Graphic Design Alumna Honored by Alumni Association

April 13, 2005

Colleen Meade Claps (’94 B.A. Graphic Design) is the College of Arts and Architecture’s recipient of the newly established Penn State Alumni Association Alumni Achievement Award, a new award created to honor alumni under age 35. Claps’ graphic design skills, creativity and leadership ability have allowed her to leave her mark on a diverse selection of national publications since graduating from Penn State 11 years ago. In her current position as associate creative director at Vanity Fair magazine, she is responsible for developing and producing all creative projects for the promotion, sales and marketing departments for the magazine. She and her staff, which includes six designers, a copywriter and a production manager, produce special advertising sections, direct mail pieces, event collateral materials, invitations, media kits and other promotional pieces for Vanity Fair.

Claps has been with Vanity Fair since 1999, spending four years as design director before assuming her current position in 2003. Prior to Vanity Fair, she was art director at Harper’s BAZAAR and promotion art director for Discover magazine. She began her career as an assistant art director at M&C Magazine, a trade publication for the meeting and convention planning industry.

Claps is a member of the board of the Arts and Architecture/Performing Arts Alumni Society.

Left to right: Colleen Meade Claps, Lanny Sommese, Kristin Sommese, Graham Spanier and Richard Durst.

Contact: Kate Hoffman, kah39@psu.edu or 814.863.2104