From bold design to intimate storytelling, here are five SVA Instagrams to follow this month.
September brings fresh inspiration as the new semester begins and the SVA community thrives with new work across disciplines. From bold designs and animated characters to expressive painting, editorial illustration, and award-winning campaigns, these picks highlight the artistry and storytelling power of SVA voices across the globe.
1. Melinda Beck (Faculty, BFA Design)
SVA faculty member and Emmy-nominated illustrator and animator Melinda Beck creates an array of vibrant visuals, including her SVA Subway Series poster, which appeared across New York City’s subway system in the fall of 2024, and a USPS commemorative stamp celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Her layered, symbolic imagery, combining digital and hand-drawn techniques, balances playfulness with social commentary, and a series of her political illustrations is part of the Library of Congress’s permanent collection. On Instagram, Beck shares this mix of public projects and personal explorations, making her feed a rich chronicle of contemporary design.
Follow her at @melindabeckart.
2. Brian Britigan (MFA 2017 Illustration as Visual Essay)
Since graduating from SVA, Minneapolis-based illustrator, animator, and educator Brian Britigan’s work has been commissioned by The New York Times, POLITICO Europe, Amazon, and many other publications and brands. He is a Society of Illustrators gold medalist and an Emmy nominee, known for blending social conscience with striking visual craft. His Instagram highlights projects like the illustrated memorial Always Matt: A Tribute to Matthew Shepard, which merges storytelling, activism, and polished artistry.
Follow him at @brianbritigan.
3. Hengyue Hu (BFA 2023 Illustration; MPS 2025 Art Therapy)
Hengyue Hu, a recent SVA graduate, bridges illustration with the therapeutic possibilities of art. Her Instagram features vibrant paintings, children’s book illustrations, fiber art, and mixed-media crafts woven with nature themes. A self-proclaimed “art therapist in training,” Hu explores how creative expression can foster emotional healing, resilience, and storytelling across cultures.
Follow her at @magichengyue.
4. Dana James (BFA 2008 Fine Arts)
Brooklyn-based painter Dana James creates lush mixed-media works that pair pastel-toned abstractions with expressive gestures. Her current solo exhibition, “Ink Moon,” on view through October 11 at Hollis Taggart in Chelsea, showcases paintings made during pregnancy, exploring themes of duality, surrender, and transformation. Her feed offers a window into a process that balances spontaneity with emotional resonance.
Follow her at @mizdanajames.
5. Shantanu Sharma (BFA 2021 Design, Faculty)
Designer, illustrator, and art director Shantanu Sharma is known for high-impact campaigns for clients like Nike and KFC, along with editorial, identity, and motion projects. His award-winning career—recognized by Cannes Lions, ADC, and Clio Awards—is reflected in a feed that balances bold visual language with refined storytelling. Sharma also started teaching as a faculty member this semester in the very department where he earned his design degree.
Follow him at @shantanu.sharma.