Jameson Filston, Campus Carrier Arts & Living Editor

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF NINA KOWALKE

Students in the graphics club will have the opportunity to create artwork like the one pictured above. The club will take requests from outside sources as well as inside prompts.

Three students are working to start an interest group for graphic design at Berry. the group could create many opportunities for students interested in graphic design as well as those who are not. 

Juniors Adeline Duncan, Nina Kowalke and Leo Narrison are spearheading the project, which is only about a month old. They hope to form a place where students can come and share their passion for graphic design.  

“We’re hoping we can all learn from each other,” Duncan said. “Everyone has different skills.” 

The students noticed that there was no casual outlet for graphic design on campus and wanted to provide that outlet. They also want to create a way for people to share their varied methods and expertise with a group, whether that is different techniques or computer programs. 

The club hopes to take requests for graphics from other clubs and campus groups in order to help them learn. According to Duncan, these would be requests for poster and t-shirt designs and other similar types of designs. They do not plan to charge for their services, but they feel they will gain something from the experience anyway. Their reservations about charging for their services come from a desire to retain control over what and when they produce designs.  

“We just kind of want an outlet for creativity and learning,” Duncan said. 

Kowalke said that the students also have plans for internal contests. They want their members to build skill by participating in graphic challenges where students will compete for a prize.

The three students are not applying to become a club, but an interest group instead. This means that the group will not get SGA funding, but they will be able to advertise on campus and reserve spaces for events. 

Kowalke said this distinction is more appealing to the group because there are fewer responsibilities associated with this classification. This would reduce the responsibilities of group members. 

“It’s not a huge commitment for people who want to be a part of it,” Kowalke said. 

Kowalke said that the students had to be persistent in contacting the right people in order to get started, and the process was challenging. They will have to find the answers to some questions before they are able to proceed, including who their advisor will be.

They have had help along the way. Kowalke said that she met with Cecily Crow, director of student activities, to discuss how to start the club. They also discussed the difference between a student interest group and a student organization among other important decisions. 

“They’re pretty supportive, but at the same time you have to be very adamant about it,” Kowalke said.

The three students envision themselves more as organizers than officials in the organization. As an interest group, they do not need officers, which allows for a more relaxed approach to leadership.  

They are planning to keep in touch with about 15 interested students over the summer Kowalke said. They are looking forward to the connections that the club will offer, and so are many other students. They hope to get the club set up by the fall, and are busy getting ready.