Graphic design seniors to showcase work at First Christian Church

Design by Jason Stewart

Graphic design major Jason Stewart did this design for a band’s t-shirt. Stewart and four other graphic design students will be displaying their work on May 9th.

To celebrate their completion of Emporia State’s graphic design program, five students will be displaying their artistic works in the annual Graphic Design Senior Show.

Each of the projects are different and reflect the different styles of the artists but the show has an underlying theme that connects each project.

“I wanted students to create something meaningful,”said Pam Harlan, graphic design professor at ESU. “So we based it on the revitalization of a community or something that would benefit a community as a whole.”

As in previous years, each student is responsible for the creation of a unique display.

“They each had to build or buy things that would compliment their idea or subject matter,” Harlan said. “They each will have tables and will have created some kind of display for their work.”

According to Harlan, student Lindsay Windler is creating a magazine for Emporia, and another student, Tyler Stillwell is creating a project for a Lawrence museum.

“I’m doing my show as if I were doing work for museum exhibit,” Stillwell said. “More specifically an exhibit about the Japanese Samurai.”

Working on the projects help prepare the students for life after graduation and allows them to show off their skills.

“Basically my project is about making me look as good as possible,” said Jason Stewart. “I think that’s what a senior show is about, getting to indulge yourself a little bit. I’m designing for a mock restaurant called ‘Highway 36 Bar-B-Q.’”

According to Stewart, the goal of his project is to display his versatility as a designer.

“I chose to do a barbecue joint because I like to cook and I thought it would give me a lot of opportunities to show how graphic design can be translated into many different printing media,” Stewart said. “I also wanted to create something a little more corporate because some people didn’t think I could translate my style into something more accessible.”

While the others are working individually, students Jason Green and Heather Smith opted to work together on their project.

“My project is a collaboration with Jason Green, to build a new identity for the Farmers’ Market of Emporia,” said Heather Smith. “We’ve developed fresh branding and marketing strategies which we hope will build interest in the market as well as help raise funds for next year.”

The two chose to work together to combine their talents and energies towards one common goal.

“We were both interested in doing something that would benefit our community,” Green said. “We both are frequent shoppers of the Farmers’ Market.”

“It’s healthy, environmentally friendly, good for the city’s economy, and it’s far better produce than the supermarket has to offer ,” Smith said.

The show is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on May 9th at First Christian Church, 202 East 12th Ave.