MTSU Art and Design Student Earns International Illustration Recognition
Lila Gordon, a graphic design major with the MTSU Department of Art and Design, holds a print of her illustration, A Little Fishy, selected for exhibition in the 2026 Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition in New York City. Gordon’s work was one of only 216 selected from more than 4,550 international entries. (MTSU News)
An MTSU Department of Art and Design senior graphic design student earned international recognition for her illustration work, further highlighting the strength of the department’s student-centered creative environment and commitment to professional development.
Lila Gordon was selected for the 2026 Student Scholarship Competition hosted by the Society of Illustrators, one of the most respected institutions in the illustration and design fields. From more than 4,550 submissions received internationally, only 216 works were chosen for exhibition, placing Gordon among a select group of emerging illustrators recognized at the highest student level.
Her selected piece, A Little Fishy, began as a classroom project and evolved into a richly detailed digital illustration inspired by a summer study experience in Cincinnati. The work combines stylized tinned fish packaging, typography, color, and intricate linework into a visually layered composition.
Image: A Little Fishy, 2026 Student Scholarship Competition Winners Gallery
“I decided to make an illustration that captured the beauty and variety of something seemingly mundane,” Gordon said. “I enjoyed illustrating all the intricate details of the cans and adding my own stylized twist.”
The illustration was created during Design Camp, a three-week summer course led by Graphic Design Director and Associate Professor Noël Lorson that combines travel, observation, and hands-on design practice. Students immerse themselves in a city environment, gathering inspiration and source material that later inform studio-based creative projects.
Noël Lorson
“It’s an amazing piece that combines typography, image, and color and deserves to be recognized,” Lorson said. “When the entire faculty works together to educate students throughout their academic careers, you see results like this.”
Associate Illustration Professor Tony Rodriguez encouraged Gordon to submit the work to the competition and noted the significance of the recognition within the professional illustration community.
Tony Rodriguez
“Having your work recognized by the Society of Illustrators means it meets a professional, industry-wide standard,” Rodriguez said. “It’s validation from the same people who are hiring and commissioning work.”
Rodriguez also credited Gordon’s discipline, initiative, and consistency throughout her coursework.
“She submits work early, her ideas are strong, and her drive to create exceptional work is what truly sets her apart,” he said.
For Gordon, the recognition was an unexpected yet meaningful milestone.
“I was absolutely shocked when I found out, and thrilled my work made it in,” she said.
While the award does not include a monetary prize, inclusion in the exhibition carries substantial professional visibility. Selected works are exhibited in New York City and viewed by art directors, agencies, publishers, and industry professionals, often creating pathways for freelance opportunities and future careers.
Gordon said her experience at MTSU helped prepare her for the next chapter.
Lila Gordon stands beside her senior showcase project during the Graphic Design B.F.A. Exhibition at the Todd Art Gallery on April 27, 2026.
“I’ve gained so much invaluable knowledge from the design classes I’ve taken and built lasting connections with my peers and professors,” she said.
Following graduation, Gordon plans to continue developing her freelance illustration practice while expanding her professional portfolio.
Her recognition reflects the broader impact of MTSU’s graphic design program, which emphasizes mentorship, hands-on learning, creative exploration, and real-world application. Through opportunities such as Design Camp, collaborative studio experiences, and national and international competitions, students are encouraged to develop both professionally and creatively.
As Gordon’s work travels to an exhibition in New York, it represents not only an individual achievement but also the continued momentum of a program preparing students to create, communicate, and compete at the highest levels.
Free and open to all, the Department of Art and Design’s Todd Art Gallery (TAG) offers exhibitions and programs that bring campus and community together through shared creative experiences.
Lila Gordon, a senior graphic design major at Middle Tennessee State University, second from right, poses with fellow competitors and the owner of LRB Skate and Record Shop during the recent LRB Skateboard Illustration Challenge. Gordon earned first place after creating an original skateboard design within the competition’s 15-hour timeframe. (MTSU News)
