The Department of Art and Design’s Fall 2024 BFA in Design: Professional Design Practicum exhibition is on view until Dec. 13 at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and Dec. 6 during the First Friday Art Walk from 6-9 p.m.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Exhibition highlights academic and creative journeys

The exhibit highlights the innovative work of Missouri State University’s design students as they present the culmination of their academic and creative journeys. Serving as the capstone experience of the design program, the exhibition reflects the professional skills, creative vision and dedication of the participating students.

Events like the BFA Design Exhibition and the First Friday Art Walk provide students with a platform to connect with the community and potential industry professionals, noted Jacek Fraczak, art and design faculty member and practicum supervisor. “At the exhibition their projects ‘go public’ along with their names, so there is always an opportunity to find an interest of a potential client,” Fraczak added.

Practicum uses real-life projects for career training

Guided by Fraczak, students engage in two significant long-term assignments during the practicum: the Client Project Assignment and the Self-Promotional Assignment. Both projects prepare students for the challenges of professional design careers.

Fraczak described the Client Project as “a real-life professional experience” in which students must find clients whose business needs can be met with graphic design or illustration.

Clients can range from local businesses to international organizations, providing students with invaluable freelancing experience, he said.

In addition to client work, students focus on self-promotion, crafting personal logos, business cards and professional portfolios. The portfolios include both print-ready and digital formats, along with a personal website to showcase their work.

Fraczak emphasized the importance of developing these skills.

“We believe that these tools will help them in their search for successful jobs or clients to work with as freelancers,” he explained.

Gaining business skills

Fraczak also noted that this semester students have demonstrated a particularly strong engagement with their projects, overcoming common challenges such as client communication and time management.

“Students learn to be proactive in reaching out to their clients, practice clearer communication and find healthy compromises between their ideas and the client’s vision,” Fraczak explained. These experiences mirror the realities of the design profession, offering students valuable lessons that extend beyond the classroom.

Fall 2024 BFA Design Artists

Leslie Alvarez
Alexis J. Baillargeon
Chloe L. Cothern
Cody K. Houghton
Braden W. Hughs
Alexia R. Jacobs
Camryn J. Lee
Vy K. Pham
London H. Richards
Harley Snyder
John B. Toelke

The Carolla Arts Exhibition Center is located at 326 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65806 and is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For additional information, call 417-837-2330.

Learn more about the BFA in Design program

Photos provided by Vonda Yarberry.

News written by Sam Barnette and edited by the Reynolds College Communications Team.

Sam Barnette is a writer for the Department of Art and Design. She earned an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Missouri State’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film and is working toward an MS in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling at Truman State University.