Favorite Typeface: Baskerville
Favorite Software: Illustrator
Dream Job: Graphic Designer for Disney
Melissa is a Graphic Designer based in Tampa, Florida who will be graduating with a BSD in Graphic Design in May 2025. She currently works as a Freelance Graphic Designer, where she has developed a strong foundation in branding, print layout, brand identity, and digital asset creation. Her work is driven by a passion for thoughtful design, clear visual communication, and creating meaningful connections between brands and their audiences. Melissa enjoys collaborating with clients to bring ideas to life through clean, intentional, and engaging design solutions. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband and three young children.
View portfolio here.
Over Construction in Florida
Paving Paradise
Florida’s ecosystem is rapidly declining as overdevelopment continues to reshape the state’s natural landscape. Driven by population growth, tourism, and expanding infrastructure, millions of acres of wetlands, forests, and agricultural land have been cleared or fragmented. This loss of habitat threatens wildlife, disrupts migration patterns, and accelerates declines in biodiversity. Development has also severely impacted water quality, as runoff from roads, lawns, agriculture, and septic systems fuels toxic algae blooms that pollute rivers, springs, and coastal waters. The removal of wetlands further increases flooding risks, leaving communities more vulnerable to hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and sea-level rise. Together, these changes weaken Florida’s natural systems and diminish the environmental, economic, and cultural value of the state. The issue highlights a growing tension between unchecked growth and the urgent need for sustainable land-use planning and conservation.
View senior book here.