Friday, October 23, 2009
Graphic design program grows
Chris Franz / The advocate
Senior Danielle Olson, graphic design major, views the art exhibit titled “The Graphic Design Alum Salon” during Saturday’s reception.
MSUM’s graphic design program celebrates 40 years of education as it looks back at its humble beginnings.
The graphic design program was established in 1967 by Richard Szeitz as a program for art majors interested in incorporating the visual aesthetics of art with the problems existing in applied graphic communication. The areas include educational aids, city planning, the various cultural and recreational activities and community service.
The first graduating class included only six people. The program has drastically grown and now includes about 130 students.
This month, the department presented the “Graphic Design Alum Salon,” an exhibit featuring work from graduates since the program’s start.
Sadie Thomas is a recent MSUM graphic design alum. For the show, she submitted multiple projects created for an internship.
“I completed an internship with the Houston Astros Baseball Club and submitted flyers, a promotional t-shirt, a magazine ad and a newsletter,” Thomas said.
Jane Gudmundson is MSUM’s Roland Dille Center for the Arts Gallery Director. She said the display is a good way to show off what students can do.
“It’s important to show their completed projects, especially since they put a lot of time and effort into them,” Gundmundson said.
Thomas needed little convincing to display her work. “I feel it is beneficial to have my work in the reunion show to show the viewers the variety of companies that graphic designers, as well as MSUM grads, can work for, as well as the variety of projects that we work on,” Thomas said.
Several MSUM graduates have done well with their degrees.
Tim Larsen is one of the first graduates of the program and is known nationally and internationally for excellence in design.
Jason Rysavy is another graduate, and now does major work for Target.
Michael Hersrud chose the educational track and got his Master of Fine Arts at the Rhode Island School of Design. He is now one of the best known in the world and is teaching in Dubai.
“We have had students do various things with their degrees,” Gundmundson said. “One that I know of is now designing and making furniture in New York. Another is skilled in Japanese painting and practices her business in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It’s wonderful to see these students excel in the areas that interest them.”