Exploring the Intersection of Theory, Practice and Purpose in Graphic Design Seniors

UNC’s College of Performing and Visual Arts Graphic Design program is quietly revolutionizing
the way future designers prepare for their careers. Students are not just assembling
a collection of works but are also laying the foundation for their future career success.
Kalyana Gallagher is one such student who is not only utilizing this course to advance
her knowledge of the graphic design field but also to launch her magazine project,
PURlll. Magazine. This magazine combines design, storytelling and collaboration with a few other students. 

Alyssa Leven, Gallagher’s co-collaborator on Purlll. speaking to a group viewing the
exhibition.

It’s important to students like Gallagher that their art is not only for consumption,
but also has a meaningful influence. PURlll.’s official launch will include a website and the first two issues of the magazine.
They’ve pledged to donate 20% of all profits from PURlll. Magazine to True Colors United — a nonprofit organization focused on innovative solutions for homelessness in LGBTQ+
and BIPOC youth across the country.  “I want to impact others with my work and use
my platform and my voice as an artist to reach others and amplify other people’s stories,”
Gallagher said.  

“So, especially with PURlll., a big part of that is telling other people’s stories and giving them an opportunity
to connect and collaborate with me in a way I wouldn’t normally be able to.”  

One of Gallagher’s collaborators is fellow classmate Trevor Erpelding, who is assisting
with rendering the PURlll. logo, creating all 3D components and developing product mockups. Simultaneously, Erpelding
manages his own virtual reality exhibition, showcasing his multidisciplinary talents.
Notably, Erpelding is proficient in Blender, a versatile and powerful open-source
program for creating 3D digital assets and virtual environments. Through self-directed learning, Erpelding has combined Blender’s capabilities
with his artistic knowledge to seamlessly integrate his 3D modeling skills into his
virtual reality exhibition titled, “DIMENSIONAL REVERIE.” He aims to craft an immersive experience that captivates audiences
and enhances the overall impact of the exhibition.  

Designing a Course  

From the conception of this course to the eventual exhibition of student work, the
Graphic Design instructors are fervently dedicated to crafting an educational experience
that prepares their students for career success whatever that looks like for them
— from agency work, freelancing, web and interactive media, merchandising, packaging
and everything in between. Samuel Dong-Saul, MFA, one of the instructors of the Senior Project course, believes in instilling in students
the importance of showcasing their work with integrity.   

“The portfolio is your resume,” Dong-Saul said, stressing the importance of teaching
practical skills in addition to the theoretical. 

“The objective for this class is to help them prepare for the career environment and
help them build targeted portfolios where students curate their design and artistic
work to their field of choice [while] learning what it takes to do a formal, artistic
exhibition by making a proposal, making sure that everything is explained conceptually,
translates physically.”  

External critiques offer students real-world, industry perspectives, giving them invaluable
insights beyond the classroom. For Dong-Saul and his co-instructor who teaches part
of this course, Director of Galleries at UNC, Belle-Pilar Fleming, the focus remains on exposing students to numerous opportunities for tangible projects
and exhibitions during their time in the classroom. Fleming sees these experiences
as a reflection of students’ growth and expertise. With each project and exhibition,
students not only showcase their abilities but also gain a deeper understanding of
their artistic journey.  

“For the exhibition portion of the course, having those fully realized projects builds
a lot of confidence [in students], and sometimes these big culminating events can
allow students time to reflect and think about how much they’ve learned and the skills
they’ve acquired.”  

From the quality of their work to their industry acumen, every aspect of their portfolio
presentations will be carefully examined. As students brace themselves for critique
and evaluation from professionals in the graphic design world, they know they’ll be
judged not just on their technical prowess but also on their ability to respond to
feedback, an important life skill. It’s a testament to the class’s commitment to bridging
the gap between academic learning and practical application.  

Refining Their Artistic Voice  

The course structure is holistically designed to equip students with the skills to
navigate the challenges of the design world and to refine their artistic voice. This
is the first year that the director of galleries is also serving as an instructor
of this course which has spurred a collaboration between the Graphic Design program
and UNC Galleries. This has resulted in a unique way for students to experience the
nuanced and varied world of art and design. From visiting artist exhibitions to professional
preparation courses, every component is geared toward equipping students with the
tools they need to thrive.  

Through constructive criticism and guided portfolio building, they find themselves
well-prepared for the professional world and hopeful about their freelance design
aspirations. Networking and proactive engagement have been not just buzzwords, but
essential components of their educational journey. 

For students like Sasha Krause, a Graphic Design major who is also earning a certificate
in Arts Entrepreneurship, the class is a chance to put their passion projects within
a more professional setting. Each student in the Graphic Design program is required
to complete an internship before graduation, which is not merely a box to check, but
a way for students to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Krause’s internship
with BandWagon Magazine, a prominent publication that reports on live music, arts, entertainment, nightlife
and community in northern Colorado, sparked their interest in merchandise design.  

Design by Sasha Krause

As Krause navigates the transition from academia to the professional arena, they emphasize
the significance of proactive engagement and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Networking
isn’t confined to formal events or job fairs. It’s about embracing every opportunity
to connect with peers, mentors and industry professionals. Krause’s vision of building
a freelance career and a small business underscores the importance of nurturing industry
connections. They are growing a graphic design and illustration business called Rayne’s Things
(inquiries can be sent to sashakrausedesigns@gmail.com or @raynesthings on Instagram), which means stepping out of their comfort zone, taking risks and being unafraid to
make connections. 

“I would like to continue working freelance and building a small business,” said Krause.
“With any degree or program, as you do in life, it’s what you put into it. It’s really
important to push yourself into feeling uncomfortable, not too uncomfortable, obviously
take care of yourself, but it’s so important to push yourself to talk to that person
in your class, talk to your professor, make connections.”  

Their senior project focuses on building apparel and other promotional materials for
MUNA, a pop band that focuses on queer liberation, for the exhibition. Through constructive
criticism and guided portfolio building, they find themselves well-prepared for the
professional world and hopeful about their freelance design aspirations. Networking
and proactive engagement have been not just buzzwords, but essential components of
their educational journey.  

Developing a Thick Skin  

From virtual reality to packaging designs to interactive websites, each showcase will
underscore students’ individual strengths and career objectives. Alongside the presentations,
the seniors craft exhibition proposals, delving into in-depth explorations of design
concepts or enhancing existing projects. This exhibition serves as a testament to
the students’ readiness to enter the graphic design field with creativity, professionalism
and innovation.  

Throughout the semester, students practice both receiving and giving feedback, preparing
them for the panel of judges who will critique their upcoming portfolio presentations
and provide feedback based on the areas of professional practice they are pursuing.
This professionalism exercise enables students to demonstrate their command of design
principles and their ability to adapt to feedback, something their career path demands.
As Krause puts it, the program has prepared them for this moment.  

“Once you get to senior year, it’s like, ‘all right, we hope that your skin is thick
and you’re ready for this’ because it’s a lot of reviewing projects and tweaking things
where they need to be tweaked, so you just have to be open-minded. In this course
specifically, there’s a lot of creative freedom and there are higher stakes because
it is going to be in a gallery and on display,” said Krause. 

As the semester progresses and students inch closer to the exhibition, their work
will no longer be confined to the classroom, but it will be on display, offering the
public a glimpse into the talent and dedication cultivated throughout their academic
journey. It’s not just about grades or credits, it’s about nurturing the next generation
of designers. With each project, exhibition and feedback session, students emerge
not only as graduates but as confident, skilled professionals and artists ready to
leave their mark on the world of design.