Jennifer Skoropowski

Jennifer Skoropowski

Allen Iverson’s success with the Denver Nuggets may be based on blessed genetics, solid coaching or years of dedicated practice. But his shoes can’t be hurting his game, either, and he may owe something to Kohei Kanata ’03 for that.
Kanata, a graphic design graduate and footwear designer for Reebok International, is involved in designing the 14th edition basketball shoe for Iverson’s signature line.

“My education gave me the fundamental foundation to become a productive designer,” says Kanata. “My job as footwear designer combines all my passions: design, basketball and shoes.”

For fellow graphic design graduate Jennifer Skoropowski ’06, working in design preceded her current profession as full-time artist. “The way I approach my work in terms of color and composition is a direct result of my graphic design background,” says the alum, who is more often known by the name Jenn Ski.

Jenn Ski credits a UML class called Senior Studio— in which students design a project from start to finish— for instilling confidence in her abilities.

“My project involved coming up with products based on classic fairy tales and children’s stories, and designing packaging for them: I created funny products like Humpty Dumpty glue, poisoned apples and magic beans. It was the first time I’d undertaken a project that big, and the incredibly positive response from
[Asst. Prof.] Karen Roehr and others felt like a nice culmination of my studies,”
she says.

Jenn Ski’s work has appeared in a variety of places, including a Hood milk elevision commercial. She is inspired by mid-twentieth century art and design, and uses two media: paintings using acrylic and paper on hardboard, and prints
created from digital files. Her creations— including stationery, tote bags and other products— are available for sale at her website www.jennski.com.