Student Spotlight

BA Graphic Design, December 2016 from Troy, MI
Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: SVSU's Art department taught me how to design, but also offered countless other skills to me such as photography and coding. In this, SVSU supplied the tools for me to start on the road to becoming the best designer and creative thinker I can be. Many students coming into college are worried about having a "difficult" professor or a professor that is not helpful. In SVSU's art department, I am happy to say that there are no such professors. Each and every professor that I studied under at SVSU was incredibly helpful and personable. I truly believe that I will remain in contact with them as I continue on in my career and thats more that I could have ever asked for from my college education.

Degree: Visual Arts Education, May 2015

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: Saginaw Valley State University offers a comprehensive selection of programs to prepare students for a professional career in the arts. Class sizes stay small in order to allow students close interaction with professors and fellow students. The faculty are all working or exhibiting professionals that support students and provide fist-hand knowledge of current, ongoing development and practices necessary to become a successful working artist."

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department? Is its ability to form a strong and supportive community of people who are willing to help each other, give feedback and collaborate rather than compete. The art department feels more like a family creating a positive and supportive learning environment. Another asset is a very knowledgeable staff, full of faculty who are willing to go above and beyond for students, providing endless opportunities to grow and constructive feedback that is so important to develop good work. I would recommend the art department because of the dedication of its faculty and its attention to student needs. Faculty doors are always open to students and as many resources as possible are provided to assist students with their goals.

Website: Degree: Graphic Design, December 2017

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: SVSU's Art Department has a variety of studios and resources that give students ample means to hone their art skills in a variety of mediums. The department faculty is made up of a wonderful group of individuals who are each skilled and active artists that genuinely care about the growth and success of their students. High school students who are interested in pursuing art should definitely consider SVSU as a place to start their journey.

Jessica is from Lakeport, MI. Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: Are the professors and your peers. The professors help mentor you through your program. Your peers are welcoming and ready to share knowledge. My first two years of college I chose a private art school, thinking it was a much better choice. I was wrong, I transferred to SVSU and right away things started to click. I was learning so much more and it wasn't a fend for yourself environment. The campus is so much more diverse and allows your creativity to grow.

BA, Graphic Design, 2020, Kent State University & BA Graphic Design, 2017, SVSU

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: I was a transfer student when I first arrived at SVSU and the Art Department and all of the faculty really made sure I felt like I was a part of the cardinal family. I remember my first visit to SVSU I set up a meeting with Department Chair Hideki Kihata. He took time out of his busy schedule and took over an hour to chat with me about the Art Department and all of the paths and opportunities that I had to choose from. Hideki was not the only person to do this either. The whole Art Department, faculty and fellow peers, went out of their way to make me feel accepted and apart of a phenomenal community.

I would recommend the Art Department to any prospective high school student because SVSU and the Art Department make the students feel welcomed and important. In my classes, I felt like I was more than just a face or another student. The small, intimate class sizes allowed me to get to know my professors one on one which lead to me having access to amazing opportunities that most college students do not get to have. SVSU's Art Department allowed me to grow as a student and get the best education in Graphic Design possible, even in comparison to other art schools and programs.

In 2015 Jacob was selected for the Dow TCC Bike MS team. His design will be used for their matching apparel (shorts, arm warmers, T-shirts, etc.)

Degree: Art, May 2018

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: There is a variety of classes that introduce you to many different art mediums so you gain valuable experience creating different forms of art. I had never tried silkscreen before until I took the class at SVSU, which is what led me to my current job opportunity. I would recommend the Art Department to incoming high school students because its a great networking tool. Professors are willing to answer questions and provide insight on the current creative job market. Plus you get to take classes with other students who might have already had experience working in an art field before their time at SVSU that could help to steer you in a direction that you never knew existed. You also have the chance to make lifelong connections with fellow creative minds which is super valuable down the road and while you're in school.

Website: http://woub.org/2017/04/20/gas-aeronautics-on-view-at-ou-art-gallery-april-25-29/

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: The SVSU Art Department Faculty was a great asset to me during my education at SVSU and in preparing me for continuing my education. They were easily accessible and available for guidance and feedback throughout the process of application and completion of the BFA program as well as in the process of applying to MFA programs. The motivation and support I had received in addition to my education has made a large impact on what I am doing now.

MFA graduate from Ohio University, former Teaching Assistant and Instructor of Record. .Delta College BFA, Fine & Studio Arts, 2014, SVSU, MFA Ohio Univ., 2017

Website: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJJoL9zlRnt/?igshid=1q4atxnhr7m8l

Degree: Major: BFA Printmaking (relief printing) - minor Biology. Graduated: May 2012
Kait also sells commission pieces, at art markets, and local shops in Memphis,TN. Collaborated with Shelby Farms Park for greeting cards.
I recommend SVSU's Art Dept because of the smaller class sizes and personable faculty. I loved knowing the majority of fellow art students and your professors took the time to get to know you. I always felt free to experiment and the critique environment was very positive. I also feel critiques helped me become a better person overall. Reflecting back on studio classes I remember them being "fun" and really loved the group setting to bounce creative ideas off other people in the class or laugh together over 80s metal. I was able to create independent study classes and use tools from traditional printmaking and computer graphic design courses to make images for my BFA show. Overall, it was rigorous and created a wonderful base of knowledge for me to continue to make art on my own after SVSU. The general vibe of the department is very welcoming, open, supportive, and fun.

Julie is from Harbor Beach, MI Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: The professors are great! They get to know you personally and want to see you succeed. Whether it is helping find a job, critiquing your work to make you a better designer, or just giving continuous encouragement to help get through the semester, the professors are on your side. Most of my art professors know me by name and have aided in my success at SVSU and after graduation. I was able to get all my classes done in 4 years even with being undecided my first year.

Website: http://davidjanssenjr.com/

MFA, Studio Art & Design,Univ. of Idaho 2018, BFA Drawing & Painting, SVSU 2014, David is from Cass City, MI.

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: In my opinion, the greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department would have to be the professors. The variety of teaching methods and personalities the professors have really made me a more well-rounded student and person. All the instructors really want what is best for the students and they challenged me to think differently about Art and my own work. When I was applying to graduate schools, after I graduated from SVSU, I was still able to contact the faculty for help during that process as well. The classroom size for all the art class were relatively small as well, so it is easy to get one on one instruction if need be.

I would recommend the Art Department at SVSU to prospective High School students because being a student of Art at SVSU has been one of the best experiences of my life. I became the first one in my family to attend and graduate from college and that was because the belief that I have in the language and power of art. When I began my college career, I had a narrow and limited way of looking at and understanding art. The training and discipline of my undergraduate courses opened my mind in a way that I never experienced before and enabled me to think critically and apply theory in my artistic practice which allowed me to achieve much more than I ever thought was possible in my life. I would not be the person I am today without the guidance and encouragement of the Art Department. You will get out of your education what you put into it, an education in Art is no different.

Breanne is from Mesick, MI. Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: The professors are amazing and my portfolio would not be what it is without the classes I took and the professors who taught them. SVSU's Art department offers such a wide variety of classes you can take and every professor really cares about the students. They make sure they aren't just giving assignments for a grade, they give assignments to build your portfolio and to build your skill levels as an art student. I learned so much and my classes really prepared me for life after college.

Shayla graduated in 2019. In the 2019 American Advertising Federation Awards, her work was forwarded to the regional level of the competition in Chicago, where she receive a Gold Addy for her branding campaign. She received two Silver Addy Awards in the Professional Division of the Advertising Federation in the 2020 Great Lakes Bay Addy. Within the student division of the local A.F.A,she received "Best of Show," Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department:is the smaller classroom sizes. This allows for the students and professors to become more familiar with each other and their design work. It is beneficial to have a professor that is aware of a student's progress and can help to pinpoint areas of both success and improvement, as a student progresses through the program. Smaller classroom sizes also help to make sure that students aren’t just a number. They receive more specific guidance towards their design work as opposed to general information and critics that are often applied to larger classroom sizes.

Olivia is from Davisburg, Michigan. Greatest asset of the SVSU Art Department: The professors at SVSU and the dedication they have to their students is by far my favorite thing about our Art Department. They make themselves available to students in every way possible and provide access to so many different artistic outlets. For being a small school we get a huge variety of opportunities to try new things that help us to become better artists.

Darby is from Bay City, Mi & is currently a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Communications with future aspirations to become a director of communications at Grand Valley.

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: In my experience taking mainly design classes, I felt like the staff was expertly knowledgeable and prepared students for real clients and business more so than other universities. For instance, the portfolio reviews that we attend prove our work is some of the best moving forward, and the real clients we get to work with inside classes give us professional opportunities before we even graduate. I would recommend the SVSU art department because it's very personal and hands-on for individual students; professors get to know you on a personal level so it's much easier to give and receive feedback based on the type of unique designer each person is.

Website: http://stephaniepaine.com/

Stephanie received a BFA from Saginaw Valley State University and a MFA degree from Purdue University.

She has had teaching appointments at Sabanci University in Istanbul, Turkey. Stephanie's research has been exhibited in Turkey, Singapore and throughout the United States. Her research explores themes related to movement, body perception and phenomenology theory, and economical changes and the decline of population and exile.

Greatest asset of the SVSU Art Department: When I first came to SVSU I was passionate about becoming a creative person, and I knew visual arts was where I needed to be. The professors recognized my enthusiasm and fostered my talents early on with steady one-on-one interactions. I was afforded opportunities to explore new challenges and accelerate at my own pace, which included independent studies in design as well as a hands on internship with Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival. I would recommend the SVSU Art programs to any creative person willing to work diligently to pursue a professional career in art or design.

MFA, Ceramics, University of Idaho, 2016, BFA,Ceramics, 2013, from Hemlock, MI

Greatest asset of the SVSU Art Department: The Art Department at Saginaw Valley has a variety of specialized equipment for areas including ceramics, printmaking, photography, and graphic design. They boast well-maintained, clean facilities that contribute to an overall positive and enjoyable work atmosphere. Class sizes are small, allowing the incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and qualified faculty time with individual students. They are encouraging yet critical in a constructive manner, contributing to the artistic growth and development of students. The art department is a strong community of creative workers who push each other to achieve their artistic goals. My experience at SVSU allowed me to accumulate a variety of technical and material skills vital to my current trajectory as a graduate student. My success as an instructor at the University level can be attributed to the phenomenal faculty role models I looked up to during my time as an undergraduate student.

Degree: Art with a minor in History - Graduation: Dec. 2017

The Art Department's greatest assets are the professors. They are kind, helpful, and truly care about your success. Go to office hours!!!! Get to know your professors. Professors are great resources not only for help with your courses but also preparing you for life after getting your degree. Special Thanks to Dr. Kelley who helped me discover my love for Art History and advising Independent Study courses to help prepare me for Grad School.

Sarah is from Saginaw, MI. Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: I started my college career at Delta College to complete my general education courses before transferring to Saginaw Valley to complete my bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. I chose SVSU because they seemed to have a really good art program, small class sizes, were affordable and close enough to home for me to commute. I really enjoyed my time at SVSU, the campus is gorgeous, there are tons of clubs and activities to choose from and the staff are all truly caring and engaging with students. The culture there feels like an intimate community of teachers and students that all work together to create a friendly, encouraging, success filled environment. I am pleased to say that I feel very prepared for the working world and was able to get a Graphic Design position before finishing my last class in the Spring of 2017. In July I will start work at Regional Medical Imaging in Flint as an in-house Graphic Designer updating their website, creating informational brochures and many other fun projects. I'm so excited to start my career and I attribute a great deal of my job landing to the portfolio class I took Winter semester 2016. In portfolio class we made both web and physical portfolios which I discovered employers have come to expect. We also created a personal brand in that class which was immensely useful. During my interview, as soon as I opened my portfolio which had my logo and cover photo, the interviewer said, “That’s the feather! I remember that from your website, I like that!”. The consistent branding I learned in portfolio class really helped me stand out and be memorable. Another thing I loved about that class was the annual AIGA portfolio review. That event helped me refine my portfolio by utilizing tips from seasoned professionals. Currently employed at Regional Medical Imaging in Flint Graphic Designer updating their website, creating informational brochures and many other fun projects.

I would like to note that one of the tips I got from the AIGA review was to use only pictures and if I didn’t have enough work pieces, to put in related stock photos to give the project a “feel” and to use images to illustrate what the piece is for, how it would be used etc. I used this advice and the found that the interviewer was very engaged with my portfolio. She commented on the work and the stock photos. After I talked about my work, the photos provoked casual conversation which made the interview fun and less intimidating.

Emily is from Detroit, MI. Currently: "I am currently a graduate student in Wayne State University's Art History Department, as well as a Graduate Assistant for the African Arts undergraduate courses. My studies focus on graphic design as fine art, and I will be presenting some of my research on Laszlo Maholy-Nagy and the importance of graphic design to modern arts at the Ohio State Art History Graduate Symposium this coming April. I work at both the Detroit Institute of Arts and The Henry Ford Village and hope to continue with a career in either a museum or gallery as a curator."

What are the greatest asset of the SVSU Art Department: The SVSU Art Department's greatest asset is its staff. The overwhelming inspiration and support that I received while completing my undergraduate degree from faculty was astounding. Throughout all of the courses offered, even the non-studio courses like art history, I found myself pushed to do my best even if I was unsuccessful on a first attempt. I would recommend this Department to prospective students simply because the faculty truly cares about its students and making sure that they have the necessary skills to succeed after degree completion.

Website: https://www.svsu.edu/artgallery/pastexhibitions/winter2020exhibitions/winterbfataylorstone/

Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, May 2020

Greatest Assets of SVSU Art Department:The Art Department at SVSU has been such a strong support system in this journey. Going into the program I was nervous about creating a children’s books because I had no experience in it. However, with advice and suggestions from the art department I was able to create work that I am so proud of. This opportunity to work with such creative minds was a challenge and honor, and I’ve come out of it learning so much about myself and my artwork. I cannot thank my committee and the art department enough for their support through this adventure."

Katie is from Kingsley, MI. Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: The Art Department at SVSU is a family. You have classes with many of the same professors and students throughout your entire college career. Walking across the stage at graduation with some of the greatest friends I've ever made was the most incredible experience. The faculty genuinely cares about the success of their students. I always felt supported by my professors, and welcomed by my peers. As graduation day approached, the department prepared me for the world after college. I was able to land an amazing job before finishing my school based off of my internship experience and final portfolio. There is no place like SVSU. It became a real home away from home, and I know I would not be where I am now without the Art Department. If you are looking for an unforgettable college experience and want to gain the skills necessary to succeed in your chosen field, SVSU is the place for you.

Website: Degree: Double major Graphic Design/Communications, May 17

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: Some of the greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department are that the professors are there to help you to the best of their ability and are always looking towards giving you the best real world experiences that they can. I would recommend this to high school students due to the great environment that is provided here at SVSU. It is full of great opportunity and diversity to learn many new things

Tara is from Saginaw, MI. Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: The Art Department at SVSU prepared me for my career. Not only did they guide me into the right direction, but gave me the encouragement I needed for my dream job. My instructors encouraged me to start teaching at the Marshall Frederick’s Museum, which is an amazing resource right on campus. From there I began creating my own lesson plans and taking them to organizations to create my own opportunities. Knowing that my path would be art education in a museum or gallery I made sure to talk to my professors about where I wanted to be. When I applied to Studio 23, I was applying to be an instructor. Then with dedication, and volunteering, I created new opportunities. After a year and a half of employment I was able to apply for the Executive Director position, and was promoted. My instructors and mentors wrote me recommendation letters, and offered great advice on fitting in to my new position. I am still in contact with them, and plan to always look for them for advice.

BFA Ceramics & Graphic Design, May 2015 Hometown: Hemlock, MI

Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: I would recommend the SVSU Art Department to interested High School students because of the sheer mass of knowledge that the department has. I have learned an unimaginable amount of knowledge while attending SVSU, and I have many of the professors in the Art Department to thank for that. Also, the program is designed around the students and the class sizes are small enough that you get a great deal of one on one attention from the professors. In my opinion the greatest part of the program is the BFA, because the complete creative freedom and knowledge of the advisors leads the student into the future with a great deal of confidence. Which for me, someone who knew what I wanted to say with my BFA show, was pivotal in my decision in selecting SVSU. Because of the freedom I received here, as well as the guidance of the professors, I believe I have honed my skills as an artist as much as is possible.

Future Plans: In a perfect world I would work as a professional artist creating both work for myself and commissioned work. I plan on looking into grad schools, artist communes, and or artist residencies over the course of the summer and will be applying to as many of these as possible.

Kaitlyn is from Millington, MI. Greatest assets of the SVSU Art Department: Instead of being in competition all the time, we are encouraged to help each other out and form meaningful relationships. Most of the professors have successful careers as graphic designers and are able to give students valuable real world advise." Another great asset of the SVSU Art Department is the opportunities provided to students. In many classes I have been able to work with real clients, which has given me a glimpse into the professional world. The department also makes sure that students are aware of the many competitions, awards, and scholarships that are available. In my experience, when an SVSU student enters these, they are recognized for their work. Attending SVSU for graphic design was a better decision than I ever realized. I will graduate with the skills and confidence to be best designer that I can be.