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Reynolds College Blog

Art and design students create new Reynolds College marketing materials

May 20, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Two young women standing next to poster design exhibit

This spring, seniors Chloe Gramelspacher and Olivia Michaelson were selected by the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) to create a marketing and branding project for its Center for Student Success.

Both are BFA graphic design students within the Department of Art and Design.

RCASH’s Director of Marketing, Communications and External Relations, Bryce Bewley, commissioned the project. It involved creating 12 posters to represent each department and school within the college. These poster images will be used by the student success center.

“The project was an opportunity for design students to engage in hands-on pedagogy to showcase university and college specific brand-work,” said RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jake Simmons.

[Read more…] about Art and design students create new Reynolds College marketing materials

Filed Under: Community Engagement, Cultural Competence, Ethical Leadership, RCASH Highlights, Student Accomplishments Tagged With: Bryce Bewley, Department of Art and Design, Department of Political Science and Philosophy, graphic design, Jacek Fraczak, Jake Simmons, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of the Arts, Vonda Yarberry

BFA in Design Senior Exhibition now on view at Carolla Arts Exhibition Center

April 30, 2025 by Reynolds College

Exhibit wall displaying design projects

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design announces this semester’s BFA in Design: Professional Design Practicum Exhibition is on view at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

The exhibition is open April 28-May 9 and includes the First Friday Art Walk May 2 from 6-9 p.m.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Capstone course features client-based projects

This capstone exhibition features the individual projects, portfolios and client-based projects of graduating seniors in the BFA in Design program.

Projects range from branding and marketing materials to digital media and product design and graphic novels, reflecting the diverse interests and skills of the Spring 2025 cohort.

Most of the clients who worked with the students are small business owners, but some are institutional, coming from local museums, non-profits, churches and artistic or musical initiatives.

As part of the practicum, students present self-promotional materials, including business cards, portfolios and branded merchandise, alongside real-world design solutions developed in collaboration with clients.

Exhibit wall displaying design projects
More projects from the 2025 BFA in Design exhibition now on view.

Associate professors Jacek Fraczak and Cole Closser teach the practicum course. They emphasize student engagement and interaction with clients, including communication, project management and creative problem-solving.

“The first long-term assignment is a real-life professional experience, when a student needs to find for themselves an existing client expressing the needs in the domain of graphic design or illustration,” Fraczak explained. “The clients may be local, regional or even international. Students have worked for clients from Saudi Arabia, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia and Germany.”

Senior graphic design major Mckenna Johnson said working with real-life clients was both exciting and motivating.

“It pushed me creatively as I worked to create a full brand identity from scratch,” she noted. “With strict deadlines, I had to communicate clearly, manage my time effectively and stay focused to deliver a final product that both my client and I were proud of.”

[Read more…] about BFA in Design Senior Exhibition now on view at Carolla Arts Exhibition Center

Filed Under: Announcements, Community Engagement, Cultural Competence, Exhibitions, RCASH Highlights, Student Accomplishments Tagged With: BFA Design, Bryce Bewley, Carolla Art Exhibition Center, Cole Closser, Department of Art and Design, Jacek Fraczak, School of the Arts

Fall 2024 BFA in Design exhibition on view until Dec. 13

December 4, 2024 by Reynolds College

Art exhibit displaying graphic design projects

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.

Graphic design items on display
One of the student projects on display at the Fall 2024 BFA Design exhibition.

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.

Graphic design project on display
Design students work with clients on multiple types of branding.

[Read more…] about Fall 2024 BFA in Design exhibition on view until Dec. 13

Filed Under: Community Engagement, Cultural Competence, Exhibitions, RCASH Highlights, Student Accomplishments Tagged With: Department of Art and Design, Jacek Fraczak, School of the Arts

Fall 2023 BFA in Design Exhibition on view Dec. 1-15

December 4, 2023 by Reynolds College

Art gallery with items on display

The Fall 2023 exhibition of work by graduating students in the BFA in Design program is now on view at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center Dec. 1-15.

Showcasing real-world client projects

The exhibit gives students the opportunity to showcase their final design portfolios as well as their client-based projects, which are developed during their final semester. With these projects, students work with clients on issues related in some way to design to help them succeed professionally.

Professor Jacek Fraczak, who teaches the Professional Design Practicum class, described the typical client as a small business or non-profit who needs help with branding, logo design, re-design or visual promotion. During the process, students communicate with their clients, manage deadlines and report progress. [Read more…] about Fall 2023 BFA in Design Exhibition on view Dec. 1-15

Filed Under: Announcements, Event News, Exhibitions, RCASH Highlights, Student Accomplishments Tagged With: BFA Design, Carolla Art Exhibition Center, Department of Art and Design, Jacek Fraczak, School of the Arts

Biennial Design and Image Exhibition Oct. 20-Nov. 11

November 9, 2023 by Reynolds College

Poster show exhibition with typeface book in foreground

Missouri State University’s Design and Illustration students showcased their work in the “Biennial Design + Image Exhibition,” at Brick City Gallery Oct. 20-Nov. 8.

The show has been extended to Nov. 11.

The next generation of designers and illustrators

The Design and Image Exhibition gives emerging artists and designers throughout the BFA in Design program an opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional venue.

“This exhibition is a long-standing tradition in the department,” said Vonda Yarberry, head of the Department of Art and Design. “It is curated as the ‘best works’ from all design and illustration classes from sophomore to senior level students.”

The event, curated by design faculty Maria Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic and Jacek Fraczak and artists-in-residence Balazs Faa and Ola Wiecierzewska, allows visitors to explore projects and topics of interest to current students and celebrate the next generation of designers and illustrators.

“It’s a great show, one of our biggest of the year,” Yarberry added.

Brick City Gallery is located at 215 W Mill St, Springfield, Missouri. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 417-836-6794 for more details.

[Read more…] about Biennial Design and Image Exhibition Oct. 20-Nov. 11

Filed Under: Announcements, Event News, Exhibitions, Student Accomplishments Tagged With: Balazs Faa, Department of Art and Design, Jacek Fraczak, Maria Gerasimchuk-Djordjevic, Ola Wiecierzewska, School of the Arts, Vonda Yarberry

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