Alicia Jordan, ’14, Brings Stories to Life Through Design
When Alicia Jordan, ’14, first stepped inside Kent State’s Art Building - now part of the Center for the Visual Arts - she could immediately picture herself there. Surrounded by student work that reflected the kind of creative projects she wanted to make and welcomed by faculty and advisors, she knew Kent State was special.
During her time in the demanding Visual Communication Design program, Alicia was drawn to its focus on storytelling, communication and problem-solving through design. Along the way, professors became mentors who encouraged her creativity and invested in her success long after graduation.
Today, Alicia serves as an art and video director at Innis Maggiore, a full-service advertising and marketing agency headquartered in Canton, Ohio, where she leads creative projects ranging from commercial shoots and museum exhibits to branding campaigns and animated content. She also freelances for clients including Kent State, bringing university initiatives to life through design. Alumni may recognize her illustrations from projects like Flash’s Summer Staycation series or the university’s mascot quiz campaign featuring the history of Flash. No matter the campaign, Alicia approaches every project with the same mindset she first learned at Kent State: Great design communicates so seamlessly that people almost forget it’s there. Get to know Alicia in her own words.
KSU: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
AJ: Getting to learn and try new things constantly, without the pressure of failing.
KSU: What is your favorite trait in others?
AJ: Willingness to try new things and roll with the punches.
KSU: What trait about yourself do you like least?
AJ: I’m indecisive and unsure of myself too often.
KSU: Who had the greatest influence on your life?
AJ: Probably my mom and dad. They taught me early on to believe I could do anything I put my mind to.
KSU: What is your favorite Kent State memory?
AJ: Seeing my brother graduate from Kent State in May of 2021. I was so proud and glad he could have an actual ceremony after the challenges of the pandemic.
KSU: What is your favorite journey?
AJ: Growing with my friends I made in the Visual Communication Design program. Two of my closest friends still work in graphic design, but one has also become a mom of two, and the other is an avid backpacker.
KSU: What is your guilty pleasure?
AJ: I love eating ice cream at night.
KSU: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
AJ: Buying my house on my own. I’m very proud that I am employed in a position that uses my degree and that this job gave me the opportunity to build my life beyond my career.
KSU: If you could come back as one person, who would it be and why?
AJ: Queen Elizabeth II’s dogs. Not a person, but a posh pooch with every comfort imaginable.
KSU: What part of your college experience most formed who you are today?
AJ: Overcoming being uncomfortable was a recurring theme in college. Taking criticism and pushing beyond “good” work to achieve “great” work gave me so much resilience and confidence when facing new situations and projects.
