Caden Ankrom ’25 designs his path to success
By Xenocrates Johnson
Communications Assistant
Caden Ankrom ’25 has designed everything from clothes and posters to billboards and train wraps. As a student worker on the Marketing & Communications team at PLU for the last two and a half years, he has created industry-grade designs.
Finding a creative home at PLU
Caden, an art and design major with a concentration in graphic design, has created dozens of projects for PLU, such as campus merchandise, posters for key PLU events, and even videos for off-campus marketing. When he’s not in the office, he can be found working on many freelance graphic design projects or running his own vintage clothing business: Lost in Antiquity. He chose the name after his capstone project, which he described as an “interactive exhibit of stepping into the past.” He designed an environment that felt “lived in,” containing objects that looked like they were from an antique store or old attic.
“This was important to me because a lot of my personal design style was crafted based on my love for vintage and antiques, and I have spent years finding out how to craft art that feels ‘old’ and so it was important to me to really showcase that in my capstone,” he said.
Caden gained a lot of experience in his craft and plenty of projects to add to his resume. Not every graphic designer can say they’ve created the decal for a public transit train that runs downtown (check out Tacoma’s light rail to see the PLU train on the go). He said, “The fact I’ve been able to roleplay as a graphic designer for the past three years has been really impactful. I feel like I know what’s coming in the future.”
This was important to me because a lot of my personal design style was crafted based on my love for vintage and antiques, and I have spent years finding out how to craft art that feels ‘old’ and so it was important to me to really showcase that in my capstone.
Caden knew about PLU and was interested in attending, as his sister was a Lute. Then, after receiving the Presidential Scholarship and the Artistic Achievement Award for his outstanding portfolio, that sealed the deal for him. “It was validating to have my portfolio reviewed. These scholarships were the only reason I was able to afford coming here”.
Connections and collaboration
Caden doesn’t attribute his success solely to himself. He says his boss, Executive Creative Director Simon Sung, is “always gassing me up and telling me how great I am at design. I try to be as humble as possible, but it’s hard when he’s constantly telling me how great I am.” In his academic pursuits, Caden was grateful for even more opportunities. “I’ve done probably four independent studies. Basically, I’ve been able to make cool stuff and get a grade for it,” he said.
Caden recently wrapped up an independent study for ceramics and art history. “For my ceramics independent study, I made my entire dinnerware set for my house that I want to use.” He gives thanks to Heather Mathews, the Chair of Communication, Media & Design Arts, noting that she has been “so accommodating and will do anything to help you if you need it.” Caden also gives thanks to his ceramics teacher, Steve Sobeck, who “will drop everything to help you.” Caden enjoys the close-knit culture of the arts department, expressing, “The teachers like it when the students are passionate about what they’re doing. They feed off the passion that you give off, and I think that’s cool.”
Post-PLU plans
Now that he has graduated, Caden plans to become a graphic designer for a local sports team or design agency and hopes to keep in touch with his PLU community, including the faculty members who assisted him throughout his journey. He’ll also continue to do freelance work and grow his vintage apparel business. “Since I’m graduating halfway through the year, most of my friends already graduated last spring. I’m excited to meet with them again.”
Caden leaves advice to those wanting to become an art major: “Just enjoy the time, because it’s gonna go so fast. Don’t hold yourself back from making something you want to make. A lot of the time, we do what we’re expected to do and what’s required, and not really what we want. Especially as an art major. Make what you want to make, and somehow make that fit the class requirements. Also, there’s so much time when you’re not in class. Take advantage of the space and the time and make cool stuff.”
A mashup of different clips recorded by Caden, presented on an old TV in his senior capstone project.