Three Graphic Design students earn public recognition

The works of three Graphic Design students will soon be part of the North Richland Hills Signal Art Program, a program that utilizes original artwork by local artists to decorate traffic signal boxes throughout the city.

Mock Up - jimi Hendrix

Jessica Dawson, Marissa Merrill and Anika Carlson submitted artwork they created in their Digital Illustration class for consideration in this year’s exhibit titled “Legends of Music.” Residents and visitors to the city will enjoy Dawson’s vivid portraits of guitar great Jimi Hendrix and country icon Willie Nelson as well as Merrill’s striking image of the Beatles and Carlson’s purple-hued portrait of a young Ella Fitzgerald. The images will be printed on vinyl sheeting and installed on signal boxes in September.

“We encourage students to participate in collaborative projects and to enter professional competitions,” said Lewis Glaser, department chair and professor of Graphic Design. “This involvement exposes students to fellow designers and artists and provides opportunities for them to showcase their talents and build professional portfolios.

“Their work will serve as an outdoor public art gallery for thousands of passersby to enjoy.”

The Signal Art Program began in 2007 to enhance the North Richland Hills Art in Public Spaces Program, a program that integrates art into daily life and beautifies public spaces. The program works with exhibits that change every three years. There are currently 16 signal boxes in the Signal Art Program.

Graphic design is the process of visual communication and problem solving through the use of typography, space, image and color. TCU’s Graphic Design department offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design as well as a Bachelor of Arts or minor in Design Studies and provides a comprehensive education with intensive professional instruction. The Digital Illustration course is taught by local portrait artist Sarah Green, whose artwork has also been on display in the Signal Art Program.