Creative Talent on the Rise: Kean Graduate Lauren Aber Ready to Break into Advertising

Lauren Aber always saw herself as a designer, but as she prepares to graduate from Kean University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in advertising, she’s heading into the creative world with a passion for copywriting. 

“What I love about our field is that it's about communication and telling stories,” Aber said. “I discovered that doing that through words was the most rewarding for me.” 

Her ability to work across disciplines - design and writing - has led to meaningful opportunities and industry recognition. 

One standout moment came when she interned at Square Melon Communications, a creative design studio in Westfield owned by Kean lecturer Deborah Ceballos. There, Aber contributed to advertising campaigns for Visa tied to Super Bowls LVII and LIX. 

“That kind of recognition and responsibility are extraordinary achievements for a student and a clear sign of her future impact in the industry,” said Kean Distinguished Professor Robin Landa. 

Aber said the internship offered insights that went far beyond the classroom.  “It was great to sit in on pitches and understand what happens in the real world,” she said. 

Ceballos described Aber as “a dynamic and versatile force in advertising.” 

“Over the past two years as my intern, she has brought brilliance, dedication and fresh energy to every project,” Ceballos said. “Beyond her own work, she’s been a mentor and inspiration to other students, truly embracing her educational journey. Now, as she prepares to graduate, she’s ready to show the industry that a new kind of talent is on the rise.” 

Last year, Aber was selected for the Mentor & Creative Program sponsored by The One Club for Creativity, a nonprofit organization that supports the global creative community. Through the program, she was mentored by BriElle Munizzi for six weeks at Brooklyn-based creative agency Madwell. 

“Lauren was a collaborative partner and thoughtful leader on her team who was always receptive to feedback and tackled challenges with grace,” Munizzi said. “Her future is very bright.” 

Aber’s work had earned her several other notable accolades, including a first-place student entry in the 56th NJ Ad Club’s Jersey Awards, an induction into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and recognition as a 2025 Student to Watch from Graphic Design USA magazine, based on her portfolio. 

She credits her professors at Kean for promoting collaboration as a key to success in an often-competitive industry. They also prioritized doing work that has a good social impact, she said. 

“It's almost shocking how much power we have in advertising in our ability to persuade people,” Aber said, “and it’s always been a core belief of mine that it has to be used correctly.” 

As she prepares to graduate, Aber is seeking a full-time job or internship in writing for commercials – but is open to other areas of advertising. 

“For the first time,” she said, “I'm excited that I don't know. I’m confident that there's a whole world to explore, and that I have the skills to navigate it.”