In the Spring semester, Seton Hill University Graphic & Interactive Design majors in my Branding class worked on a service-learning project for the Greensburg Community Development Corporation. Executive Director Nancy Ligus presented the students with a design project that would make a local impact.
Design solutions that bring results.
Kacie Consentino presents her work to representatives from GCDC.
AR490 Branding is a CST course where graphic design majors take on a service-learning project. This year my students took on four projects, the design of the Sacred Moments and You banner designs for the exterior of the PAC, the logo design for GCDC, and the poster design for the SHU Social Work Conference.
The Sacred Moments and You book contains daily reflections for the season of Lent written by SHU students, faculty, and staff. Kacie Consentino worked with the Campus Ministry Director, Tony Krzmarzick, and me to bring the book to reality.
Five students from the class created exterior poster designs to identify the Departments that use the SHU Performing Arts Center. The students met with the Dean of Visual & Performing Arts, Kellee Van Aken, to understand the project goals, and then after designing banners, they presented them to Kellee Van Aken.
All students in the course took part in a rebrand logo design for Greensburg Community Corporation, also known as GCDC. Students met with John Stafford, GCDC Executive Director, who explained problems with the current logo and asked them to research and develop designs for a new logo. Students presented their redesigns to John Stafford and two other members of the GCDC marketing committee.
One student took on the design of the Social Work Seminar poster. Although the seminar was canceled, Rachel Dietsch completed a well-designed promotional brochure for the event.
Students found the project very helpful. Some commented that:
“I think having these opportunities for creating designs for real clients gives a sense of what kind of jobs graphic designers will have. There will be meetings with clients, a timeline of dates, and an end result of pitching your logos to them. I would use what I learned and keep practicing for future clients”. —Jensen Scamardi
“I learned more about converting client’s ideas into my designs and how to better distinguish a brand from its competitors.” —Kaileen Stevens
“I learned that networking is important even with people not directly in your line of work. I think, overall this project helped me reflect on my preparedness for the business world as a graphic designer…. I was also excited to learn that there are options for me to tie my faith into my graphic design work and vice versa. I could work on creating more Christian booklets like this one or even create interesting and educational videos and graphics that help spread the gospel in the future.”
—Kacie Cosentino
“When working on the GCDC logo, I felt that my peers were great at informing me of issues with my designs and then helping to resolve them. We all received some great feedback from one another that helped us to better our logo designs.” —Rachel Dietsch
“The presentation felt very professional, and I think it helped to really show how a real-life client meeting could go. All in all, I definitely feel these projects have helped me to grow in my confidence as a designer and as a student. This was a very positive experience and a fantastic learning opportunity, and I very much look forward to taking what I have learned into the field with me!” —Mila Liberto