A group of design students from Utah State University’s Caine College of the Arts recently returned from an immersive and transformative trip to New York City, where they connected with successful alumni and gained valuable insight into how artistic passion can be transformed into professional opportunity.
The multi-day visit included behind-the-scenes access to the fashion industry and entrepreneurial design sectors, offering students real-world exposure to the creative possibilities that lie beyond graduation. The trip was designed to strengthen students’ professional networks while highlighting the university’s commitment to experiential learning and career preparation.
Among the highlights was an exclusive visit to the studio and fashion show of USU alumnus and internationally acclaimed designer Bibhu Mohapatra. Students witnessed the inner workings of New York Fashion Week, experiencing the energy and chaos backstage before the show.
Costume design student Natalie Pulsipher described the experience as fast-paced and eye-opening. “It was utter chaos for about 40 minutes. Then the show lasted around 15 minutes, and you see all these looks — the models move so quickly,” she said. Inspired by what she saw, Pulsipher returned home with fresh ideas. “I sketched out some of the designs I saw and created others based on those looks because I liked them so much.”
The sensory storytelling of Mohapatra’s show, titled Pilgrimage, made a deep impression on interior architecture and landscape architecture student Joseph Kendell. “He talked about how music, scent, and even the wristbands — which were made of jasmine flowers from India — all contributed to the story,” Kendell said. “It was powerful to see how design can engage multiple senses to create a narrative.”
Students also spent a day with USU alumnus Paul Weibel, a 1977 graduate in commercial art who has built a successful career in packaging and advertising. Weibel hosted the group at his Pennsylvania-based company and gave them a glimpse into his personal life, including a tour of his home and collection of rare Tiffany pieces.
Weibel emphasized the importance of blending artistic vision with business acumen. “Students in the arts need to bend and bleed into business,” he said. “You’ve got to find the low-hanging apple that allows you to follow your dream and build a foundation.”
For many of the students, Weibel’s journey demonstrated how a creative degree can lead to long-term success. “Paul was awesome,” Kendell reflected. “Seeing how his early education unlocked new doors showed me that if you keep following your passion and working hard, opportunities will come.”
Dane Graham, director of advancement for the Caine College of the Arts, said the trip aligns with the college’s broader mission to prepare students for impactful lives beyond the classroom. “This trip was about opportunity,” he said. “Connecting students with alumni like Bibhu and Paul helps them see how their education can translate into real careers and real influence.”
The trip proved especially consequential for Kendell, who, after encouragement from faculty, applied for and received an internship in New York. “That was something I wouldn’t have done without this experience,” he said.
Through this journey, USU’s design students gained more than just exposure to industry professionals — they returned with fresh ambitions, a sense of possibility, and a clearer understanding of how creativity can shape their future.
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