8 Questions with Graphic Design Graduate, Estefanny!

Aug 22, 2025

this is a photo of former NHCC student, Estefanny Zelaya, sitting outside on a bench, smiling, with colorful flowers surrounding her.

Four months have passed since former graphic design student, Estefanny Zelaya Osorio graduated from NHCC, and over the summer she was able to leave her mark on the local community and reflect on her time at NHCC.

We had the chance to connect with Estefanny recently to ask her eight questions, below!

decorative — A postage stamp design from a class project, where the goal was to design a stamp for a holiday. Estefanny chose Chinese New Year because she's always been drawn to their celebration and traditions. This assignment was done in NHCC's Design Tools II course.

1- How does NHCC's graphic design program stand out compared to other options?

I think North Hennepin is a great choice if you want to take graphic design classes. I had the opportunity to learn with professors who truly enjoy teaching and push their students to create really cool work. NHCC is a very diverse place where you can meet awesome people (like I did) and make connections. Another positive of attending NHCC is that it is very affordable and there's a lot of access to scholarships and awards.

2- You got to take many advanced classes as a graphic design student; practicing 2D design, typography, packaging design and more!
Did you like working on packaging design projects?

Packaging design is something I really enjoy doing!
I like coming up with dielines, cutting the design out to make mockups, and actually seeing the product come to life. I really enjoyed the first graphic design classes that I took at NHCC with Leslie McDougall (she was my favorite professor and Typography was my favorite class — it was so fun!). I am grateful to have had Leslie as my first teacher, because she really cared that I succeeded and pushed me to do great work that I'm so proud to show off today. I learned a lot with her and even as I was about to graduate, I still found myself going back to ask her for advice and feedback! To this day, we've kept in touch and I talk to her whenever I can.

This is a graphic design mock up file of three boxes of chocolate that a student designed. — A chocolate box design from a class project where the goal was to design unique packaging for a chocolate brand, with three individual wrappers, a main box, a logo, and a dieline. Estefanny aimed to create a memorable brand that stood out from others at the store with a fun, fresh, and clean twist. She chose design elements like hand-drawn illustrations, a bright color palette, and typography to make the product approachable and light, yet cohesive and functional as well. This project was completed in NHCC's Design Tools II course.

this is a graphic design assignment, book mock up design file of a front and back cover of the book The Hunger Games. — This was one of Estefanny's favorite college projects! The assignment was to redesign a book and create an inside spread. Estefanny wanted to make the illustrations very intriguing to the reader and decided to include as much symbolism as she could. One of her main goals for the cover was to reflect the dark and mysterious feel of the story, while also keeping it simple. This project was completed in NHCC's Typography course.

this is a photo of NHCC students sitting at tables with employers being interviewed on-campus during our annual Xperience Project Internship Fair. — Estefanny can be seen here in the upper left-hand corner while interviewing with a prospective employer at NHCC's annual Xperience Project Internship Fair. Photo credit: Heather Olson.

3- What made you interested in pursuing a graphic design internship over this past summer and how did you find the opportunity?

I was interested in a graphic design internship because it was a great opportunity for me to experience what a professional, creative environment with real projects would be like. It was also the best way to put into practice everything I learned in school, while also learning new skills, and receiving constructive feedback from people who have a lot of experience. I found my internship through the Graphic Design Xperience Project that NHCC offers. This program gave me the opportunity to prepare for interviews with many local employers, and I was able to find a great fit for my interests in design. I ended up getting hired for a summer internship (June-September) as a Graphic Design Intern with the City of Brooklyn Park!

this is a photo of NHCC alumni, Estefanny Zelaya

4- How did this internship help you grow both creatively and professionally?

My internship with the City of Brooklyn Park has contributed so much to my growth creatively and professionally. I've had the opportunity to work with a supportive team, that trusts my instincts as a designer and gives me the liberty to explore and develop fresh ideas. This has made me more selective with what I choose to develop, as I always want to present the best work I possibly can.
In this role, I was also given the opportunity to learn new skills like: photography, videography,
and video editing, which are valuable skills to have as I continue in my professional career.

this is photo of NHCC graphic design alumni, Estefanny Zelaya standing in front of City Hall on the lawn, posing with the giant Brooklyn Park sign.

5- What types of projects did you work on as an intern and which one are you most proud of?

I had the opportunity to work on lots of exciting projects, including promotional packages for community events like, Latinofest, promotional campaigns for Restaurant Week, and even some social media content, too. I am very proud of each project for different reasons, but if I had to choose one, it would be the Latinofest promo package!

This is a poster that NHCC alumni, Estefanny Zelaya designed for the City of Brooklyn Park's upcoming Latinofest event on September 13, 2025 from 11am to 2pm at the Community Activity Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. — Estefanny dedicated a lot of time creating the Latinofest promo package. Her flyers and posters capture how colorful, fun, and happy the latino culture is. She wanted her designs to reflect that and give viewers an idea of what they could expect at the event.

6- What have you enjoyed the most about your internship with the City of Brooklyn Park?

I really enjoy being around a creative team, sharing ideas, and watching them be developed. I love how diverse my projects can be. On one day I am sharing popular trends, or ideas on how we can market things better and on another day, I could be developing logo ideas. I also just enjoy what I do, so being able to be there and create is something I enjoy the most.

7- If a student asked you for advice on how to land a creative internship, what would you say?

Be confident in your work, present projects that you like to work with (so you don’t get stuck doing something you don’t like) and make connections! You never know who could have an opportunity for you. AIGA MN Cocktails with Creatives and Minnesota Design Camp are good opportunities! Design Camp will be in October this year.

8- Soon you’ll be searching for a full-time position, do you have any ideas of what kind of work you’d like to do within the graphic design field?

I am not exactly sure where I would like to work just yet, but I know I want to do something related to editorial illustration, or editorial design. Creating interesting visuals and playing with layout and typography is something I've always enjoyed doing. I love everything graphic design-related, so I'll be keeping an open mind while I look for a job opportunity! Even though editorial design and illustration design are big interests of mine, I will consider any opportunity in the field that allows me the chance to learn and develop my skills.

this is a photo of a group of graphic design students at their graduation ceremony taking a photo with graphic design instructor, Leslie McDougall. — Estefanny (third from right) and her fellow graphic design classmates, take a photo with one of their favorite professors, Leslie McDougall, (third from left) at commencement this past spring.

Thank you so much for your time, Estefanny! We look forward to staying in touch with you and seeing the fabulous graphic design pieces you will undoubtedly create in the future!

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