Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Creativity was on display at the College of Arts and Media's Senior Showcase as 160 Grand Canyon University students peppered Prescott Field on Tuesday, representing a variety of the college's programs, including design, film, broadcasting and theatre.
“We don’t create cookie-cutter students,” Design Chair Sheila Schumacher said. “Every student here is unique, and their choices about branding and projects they do align with their goals. You don’t move from one table to the next and get bored."
From big projects, such as film shorts, news segments, website design and large scrapbooks, to small pieces, including stickers, magnets and keychains, students shared their talents.
While some art challenged viewers, others were fun and nostalgic, hitting the rewind button on the early 2000s and brining back familiar, eclectic, vintage styles.
Graphic design senior Ava Stewart knew such a concept would be intriguing, so she drew inspiration from old-school, alphabet fridge magnets that most would recognize easily from their childhood. Her magnets, stickers and T-shirts sported vibrant colors and retro fonts that easily grabbed your attention.
The idea sparked when she visited her brother’s home and noticed his fridge covered with magnets and his old elementary-school art pieces. Though surprised at first, she quickly fell in love with the idea of art being timeless, so she wanted to create something people would keep on their fridges for years, she said.
“All of his (her brother's) artwork is still on his fridge, but I only have one thing on mine,” Stewart said. “I drew inspiration from that, and I am making it my mission to be on everyone’s fridge.
“GCU’s design program has prepared me for that future because the professors are so knowledgeable. They give us every scenario and all the work that goes across so many brands. It allowed me to be more confident stepping into a role and not being completely confused because I have experience and technique.”
A few tables behind Stewart, graphic design senior Madison Land also drew inspiration from the early 2000s but with a street-look twist. She showed her passion for bold and loud art with black and red graffiti, painted cans and hip-hop style posters.
It all started when she enrolled in a fashion program in high school that required a graphic design course. That requirement turned into passion, and Land became fascinated by every design concept, from typography and branding to logos, color theories and more.
Her designs seemed to be widely appreciated by GCU’s campus community. As a marketing intern for GCU Dining, she redesigned the look of Canyon Pizza, including its menu, walls and logos, to make it a more inviting campus eatery.
Also, she served as graphic design director and president for TEDxGCU, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Land illustrated and created all the posters, logos and advertisements for the annual event.
The scrapbook sitting atop her table showcased the mark she made on the university.
“The aesthetics here on campus are vastly different from my own style, yet when I did it, a lot of people were very receptive to it and accepting of it,” Land said. “Seeing my designs be so widely accepted in a place where that is not really the norm is awesome.
“GCU had a very unique way of preparing me for the future through the opportunities I was able to seek out. It helped me become really good at problem-solving and being an understanding leader.”
Families, friends and the college's faculty filled Prescott lawn in support of students’ presentations. Several employers from various design agencies also were present, scouting for their next, freshly graduated employees.
It was impossible to miss film senior Brayden Moritz’s huge TV screen. Rather than just explaining his films, Moritz figured the best solution was to play them on the large screen with chairs in front for an amateur movie-theatre experience.
From best cinematography and directing to best audio and editing, Moritz’s films have been recognized by GCU’s 48-Hour Film competitions. Those competitions confirmed his passion for capturing the best life moments on camera.
“I grew up in Paraguay, my parents were missionaries, so my whole life was overseas. I realized I love capturing moments like that, with special ones on camera,” Moritz said.
“GCU’s film program taught me to really learn the craft. You have to go out and do stuff, get on set and master what you can do, make your work with whatever resources you have available to yourself.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
