Kaleidoscope showcases student artists

Senior graphic designers will present their work in a month-long exhibit

Hours upon hours of time spent learning and creating will culminate Feb. 26 when senior graphic designers display their work at the Kaleidoscope art exhibit.

Designers will each show one piece, and according to graphic design students, a wide range of art can be expected.

Kaitlin King, a graphic designer participating in the show, explained the reason for the name Kaleidoscope.

“(Kaleidoscope) is a diverse spread of pieces created by so many talented designers,” King said. “One of the reasons we decided on the show being called Kaleidoscope is because you can turn the instrument ever so slightly and you get a brand new image. Each artist has chosen a piece that represents his or her unique style.”

Fonts, product designs, illustrations and hand-lettered creations are only a few of the projects students will be showing.

“People coming to visit Kaleidoscope will see all sorts of styles of artwork and lots of creativity popping off the walls,” senior graphic designer Emily Hoover said.

Anyone is welcome without an admission fee, and according to senior graphic designer Carson Ford, the number of senior art students that provide work for the exhibit allows for a better experience for all the viewers involved.

“With so many seniors in the design program displaying their work, there will be a diverse range of styles and pieces to come see and be inspired by,” Ford said.

Another designer, Danielle Heitzman, encouraged Liberty students to visit the show.

“Even though the show is solely graphic design, Liberty students visiting the gallery will see different ways in which we designers create art through the computer,” Heitzman said.

Although the end products look good, designing comes with many challenges, according to Ford. He also mentioned the struggles that come with communicating visually.

“Designing can be difficult, because it is more than just solving a puzzle where there is only one possible solution,” Ford said. “There can be many solutions to visual
communication. The hard part is finding the best (solution).”

Time constraints can also affect a designer’s ability, according to King.

“(The hardest part) is finding enough time to complete all the artwork that is constantly running through your mind,” King said.

According to King, even though the projects are self-created, designers did not reach their design level without the help of Liberty University graphic design professors.

“I’ve had the privilege to learn from most of the design professors at Liberty,” King said. “Each (one) has been instrumental in my process to grow as a designer and have inspired me in so many ways.”

In addition to being professional designers, Studio and Digital Arts professors also invest in their students, according to Hoover.

“My professors are the best,” Hoover said. “I have learned so much from all of them. However, there are a couple who have definitely poured into my life and my design —David Meyer and Monique Maloney. They are amazing people and professors.”

The show opens Feb. 26 with an artist reception from 6 to 8:30 p.m. All graphic design seniors will be showcased until March 26 in the Liberty University Art Gallery, located in DeMoss Hall room 4069.

FRASER is a feature reporter.