Design Showcase – Display Design

Overview

Each April, Western holds a formal Design Showcase for the graduating students in the Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Digital Media Productions programs. You get a chance to show off your work and talents to family, friends, the La Crosse Community, and employers.

This occasion is meant to honor you, our graduating students, and show our appreciation for your degree completion. It also allows you to practice presenting your portfolio. We invite the entire community to attend and congratulate you on your achievement.

Basically, you show up, get your name tag, and finish setting up your display panel. Family, friends, and the community walk by and enjoy your work. You showcase what you’ve done and practice telling people about it. It’s great practice for interviewing.

Be prepared to WOW the attendees and potential employers!

Design Showcase
Lunda Center
Western Technical College – La Crosse Campus
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 5–7:00 PM
Students should arrive about an hour early to help me (Craig) move your display to the Lunda Center and finalize your setup. I have a wheeled cart that will help us move a few panels at a time.

Checklist

Attend the Design Showcase and interact with guests
Present your work to guests as they arrive at your display
Dress professionally, as you would for an interview
Bring mockups and foldable to set on your display’s shelf
Bring 10–15 copies of your resume
(Optional) Bring your own tablet (preferred) or laptop (Lunda Center WiFi is available) to show your Behance portfolio, videos, websites, animations, etc.

Designing your display in Class

You can customize your showcase display. The tablet peg holes and shelf don’t move, so be sure to design around them. Double-check the size of your tablet so you correctly size and place your artwork around it.

Claim one of the real wood displays set up in the Creative Center. Design and test your layout there. We’ll perfect it in class with critiques so it’s ready to go for April 16th. Keep reworking it until you’re happy and proud of it.

Here’s an example I designed using real student artwork. The thick white borders and backgrounds really help the artwork stand out.

Display template

Download this entire display template to begin placing and laying out your artwork. This will help you see how your pieces look together on the display.