Class of 2026: Milana Slowinski designs with a global perspective
Name: Milana Slowinski
College: College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
Major: Graphic design
Hometown: “One of the most difficult questions to answer is where home is for me. I grew up in seven different countries: Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Russia, Poland, and the United States. I graduated from high school in Poland with a small class of 20 students.”
Plans after graduation: Working as an in-house graphic designer for Lansinoh, a global company specializing in maternal health and breastfeeding products. Last summer, Slowinski interned for Lansinoh at its headquarters in Alexandria, and she has continued to work remotely for the company throughout the school year.
Favorite Hokie memory: “My sister coming to Virginia Tech has been my favorite thing. She is a sophomore this year, so I've had my built-in best friend here on campus with me for the last two years. She has seen me working late nights in the studio and has even been a part of many of my design projects. If I need a personal paper cutter, she'll be making sure things are precise for me and helping me out.”
A global upbringing shapes design perspective
Slowinski was born in the United States, but as a daughter of American diplomats, her childhood unfolded across continents. Her multicultural upbringing influences how she thinks about visual patterning, with her past experiences forming a framework in her mind.
“When you grow up all around the world, you see so many pieces of artwork, all manifested in particular ways,” Slowinski said. “You see unique signs outside of stores and even learn to notice the way a flyer is laid out in different countries. Over time, you build a mental database that subconsciously influences the way you do things.”
She is often inspired by arabesques – intricate, interlacing patterns primarily used in Islamic art – that she frequently saw throughout her six years in Central Asia. She also enjoys finding ways to weave her mother’s overseas photography into her own work.
Although Slowinski spent her first year at a university in Poland studying international relations, a growing interest in visual communications and digital art led her toward a different path in graphic design. She was drawn to the graphic design program at Virginia Tech because of its prestigious reputation and, with her family returning stateside to Northern Virginia, in-state tuition made it the natural choice.
“I was really excited about having an experience in a creative major from a technical campus,” Slowinski said. “Virginia Tech is a polytechnical institute, and I was curious to see how technology and design would intersect on a campus like this one, especially with the growing progression into technology.”
Growing as a professional
With a focus on experiential learning, the graphic design program in the School of Visual Arts prepares students to succeed in the professional field. Throughout her time in the program, Slowinski has jumped at any opportunity to work with real-world clients.
“I'm extremely lucky to have access to such amazing opportunities and education that enable me to grow as a designer and a person,” Slowinski said.
One such opportunity is DesignUP, a one-day philanthropic design-a-thon hosted by the graphic design program every April. Students, mentored by design professionals, provide creative services for local nonprofit organizations. Slowinski has participated in the event three times, developing branding, print, digital, and strategic work for clients.
“DesignUP is all sorts of fun — it is a collaborative event that introduces students to client dynamics and the stakes of a real deadline,” Slowinski said.
Slowinski’s interest in diverse, hands-on experiences is evident in her impressive resume. As a graphic design assistant for University Libraries, she has designed several magazine spreads for each issue of the in-house magazine IMAGINE.
During her first semester with the magazine, she designed “Cheesy Guy,” a character created for Cheesy Nights who has since become synonymous with the event. Cheesy Nights is a beloved finals-week tradition in which students line up outside the library for free grilled cheese sandwiches to fuel their study sessions, along with Cheesy Guy swag and photo opportunities.
Slowinski is also a graphic designer for PRISM, a faculty-led, student-run ad agency housed in the Pamplin School of Business, where she has designed for clients such as Deloitte and the Virginia Tech Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
“VT admissions has been my favorite client to work with. I've made exciting graphics that reach thousands of people about admissions announcements, news, upcoming events, and information for prospective and incoming students. Knowing what it felt like to once be in their position, I try to make every graphic feel like a door, not a wall.”
In addition to those experiences, she participated in the rebrand of FourDesign in the School of Visual Arts, which is now Limestone Creative, a faculty-led, student-run collaborative design studio. Slowinski co-led the comprehensive research, design, and development of the agency’s website, managing timelines, design systems, and technical implementation to deliver a polished, professional digital presence.
Using design as a tool for public health
In February, Slowinski received the American Advertising Federation 2 Under 32: Rising Stars in Advertising award, an honor given to current college students who have displayed exceptional academic performance, creativity, initiative, and a collaborative spirit and whose projects and contributions resonate beyond the classroom, making a significant impact on the industry's evolution.
Slowinski’s contributions resonated beyond the classroom as she used her graphic design skills to communicate important public health information for Lansinoh and Gulf South VECTOR.
Gulf South VECTOR is a partnership between universities and health institutions that creates educational materials about vector-borne diseases and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Design is thinking made visual,” Slowinski said. “Good design is design that tells a story, communicates a message, and has an impact. It's an essential way to solve problems and establish an emotional connection between the viewer and the product. I aim to create moments of impact, remembrance, and sustainability.”
As a research and design assistant, Slowinski integrated design thinking into public health campaigns for Gulf South VECTOR under the supervision of one of her role models, Rachael Paine, assistant professor and program chair of graphic design.
“Milana’s impact is tangible — in the classroom, in professional practice, and in the community,” Paine said. “She brings care, intentionality, and depth to everything she undertakes.”
That same thoughtful approach extends to her understanding of the connection between design and well-being. “Design plays a big role in health, too — it bridges the gap between science and art,” Slowinski said.
This past summer, Slowinski interned as a junior graphic designer for Lansinoh, a global leader in infant feeding solutions and postpartum support. The opportunity came through Donna Wertalik, professor of practice and the director of student engagement in the Pamplin College of Business, who learned of it from Lansinoh CEO and Pamplin alumna Julie Talbot ’03.
Slowinski created social media marketing collateral and assets for Lansinoh’s digital storefronts. Her packaging contributions can also be found on store shelves. Together, her work has reached millions of people and doubled as a form of public health communication.
She will continue her work as a full-time in-house graphic designer for Lansinoh following graduation.
Written by Ashley Falat, a senior communications major
