Kristine Matthews, Professor of Visual Communication Design at the University of Washington and principal of Studio Matthews, continues to earn national and international recognition for her work. She founded the Seattle-based design practice in 2008, building a studio of designers, teachers, and makers known for award-winning projects, elegant solutions, and a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.
In 2025, Studio Matthews received five major design awards across multiple projects, many of which included UW Design alumni as collaborators (listed below). The studio’s work operates in the public sphere, shaping spaces and experiences that thousands of people interact with daily across Seattle and beyond. So, it comes as no surprise that her work continues to receive this level of recognition. For Matthews, awards mark an important milestone in that process, as most of these projects take years of work behind the scenes before becoming visible to the public. They “celebrate hard-won projects that, after years of dedicated work, are finally out in the world to be enjoyed and acknowledged,” she explains. In the field of Visual Communication Design, beyond their celebratory nature, awards function as a form of peer review — an opportunity for projects to be evaluated by leading professionals from across the country and around the world. That level of recognition, she notes, is both exciting and deeply gratifying.
These honors are especially meaningful for the School of Art + Art History + Design because of the strong connection between Studio Matthews and UW Design students. Many alumni contribute to these award-winning projects, and some continue as employees and long-term collaborators after graduation — a testament to the strength of the program and the professional pathways it cultivates.
We aim to hire the very best designers, thinkers, and creatives, and that has often meant working with UW Design alumni
Mathews Studios has been collaborating with UW design alumni since its beginnings. "We aim to hire the very best designers, thinkers, and creatives, and that has often meant working with UW Design alumni" she says. As Matthews describes it, “the benefit flows both ways.” Alumni bring emerging talent and fresh perspectives to the studio, while gaining valuable professional experience and fair compensation for their work. Her hope is that participation in these projects strengthens their portfolios, helps establish them as professional designers, and opens doors to future opportunities, whether at Studio Matthews or beyond.
Award recognition is not limited to design faculty and alumni. Every year, students across Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication Design also earn national and international attention. Recent honors include the 2025 Spark Awards, 2025 Core77 Design Awards, and the 2026 WINFO Hackathon. Matthews attributes this recognition to the program's reputation and long-standing tradition of excellence that has continued to grow since its founding in the 1970s. As both an alum (BFA Design, 1990) and a professor, she says she is proud to be part of that legacy.
Studio Matthews' 2025 Awards
2025 Communication Arts Typography Awards
Seattle Convention Center, Hillclimb
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UW Design alumni team members: Cassie Klingler, Scott Ichikawa, Christoffer Hart-Hansen, Dan Neifert
2025 Communication Arts Design Awards
UPrep ULab, Placemaking + Signage
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2025 SEGD Global Design Awards
Gates Foundation ‘Designing Motherhood’ exhibition
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2025 Core77 Design Awards
Global Tech Client, Workplace
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UW Design alumni team members: Cal Dobrzynski, Eli Kahn, Dan Neifert
2025 Communication Arts — Lettering + Printmaking
2024 New Year’s Cards, Lettering + Printmaking
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UW Design alumni team member: Peyton Todd