BFA in Design Student Exhibition

The exhibition for BFA design students is quickly approaching–as does their graduation date. Design students graduating this December will get the chance to present their work in the BFA Senior Design Practicum Exhibition, opening December 4, and closing December 11. The exhibition was planned to be open in person at the Student Exhibition Center, but because of COVID-19, it will be in virtual form only and available here on December 4.

A sample from the identity project for Amna Macrame by Rana Alamro. The complete package can be seen in the exhibition.

Professor in the Art + Design Department, Eric Pervukhin, teaches DES 490 Professional Design Practicum, the class which aids in preparing students for this exhibit and for their professional endeavors that follow. In this class, students work directly with ‘real world’ clients in various fields, discussing deadlines, technical/design needs, financial decisions, and potential limitations. “During class meetings, we are talking about portfolio development, legal issues students can face during their career growth, copyright regulations, interview strategies, salaries,” explains Eric, “[plus] different ways of self-promotion (through print media, digital, interactive).”

One of the posters designed for the United Way of Pettus County package by Molly Weber. The entire work can be seen in the virtual exhibition.

The class, as well as the preparation for and execution of the exhibit, provides students with experience and the opportunity to practice professional communication. This process is challenging, but extremely valuable. “Students overcome obstacles by growing their understanding of the complexity of contemporary visual communication through everyday experience,” Eric shares, “I am proud of the students’ artistic maturity. It is gratifying to witness their involvement in the creative process.”

Overall, the most important objective of the class is for students to build upon their confidence and be prepared for the transition from college to career. “Maybe the most crucial goal of this class is to stir up intellectual curiosity and to kick students out of the cozy environment of homogeneous insular thinking.

Lauren Ludtke is one of the design students presenting in the exhibition. She is working with Dr. Billie Follensbee, Professor and Museum Studies Program Coordinator, and the African and African American Studies Program (AAS). “They were looking for a new logo and some products to go with it, t-shirt designs, sticker designs, and a pop socket design,” shares Lauren, “Additionally, I am putting together a oster for a future event for them.”

This process for Lauren begins with sketching ideas and experimenting with compositions, then transferring them to a digital format. After that, Lauren expands the designs until satisfied, providing multiple options for clients to choose from.

Pop socket and sticker designs from Lauren Ludtke’s branding work for MSU’s African and African American Studies Program.

“As a takeaway, I would love visitors to see that some of the best designs need not be complicated or extravagant,” Lauren says, “Sometimes, the best possible solution is one of the simplest ones.”

Additional students who will be presenting work in the exhibit: Madison Harper, Rana Alamro, Slader Pruitt, Molly Weber, Caleb Stafford, Daysha Rothschild, Shane Knauth, Madelyn Groh, Alexander Ennor, and Kallen Brown.