writers
Betsy Porter
Betsy Porter
Betsy Porter
Creative Director
Creative Director
Creative Director
Betsy Porter is a senior at UNC majoring in Media and Journalism and Business Administration, with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Her passion for media began early: at 10 years old, she built an Instagram fan page dedicated to her favorite Olympic gymnasts, creating photo and video edits for an audience of more than 45,000 followers.
She continued developing her visual and editorial skills at Cape Fear Academy, where she served as editor-in-chief of the yearbook, section editor of the student newspaper, and design co-editor of the literary magazine.
While at UNC, Betsy won three international design awards for her infographics created in Terence Oliver’s Information Graphics course. This past fall, she served as a Co-Creative Director for Rewind Magazine, leading key design and content decisions in Oliver’s Magazine Design course.
Outside of class, Betsy has blended her creative background with her interest in marketing strategy to carve out a niche in visual branding. She began working at 1893 Brand Studio as a graphic designer, creating social media assets for local clients – before becoming Design Team Lead and, eventually, an Account Manager.
After graduation, she hopes to channel her love for design, strategy, and storytelling into a marketing career within the fashion or music industries.
Betsy Porter is a senior at UNC majoring in Media and Journalism and Business Administration, with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Her passion for media began early: at 10 years old, she built an Instagram fan page dedicated to her favorite Olympic gymnasts, creating photo and video edits for an audience of more than 45,000 followers.
She continued developing her visual and editorial skills at Cape Fear Academy, where she served as editor-in-chief of the yearbook, section editor of the student newspaper, and design co-editor of the literary magazine.
While at UNC, Betsy won three international design awards for her infographics created in Terence Oliver’s Information Graphics course. This past fall, she served as a Co-Creative Director for Rewind Magazine, leading key design and content decisions in Oliver’s Magazine Design course.
Outside of class, Betsy has blended her creative background with her interest in marketing strategy to carve out a niche in visual branding. She began working at 1893 Brand Studio as a graphic designer, creating social media assets for local clients – before becoming Design Team Lead and, eventually, an Account Manager.
After graduation, she hopes to channel her love for design, strategy, and storytelling into a marketing career within the fashion or music industries.
Betsy Porter is a senior at UNC majoring in Media and Journalism and Business Administration, with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Her passion for media began early: at 10 years old, she built an Instagram fan page dedicated to her favorite Olympic gymnasts, creating photo and video edits for an audience of more than 45,000 followers.
She continued developing her visual and editorial skills at Cape Fear Academy, where she served as editor-in-chief of the yearbook, section editor of the student newspaper, and design co-editor of the literary magazine.
While at UNC, Betsy won three international design awards for her infographics created in Terence Oliver’s Information Graphics course. This past fall, she served as a Co-Creative Director for Rewind Magazine, leading key design and content decisions in Oliver’s Magazine Design course.
Outside of class, Betsy has blended her creative background with her interest in marketing strategy to carve out a niche in visual branding. She began working at 1893 Brand Studio as a graphic designer, creating social media assets for local clients – before becoming Design Team Lead and, eventually, an Account Manager.
After graduation, she hopes to channel her love for design, strategy, and storytelling into a marketing career within the fashion or music industries.
Nora Lyons
Nora Lyons
Nora Lyons
Creative Director
Creative Director
Creative Director
Nora Lyons is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in Media and Journalism with a focus in Advertising and Public Relations. She has completed a certificate in Fashion Communication and Marketing and is pursuing a minor in Studio Art, where she explores photography and digital illustration.
Creativity is at the core of Nora’s work, and she is passionate about pushing the boundaries of conventional design. With over two years of experience in the field, she is well-versed in the Adobe Creative Suite and has developed a strong interest in editorial design. While editorial work is her niche, she is skilled across many areas of visual communication and aspires to become a creative director. Her education at the Hussman School has equipped her with a multifaceted foundation, including experience art directing photoshoots, developing advertising campaigns, and working in collaborative, newsroom-style environments with tight deadlines. This experience has led her to become Director of Design for Coulture Magazine, UNC-Chapel Hill's premier fashion publication. This past fall, she served as a Co-Creative Director for Rewind Magazine, leading key design and content decisions in Oliver’s Magazine Design course.
Nora’s personal design style emphasizes bold experimentation and transforming each page into a piece of art. She gravitates toward playful typography, striking graphic elements, and unconventional layouts that challenge expectations. Her work brings a youthful, imaginative energy, with particular passion for fashion, beauty, pop culture, and lifestyle publications. Guided by the phrase “spectacular mundane,” she strives to find the extraordinary within the ordinary and infuses that perspective into her creative work. For Nora, the simple pleasures of everyday life are rich with beauty and inspiration, and they fuel her desire to create.
Nora Lyons is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in Media and Journalism with a focus in Advertising and Public Relations. She has completed a certificate in Fashion Communication and Marketing and is pursuing a minor in Studio Art, where she explores photography and digital illustration.
Creativity is at the core of Nora’s work, and she is passionate about pushing the boundaries of conventional design. With over two years of experience in the field, she is well-versed in the Adobe Creative Suite and has developed a strong interest in editorial design. While editorial work is her niche, she is skilled across many areas of visual communication and aspires to become a creative director. Her education at the Hussman School has equipped her with a multifaceted foundation, including experience art directing photoshoots, developing advertising campaigns, and working in collaborative, newsroom-style environments with tight deadlines. This experience has led her to become Director of Design for Coulture Magazine, UNC-Chapel Hill's premier fashion publication. This past fall, she served as a Co-Creative Director for Rewind Magazine, leading key design and content decisions in Oliver’s Magazine Design course.
Nora’s personal design style emphasizes bold experimentation and transforming each page into a piece of art. She gravitates toward playful typography, striking graphic elements, and unconventional layouts that challenge expectations. Her work brings a youthful, imaginative energy, with particular passion for fashion, beauty, pop culture, and lifestyle publications. Guided by the phrase “spectacular mundane,” she strives to find the extraordinary within the ordinary and infuses that perspective into her creative work. For Nora, the simple pleasures of everyday life are rich with beauty and inspiration, and they fuel her desire to create.
Nora Lyons is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in Media and Journalism with a focus in Advertising and Public Relations. She has completed a certificate in Fashion Communication and Marketing and is pursuing a minor in Studio Art, where she explores photography and digital illustration.
Creativity is at the core of Nora’s work, and she is passionate about pushing the boundaries of conventional design. With over two years of experience in the field, she is well-versed in the Adobe Creative Suite and has developed a strong interest in editorial design. While editorial work is her niche, she is skilled across many areas of visual communication and aspires to become a creative director. Her education at the Hussman School has equipped her with a multifaceted foundation, including experience art directing photoshoots, developing advertising campaigns, and working in collaborative, newsroom-style environments with tight deadlines. This experience has led her to become Director of Design for Coulture Magazine, UNC-Chapel Hill's premier fashion publication. This past fall, she served as a Co-Creative Director for Rewind Magazine, leading key design and content decisions in Oliver’s Magazine Design course.
Nora’s personal design style emphasizes bold experimentation and transforming each page into a piece of art. She gravitates toward playful typography, striking graphic elements, and unconventional layouts that challenge expectations. Her work brings a youthful, imaginative energy, with particular passion for fashion, beauty, pop culture, and lifestyle publications. Guided by the phrase “spectacular mundane,” she strives to find the extraordinary within the ordinary and infuses that perspective into her creative work. For Nora, the simple pleasures of everyday life are rich with beauty and inspiration, and they fuel her desire to create.
Allison Ranatza
Allison Ranatza
Allison Ranatza
Digital Director
Digital Director
Digital Director
Allison Ranatza (they/she) is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Information Science and Journalism. In the Hussman School, Allison first fell in love with graphic design in the intro course, MEJO 182, where they were taught basic skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, beginning a newfound passion for design and eagerness to learn more. In MEJO 482, Allison began designing magazine spreads with a feature on the Apple TV Show, Severance, pushing her to explore Magazine Design as a capstone course. Allison's spreads for Rewind include For the Record: Top Songs from 2000-2010, and Virtual Worlds, which delves into the online games that shaped the 2000s.
With graphic design skills in hand, Allison moved back into their Information Science major to combine the two fields and pursue User Experience Design - an intersection of design, technology, and human-interaction. In Computer Science for Social Good, Allison does research and UX Design to create websites for nonprofit organizations. In the spring, Allison will continue down this path, working as a UX Engineer I Intern at Cisco, aiming to begin a professional career in UX Design, implementation, usability, and accessibility for all.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allison-ranatza | Website: allisonranatza.com
Allison Ranatza (they/she) is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Information Science and Journalism. In the Hussman School, Allison first fell in love with graphic design in the intro course, MEJO 182, where they were taught basic skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, beginning a newfound passion for design and eagerness to learn more. In MEJO 482, Allison began designing magazine spreads with a feature on the Apple TV Show, Severance, pushing her to explore Magazine Design as a capstone course. Allison's spreads for Rewind include For the Record: Top Songs from 2000-2010, and Virtual Worlds, which delves into the online games that shaped the 2000s.
With graphic design skills in hand, Allison moved back into their Information Science major to combine the two fields and pursue User Experience Design - an intersection of design, technology, and human-interaction. In Computer Science for Social Good, Allison does research and UX Design to create websites for nonprofit organizations. In the spring, Allison will continue down this path, working as a UX Engineer I Intern at Cisco, aiming to begin a professional career in UX Design, implementation, usability, and accessibility for all.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allison-ranatza | Website: allisonranatza.com
Allison Ranatza is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Information Science and Journalism. In the Hussman School, Allison first fell in love with journalism in MEJO 182: Intro to Graphic Design, where she was taught basic skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, beginning her newfound passion for design and eagerness to learn more. In MEJO 482, she began designing magazine spreads with a feature on the Apple TV Show, Severance, pushing her to explore Magazine Design as a capstone course. Allison's spreads for Rewind include For the Record: Top Songs from 2000-2010, and Virtual Worlds, which dives into the online games that shaped the 2000s.
With graphic design skills in hand, Allison moved back into her Information Science major to combine the two fields and pursue User Experience Design - a major intersection of design, technology, and human-interaction. In Computer Science for Social Good, Allison helps create websites for nonprofit organizations. In the spring, Allison will be working as a UX Engineer I Intern at Cisco, aiming to begin a professional career in UX Design and Usability.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allison-ranatza
Website: allisonranatza.com
MK Ferrell
MK Ferrell
MK Ferrell
Assistant Digital Director
Assistant Digital Director
Assistant Digital Director
Martha Kate is a graphic designer from Wilmington, North Carolina and a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her passion for creativity began in childhood, when every available piece of paper became a space for drawing, imagining, and experimenting. What started as simple doodles eventually grew into a deep appreciation for visual expression and communication. Over time, she became captivated by graphic design’s ability to transform ideas into meaningful, engaging visuals. She is especially drawn to the balance between structure and creativity, the way typography, color, imagery, and composition work together to tell a story or evoke an emotion.
She loves designing around topics such as fashion, food, culture, and lifestyle, often incorporating a clean, intentional, and aesthetically driven approach. Her work is inspired by everyday beauty, thoughtful details, and the power of design to shape how people experience the world around them. As her style continues to evolve, she remains focused on creating visually compelling work that feels authentic, expressive, and impactful.
Martha Kate is a graphic designer from Wilmington, North Carolina and a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her passion for creativity began in childhood, when every available piece of paper became a space for drawing, imagining, and experimenting. What started as simple doodles eventually grew into a deep appreciation for visual expression and communication. Over time, she became captivated by graphic design’s ability to transform ideas into meaningful, engaging visuals. She is especially drawn to the balance between structure and creativity, the way typography, color, imagery, and composition work together to tell a story or evoke an emotion.
She loves designing around topics such as fashion, food, culture, and lifestyle, often incorporating a clean, intentional, and aesthetically driven approach. Her work is inspired by everyday beauty, thoughtful details, and the power of design to shape how people experience the world around them. As her style continues to evolve, she remains focused on creating visually compelling work that feels authentic, expressive, and impactful.
Martha Kate is a graphic designer from Wilmington, North Carolina and a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her passion for creativity began in childhood, when every available piece of paper became a space for drawing, imagining, and experimenting. What started as simple doodles eventually grew into a deep appreciation for visual expression and communication. Over time, she became captivated by graphic design’s ability to transform ideas into meaningful, engaging visuals. She is especially drawn to the balance between structure and creativity, the way typography, color, imagery, and composition work together to tell a story or evoke an emotion.
She loves designing around topics such as fashion, food, culture, and lifestyle, often incorporating a clean, intentional, and aesthetically driven approach. Her work is inspired by everyday beauty, thoughtful details, and the power of design to shape how people experience the world around them. As her style continues to evolve, she remains focused on creating visually compelling work that feels authentic, expressive, and impactful.
Hannah Smith
Hannah Smith
Hannah Smith
Copy Editor
Copy Editor
Copy Editor
Hannah Smith first discovered she loved journalism and design back in high school when she launched her school’s first digital newspaper. That project showed her how much fun it could be to combine storytelling with visuals, and it eventually led her to the Hussman School to study sports communication and sports administration.
During her second semester, she registered up for MEJO 182, Foundations of Graphic Design, without really knowing what to expect and ended up finding her new favorite creative outlet. Adobe Illustrator quickly became her go-to space to play, experiment and bring ideas to life. Since then, she’s taken multiple graphic design classes and grown confident working across Adobe programs.
Hannah loves graphic design because it lets her blend her love for sports, writing and creativity all in one place. She gravitates toward athletics and infographics, especially ones that explain complicated topics in a way that finally makes everything click.
In this class, she’s had fun taking a trip back to her elementary school days. Revisiting old memories and turning them into designs has given her a chance to enjoy the nostalgia she’s been feeling all semester, and hopefully help readers feel a bit of it too.
Hannah Smith first discovered she loved journalism and design back in high school when she launched her school’s first digital newspaper. That project showed her how much fun it could be to combine storytelling with visuals, and it eventually led her to the Hussman School to study sports communication and sports administration.
During her second semester, she registered up for MEJO 182, Foundations of Graphic Design, without really knowing what to expect and ended up finding her new favorite creative outlet. Adobe Illustrator quickly became her go-to space to play, experiment and bring ideas to life. Since then, she’s taken multiple graphic design classes and grown confident working across Adobe programs.
Hannah loves graphic design because it lets her blend her love for sports, writing and creativity all in one place. She gravitates toward athletics and infographics, especially ones that explain complicated topics in a way that finally makes everything click.
In this class, she’s had fun taking a trip back to her elementary school days. Revisiting old memories and turning them into designs has given her a chance to enjoy the nostalgia she’s been feeling all semester, and hopefully help readers feel a bit of it too.
Hannah Smith first discovered she loved journalism and design back in high school when she launched her school’s first digital newspaper. That project showed her how much fun it could be to combine storytelling with visuals, and it eventually led her to the Hussman School to study sports communication and sports administration.
During her second semester, she registered up for MEJO 182, Foundations of Graphic Design, without really knowing what to expect and ended up finding her new favorite creative outlet. Adobe Illustrator quickly became her go-to space to play, experiment and bring ideas to life. Since then, she’s taken multiple graphic design classes and grown confident working across Adobe programs.
Hannah loves graphic design because it lets her blend her love for sports, writing and creativity all in one place. She gravitates toward athletics and infographics, especially ones that explain complicated topics in a way that finally makes everything click.
In this class, she’s had fun taking a trip back to her elementary school days. Revisiting old memories and turning them into designs has given her a chance to enjoy the nostalgia she’s been feeling all semester, and hopefully help readers feel a bit of it too.
Hayley Laufer
Hayley Laufer
Hayley Laufer
Photo Editor
Photo Editor
Photo Editor
Hayley Laufer is a Media and Journalism major in her senior year at UNC-Chapel Hill with a focus in graphic design and photography, as well as a designer and photo editor for REWIND. Though she has only now begun pursuing a career in the field, her love of design began long ago when she began painting and drawing in childhood. Taking classes in painting, drawing, pottery, and photography throughout her childhood and teen years, she honed her skills in physical mediums, became a creative problem-solver, and found satisfaction in bringing abstract ideas to life. After high school, she transitioned to working with digital mediums and uncovered her appreciation for graphic design. She enjoys designing posters and spreads that delve into scientific and nature-related topics such as astronomy, biology, and botany, but her favorite designs are ones that allow her to combine her physical and digital skills to create something truly unique.
Hayley Laufer is a Media and Journalism major in her senior year at UNC-Chapel Hill with a focus in graphic design and photography, as well as a designer and photo editor for REWIND. Though she has only now begun pursuing a career in the field, her love of design began long ago when she began painting and drawing in childhood. Taking classes in painting, drawing, pottery, and photography throughout her childhood and teen years, she honed her skills in physical mediums, became a creative problem-solver, and found satisfaction in bringing abstract ideas to life. After high school, she transitioned to working with digital mediums and uncovered her appreciation for graphic design. She enjoys designing posters and spreads that delve into scientific and nature-related topics such as astronomy, biology, and botany, but her favorite designs are ones that allow her to combine her physical and digital skills to create something truly unique.
Hayley Laufer is a Media and Journalism major in her senior year at UNC-Chapel Hill with a focus in graphic design and photography, as well as a designer and photo editor for REWIND. Though she has only now begun pursuing a career in the field, her love of design began long ago when she began painting and drawing in childhood. Taking classes in painting, drawing, pottery, and photography throughout her childhood and teen years, she honed her skills in physical mediums, became a creative problem-solver, and found satisfaction in bringing abstract ideas to life. After high school, she transitioned to working with digital mediums and uncovered her appreciation for graphic design. She enjoys designing posters and spreads that delve into scientific and nature-related topics such as astronomy, biology, and botany, but her favorite designs are ones that allow her to combine her physical and digital skills to create something truly unique.
Nilin Ni
Nilin Ni
Nilin Ni
Lead Designer
Lead Designer
Lead Designer
Nilin Ni is a senior at UNC Chapel Hill studying Media and Journalism with minors in Chinese and Studio Arts. Her path as a designer started in childhood, when she spent hours drawing Pokémon, playing games with her siblings and doodling on any assignment she’s ever received. Those early moments grew into a love for visual storytelling, leading her to explore graphic design as a way to connect emotion, memory, and communication. She gravitates toward topics that catch her current interest, such as everyday life and good food. As she prepares to graduate in Spring 2026, she’s already feeling that bittersweet mix of gratitude and nostalgia. Looking back at past snapshots makes her a little sappy, but in a good way; she likes remembering how far she has come. Today, she designs with the goal of creating work that feels warm, familiar, and a little magical, hoping her visuals remind others of the memories that shaped them too.
Nilin Ni is a senior at UNC Chapel Hill studying Media and Journalism with minors in Chinese and Studio Arts. Her path as a designer started in childhood, when she spent hours drawing Pokémon, playing games with her siblings and doodling on any assignment she’s ever received. Those early moments grew into a love for visual storytelling, leading her to explore graphic design as a way to connect emotion, memory, and communication. She gravitates toward topics that catch her current interest, such as everyday life and good food. As she prepares to graduate in Spring 2026, she’s already feeling that bittersweet mix of gratitude and nostalgia. Looking back at past snapshots makes her a little sappy, but in a good way; she likes remembering how far she has come. Today, she designs with the goal of creating work that feels warm, familiar, and a little magical, hoping her visuals remind others of the memories that shaped them too.
Nilin Ni is a senior at UNC Chapel Hill studying Media and Journalism with minors in Chinese and Studio Arts. Her path as a designer started in childhood, when she spent hours drawing Pokémon, playing games with her siblings and doodling on any assignment she’s ever received. Those early moments grew into a love for visual storytelling, leading her to explore graphic design as a way to connect emotion, memory, and communication. She gravitates toward topics that catch her current interest, such as everyday life and good food. As she prepares to graduate in Spring 2026, she’s already feeling that bittersweet mix of gratitude and nostalgia. Looking back at past snapshots makes her a little sappy, but in a good way; she likes remembering how far she has come. Today, she designs with the goal of creating work that feels warm, familiar, and a little magical, hoping her visuals remind others of the memories that shaped them too.
Alison Grau
Alison Grau
Alison Grau
Ali Grau is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill double double-majoring in Journalism and Geography. She is passionate about finding and telling stories that connect people and places. While her love for design started at a young age, painting on the front porch with her mom and sister, she has experimented with a wide variety of art throughout her life, including photography, drawing, videography, painting, writing, and now, graphic design. She can usually be found somewhere outside with her film camera in hand, snapping pictures of her friends and surroundings. With love for travel, planet Earth, and storytelling, she is interested in producing comprehensible environmental media by combining art and writing.
Ali Grau is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill double double-majoring in Journalism and Geography. She is passionate about finding and telling stories that connect people and places. While her love for design started at a young age, painting on the front porch with her mom and sister, she has experimented with a wide variety of art throughout her life, including photography, drawing, videography, painting, writing, and now, graphic design. She can usually be found somewhere outside with her film camera in hand, snapping pictures of her friends and surroundings. With love for travel, planet Earth, and storytelling, she is interested in producing comprehensible environmental media by combining art and writing.
Ali Grau is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill double double-majoring in Journalism and Geography. She is passionate about finding and telling stories that connect people and places. While her love for design started at a young age, painting on the front porch with her mom and sister, she has experimented with a wide variety of art throughout her life, including photography, drawing, videography, painting, writing, and now, graphic design. She can usually be found somewhere outside with her film camera in hand, snapping pictures of her friends and surroundings. With love for travel, planet Earth, and storytelling, she is interested in producing comprehensible environmental media by combining art and writing.
Jordynn Holley
Jordynn Holley
Jordynn Holley
Jordynn Holley is a first-year graduate student studying video journalism at UNC Chapel Hill, where she continues to deepen her passion for visual storytelling and media production. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she brings a strong creative background shaped by years of artistic practice. Holley earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Media Production from North Carolina A&T State University. This program strengthened her interest in impactful communication and digital media. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed sketching, painting, sewing, and drawing, interests that helped refine her sense of detail and visual style. She also developed a strong interest in graphic design, often creating flyers and digital materials that blend clean layouts with expressive and purposeful color choices. Holley gravitates toward design work that communicates clear messages while maintaining creativity and personality. As she advances in her graduate studies, she plans to use her skills in the entertainment industry, working as a filmmaker and journalist who brings cultural awareness, artistic intention, and thoughtful storytelling to every project she produces.
Jordynn Holley is a first-year graduate student studying video journalism at UNC Chapel Hill, where she continues to deepen her passion for visual storytelling and media production. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she brings a strong creative background shaped by years of artistic practice. Holley earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Media Production from North Carolina A&T State University. This program strengthened her interest in impactful communication and digital media. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed sketching, painting, sewing, and drawing, interests that helped refine her sense of detail and visual style. She also developed a strong interest in graphic design, often creating flyers and digital materials that blend clean layouts with expressive and purposeful color choices. Holley gravitates toward design work that communicates clear messages while maintaining creativity and personality. As she advances in her graduate studies, she plans to use her skills in the entertainment industry, working as a filmmaker and journalist who brings cultural awareness, artistic intention, and thoughtful storytelling to every project she produces.
Jordynn Holley is a first-year graduate student studying video journalism at UNC Chapel Hill, where she continues to deepen her passion for visual storytelling and media production. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she brings a strong creative background shaped by years of artistic practice. Holley earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Media Production from North Carolina A&T State University. This program strengthened her interest in impactful communication and digital media. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed sketching, painting, sewing, and drawing, interests that helped refine her sense of detail and visual style. She also developed a strong interest in graphic design, often creating flyers and digital materials that blend clean layouts with expressive and purposeful color choices. Holley gravitates toward design work that communicates clear messages while maintaining creativity and personality. As she advances in her graduate studies, she plans to use her skills in the entertainment industry, working as a filmmaker and journalist who brings cultural awareness, artistic intention, and thoughtful storytelling to every project she produces.
Calista Poarch
Calista Poarch
Calista Poarch
Calista Poarch is a Media and Journalism major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a lifelong passion for visual storytelling. She grew up drawing constantly, beginning with traditional art before discovering digital illustration through Procreate. Her love of creating expanded again in high school when she picked up her first camera and fell in love with photography, especially capturing the movement and precision of dancers.
As a designer, Calista gravitates toward projects that blend information and artistry. Infographics are her favorite form of design because they allow her to combine research, text, and illustration. She enjoys bringing ideas to life through color, layout, and texture, and often draws inspiration from abstract and surrealist art. Collage work, especially, gives her the freedom to experiment and explore new forms of expression.
Throughout her academic journey, Calista has continued to refine her skills across multiple mediums. Calista loves to read, and looking ahead, she hopes to one day write and illustrate her own children’s book, combining her love of storytelling, illustration, and imaginative design into a project that inspires young readers.
Calista Poarch is a Media and Journalism major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a lifelong passion for visual storytelling. She grew up drawing constantly, beginning with traditional art before discovering digital illustration through Procreate. Her love of creating expanded again in high school when she picked up her first camera and fell in love with photography, especially capturing the movement and precision of dancers.
As a designer, Calista gravitates toward projects that blend information and artistry. Infographics are her favorite form of design because they allow her to combine research, text, and illustration. She enjoys bringing ideas to life through color, layout, and texture, and often draws inspiration from abstract and surrealist art. Collage work, especially, gives her the freedom to experiment and explore new forms of expression.
Throughout her academic journey, Calista has continued to refine her skills across multiple mediums. Calista loves to read, and looking ahead, she hopes to one day write and illustrate her own children’s book, combining her love of storytelling, illustration, and imaginative design into a project that inspires young readers.
Calista Poarch is a Media and Journalism major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a lifelong passion for visual storytelling. She grew up drawing constantly, beginning with traditional art before discovering digital illustration through Procreate. Her love of creating expanded again in high school when she picked up her first camera and fell in love with photography, especially capturing the movement and precision of dancers.
As a designer, Calista gravitates toward projects that blend information and artistry. Infographics are her favorite form of design because they allow her to combine research, text, and illustration. She enjoys bringing ideas to life through color, layout, and texture, and often draws inspiration from abstract and surrealist art. Collage work, especially, gives her the freedom to experiment and explore new forms of expression.
Throughout her academic journey, Calista has continued to refine her skills across multiple mediums. Calista loves to read, and looking ahead, she hopes to one day write and illustrate her own children’s book, combining her love of storytelling, illustration, and imaginative design into a project that inspires young readers.
Payton Wilkins
Payton Wilkins
Payton Wilkins
Payton Wilkins is a journalism and media student graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December 2025. Throughout her time at UNC, she has taken every opportunity she can to dive into design work, whether graphic, UX or magazine design. She loves the way that thoughtful choices in color, type, shaping and imagery can tell an entire story in an instant. Design helps her translate the creativity she imagines into something with purpose and impact. While she loves art in all forms, she finds graphic design fun because it gives her the chance to experiment in structured ways that still feel playful and expressive. Payton loves telling stories about ordinary people doing remarkable things, including small business owners, students and community volunteers. She also enjoys designing around themes of nature, plants and the environment. Beyond the classroom, Payton designs digital and print content for internships with a local mental health nonprofit, NAMI Wake County, as well as for UNC-Chapel Hill Student Affairs and her own small business selling handmade crocheted animals. Contributing to Rewind has been a highlight of her design journey!
Payton Wilkins is a journalism and media student graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December 2025. Throughout her time at UNC, she has taken every opportunity she can to dive into design work, whether graphic, UX or magazine design. She loves the way that thoughtful choices in color, type, shaping and imagery can tell an entire story in an instant. Design helps her translate the creativity she imagines into something with purpose and impact. While she loves art in all forms, she finds graphic design fun because it gives her the chance to experiment in structured ways that still feel playful and expressive. Payton loves telling stories about ordinary people doing remarkable things, including small business owners, students and community volunteers. She also enjoys designing around themes of nature, plants and the environment. Beyond the classroom, Payton designs digital and print content for internships with a local mental health nonprofit, NAMI Wake County, as well as for UNC-Chapel Hill Student Affairs and her own small business selling handmade crocheted animals. Contributing to Rewind has been a highlight of her design journey!
Payton Wilkins is a journalism and media student graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December 2025. Throughout her time at UNC, she has taken every opportunity she can to dive into design work, whether graphic, UX or magazine design. She loves the way that thoughtful choices in color, type, shaping and imagery can tell an entire story in an instant. Design helps her translate the creativity she imagines into something with purpose and impact. While she loves art in all forms, she finds graphic design fun because it gives her the chance to experiment in structured ways that still feel playful and expressive. Payton loves telling stories about ordinary people doing remarkable things, including small business owners, students and community volunteers. She also enjoys designing around themes of nature, plants and the environment. Beyond the classroom, Payton designs digital and print content for internships with a local mental health nonprofit, NAMI Wake County, as well as for UNC-Chapel Hill Student Affairs and her own small business selling handmade crocheted animals. Contributing to Rewind has been a highlight of her design journey!