AMES, Iowa – Sophia Lee, an Iowa State University graphic design senior, is the recipient of the 2024 Janice Peterson Anderson Medallion Award.

Established in 1968 in memory of Janice Peterson Anderson, a 1960 graduate in home economics education, this award is presented annually to an outstanding graduating senior in graphic design, interior design or integrated studio arts who “shows the greatest potential for distinguished work in design.” 

One student from each of these programs is first selected to receive the Janice Peterson Anderson Senior Award based on scholarship, creative ability, motivation and productivity throughout their studies at Iowa State. Finalists this year were Lee, from Geneva, Illinois; Olivia Helton, a senior in interior design from Des Moines; and Jazmin Terrell, a senior in integrated studio arts from Urbandale. All three finalists will graduate in May. 

These three students then exhibit portfolios of work for review by a faculty committee, which determines the medallion winner. Honorees receive a JPA Silver Medallion featuring Anderson’s continuous-line monogram, and their names are added to a plaque displayed in the College of Design’s administrative office.

About the honoree 

Lee describes her designs as a means of connecting to others through universal life experiences.

Inspired by vintage valentines, American traditional flash tattoos and Riot Grrrl zines, Lee “blends soft-core and hard-core aesthetics to express sentimental ideas and feelings.” She developed her signature style in 2023 when she was doing a daily design challenge on Instagram. 

“I designed something every day (for a year),” Lee said. “I saw myself continue to improve and I was inspired to keep going. I also enjoyed the satisfaction of bringing an idea I had in my head to life in a design.”

She amassed a large following from the daily challenge and thus, her graphic design business, Renographics, was born. She sells stickers, prints and t-shirts emblazoned with her designs. Her work can be found at Raygun locations in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska and at Cocodrie in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

Lee says she never thought her work would get so much attention. 

“I just wanted to make my designs real for myself,” she said. “I would create concept art for things that felt very niche and eventually I thought, wait maybe other people would want this, too! I’m happy my work has made its way to the right audience. It has been a dream to design for myself and turn my passion into my career.”

Lee currently serves as president of the Design Social Club at Iowa State. In 2023, she was a digital design intern for the Iowa Events Center and received the ADAI (Art Directors Association of Iowa) Harry K. Watts Scholarship through the ISU Department of Graphic Design. She was recently recognized as a 2024 GDUSA Student to Watch, which is a recognition given to the top graphic design students in the nation. 

After graduation, Lee plans to focus on her business full time and expand to sell more products like tote bags, washi tapes and more.  

Contact 

Sophia Lee, Graduating Senior, Graphic Design, sophlee@iastate.edu
Lauren Johnson, Communications Specialist, College of Design, laujohn2@iastate.edu