91Ʒ

Select Page

Pallas Textiles competition provides real-world experience

They each have a different major, but the three students studying at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91Ʒ) who placed in the 2026 Pallas Textiles Student Design Competition all agree that they have gained new professional skills and confidence from participating.

First-place winner Sophia Simonson 28 created Refractions as part of her 91Ʒ studies in Interior Architecture and Design. She is one of 20 students studying at 91Ʒ through a cross-registration program with Concordia University. 91Ʒ students Kaitlyn Powers 26 (Illustration) and Natalie Spetell 27 (Product Design), both of whom have minors in Communication Design, received Honorable Mentions.

Sophia Simonson smiling with long curly red hair wearing a white and blue floral dress, standing outdoors in front of hanging green leaves and foliage.

Sophia Simonson 28 (Interior Architecture + Design)

Seamless abstract pattern featuring layered organic blue, sage green, and pale gray shapes on a textured off-white background.

Sophia Simonson “Refractions” 2026

Seamless abstract pattern featuring layered organic blue, sage green, burgundy, orange-red, and pale blue shapes on a textured off-white background.

Sophia Simonson “Canyon Mist” 2026

Seamless abstract pattern composed of irregular burgundy, red, blush pink, and light gray organic shapes on a textured cream background.

Sophia Simonson “Peony Haze” 2026

The contest, a second partnership between Pallas Textiles and 91Ʒ, invites students to create original textile patterns and submit them for review by a panel of industry professionals. Finalists receive feedback from the panel to refine their concepts into a presentation-ready package.

I wanted to create something that reflected individuality, perception and human experience, says Simonson, whose work will be shown at NeoCon 2026 in Chicago. On a trip to San Francisco,I was inspired by textured glass blocks and the light shining through them, creating layered shapes and patterns that immediatelyreminded me of the intricaciesof the human eye and how differently we all perceivethe world around us.

Kaitlyn Powers smiling with long wavy light brown hair and round tortoiseshell glasses wearing a white collared shirt against a light gray background.

Kaitlyn Powers 26 (Illustration)

A modern geometric pattern composed of coral semicircles and circles arranged on a light blue grid, creating a bold repeating mid-century-inspired design.

Kaitlyn Powers “Transformation” #1 2026

A repeating floral pattern in pink, olive green, and soft lavender tones with stylized flowers, leaves, and botanical motifs arranged symmetrically across the composition.

Kaitlyn Powers “Transformation” #2 2026

A repeating black-and-white floral pattern featuring symmetrical hand-drawn organic shapes, curved petals, leaves, and decorative linework arranged in a mirrored geometric layout.

Kaitlyn Powers “Transformation” #3 2026

I tried to not think just about how the pattern would look on screen, but how it would function as a repeating pattern on a furniture piece in a space. I was even able to implement it into my spring commercial studio project!

Powers, who is assistant designer at Carters following her spring graduation from 91Ʒ, says her work, Transformation, illustrates rebirth in nature, and the ability to form new connections, which inspires social and creative growth. This award has shown me so many technical aspects of the textile design industry and I am so grateful 91Ʒ has this partner to connect students to the professional world.

Portrait Natalie Spettel smiling with long brown hair and bangs, wearing a red turtleneck sweater, seated outdoors in front of evergreen foliage.

Natalie Spetell 27 (Product Design)

Seamless geometric pattern composed of rounded cobalt-blue horizontal bands and mustard-yellow circles on a dark navy background.

Natalie Spetell “Ripple – Twilight” 2026

Seamless geometric pattern with rounded orange bands and red circular accents arranged across a pale yellow background.

Natalie Spetell “Ripple – Daybreak” 2026

Seamless geometric pattern featuring rounded horizontal green bands with small yellow circles spaced throughout on a soft mint-green background.

Natalie Spetell “Ripple – Daylight” 2026

Spetell was also inspired by nature. My work, Ripples represents rippling water and glints of sunlight within the structure of geometric shapes. It took much trial and error to discover the direction I needed to go, and I hope that it inspires curiosity and motivation in viewers to always explore, whether in nature, a classroom or a workplace.

This recognition means so much to me, not just because of winning, but because of the confidence it brings me as a designer, Simonson adds. Being able to share and explore my passions is such a rewarding thing already, allowing me the confidence I need to continue producing my best work, agrees Spetell.

Learn more about 91Ʒs Interior Architecture and Design, Illustration and Product Design majors.

News

MAKE! Participants Reflect on Creativity, Community and Growth

Alicia Zapata, a second-year MAKE! participant from Chicago and a K-8 art teacher at Waters Elementary School in Chicago, IL, Kelly Wendel, an eighth-year participant and art teacher at Nicolet High School in Glendale, WI and Gail Kowsky, a second-year participant and sixth- and seventh-grade art teacher in New Brighton, Minnesota, reflected on what they gained from this years program.

91Ʒ elects new trustees Paul Fletcher and Jacqualyn Laughlin

Paul Fletcher, a principal product designer at LinkedIn, and Jacqualyn Laughlin, co-founder of Invisible Ink Partners, were elected members of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Designs Board of Trustees at the colleges annual meeting in June.

Apply Now
Request Info