The 2024 Curris Exhibition was a great success and an amazing experience to be a part of. As a student who was lucky enough to win and be a part of the exhibition, I was so grateful to get the opportunity to display some of my work and to also get to speak with and gain insight from the UNI alumni panel of experienced designers.
Displaying my artwork like this was something that I never imagined I would get to do at UNI. Seeing my work on display was surreal – this was my first experience showcasing my art like this, and it felt amazing to get to share this part of me to the world. While it can be intimidating to put your work out there, this experience reinforced that I want to keep working on my own projects and create more art that I am excited about. My goal now is to focus on my own passion projects alongside my schoolwork, allowing me to build my portfolio further.
The panel of graphic designers offered some valuable insights into their creative processes. Hearing the different perspectives from both freelancers and representatives from larger companies was particularly fascinating. Although there are similarities in their approaches—like starting with an initial client call and creating a mood board—I learned that freelancers often have more freedom to explore unique styles influenced by their personal tastes. In contrast, designers from bigger firms typically must keep their personal preferences out of client work.
There are also notable differences in how corporate and freelance designers attract new clients. Luke Vaughn from Blue Space Creative stated that they don’t actively seek out new clients; instead, they get word-of-mouth referrals only. Stephanie Mathena, owner of Studio Etta, was very knowledgeable about gaining new clients – especially for those just starting out their careers. She emphasized the importance of getting your name out there, even if it means taking on lower-paid or free work to add to your portfolio. These small commissions in the beginning can lead to a diverse portfolio and refine your design skills, and ultimately lead to more recognition and more high-end projects.
I also connected with Jill Paisley, owner of Luckythirteen Design, who shared her experiences working with small businesses in her area. While some may view this as a limiting strategy, I believe that it can certainly be beneficial to build these connections within your local community. Jill’s passion for her work and her community shines through in her work, and it was clear that building relationships with local businesses can be very rewarding.
Sarah Steil and Lisa Reed from BTD Brand provided great advice on dealing with creative burnout, or better known as artist’s block. Their strategy is to keep the creative process fun and lighthearted. When we focus too much on whether our art is “good” or “bad”, it really hinders your creative process and causes stress. However, getting others from the team involved and keeping things fun and simple, the design outcome will usually be much more energetic and engaging to look at. This resonated with me, especially as a college student facing back-to-back projects and tight deadlines.
Overall, the Curris Exhibition was an amazing experience that I will remember and get to think back on fondly. I’m grateful to have experienced the artist talk and to display my work in the Kamerick Art Building on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa. This experience has motivated me to continue pursuing my passion for graphic design and to grow as an artist.
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