On Dec. 6, senior graphic design and product design majors held their portfolio showcase in the Donnie Rigby Stage, displaying their best works to the public. Visitors were invited to explore the space in a self-guided tour through the different student-run booths. All eight graduating designers were available to answer visitors’ questions about their different projects and their design processes. 

The event showcased the broad scope of preparation that designers receive at Walla Walla University, with students displaying physical models or products, digital designs, and print projects covering a wide variety of applications. Some displayed custom board games, musical theater posters, branding suites, and even furniture. Beyond the final products, students also exhibited their creative process through exploratory sketches and models.

The work of creating these portfolios, knowing what to display and how to present it, served as great preparation for students’ postgraduate futures. Rika Hinshaw, senior product design major, remarked on the importance of including projects that are relevant to her desired job so she can communicate her skills to potential employers. While working on her own portfolio, she pulled together pieces that displayed her specialization in model building. Her favorite project was designing furniture for a specific place, which she modeled first before making a life-size version of one of the pieces. 

Another product design student, Gracie Sawyer, displayed the physical application of one of her designs as well. She designed and built a library cart that is currently being used by a Sharpstein Elementary School librarian. These real applications allow students to showcase their ability to take their learned skills and abilities and apply them to real-world work. 

See a video of the design showcase on the university’s Instagram page, @wallawallauniversity. Learn more about the technology department at wallawalla.edu/technology. 

Posted Dec. 20, 2023.