Montana State graphic design students connect with professionals at annual event

BOZEMAN - Graphic design students from Montana State University's School of Art connected with professional designers in April at the Zoot Art Gallery in Four Corners.

During the graphic design program's annual Professional Night, 36 seniors met with 36 local designers for one-on-one feedback on their portfolios.

"It's a whirlwind event where seniors receive quick feedback on their portfolio website and job finding resume." said Jeffrey Conger, event founder and professor in graphic design at MSU. "During the evening, we host three separate 30-minute sessions for each senior. It's a bit like speed-dating, and the noise level in the room gets quite high during the sessions."

Seniors met with professionals from all facets of the creative industry, including agency owners, in-house designers and freelancers.

"This annual event serves as a vital bridge between academia and the professional world, offering students the chance to showcase their skills and receive personalized guidance," said William Culpepper, assistant professor in graphic design at MSU. "It's exciting to see our students gain real-world insights that will help them navigate the challenges of entering the workforce."

The Zoot Art Gallery will also host seniors for a graphic design showcase from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8. Students will present their digital portfolios and canvas prints during the event, which is open to family, friends and the general public.