding & identities, design for campaigns, and apparel design.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
MARS CASTRO
She/Her
Graduated Fall 2019
MARS CASTRO is a Mexican designer whose cultural background has influenced the loud, energetic, and narrative qualities within her work. She loves diving deep into research, connecting with others, and creating lasting experiences. Mars is looking to work with designers that value community and challenge design conventions.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
DEIDRA J. MCKNIGHT
she/her/hers
Graduated Spring 2019
Deidra J. McKnight (DJ) is a Caribbean-American Graphic Designer who has various interests from branding, page design, illustration, and pattern design. When she is not designing you can find her experimenting in her sketchbooks, learning Korean, and trying her best to keep her curls moisturized.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
ABBY LEE
She/Her
Graduated 2019
Abby is a designer from Honolulu, Hawaii who loves all things color and creating hand-drawn illustrations/type! She is currently a designer at Design Asylum in Honolulu and is interested in fun creative projects exploring branding and illustration. Her favorite things in life include sushi, Disneyland, and hanging out with friends.
Want mentorship, extra pair of eyes on your portfolio or just wanna talk? Reach out to me!
MAGGY HONG
She/Her
Graduated 2019
Maggy is a designer focused on building relationships. She enjoys design because it allows her to connect with people in a meaningful way, problem solve, and tell a story visually. She's currently working as a freelancer and enjoys traveling (pre covid) in her free time.