Behind the Cover: Designing for the SUNY Plattsburgh Senior Exhibition
This past year, one of the most exciting and rewarding projects was working on the publication work for the BFA show. It was an incredible opportunity to not only showcase my own work but to represent my BFA graduating class. I created the cover for the artist catalog, as well as spreads, posters, and postcards.
How It All Began
The process started with a presentation to the art museum team. Each of us pitched our designs, hoping to be selected to represent the exhibition. When my work was chosen, I felt so honored—especially knowing the talented classmates I was presenting alongside. It was a moment of validation for all the hard work I had put into developing my style and voice as a designer.
The Design Process
The challenge was to create something that captured the diversity of artistic expression within our class while maintaining a cohesive and professional look. I wanted the design to feel bold and modern but also approachable and reflective of the energy we brought to our senior year.
I played with typography, layouts, and colors to create a clean yet dynamic aesthetic. For the cover, I focused on making it visually striking to draw attention while keeping the spreads and other materials balanced and readable.
Lessons Learned
This project taught me a lot about collaboration and adaptability. Working with the art museum team meant taking feedback, revising ideas, and balancing my vision with the goals of the exhibition. It also gave me insight into the importance of designing for a specific audience—making sure the materials appealed to both the artists and the public attending the exhibit.
Reflecting on the Experience
This project taught me so much about collaboration, attention to detail, and the power of good design to elevate others’ work. Seeing the final product in print was incredibly rewarding and a moment I’ll always treasure. Seeing my designs come to life—on posters around campus and in the catalog that so many people would take home—was surreal.
