UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Fourth-year Stuckeman School graphic design students in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State are putting their talent and creativity on display with their final showcase, titled “IMPACT,” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 in 134 HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park Campus. The event is free and open to the public.
Following the showcase’s motto, “Design drives impact. We impact design,” the 19 graphic design students who will graduate next month will be exhibiting their individual semester-long projects, which highlight their creativity, passion and the skills they developed during their time at Penn State.
Each installation displayed will be unique, offering a range of experiences that highlight bold branding, thought-provoking campaigns and personal storytelling — all rooted in design's power to inspire change.
“We’re showing what we’ve worked so hard on all semester: our individual talents, voices and visions for the future,” said Emma Cohen, a fourth-year graphic design student. “It’s a celebration of who we are as designers, and how we create impactful designs.”
Cohen’s project features branding and packaging for a spice brand. Her installation is modeled after a kitchen counter, designed to immerse visitors in an interactive environment. “You’ll be able to walk around and engage with everyone's work in a personal, hands-on way,” she said.
For Cohen, impact through design means creating meaningful experiences. “It’s about getting people to care, to feel something — whether that’s excitement, nostalgia or curiosity,” she said.
Emily Burns, assistant professor of graphic design, helped students develop their capstone projects throughout the year, assisting them with ideas and materials while providing feedback.
The students invite alumni, faculty, friends and family to the showcase, creating a professional yet intimate space to reflect on each student’s growth.
“We’ve all grown together over the past four years,” Cohen said. “That makes this showcase even more special. It’s not just about the work, but the journey we’ve taken as a class.”