When Amy Noble graduated from Colorado State University in May 2021 with a B.F.A. in Art, concentration in Graphic Design, and a minor in Business Administration, she had already built a strong foundation for her future career. As a member of the CSU Honors Program and an engaged student in the Department of Art & Art History, Noble made the most of her time on campus, an approach that continues to shape her professional path today.

Noble is now a Senior Graphic Designer at JLL, where she leads creative work in the Denver market. In her role, she develops marketing materials that support commercial real estate brokers in bringing major investment properties to market. Working in-house, she blends design, strategy, and storytelling to communicate the value of complex assets.

“When you’re driving down I-25 from Fort Collins to Denver and see the skyline appear,” she says, “someone owns every one of those buildings and I’m on the backside creating the marketing materials to sell them.”

Before joining JLL, Noble began her career at a branding agency, gaining experience on the agency side before transitioning into the corporate design world. That early experience helped her develop a well-rounded understanding of the field and the many directions a design career can take.

That trajectory, she notes, was deeply shaped by her experience at CSU and the foundation she built within the Department of Art & Art History.

Noble describes her experience in the Department of Art & Art History as both formative and transformative. She credits not only the program’s emphasis on concept and craft, but also the mentorship and community she found along the way.

“I had a wonderful experience in the department, shaped by incredible professors and advisors, and by my own desire to get involved in everything I could,” she says.

By actively participating in classes, building relationships with faculty and peers, and taking advantage of advising support, Noble positioned herself for success after graduation. Those relationships, she notes, have continued beyond CSU as a source of ongoing guidance and support.

The structure of the graphic design concentration also played a key role, giving her the space and confidence to grow creatively while developing a strong portfolio. That portfolio directly led to an internship, which became her first professional role and set her career in motion.

“I’m deeply grateful for the foundation, confidence, network, and community that helped shape my path,” she says.

Looking back on that experience, Noble emphasizes that the habits and relationships she built during her time at CSU continue to inform how she approaches her career today.

“Get involved, make connections, and say yes to opportunities,” Noble says. “A strong portfolio matters, but having people who believe in you and advocate for you can make all the difference early in your career.”

She also encourages students to stay adaptable as the field evolves. “Learn new tools like AI early and use them to your advantage,” she says. “And don’t lose sight of why you started—design is something we’re lucky to do every day.”