草榴社区 Design Students鈥� Work Displayed at Library of Hattiesburg, Petal & Forrest County
Thu, 10/06/2022 - 11:09am | By: Van Arnold
An extensive, collaborative project involving graphic design students at The University
of 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区) and the Library of Hattiesburg Petal & Forrest County
has culminated with several students鈥� work being displayed.
The students comprise a sophomore/junior-level course taught by 草榴社区 Assistant Professor of Design Linh Nguyen. The project called for them to design teaching materials to help educate the community, visitors, and other guests about the renowned career of Will Eisner, considered to be the father of graphic novel work.
A Mississippi Humanities Council Grant secured by the library helped pave the way for a six-week-long Graphic Novel Celebration event (Sept. 12-Oct. 22) showcasing Eisner鈥檚 career. Nguyen points out that the students were tasked to develop, design, and create a Special Event Collateral Campaign, featuring two essential components: design an Informational Poster and a 12-page Educational Booklet in a comic book format.
Judges for the project chose five primary winners whose poster and booklet designs are on display. Those include:
Mackenzie Masters, of Laurel, Miss., (for Eisner鈥檚 work in the military)
Elizabeth McPhail, of Jayess, Miss., (for Eisner鈥檚 work, 鈥淎 Contract to God鈥�)
Jeremy Thompson, of Sumrall, Miss., (for Eisner鈥檚 work, 鈥淭he Spirit鈥�
Grace May, of Puckett, Miss., (for Eisner鈥檚 later work)
Karson Gunn (for Eisner鈥檚 early works)
Nguyen noted that the library鈥檚 original plan called for the display of just five designs. However, due to the quality of the student鈥檚 efforts, five others were also selected. Those included:
Autumn Webb, of Gulfport, Miss.
Ben Brunetz, of Madison, Miss.
Faith Pearce, Magee, Miss.
Willie Cooks, of Hattiesburg, Miss.
Josie Russell, of Magee, Miss.
Cherise Mann, D鈥橧berville, Miss.
鈥淚t was a pleasure working with these students over the summer,鈥� said Nguyen. 鈥淭hey took what they learned from the Graphic Design Service-Learning course and implemented the lessons outside of class. They not only show dedication and drive for getting the job done and done well, but they also showed their civic duty to their community and embraced using graphic design for social good.鈥�
Nguyen continued: 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 matter what it took, they were there to complete the project and to help their community. This is the type of work ethic, drive, and dedication that will make these students successful when they graduate from 草榴社区 Miss.鈥�
The Art & Design and Graphic Design programs are housed within the School of Performing and Visual Arts at 草榴社区. To learn more, call 601.266.4161 or visit: /performing-visual-arts/