Graphic design students hang artwork on the walls of the Gardiner Gallery of Art. — A students pauses while installing their artwork in the Gardiner Gallery of Art.

OSU graphic design opens annual BFA capstone exhibition at Gardiner Gallery of Art

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney | CAS Marketing and Communications Manager | 405-744-7497 | egosney@okstate.edu

Each year, Oklahoma State University’s graphic design BFA program gives graduating seniors the chance to display their portfolios and demonstrate their artistic proficiency in an exhibition at the Gardiner Gallery of Art.

This year’s exhibition, titled “Voxel,” symbolizes the individuality and collaboration of the students.

“Voxel is a 3D pixel,” said Elly Campbell, a senior in the graphic design program. “Think about a photo. When you zoom in on that picture, you see it is made up of different pixels. Similarly, our graduating class of 25 seniors is one big ‘photo,’ but when you zoom in on each individual, you see 25 different personalities, aesthetics, dreams and passions.

“Each person is not defined by one thing, and that is where Voxel comes into play. We all have many sides to us, and that is what makes us unique as designers and people.”

The theme of “Voxel” was developed by students Campbell, Jamie Kimball, Merrick Bayouth, Bryant Chitsey, Matt Lacey, Margaret Price and Lydia Bart. The group’s concept was chosen from among other student-developed themes for this year’s exhibition. All graphic design capstone students are involved in every aspect of the exhibition process, while graphic design professors Pouya Jahanshasi and Justen Renyer facilitate.

“Our team was filled with talented diverse designers,” Kimball said. “The great thing about the specific task for this exhibition design identity was it was truly a collaborative effort. We all had a little part in everything. One person would sketch a quick idea out and another person would make that idea come to life while adding their own ideas. We tried to make sure everyone’s voice was heard with every design decision made by the team.”

From branding and typography to multimedia and web design, the exhibition features a diverse range of projects that reflect the students' skills and artistic vision. The exhibition not only provides students with an opportunity to showcase their work but also offers valuable hands-on experience in exhibition design, promotion and collaboration.

“The class is unique because we're teaching these advanced students advanced work,” Reyner said. “But we also look at their previous work, so it's the first time seeing projects from other classes or my class. You start getting a sense of the individuality of the students and their strengths.”

The graphic design program at OSU has a long-standing reputation for producing talented designers who go on to excel in their careers. With a post-graduate employment rate of 85%, the program prepares students for success in the ever-evolving field of graphic design.

The “Voxel” exhibition is not only a celebration of their accomplishments, the students explained, but also a testament to the quality of education and support they receive at OSU.

"The exhibition is a culminating project and overall it's teamwork," Jahanshasi said. "It's a great kind of moment because it really rounds things off as they graduate.”

“Voxel” is open to the public March 28 through April 12 at the newly renovated Gardiner Gallery of Art in the Bartlett Center on OSU's Stillwater campus. Admission is free. A reception will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.

For more information, visit the Gardiner Gallery’s website.