Originally from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Cardot was drawn to Flagler for its small class sizes, close-knit community, and iconic architectural beauty. Now graduating a year early, she reflects on a college journey that helped her discover not only her artistic voice but also the many ways illustration can thrive within graphic design.
Although she did not take art classes in high school, from the moment she arrived on Flagler’s campus, she knew she wanted to pursue a degree in graphic design, so she jumped right into foundational drawing courses that introduced her to both technique and creative confidence.
“Starting with those drawing classes made me realize how much I truly love art and design,” she said.
As she progressed through the graphic design program, her professors encouraged her to integrate illustration into her design work, helping her see illustration not as a separate discipline, but as a powerful storytelling tool within the field of graphic design.
As Cardot built her portfolio, a clear pattern emerged: the projects she enjoyed most were almost always rooted in illustration. While she never added an illustration minor, she intentionally developed her style within her design work. That integration became especially tangible during her internship with Flagler College’s Marketing and Communications department, where she gained hands-on experience translating illustrations into real-world graphic design projects and working with digital illustration tools in a professional setting.
Growing up in New Smyrna Beach also played a formative role in shaping Cardot’s artistic perspective. The area’s vibrant art community and her father’s deep involvement in it introduced her to creativity at a young age.
“There were always art camps, festivals, gallery shows, and classes happening,” she said. Spending time at exhibitions and attending classes helped creativity feel natural and accessible, rooted in personal expression rather than rigid rules.
Today, Cardot describes her artistic style as expressive and organic, with a strong emphasis on flowing, swirling linework. Line is central to her work, creating movement and depth through layered marks rather than heavy shading or form. She is especially drawn to pen-and-paper illustration, where the energy and imperfection of hand-drawn lines give her work character, an effect she strives to preserve even when working digitally in programs like Procreate.
Inspired by nature, Cardot frequently incorporates animals, plants, fruits, and flowers into her illustrations, elements that align naturally with her organic approach.
That distinctive style is evident in Flagler’s 2025 holiday card. When invited to design the illustration, Cardot began by walking the campus and sketching ideas inspired by Ponce de Leon Hall. She ultimately centered the design around Flagler’s iconic Tiffany stained-glass windows, allowing her to reinterpret a beloved campus feature while maintaining a clear visual connection to the College. The approach also gave her the opportunity to step away from the hyper-realistic style she had been using in many of her academic projects and explore something more illustrative and expressive.
Designing a piece that would represent Flagler to thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and friends was both rewarding and challenging.
“The hardest part was creating something that represented Flagler and the holidays while still staying true to my style,” she said. The result balances tradition with individuality, capturing a sense of place, creativity, and community through Cardot’s distinctive visual voice.
Throughout her time at Flagler, key academic and professional moments have shaped Cardot’s growth. A typography course in her sophomore year marked a turning point, helping her transition from thinking purely like an artist to thinking like a designer, with an emphasis on strong foundations and attention to detail.
Outside the classroom, submitting her work to the ADDYs and earning recognition at both the local and district levels reinforced her confidence and professionalism. Encouraged by professors Chris Smith and Diana Lodi, those experiences taught her to hold herself to a higher standard—one she now brings to every project.
As she prepares for graduation, Cardot is curating a portfolio that reflects her playful, expressive style while demonstrating range. Illustration appears in every project, whether as the focal point or a subtle detail, underscoring her belief that illustration and design are most powerful when they work together.
After Flagler, Cardot hopes to begin her career as a graphic designer, gaining real-world experience across a variety of creative environments, including agency and in-house work, as well as packaging and editorial design. Long term, she aspires to become a creative director, and she sees each early opportunity as a chance to better understand her strengths and refine her voice.
For first-year art students still finding their way, Cardot offers simple but meaningful advice: experiment freely, embrace imperfection, and trust your instincts. “Pay attention to what you naturally gravitate toward,” she said. “That’s usually where your style begins.”
Cardot’s work can be viewed at cardot816.myportfolio.com, and on Instagram at @alizecardot.design, where her illustrations continue to tell stories shaped by creativity, community, and her time at Flagler College.
