Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Adjunct Professor - Student Projects

School of Journalism and Graphic Communications Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design Program

Throughout the program, you’ll assemble a professional design portfolio through a capstone project. Career opportunities for those majoring in the Division of Graphic Communication vary. Many of our graduates pursue careers in various industries, such as printing, publishing, web design and development, and animation.

Class - Electronic Still Photo - PGY4820C

Social activism was the general theme for the students to convey messages that could resonate with companies and the issues of the given time. This allowed the students to develop critical thinking and design skills to solve creative problems. Other assignments were given to have the students become comfortable with creating for their main projects. The student examples below are from courses where I designed the curriculum and wrote the assignment instructions.


Movie Posters for Social Activism

Students were to create a captivating movie poster for a social activist, event, or cause they’ve been involved with recently. Whether reworking an existing film or designing a new concept, ensure the poster addresses key elements such as theme and message, visual aesthetics, title and tagline, relevant details about key figures, and a call to action.

This assignment challenges your artistic and communication skills, prompting thoughtful consideration of how visual elements can effectively convey social issues.

Image A - Jasmine Patrick 24’ | Image B - Brian Gurley 23’

Image C - Ayanna Coy 24’ | Image D - Nevaeh Palmer 24’

 

Sports Composite Social Media Design - In-Class Assignment

Students were to design a dynamic sports composite that seamlessly integrates multiple images to showcase the prowess of a chosen athlete or sports team. Utilize graphic elements, color schemes, and layout techniques to create a visually compelling and cohesive composition. Emphasize the energy and spirit of the sport while paying attention to details such as lighting, perspective, and scale. This assignment encourages combining creative design and technical skills to produce a striking visual representation of athletic excellence.

Image A - Eclair Bennett 23’ | Image B - Mikayla Smith 24’

Image C - Malachi Green 24’ | Image B - Susan Salinas 24’

 

Digital Self Portrait Portraying Social Activism

Using their photograph as a base, students were to manipulate and enhance the image to reflect their perspective on a specific social activism cause. The self-portrait should be a powerful visual statement, effectively blending your identity with the cause the student advocated for.

“Will I live, or will I die in the next few minutes?” - Jasmine Patrick 24’ - Police Brutality

Image A: Hailah Johnson 24’ - LGBTQ+ Violence | Image B: Oscar Jean 23’ - Black Men’s Mental Health

 

Icons for Social Change - Mock App Design

Students were to create a mock app design focused on social activism, employing icons to convey critical features and functionalities. They were to design a user-friendly interface that promotes ease of navigation and engagement. Select icons that intuitively represent various aspects of activism, such as petitions, events, education, and community outreach. The assignment challenged their ability to communicate complex ideas through simple, impactful visual elements, fostering a thoughtful integration of design and social consciousness.

Campaign submitted by Sydney Richardson 24’

 

Campaign submitted by Destiny Ramirez 24’

 

Campaign submitted by Kai Allen 24’