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MILLIGAN, Tenn. (April 16, 2021) — The annual senior graphic design showcase at Milligan University comes with a twist this spring. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s exhibit, “Connecting…” will be presented in a virtual art gallery from Friday, April 16, to Saturday, June 15.
The showcase features graphic design work from seniors Seth Hice, of Elizabethton, Tennessee; Logan Mink, of Mountain City, Tennessee; and Sydney Rhoton, of Jonesborough, Tennessee. Each student’s finest print, digital, package, typographic and interactive designs will be featured.
The online exhibit mimics a physical art gallery by creating a virtual room where the designers have selected how and where to hang each of the pieces. The gallery allows viewers to simulate walking through the gallery to view each piece of work, or a guided tour can take viewers to each piece in the gallery.
The preparation for a virtual show brought different challenges and advantages. Instead of framing each piece, the seniors spent several hours uploading their design pieces to the site, and then collectively, they decided the layout of the exhibit.
“While our showcase will not include an opening reception, I am glad that the exhibit will be available longer than in year’s past and more people can enjoy our work,” shared Rhoton.
The group decided to name the showcase “Connecting…” to reflect the transition to a digital exhibit. The exhibit poster reflects the glitches that can, and have, occurred over the past year as people have been required to connect online.
The showcase serves as a final milestone for each graphic design senior. As they reflected on their time at Milligan, each member appreciated the individual attention Milligan’s program provides.
“I was interested in graphic design before I applied to Milligan, and Milligan’s program stuck out to me because it was small and more personable,” said Hice. “Our professors bring great experience to the classroom and prepare us for what comes next.”
As the seniors look forward to commencement, they are also preparing for their next steps. Hice will work for the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce, Mink will attend East Tennessee State University’s branding and media strategy graduate program, and Rhoton will continue an internship at Cumberland Marketing in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Milligan’s graphic design program teaches the elements of design and how to apply them across various media, as well as the fundamental skills, theories, principles and technologies necessary for design work. Central to Milligan’s major is an approach to the study of graphic design from a distinctly Christian worldview.
To access the virtual gallery, visit milligan.edu/arts.