According to the Digital Media Design (DMD) Program Coordinator, Erica Lull, the show features a variety of different design work that the graphic design students have compiled throughout their time at Baldwin Wallace University.
“All seniors have to take a portfolio course and this course helps them create new projects and refine their old projects to feature in the show, as well as their personal portfolios,” said Lull. “In order to interview and get a job as a graphic designer, a student will need a portfolio, business cards, and, of course, a resume.”
The students are in charge of marketing their own show each year, while Lull helps guide the students and facilitate some decisions. The theme for this year’s show is ‘Metamorphic’, a theme voted on by the students.
Lull said the theme was very fitting considering the students frequently talk about “their time here, their journey, and how they’ve changed—the metamorphosis.”
While Lull is there to help guide the students, the show is primarily student-run. The students each are assigned different tasks to ensure that the show runs smoothly.
According to Lull, some of the tasks that students are assigned consist of designing a press release, designing the program brochure, taking photos of the students, updating social media accounts, designing the banner, handling the digital sign, and creating the pillow pack (a small plastic box that containers a small pamphlet about the show and the students along with stickers and pins).
All of the students involved in the show are required to design a potential poster for the event. After all of the posters are designed, the posters are voted on and the winning poster is chosen to be the primary design aesthetic for all of the other promotional aspects of the show, said Lull. This year’s winning student was Mikala Kmiecik-Burlingame.
At the show itself, each student has their own table and pedestal where they are able to display their work. Lull said that students are required to have their printed portfolio, business cards, and resume at their table, but much of the set-up is up to the individual student.
“All students brand themselves differently and their items and set up reflect the student’s individual brand and style,” said Lull.
Lull said that students are present at the show and are able to speak about their work, their concept, and their own personal branding.
Since the show is open to the public, in the past students have been able to speak with local businesses who may need graphic designers, said Lull.
“Past students have gotten calls for internships or been given businesses cards for potential employers,” said Lull.
While this is the fourth year that the graphic design show has been running, Lull and the students are continuing to improve the event. This year the students were given pedestals next to their tables in order to highlight a specific piece of work.
“Every year we seem to either add something or tweak something,” said Lull. “It’s not the same show every year.”
While the reception for the show occurred on January 25, the show itself is on display until February 8.
Lull said one can expect to “find unique and high-level designs, as well as, well-put-together portfolios.” She said that anyone who attends the show may be “shocked at the level of professionalism with the students’ work.”