KU Design Professional Lecture Series
For over 40 years, the KU Design Professional Lecture Series (formerly Hallmark Symposium) has enriched educational experiences by introducing KU students to designers and artists working in a wide range of disciplines and professional fields.
Fall 2026 Schedule
Lectures begin at 6 p.m. in 3140 Wescoe Hall on the KU Lawrence campus. Events are free and open to the public.
September 3
May Tveit is an artist, educator, and former industrial design professor at the University of Kansas. Trained in industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design and the Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, Tveit creates large-scale sculptural installations and works on paper that transform materials from commerce and industry into compelling geometric abstractions. Her work has been exhibited nationally and featured in publications including Art in America, Art Papers, and National Public Radio. Through her practice, Tveit explores the intersections of art, design, architecture, and the human experience.
September 17
Mirna Stubbs is an illustrator and Senior Artist at Hallmark Cards whose vibrant work combines decorative pattern, expressive color, and storytelling. Born in Bosnia and shaped by experiences of migration and cultural transition, Stubbs has developed a distinctive visual language inspired by nature, travel, culture, and everyday life. Working primarily in traditional media such as gouache, she creates illustrations rich in color, texture, and meaning. Alongside her commercial work, Stubbs maintains a personal art practice focused on authentic, human-centered visual narratives that celebrate connection, memory, and place.
October 1
Taylor Downes is a product designer specializing in the research, design, and development of digital products and user experiences. Throughout his career, he has led design initiatives for enterprise software, mobile applications, and platform-based products, applying design thinking methodologies to solve complex user and business challenges. Downes is known for his iterative, human-centered approach to design, emphasizing collaboration, rapid prototyping, and continuous learning to create meaningful digital experiences.
October 15
Matthias Pliessnig is an internationally recognized artist, sculptor, and furniture designer known for his innovative use of steam-bent wood to create fluid, sculptural forms that blur the boundaries between art, craft, and design. Drawing inspiration from traditional boatbuilding techniques, Pliessnig combines digital modeling with meticulous handcraftsmanship to produce works that are both structurally complex and visually elegant. His large-scale furniture and sculptural installations have been exhibited internationally and are celebrated for their exploration of materiality, movement, and the relationship between the human body and built form. Through his practice, Pliessnig challenges conventional notions of furniture and sculpture, transforming wood into dynamic works that invite interaction and contemplation.
October 29
Gil Ashby is an award-winning illustrator, painter, educator, and visual storyteller based in Detroit. Ashby has built a distinguished career spanning illustration, fine art, and teaching, with work exhibited throughout the United States and recognized by organizations including the Society of Illustrators. Through painting, mixed media, and visual journalism, he explores themes of identity, history, spirituality, and the African American experience. His commitment to artistic excellence and mentorship has inspired generations of emerging artists and designers.
November 12
Lauren Hakmiller is a creative director, designer, and illustrator based in Charleston, South Carolina. A graduate of the University of Kansas Visual Communication Design program, she is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Sipland and previously worked with leading creative organizations including Dropbox and SDCO Partners. Her multidisciplinary practice spans brand identity, illustration, digital design, typography, and visual storytelling. Known for her bold use of color, playful forms, and distinctive graphic style, Hakmiller creates work that bridges strategic brand thinking with engaging visual experiences.
December 3
Jess Marak is a multidisciplinary designer, illustrator, photographer, and creative director based in Los Angeles. A graduate of the University of Kansas Visual Communication Design program, her work brings together branding, visual identity, photography, and content creation for clients that have included Google, Refinery29, and SoulCycle. Growing up in a family of artists, Marak developed a creative practice rooted in experimentation, color, and storytelling. Her vibrant, design-driven approach combines graphic design with photography and illustration to create memorable and engaging visual narratives across a wide range of media.