Kaylani Reyes

For Kaylani Reyes, design is about how it works, feels and connects people.

Reyes is earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic information technology at The Polytechnic School, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. Throughout the program, she has embraced the field’s interdisciplinary nature, challenging the idea that design is purely visual. 

“A common misconception is that graphic information technology is limited to visual or graphic production,” she says. “In reality, the field is highly interdisciplinary and extends far beyond aesthetics.”

Her work reflects that mindset. In a Nintendo Switch app redesign project, Reyes used Figma to build prototypes and conducted user interviews to improve usability and satisfaction. The experience sharpened her ability to connect user needs with business goals and showed her how thoughtful design decisions can shape outcomes.

That same blend of creativity and strategy carried into her professional work. Applying her skills at her part-time job, she developed promotional materials that elevated the company’s in-store presence and earned her the role of lead promotional artist. The recognition marked a turning point and reinforced her ability to deliver real-world impact through design.

Reyes credits faculty members across the program for making an impact, specifically Melissa Hopkins, an instructor and benjie wilhelm, an assistant teaching professor. Their courses and mentorship provided practical insights and fostered confidence as she prepared to enter the industry. 

One defining moment came in her e-commerce strategies course when she began to see design through a broader lens. 

“I learned how thoughtful UX/UI design can create not only seamless user interactions but also meaningful and valuable experiences that drive business outcomes,” she says.

She is proud of her academic successes at the community college level, where she completed two associate degrees before transferring to ASU, where she was on the dean’s list consistently, which helped her earn vital scholarships, including the Dr. Thomas Schildgen Scholarship, funded by Emeritus Professor Thomas Schildgen.

After graduation, Reyes will pursue a master’s degree in user experience, with plans to build a career in the gaming and entertainment industries. Her goal is to create immersive digital spaces and experiences that resonate long after the screen goes dark.

Favorites 

Hobby: Digital art
Performer: Amaarae
Movie: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Geeky possession: Hatsune Miku collection
Game: Persona 5

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2026 class.

Written by Joy Gaeraths