VMSD Announces its 2026 Designer Dozen

MARCH 2026 – VMSD magazine is celebrating the best and brightest young designers in retail design with the thirteenth annual VMSD Designer Dozen. These 12 emerging stars recognized this year come from retail organizations and design firms across the country and internationally, including Bloomingdale’s, Arcadis, Gensler, and more.

VMSD Editor-in-Chief Carly Hagedon says, “Our annual class of Designer Dozen winners represent rising stars who are not only outstanding designers and visual merchandisers but are also expending what it means to make an impact, whether that’s through mentorship, volunteer work or giving back. We can’t wait to honor this year’s group at IRDC 2026 in Las Vegas. Congratulations to this year’s winners!”

VMSD’s 2026 Designer Dozen award recipients are:

• Andrew Han, Designer, Gensler
• Madeline Johnson, Associate, Arcadis
• Maria Barrios, Architectural & Interior Designer, MG2
• Miranda Swaney, Sr. Manager, Strategy & Insights, WD Partners
• Gina Mercatili, Visual Production Supervisor, Windows & Special Store Projects, Bloomingdale’s
• Reilly Sapp, Associate Creative Director, ROWE Creative Union
• McKenzie Samp, Associate, BRR Architecture
• Emma Moyer, Senior Designer, IA Interior Architects
• Olivia Van Deusen, Senior Environmental Designer, ChangeUp
• Kayla Di Giulio, Project Designer, Chipman Design Architecture
• Elise Biebelhausen, Senior Designer, Richardson Design
• Kathryn Grotheer, Senior Designer, Bergmeyer

Profiles of the Designer Dozen will appear in VMSD’s March/April issue and the winners will be celebrated during the 2026 International Retail Design Conference (IRDC), taking place in Las Vegas this Oct. 7-8.

The print version of VMSD’s March/April issue will mail early April, and the digital edition will be “live” via www.vmsd.com/digital beginning March 30. To read about last year’s Designer Dozen winners, click here.

Interested in nominating or becoming a Designer Dozen? Submissions for 2027 will open late December 2026/early January 2027. For questions, please contact the VMSD editors by emailing [email protected] or stay tuned to www.vmsd.com/submit-your-competition-entry.

About VMSD
VMSD (Visual Merchandising Store Design) magazine is the leading publication for retail designers and store display professionals, serving the retail industry since 1897. Every month, VMSD showcases the latest store designs and visual displays, presents merchandising strategies and new products, and reports on industry news and events. Celebrating the art and science of retail design for nearly 129 years, VMSD delivers information and inspiration straight from the high-level executives that drive this industry. Learn more at vmsd.com.