Egger balances creativity with functionality in her visual designs for organizations across campus
Jade Egger
By Taylor Pedersen, CLA Student Writer - January 5, 2026
As a senior in the College of Liberal Arts’ graphic design program with a minor in user experience research design, Jade Egger has spent her college career leaving a lasting mark across campus. From rebranding student organizations to curating exhibitions at the Memorial Union (MU) Art Gallery, Egger’s work reflects both a meticulous eye for design and a deep commitment to community.
Egger’s impact is visible across OSU’s campus. She has contributed to projects with the Pride Center, the MU Teaching Kitchen, the MU Creative Studio, and the MU Art Gallery and Restoration. Each role, she said, shaped her approach to design in unique ways.
“One of my favorite projects was rebranding the MU Teaching Kitchen,” she explained. “It was transitioning from a department-level program in Student Experiences and Engagement to a department in the MU, and I wanted to honor its roots while creating something new. For smaller clubs and organizations, that’s a big deal; what seems like a small design change actually helps communicate their identity and history to the community.”
Her work with the Pride Center has pushed her to think inclusively and critically about design choices. “They let me explore freely, which was great, but it also meant I had to be thoughtful. Colors, symbols, and even small design details can have layers of meaning. It taught me to research deeply and consider the audience carefully.”
Challenges, too, have left their mark. At the MU Creative Studio, Egger is currently designing a logo for a newly rebranded program called ROOTS (Reaching Our Opportunities Through STEM), aimed at supporting underrepresented STEM students. “It’s tricky because the program is still finding its identity, and we need a logo that nods to the old branding while signaling the new direction. I’m trying to balance subtlety with clarity, conveying connection and belonging without being too literal.”
Egger’s design process blends research, iteration, and experimentation. She begins with research; examining prior work, themes, and audience needs, then sketches and develops concepts. “I play with text, color palettes, and composition until I find something that resonates,” she said. Feedback is crucial: “You show your work, get critiques, and go back and forth until it feels right.”
Balancing creativity with functionality, especially in UX design, is central to her approach. “I try to make designs intuitive. If someone sees it for the first time, can they understand it without confusion? I focus on space, and simplicity. Pretty design alone isn’t enough; it has to work for the user, too.”
Looking ahead, Egger hopes to continue shaping user experiences and visual identities in meaningful ways. “I’d love to work in branding and packaging design, making things visually appealing while improving usability. My dream is to create work that’s functional, beautiful, and impactful.”
For Egger, student designers do more than create aesthetics, they help shape the campus culture itself. “Design helps draw people in and spark curiosity. A poster, a logo, or an exhibition can engage students, highlight events, and connect the community. That engagement is really powerful.”
Reflecting on her time in the program, one lesson stands out: scale matters. “A logo or design might look amazing on paper, but if it’s too small or doesn’t translate well, it loses its impact. Thinking about how work functions in real spaces is something I’ve carried with me through every project.”
From her first high school doodles to her current work on campus-wide initiatives, Egger has proven that design is more than visual, it’s a tool for connection, inclusivity, and storytelling. As she prepares to graduate, one thing is clear: her work will continue to make spaces more accessible, meaningful, and beautiful for those who experience them.