Graphic Design students showcase work in Toronto

It’s not every day that students have an opportunity to feature their designs at a downtown exhibit but each April students from Durham College’s Graphic Design program have a chance to share their unique creations at the annual Grad Show held at The Design Exchange in Toronto, Ont.

“The high-end design exhibit is a beneficial opportunity that allows students to work together toward a common goal of designing, producing and assembling the show,” said Stuart Ellis, Graphic Design program co-ordinator with the college’s School of Media, Art & Design.  

The 11th annual exhibition titled Vision/Version, took place from April 10 to 20 and enabled third-year students to showcase their work to Toronto’s design community where many students complete their field placements and hope to find employment at studios and agencies after graduation. 

“I had a great time during the whole experience,” said Sam Alidoosti, the second-year Graphic Design student who created the Vision/Version concept, which is designed to illustrate the layering system used in graphic design prior to computers, a concept still widely used in the profession today. “It was a great honour to design the concept of the show and because I was involved in every process I was able to learn a lot from each step.”

Alidoosti hopes to learn as much as possible when he returns in September for the final year of his program. For him, that includes building his portfolio and finding a field placement where he can apply the skills he has learned at Durham College.

“From mounting the students’ work and setting up the show to spending more time with the professors who have helped me grow into who I am now, it all meant a great deal to me,” added Alidoosti. “The whole experience is something I will cherish forever.”