Field Trip!

Sorry I've been away for so long. This semester had a very rough start, what with every other meeting canceled due to snow or ice. I hope the poor weather is behind us so we can plan some events and really get the participation up.
One event that is up and coming is a field trip to Kansas City. I plan for us to visit KC for two or three days and visit a total of eight design studios who have agreed to meet with us. These studios are:

• Indicia Design
• Willoughby Design
• Brockton Creative Group
• Zero Design
• HypeLife Brands
• Muller Bressler Brown
• Reactor Design Studio
• River City Studio

I contacted studios that were all a bit different from each other, either in design-style or in philosophy. Out of the twelve I contacted, these eight agreed to give us a tour of the studio and talk with students about the design industry. This would be a great time to understand just how the "real world" works. I highly suggest that students bring a notepad or something to write down notes after each meeting. Every designer has his/her own suggestions and theories to succeed in graphic design. Plus, this is a great opportunity to network with the companies and the graphic designers there. It will give you an excuse to connect with the designers on LinkedIn. Perhaps you can schedule your own portfolio review at a later date.
The purpose of this field trip is similar to the purpose of our New York trip: to meet with designers first-hand and see what opportunities await us in the future. I, for one, would love to visit all of the studios, no matter how many trips we have to take into KC. Students are not required to come, but you'd be a fool not to. Most studios are allowing us 12-15 students to come. These positions will go first to the active members of UCM AIGA. After that, any graphic design student of any grade level may attend. Sophomores, Juniors, this could help you understand which areas you would like to specialize in. Seniors, perhaps you can land an interview later.
This is a great opportunity for the students, and I cannot thank enough the studios who are allowing us to visit.

- Marie Aholt