Ultimately, you hope for a job offer or a connection that might lead to one.
There’s also the chance to see what your peers display for the Communication Graphics Technology Student Design Showcase, a spring semester rite of passage for Pellissippi State Community College graphic design students.
“I love looking at my peers’ work,” said Jessica Kelly, a CGT student set to graduate on May 6. “I can’t wait to go around and see what everyone has, because there are so many creative minds here that they just blow me away every year.”
Kelly is one of about 28 Pellissippi State students displaying their latest work at this year’s CGT Student Design Showcase. The free event is 4-8 p.m. April 14 in the Bagwell Center for Media and Art on the Pellissippi Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road.
Beyond exhibiting her artwork, Kelly also was chosen to design the showcase invitations and posters.
A 2006 Karns High School graduate, she came to Pellissippi State leaning toward the creative. She considered other fields, including business and allied health, but eventually chose CGT, one of four concentrations in the Media Technologies degree program.
“I like the challenge of it,” she said. “There are some things you have to think about really hard and really long—to come up with and develop a good concept is not the easiest thing in the world. Whenever I do think of one and know that I can execute it, it’s a really good feeling.”
CGT students spend spring semester getting ready for the showcase, which takes place on both floors of the Bagwell Center. Each student has his or her own desk, display, business cards and resumes to hand out to industry professionals in attendance.
Then there’s the “swag,” the free goodies that students create and give away. Kelly says she might do bumper stickers.
“I think some people are going to have crazy swag to give away,” she said, “and I’m really excited to see everyone’s, honestly, because everyone is working so hard on it.”
Learn more about the showcase at www.pstcc.edu/cgt_showcase.