Graphic Design: A New Perspective of the Industry

Last weekend over forty FSU design students gained a first hand look at the graphic design industry through a trip to Chicago. Accompanied by six graphic design faculty members, the students visited with FSU design alumni, toured design studios, and attended the SEEK design conference at Northern Illinois University.

“This trip gave me an essential glimpse into where I could take my career” Lynn Overmyer, a senior in the graphic design program, and president of the AIGA Ferris State University Student Group reported. “It was inspiring to speak with industry professionals and to hear exactly what they look for in recent graduates.” Overmyer organized the trip with students Katie Bell, Craig Cockerill, John Vestevich, and the RSO’s stupendous advisor Alison Popp.

The students met up for a dialogue session with graduates of the program now living and working in Chicago. “The worry on many of our minds is how to dive into the industry after graduation. Nobody knows where we are coming from better than students who have already made that leap. Talking with the alumni helped me understand the variety of graphic design jobs that are out there and eased my fears about needing to fit into a cookie cutter description of the "perfect designer." Overmyer said.

One of the most well received parts of the trip was the SEEK Design Conference. Students attended lectures from some of the top designers in the nation, including Debbie Millman and Sean Adams, the president and vice president of AIGA National. “By the end of the day our minds were exploding with new ideas and inspiration. Not a single student left that conference without their perception of the industry radically expanded.”

Students found throughout the weekend that the skills and reflexes honed at Ferris were reinforced and relevant in the industry. “The lecture by Robert Zolna of Gravity Tank in Chicago helped me understand how to improve my design process in a way that will directly effect the projects I am working on now. It was so awesome to see how the training we have in class is applied in the industry.” said Overmyer.

When asked what she learned by touring the design studios, Overmyer reported how excited she was to see professionals at work. “Often I find that I need to be able to picture myself succeeding in order to actually get there. In the past I was able to picture myself in this program, and in the leadership positions I have taken on. Now I am finally able to see myself being able to thrive as a designer.”

Aside from the educational benefits of the trip, connecting with the studios and alumni has kickstarted the student’s networking, right on time for the summer internship hunt.

The AIGA Ferris State University Student Group brings their students to Chicago every other year to experience design in new ways. This year’s trip was widely supported by the department through the attendance of nearly the entire design faculty, and financial support from the department Dean David Nicol. The trip was also funded in part through the Student Activities fund.

AIGA Ferris State University Student Group is a registered student organization that is affiliated with the AIGA West Michigan Chapter. They meet throughout the year to connect students with professionals in the industry, and share knowledge between classmates.