Senior graphic design majors at West Liberty University are once again offering their skills as a service to non-profit groups and startup companies in the Ohio Valley.
“We’ve done this for the past 17 years, and over the years have assisted several hundred non-profits and startups with logos, posters, brochures, billboards, book covers, presentations, signage, and websites. It’s a perfect outreach to our community and a chance to gain vital real world experience for our senior students,” said Associate Professor of Art James Haizlett, who coordinates the program.
“Our goal is not to compete with local design businesses, but to offer our services to non-profits, small businesses, and campus organizations who don’t have the financial means to promote themselves. We want to help those in need of our students skills,” he said.
Organizations benefitting from the program in the past include historical societies, children programs, museums, churches, schools, libraries, restaurants, town councils, small businesses, musical groups, theaters, art organizations, athletic groups and regional festivals.
“I’m excited to get a feel for the client-based working environment,” said graphic design student Josh Verhovec of Rayland, Ohio. Verhovec leans toward illustration work and wants to work with image-based marketing efforts when he graduates this spring.
Student teams will work with non-profits who step forward with requests and create their own design “companies” to learn how to work with clients on a professional level. The students will set budgets and timelines, while following a work project from drawing board to completion.
“I’m looking forward to this chance to keep growing and learning more. Our work with the non-profits is the perfect chance to build my portfolio,” said student Allison Lichwa of Wheeling. She hopes to land a job in a marketing firm in a bigger city post commencement and understands how essential real work experience is for her career plan.
The graphic design class is ready to get involved, and Professor Haizlett asks that interested organizations contact him to receive an application via email at jhaizlett@westliberty.edu. Project applications must be received by Sept. 10, 2015.
For more information on the graphic arts program, please visit WLU’s Visual Art webpage at westliberty.edu/art.