Lessons Learned, Lessons Taught: Alumna Returns as Teacher, Bringing Industry Expertise as Art Director at Apple Box Studios to the Classroom Alumni Profile
Meet Annalee (Tomak) Cross '16 '26
- Job Title & Employer
- Art Director, Apple Box Studios
- Majors/Programs
- Public Relations, Advertising & Social Media, Multimedia-M.A.
- College Activities
- Graphic Design Tutor, Pittsburgh Playhouse Apprentice, Knitting Club, Ad Fed/PRSSA
- Hometown
- Johnstown, Pa.
- High School
- Greater Johnstown Senior High School
- Now Living In
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Crafting, knitting, crocheting and any other craft you can imagine, from wood burning to screen printing. I like to keep my hands and my mind busy creating things.
"If you are looking for small class sizes, hands-on experience and access to industry professionals, Point Park University is the perfect place for you. If I had gone to a larger school, I would not be where I am in my career."
Why did you choose Point Park University for your undergraduate and graduate degrees?
I chose Point Park's School of Communication for my undergraduate degree in public relations, advertising and social media because of the small class sizes. As a result of the small class sizes, I built lasting relationships with my professors that later helped me get really great industry experience and inspired me to teach at the collegiate level.
I'm currently in the second year of the accelerated M.A. Multimedia program, which is offered fully online. The flexibility of an online graduate program makes it easier for me to balance taking classes, working full-time at Apple Box Studios and teaching part-time in the School of Communication.
You were recently hired as the art director at Apple Box Studios. Tell us more about that.
Becoming the art director at Apple Box Studios feels very kismet for me, the same way that teaching at Point Park does. The former art director, Jess Joseph '17, and I worked very well together as classmates at Point Park. Jess worked at Apple Box as a senior graphic designer and then as the art director, and when the art director position became available, I knew that I could offer similar leadership. I was also excited to see that one of my students, Ashley Branthoover '23, is a graphic designer at Apple Box.
In my role as art director, my key responsibilities are essentially leading all creative for Apple Box. From conception to delivery, creating the visual look and feel for our clients is my responsibility.
What does it mean to you to teach at Point Park?
Being asked to teach at Point Park is the highlight of my career to date. I started tutoring during my senior year and I realized pretty quickly that I liked to help other students succeed. Teaching feels like a very fulfilling and important extension of my professional experience. It is so wonderful to share my expertise with other young creatives at Point Park.
What classes do you teach?
Over the last three years, I've had the opportunity to teach:
- Branding and Identity Design
- Magazine and Media Design
- Typography I
- Typography II
Most of my courses occur closer to graduation for my students, so my main priority is to help them build out their portfolios. This increases the likelihood of success in landing a job after they graduate. I try to fill my courses with larger group projects balanced with lectures that support the learning objectives for the course.
What advice do you have for a student considering Point Park’s School of Communication?
Point Park is so great that they can't get rid of me. There's a reason that Point Park has been a constant in my life for the last 12 years, and to put it simply, it feels like home.
If you are looking for small class sizes, hands-on experience and access to industry professionals, Point Park University is the perfect place for you. If I had gone to a larger school, I would not be where I am in my career. So many of my professors, including Robert Meyers, John Sotirakis, Camille Downing and Aimee Dorsten, have been instrumental in my continued success.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Point Park University rules!