On April 20, graduating students in Conestoga's Graphic Design advanced diploma program welcomed the college community, friends, family and industry partners to the 12th annual year-end showcase.
Graduating students in Conestoga’s Graphic Design program showcased portfolios at a year-end showcase, celebrating the work they created over the length of the program.
Hosted at Conestoga's Kitchener - Downtown campus, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate hard work and creativity through a collection of pieces completed using skills students developed over the three-year program. Portfolios included web design, editorial and packaging, as well as a broad range of thesis work that required students to develop, refine and execute a major independent design project.
"I would like to say a big thank you to our graduating class. It's been an absolute pleasure studying with all of you over the past three years," said graduating student Kevin Farrugie in closing remarks as co-MC for the evening. "We started this program at the beginning of the pandemic logged onto Zoom. Luckily in our second year, we were able to come back to campus in a hybrid model and in third year, we went back to campus full-time, which was great. Now, we're here celebrating all of our hard work. Congratulations, everyone."
The event was sponsored by industry partners Intertek Catalyst and Paul Jen Communications. A full-service employee communications agency, Intertek Catalyst plays an integral role in the annual Creative Day for Social Good (CD4SG) event, which has Conestoga Graphic Design and Public Relations students team up with art directors, writers, account managers and other industry volunteers to create free marketing and communication tools for non-profits across Canada. Several members of the Intertek Catalyst team have also taught in the program, providing students with valuable insights from real-world experience.
Paul Jen is a 2002 graduate of Conestoga's Graphic Design program. The Paul Jen Communications firm provides strategic corporate communications services to a range of clients across the country. Both Paul Jen Communications and Intertek Catalyst participate in student portfolio reviews and have hired Conestoga Graphic Design graduates.
"This class started out as little boxes in my home office. We spent a year together there, and I was so shocked that people would choose to do that with me because I was learning with them," said program coordinator Moly Hill during closing remarks. "I am so proud of this group. Getting here was no small feat. The program is tough under normal circumstances, and you did it under the strangest circumstances."
Conestoga's three-year Graphic Design advanced diploma program is recognized as one of the top design programs in the province. It employs a project-based learning approach that addresses design, digital content creation, communication, inter-personal, mechanical, technical and enhanced employability skills.