Ashlee Larrison Story
Pictures of Ralph Freso
GCU News Desk

Before Josiah Brown started college, he imagined himself pursuing a degree in programming.

The event included presentations by 67 student designers.

After all, he loved working with computers and considered himself a tech savvy.

But when he arrived at Grand Canyon University, he soon developed a passion for graphic design.

“When I started, I didn’t know anything about design, and I was nervous because the people I was talking to, who were also in my major, they had already taken design classes in high school and I was just getting started. . ,” he said. “They really pushed me, and now I feel like I can compete.”

Brown was one of 67 seniors who took part in this semester’s Digital Design Showcase on Wednesday afternoon on the Quad. It was their last test before crossing the Commencement stage on Friday. (Here’s a slideshow.)

Like other student presenters, Brown used the event to not only showcase her talents and her brand, but also her most passionate work.

On the right side of his table was his diabetes management app project, and on the left was his application to find better careers.

Emma Skoog has combined her love for digital design and cooking.

“I made them for the people in my life to help solve a problem,” he said. “I just wanted to show a few pieces that were important to me.”

In the opinion of the director of digital design Sheila Schumacher, this desire to have a positive impact is a key feature of this promotion.

“I think they’ll have a bit more courage for change,” she said. “This particular class has spent two, almost three semesters in the midst of COVID, and for many of them it has been a jolt.

“We still have a lot of people across the United States who run ad agencies and studios remotely, so what seemed like, ‘Oh my God, that’s bad,’ turned out to be a skill to which they did not expect to get and benefited many of them.

And for many of them, that experience only adds to the versatility they can bring to the workplace, wherever it may be.

Emma Skoogwho graduated in graphic design with a major in advertising, wants to use her creativity to make a positive impact on the culinary world.

Graphic designer Rebekah Bowidowicz exhibits her work.

After graduating from culinary school, Skoog knew she had to continue her education to help pay the bills. Her love of art brought her to GCU’s College of Arts and Media, where she learned artistic expression that she can merge with her love of cooking.

His table, adorned with artistic food photographs and donuts, welcomed a multitude of visitors.

“It’s super cool for people to see what excites me and that I need to have an outlet for it,” she said. “It’s very rewarding, that’s for sure.”

With graduation on the horizon, many seniors look forward to what the future holds.

After Commencement, animation specialty Rebecca Bowidowicz plans to move to Maine and start a career as an orthodontic technician while using her degree for freelance work.

“I love doing this,” she said of her designs. “It’s been a rocky road from community college to here, but to finally have it all over is so nice.”

Graphic designer Jared Kraft is excited to see what his future holds after graduating later this week.

Since his first experience as a design showcase participant several years ago, advertising major Jared Kraft was looking forward to his turn. The opportunity he and his peers have to showcase their mark as artists is particularly meaningful to him.

“I’m really grateful for this event, just for the sheer confidence I have going into the real world,” he said. “I know my stuff is looking good now, and it’s fun to get a bunch of opinions from different people.”

Nicole Nowakowskiwho was instrumental in the student-run advertising agency, Design United, was grateful for the hard work that culminated in this moment.

“I’ve always been a creative person, but I feel like this program has really forced and pushed me to do more than I ever thought I could,” she said. “I feel very ready to go out and find a job, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do so.”

For those unable to attend the showcase, student work can be viewed here.

Contact Ashlee Larrison at (602) 639-8488 or [email protected].

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