October 28, 2014
Students Collaborate in 60-Hour Design Challenge at La Roche College
PITTSBURGH,
Oct. 28, 2014 –
La Roche University graphic design students recently
learned what it takes to conceptualize, develop and design projects for a
real-world client — all within a 60-hour time frame.
From Oct. 21 to Oct. 24, the La
Roche Design Division hosted Immersions, an annual design challenge where student
graphic designers have two and a half days to create concepts, develop
solutions and pitch their projects to an outside client.
This year teams of juniors and
seniors developed design solutions for Global Links, a Pittsburgh-based medical
relief and development organization dedicated to promoting environmental
stewardship and improving health in resource-poor communities, primarily in
Latin America and the Caribbean. Global Links challenged students to create
promotional items for encouraging donations and inspiring community members to
host fundraising parties.
Linn Ruiz-Goubert, a senior at
La Roche, said, “The biggest challenge was that the client presented a small
goal, and we had to find a way to broaden it in a unique way.”
On Friday, Oct. 24, the teams
presented their final projects to Maura O’Neill, development manager for Global
Links, and Community Engagement Manager Stacy Bodow. Students incorporated a
variety of elements to support their design concepts, including color palettes
reflecting Latin American and Caribbean culture, and social media to connect
with a broader audience.
Dan Mauro, a junior, explained that
research played an important role in developing a design concept. “La Roche did
a great job preparing us by thoroughly going through the ideation phases, which
is a big part of design that people often overlook,” he said. “A lot of our
time and energy is devoted to researching and coming up with the idea.”
Immersions is one of many
hands-on opportunities available to La Roche design students. The Graphic
Design Program incorporates opportunities for students to practice professional
presentations into many portions of the curriculum, including: informal presentations
in class, Immersions, Senior Design Seminar and Capstone presentations.
Assistant Professor and Graphic
Design Department Chair Neha Agarwal said the La Roche Design Division strives
to give students as many real-world simulations as possible.
“Whether it’s through
internships, smaller client projects such as Immersions, or larger client
projects like those tackled in Senior Design Seminar, it is important that
students start practicing the application of their design skills to real-world
problems,” she said. “We teach students the importance of learning to make
intelligent work, while also making sure to present the work in a way that
communicates clearly to their client.”
Since 1992 La Roche has held
accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
and is one of only two schools in the Pittsburgh area, and one of only 322
nationally, that is accredited by NASAD. Please visit designatlaroche.com for
more information.
About
La Roche University: A
private, Catholic, co-educational college north of Pittsburgh founded by the
Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche welcomes students of all
religions, ethnic origins and talents. Undergraduates may choose from more than
50 majors, including the top 10 majors most in demand among today’s college
students. La Roche combines a quality educational experience with clubs,
athletics, social and community volunteer activities, spiritual well-being and
more to prepare students for life in a constantly changing global society.
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