OU graphic design students go batty for Cranbrook exhibit

OU graphic design students go batty for Cranbrook exhibit
Hadear Mikho, Lindsey Quinn and Derek Sands with one of their creations for the exhibit.

Oakland University graphic design seniors have had their work take flight at the newest Cranbrook Institute of Science, “BATS: Superheroes of the Night,” which runs now through June 2016.

 

Hadear Mikho, Derek Sands and Lindsey Quinn spent hundreds of hours over a period of about six months preparing their designs and displays for the new exhibit that takes visitors through a superhero-themed educational program.

 

Leaders at the Organization for Bat Conservation provided direction on the project but allowed the students creative freedom. The collaboration resulted is an exhibit that they all can be proud of and know will educate thousands in the process. 

 

Derek

 

Hadear Mikho

 

Lindsey Quinn

“We designed more than 50 deliverables that range from billboards, magazine ads, posters and exhibit information during the process,” said Sands. “This whole experience lets me know I can handle projects of this magnitude for a future employer.”

 

Mikho agreed, “This was a big project for a big event that utilized the many different skills we learned during school. With the variation of jobs we did for this exhibit, most future projects should be no problem.”

 

Quinn felt she also learned a lot on this project that will translate to her graphic design career. “I learned to save every single version of every piece of work that you do because sometimes you end up coming back to an original idea. And, I think the experience has helped us all learn about the value of communication with our clients and among our team.”

 

All three students said working with Rob Mies, Danielle Todd and the bats at the Organization for Bat Conservation made for an unforgettable and educational experience. They also felt good about helping save the bats!

 

Todd added, “We were delighted to be a part of the community design class. The best part is that we all benefited. The students were able to get a sense of what real-world design work is all about and we were given amazing, engaging designs to use in our exhibit. We would highly recommend the class to students who are looking to gain valuable experience and to nonprofit community partners who want to tap into local talent.”

 

Likewise, all three students praised the help of OU assistant professor of Art, Graphic Design and coordinator of field experience Meaghan Barry. They emphasized that she is highly-dedicated to her students and strives to get them valuable, real world experience.

 

The students acquired the client through Barry’s elective course called Special Topics: Community Design, where the professor arranges for graphic design students to collaborate with and create quality work for area non-profit companies.  The class provided the connection for Hadear, Derrek and Lindsey to work with the Organization for Bat Conservation beginning with the Winter 2015 semester, culminating with the opening of the exhibit. Other students in Barry’s class worked with non-profits Arts & Scraps and 826michigan last year and will be working with The Michigan Humane Society and The Art Experience in Winter 2016.
 

NOTE: Cranbrook is offering students with a valid OU student ID free admission to the museum on Saturdays after 5 p.m. (a $13 value) and discounted Bat exhibit and planetarium tickets at $5 each.

  

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