Watkins Graphic Design Gets ‘Split & Twisted’ Oct. 25–Nov. 9
Jurors Announced for Annual Competition in Ten Categories
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film presents Split & Twisted, the school’s annual juried graphic design student exhibition, from October 25–November 9 in the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Gallery on campus.
Split & Twisted’s opening night reception, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, is free and the public is invited.
All Watkins Graphic Design majors are eligible to submit student projects (created since September 2011) in ten categories: Advertising, Books & Jackets, Identity, Illustration, Illustration Series, Package Design, Poster/Design, Publication Design, Multimedia, and Miscellaneous/Design.
Jurors for Split & Twisted 2012 are Katie Bean De Souza, associate creative director at Redpepper (redpepperland.com) and a Watkins alumna; designer Elizabeth Williams of Emma (myemma.com), and owner/designer Jeff Perky of Perky Bros LLC (perkybros.com).
Department chair Professor Dan Brawner, recognized as a “top instructor” by the international visual communications journal Graphis, will announce the category winners as well as best in show and faculty choice awards.
“This show always lives up to its name, with smart and surprising entries,” said Professor Brawner. “Work juried into Split & Twisted does very well at regional and even national design competitions, and this exposure often leads to valuable internships and even employment. The experience provides our students with an early opportunity to compete and to place their work directly in front of the professional community.”
Split & Twisted 2012 is sponsored by Plaza Art Supply, Anderson Design Group, Isle of Printing and Kangaroo Press.
Watkins Graphic Design students and alumni are consistently among the most honored in the country through their submissions to regional, national and international advertising design competitions, particularly in the student and professional categories of the ADDY Awards (hosted by the American Advertising Federation). At the 2012 Nashville Student ADDYs, Watkins won more top-level awards than any other school competing, claiming nine Golds (two more than last year) and two (of the four) Judges’ Choice Awards. Seventy percent of Watkins students who entered received awards, and 17 pieces, including eight Silver award winners, advanced to the district competition.
Watkins students continue to blanket Nashville and the region with their intelligence, visual wit and creativity through unique opportunities with several beloved Nashville community events. In the past year, their talents have been chosen to promote signature happenings such as the American Artisan Festival, the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, Music City Hot Chicken Festival, Nashville Sister Cities Program, Nashville Symphony and Nashville Opera performances, and Murfreesboro’s JazzFest, among others.
Currey Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Watkins is located at 2298 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard in MetroCenter and free parking is available in the campus lot.
About the program
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design at Watkins College begins with a strong foundation in the basic principles and elements of design and typography. The curriculum then builds in complexity until students graduate with a professional, high quality, entry-level portfolio. Coursework effectively covers art, design, typography, technology, professional practices and the history of art and design. Small class sizes allow for each student to have individual consultations with faculty at every stage of assigned projects. Graphic design electives, including internships with area advertising and design agencies, enhance each student’s education. The curriculum culminates in the capstone course, Senior Portfolio Development, where each graduating senior works with senior faculty to polish his/her portfolio. Finally, the graduating class, as a team, puts together a senior exhibition that features their portfolios.