SCAD Student Adrianna Kimmitt Named Recipient of the 2026 Shop! Scholarship + Experience

PAVE Global, in partnership with Shop! Association is pleased to announce Adrianna Kimmitt, a senior in the Graphic Design program at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), as the recipient of the 2026 Shop! Scholarship + Experience.

"On behalf of the Shop! Association, we are thrilled to announce that Adrianna Kimmitt, a student from the Savannah College of Art and Design, has been selected as our 2026 PAVE x Shop! Scholarship + Experience," says Murray Kasmenn, Executive Director, Shop! Association. "Adrianna's submission stood out for its breadth and versatility, showcasing thoughtful work across p-o-p, packaging, and in-store design. Her clear interest in the retail industry, demonstrated through both her portfolio and essay, reflects a strong understanding of how design can drive impact in-store. We thank all of the student entrants and congratulate Adrianna on this well-deserved recognition."

Kimmitt was selected from a competitive field of applicants representing design programs across the United States and Canada. Her winning submission demonstrated exceptional range, combining a confident visual point of view with a clear command of how design functions at the intersection of retail strategy and consumer behavior.

In her scholarship essay, Kimmitt articulated a forward-looking vision for the future of retail design:

"The future I want to design toward is displays that respond to the shopper: touch-and-feel sample units, QR-linked tutorials that personalize based on your selections, screens that surface content at the exact moment of consideration. The store becomes the campaign, and the display becomes the experience."

Kimmitt's project folio reflects the full breadth of that vision, spanning environmental design, brand identity, and UX/UI with a versatility that extends well beyond any single discipline.

Her ULTA Beauty Cafe concept demonstrated her ability to connect physical and digital retail, reimagining in-store makeup discovery for Gen Z shoppers through a POP display system that turns a transaction into a shareable moment.

Beyond concept work, Kimmitt brings real-world production experience as the in-house packaging and graphic designer at well-kept, a lifestyle brand sold at Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, Buc-ee's, At Home, and The Container Store, designing across packaging, dielines, catalogs, email campaigns, and trade show displays for a line of more than a dozen SKUs.

Excerpts from the Portfolio of Adri Kimmitt - For a Closer Look, Click to Enlarge

As the recipient of the 2026 Shop! Scholarship + Experience, Kimmitt will attend Shop! Marketplace 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana, May 6-7, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with airfare, accommodations, and daily per diem covered. She will also receive a $600 cash award as part of a scholarship package valued at $1,800, and will be recognized at the Shop! Awards Celebration during the event.

Shop! Marketplace 2026 will offer Kimmitt direct access to educational sessions, the exhibit floor, and networking opportunities with retailers, brand owners, and design professionals from across the globe.

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About Shop! Association

Shop! Association is the global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience and advancing the evolution of retail. Representing companies and affiliates worldwide, Shop! connects the industry through education, research, events, and awards while supporting retailers, brands, designers, producers, and suppliers. Learn more at www.shopassociation.org.

About PAVE Global

Founded in 1992 as The Planning and Visual Education Partnership, PAVE Global is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that enables young talent to build successful careers designing and creating consumer environments. PAVE connects students, educators, and industry through financial assistance, mentorship, inspiration, and access to real-world opportunities. Learn more at www.paveglobal.org.