Welcome Back! #throwback '90s

Welcome back! Below is my first blog post in a few years. I love talking about all things design, and while I’m not sure how long this return will last, feel free to explore a few other throwback posts as well. If I continue, I may eventually migrate to another blogging format—but until then, enjoy this go-round here.

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(This story is from 1997, with a recent full-circle moment)

I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic about undergrad design school lately, thanks in part to a hearty clean-up and finding my undergrad archives including this poster—I have kept a lot of my work; and of course a current obsession with Love Story…90s vibes are in.✨ 

In my senior year (Kutztown U. in PA) I took a capstone course that mirrored a freelance experience, designing for campus initiatives. Professor Emeritus John Landis’ classes were coveted… not only were they loads of fun because of his welcoming and witty banter, but you also knew you’d be challenged and end up with a solid portfolio piece.

I was selected to design a folded poster to be mailed to prospective students interested in the crafts major. Renowned fiber artist and Professor Emeritus Barbara Schulman dept. chair of the program at the time was my "client" for the course—I was nervous but she was also super-cool and inspiring throughout this experience.

It was memorable for several reasons: it was collaborative and tangible—my idea had students hand-create each part of the flag; and it was the first time I had the opportunity to use our newly learned PMS ink and paper knowledge. I spec’d a duotone with warm gray and black on an uncoated heavyweight stock, with a full-bleed matte varnish to boot (!)…I thought I was so cool to be able to select all these special extras.

But most importantly it has been a design thinking moment—I hadn’t seen this project for several years and finding it made me appreciate that even with this rapid evolution in technology, my personal inspiration has remained consistent, including my affinity with analog mediums.

It has been a great pleasure to remain in touch with John and Barbara over the years, recently seeing Barbara at a show opening in the Lehigh Valley. Our conversation brought me great joy, and a reminder to share these experiences—beyond storytelling about vintage processes—nostalgia is genuinely good for the soul!  -CG
(about the author Christina Galbiati)

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Poster images are  lo-res photographed (not scanned); poster size: 24”x36”  Artwork elements are copyright with each artist.
© 2026 Christina Galbiati. This blog content may not be reproduced, republished, or used commercially without written permission. Sharing excerpts with attribution and a link is permitted.