Features

In this week’s edition of The Five, we’re celebrating a diverse range of creative milestones from across the SVA community. From Debbie Millman’s dual achievement of a new book and her podcasting legacy, to Lorna Simpson’s upcoming Met exhibition, to Marvel projects and World Cup designs, our alumni, students, and faculty continue to make headlines and inspire. Read on for the latest press features, including appearances in Entertainment Weekly, Harper’s Bazaar, NY1, and more.

1. Debbie Millman, chair of MPS Branding, celebrated the release of her new book, Love Letter to a Garden, earlier this month—alongside the 20th anniversary of her acclaimed podcast, Design Matters. Millman spoke with the creative platform It’s Nice That about how the podcast became a central part of her life and career: “I’ve learned how much vulnerability and honesty people are willing to share, and how most creative people are still searching for better. That’s been one of the biggest revelations: just how deeply human and complex even the most celebrated creatives are.”

2. Lorna Simpson (BFA 1982 Photography) was featured in the April edition of Harper’s Bazaar in advance of an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art next month. In a first-person piece for the magazine, she spoke about how her art practice evolved from photography to painting, both of which she studied as a part of her coursework at SVA. Simpson said, “It’s still a surprise to me that I get to explore different ways of working and make things that are meaningful to me. It’s nerve-wracking and suspenseful, and there are no guarantees. But it’s always a surprise and the process is the gift.”

3. “I never want to feel like I’m the kind of creative person that is doing the one thing over and over again. I’m always looking for something else that is fun to do,” said Michael Giacchino (BFA 1990 Film and Video) in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly. The Academy Award–winning composer wrote his first comic book, Werewolf By Night: Blood Moon Rise, for Marvel Comics, while scoring Marvel Studios’ upcoming Fantastic Four movie, both set to be released this July.

4. BFA Design faculty member Rich Tu (MFA 2009 Illustration as Visual Essay) was featured on NY1 for designing the official 2026 World Cup poster for New York/New Jersey. Tu spoke to the network about what the experience has been like for him, saying, “As an artist and designer, you don’t often get these opportunities to see your work—especially work that is so personal, but also so global at the same time—live in these massive spaces.” Tu also highlighted his podcast, First Generation Burden, and the convergence of the immigrant and creative communities.

5. BFA Illustration student Sammi Wu was selected as the winner of the Queens Public Library’s Banned Books Library Card Design Contest, which was covered in a piece by the Queens Gazette. In her artist statement for the submission, Wu said, “No matter the reason, banning books would restrict these connections and sense of community, encouraging closed-mindedness in a city that thrives in its diversity.” She continued, “I have a deep appreciation for the many libraries in New York, which not only served as my safe haven while growing up but continue to be a refuge for others as well.”