RRC’s Graphic Design students innovate ways to share their work
By Nicole Brownlee
RRC Graphic Design students were busy preparing for their end-of-year showcase at Roblin Centre when COVID-19 altered their plans.
The annual in-person event was cancelled in early April, but a group of students and instructors continue to bring the event to life online through Instagram and an upcoming website.
The showcase, which is usually celebrated during the first week of May, gives students the opportunity to present their work to classmates, family members, and industry professionals.
Andrew Mingo is part of the team helping to transition the event online. He said the Instagram page introduces the second-year Graphic Design and Advanced Graphic Design students, along with samples from their portfolios.
“Our focus is to be seen in the only way we can, which is online,” said the 19-year-old.
The student-created Instagram page will direct visitors to a website featuring profiles on grads and their portfolios.
Student work will be available for purchase by request through social media or email. In previous years, students sold their creations at the showcase.
“Regardless of what happens in the world, we all just want to be designers and I believe these changes will show the industry we have the initiative to adapt,” said Mingo.
The theme of the showcase, Point and Path, is a reference to a first-year assignment called “Dots and Lines,” which teaches the fundamentals of design. It also references the different points and paths the students will face after graduation.
“Essentially what you’re doing at the showcase is presenting yourself and how you can be an asset to a company,” said part-time Graphic Design student Mitchell Dushnisky.
“It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out,” said the 20-year-old. “When you remove that physical aspect, you’re taking charisma out of the equation.”
Meirav Nepon graduated from the Advanced Graphic Design program in 2019 and said her year’s showcase encouraged her to share her work with others.
“I’m my own worst critic,” said the 27-year-old. “The showcase was less about getting a job after graduation and it was more a chance to get more comfortable with showing my work and being able to back it up properly.”
Nepon, a graphic designer for Vita Health Fresh Market, said she thinks the online showcase is a great way for current students to focus on translating their work on different platforms.
Follow @rrcdesign20 on Instagram to find out more about the May website launch, graduating students and their creations.
