The Annual Student Art Exhibition hosted by Colorado State University’s Curfman Gallery is the longest running recurring exhibition at CSU. The exhibition is open to all current Colorado State University students, both undergraduate and graduate, and serves to highlight the creative efforts of the student body. 299 applications to the exhibition were received, more than ever before, with 49 pieces selected.
What was the brief?
The client, LSC Arts, an internal department of the Lory Student Center’s Campus Activities; wanted to promote the Fall 2024 Student Art Exhibition. This is their largest event of the year, and showcases jury curated 2d and 3d artwork submitted by students.
I chose to incorporate current 3D trends since it makes the design look like it is being showcased, like it is inviting and tangible, something for people to be curious about – hence the spotlights and it resting on a platform.
What was difficult?
I had to make it somewhat similar to the call for submissions design, not show any specific art, and wanted to not shy away too significantly from previous designs while incorporating current trends.
Making the 3D rendering work with a vinyl wrap was done by tracing out the render with the letters overlapping, offsetting the path with a stroke, and using the shape builder tool to trim away the overlapping areas.
What was the result?
High event attendance, over 200 likes on social media, along with a much higher number of shares than typical, a 1:2 share to like ratio on the LSC Arts instagram page.
If you would like to view the online description and catalog on the LSC Arts website, here is the link:
https://lsc.colostate.edu/art-exhibition/2024-student-art-exhibition/
Tools Used
Blender (3D lettering background), Adobe InDesign (collateral layout and type), Adobe Illustrator (vinyl and headline)