As graduation nears, five graphic design majors are busy adding the finishing touches to their work before the TCU Graphic Design Senior Show. The event gives students a chance to show off their hard work and is an opportunity to get their pieces noticed by prospective employers.
This year, the theme for the show is “The Right Type,” a concept presented by senior Rachel Clary. The graduating students each presented a theme and voted on which one they believed would be best for the senior show.
Alex Curington, another senior in this year’s show, said the theme not only brings together types of design and typography, but also different types of people. Each senior has his or her own “type,” which shows their personality, and applies it to their design style, she said.
The show will feature Curington, the experimental type; Clary, the unassuming type; Kennard McKenzie, the solid type; Josh Childs, the analytical type; and Caitlin Burns, the polychromatic type.
“I’m more of a quiet person, not overbearing, not over-talkative, so if you look at me you might not think I can do what I do,” Clary said.
Curington said she chose “experimental” for her type because she likes try new things in her designs, even if she’s not always understood by others.
Graphic design is one of the 85 areas of study offered by the university, but not many students know what it actually is and all the work that goes into it, Clary said.
“The first thing a lot of people don’t know is that it’s all about typography and fonts and using that to communicate. It’s about communicating visually,” Clary said.
To be accepted into the graphic design program, students must pass a qualifying review process by taking the Typography I. In order to enroll in the class, both Design and Color and Drawing I must be taken.
“Typography I is a very intense class where the teacher takes note of pretty much everything you do. Your work ethic, time management, design skill, tardiness, ability to critique and ability to take directions are all taken into consideration,” Clary said.
At a predetermined point in the semester, graphic design faculty members review the students’ work, and those who pass are accepted into the graphic design program. Students who are accepted into the program continue with the curriculum and undergo portfolio and sketchbook qualifying reviews each semester. If professors determine that a student isn’t making progress, he or she can be dropped from the program at any point.
“It sounds intense, but the faculty wants you to succeed and, in my opinion, your fate is in your hands,” Clary said. “It’s your own passion that drives you in this program. Design isn’t for everyone, but those who do it live it.”
TCU Senior Design Show
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: J.M. Moudy Gallery
Tcugraphicdesign.com
