Northwestern Alum Gives Screech a Makeover

Meet alumna Natasha Nolette. She graduated in the fall of ’23 with a triple major in Animation & Illustration, Art, and Graphic Design. When the opportunity arose to create new graphics for UNW mascot, Screech, Natasha gladly accepted the challenge.

Recreating such an iconic part of the UNW culture was no easy feat. Follow along with a condensed glimpse at the process:

Step 1: Research

Natasha did a thorough eagle study to look closely at all of its distinct features.

Step 2: Sketching

She began sketching eagle heads—three pages worth, to be exact, until she found a few renditions that felt right for his face.

Then, the body. After pages of sketches, Natasha provided five styles to choose from.

Step 3: Creating Attire

What should Screech be wearing? What logo should he have on his shirt? What color should his shirt be? Should he be wearing pants, and if so, what color?

Step 4: Creating Diverse Screech Graphics

Graphics were created to include many different areas of the student experience. Screech as a student, an alumni, a superfan, a graduate, a performer, an athlete, a musician, a worshiper (both reading the Bible and leading worship), and dressed for a formal event.

Where is Natasha now? Natasha left for London, England on August 19 to pursue animation at the Royal College of Art, ranked number one in the world for Art & Design. Its acceptance rate is small—about 27%. As she was applying, Art & Design professors Joe Smith and John Printy came alongside her to mentor and guide her in the application process, both with her writing and the chosen projects she presented. She will be graduating in May with a master’s in Animation.

Her gift is clear, and her love for the Lord is clearer. Natasha is quick to give God the glory when her talent is praised. In her words, “It’s all God.”

We’re excited to see how God will continue to use her in the world to amplify the gospel.