Elizabeth Carlson (Class of 2017)

Major: Graphic Design

Minor: Advertising and Public Relations

I chose Marywood because of the extensive Art program that is offered at Marywood University. Out of all the colleges that I had looked at Marywood University’s art facilities caught my eye. The Insalaco Center for Studio Arts and the Shields Center for Visual Arts are equipped with all the materials that an artist needs to succeed. For example we have graphic design labs, painting and drawing studios, dark rooms for photography, and much more. The art department at Marywood was just one of the reasons that made me choose Marywood. The athletic program at Marywood was another reason why I chose Marywood. I am a member of the Women’s soccer team. Our support of each other as a team is very strong on an off the field. Marywood University also has a safe environment for all students.

I am majoring in Art because I have always had a passion for art. When I was in high school I started to enjoy art more and more. I participated in different art classes from sophomore year to senior year, and I knew that was what I wanted to make a career out of. I chose graphic design because I enjoy creating logos and ads, as well as other graphics while using the computer. The graphic design classes at Marywood have taught me a great amount of information. Coming in, I had a very small background in the Adobe programs such as Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. By the end of the first semester as a freshman I had all the basics I needed to know to create artwork.

When I’m not in class, I’m usually at soccer practice or hanging out with my friends on campus. Being a part of the soccer team is a great experience. Some of the other extracurricular activities that I am a part of are the art honor society called Zeta Omicron, the AIGA student group, which is an organization for rising graphic designers, and participating in this new blog for the art department at Marywood University.

My favorite class was Introduction to Typography. I liked this class because it gave me a background about type and how to use type in a creative and effective way in design. I’m looking forward to my classes in graphic design as I continue my studies.

The coolest thing I’ve done so far was in my Introduction to Graphic Design class where I made a ligature and used it to make my own ID package which consisted of a letterhead, envelope, and a business card. I used lower case letters and the colors that I used for everything was a palette of light teal, white, and black lettering. My icon that I used on all the parts of the ID package was an anchor.

When I graduate I hope to become an employee of an advertising company hopefully working my way up to be an art director of a company. I eventually would like to get my Masters degree.

I’d recommend the Art program at Marywood because the teachers and facilities are a great asset to Marywood University. You will be able to get to know the teachers on a one-on-one level. You aren’t just a number in a huge class. The small class size is very beneficial when getting feedback on your own artwork.

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