Graphic design students’ 51 diversity, inclusion posters rollout for traveling exhibit

Menomonie, Wis. – Seventeen graphic design and interactive media juniors at University of Wisconsin-Stout will soon have their works featured at a national conference, as part of a traveling poster exhibition tour across the Twin Cities and beyond.

Each student designed a trio of large-scale posters during their Graphic Design II course last fall, supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the marketing and advertising industry. The 51 posters are now en route to the BrandLab’s Fearless conference, their first stop on the tour.

The BrandLab, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis, seeks to change the face and voice of the industry by creating more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces.

Graphic design Professor Nagesh Shinde’s collaboration with the BrandLab’s National Director Michaela Clubb and CEO Kelli Williams led to his students’ visual communication project, with the intent to promote the BrandLab’s mission and communicate its 2023 State of the Marketing and Advertising Industry Report.

“The BrandLab welcomed the idea with open hands,” Shinde said. “The exhibition gives great visibility to their mission and to UW-Stout. It promotes a more diverse student body in design and a need for stronger recruitment of faculty and staff. It shows the importance of diversity and opens up conversations, even in the classroom.”

Fearless will be held on Thursday, May 2, at the Mosaic in Minneapolis. The annual conference brings together industry leaders, public figures, young talent and marketing professionals from across the country to share stories, collaborate and revitalize commitments to DEI&B. Attendees leave with actionable insights on how to further equity within themselves, their workplaces and their communities.

More than 300 business leaders, marketing and human resources professionals, DEI&B professionals, community and education partners, and BrandLab alums will attend and view the exhibit. Hundreds more will attend virtually from Milwaukee and Kansas City.

“A lot of eyes will be seeing the students’ works and adding to the conversation,” Clubb said. “Their exhibit fosters belonging. It is purposeful and impactful. Nagesh and his students have brought the industry report to life with energy and thoughtfulness.”

The BrandLab’s industry report, with Fusion Hill in Minneapolis, received the Hermes Creative Awards Platinum award. Seringa McHugh, UW-Stout graphic design alum and BrandLab Fellowship recipient, was recently hired by Fusion Hill.

Open conversations, active listening to create real, positive change

Shinde believes that good work happens with teamwork, collaboration and communication. He understands the experiences of underrepresented students and employees working in environments, including the design industry, which lack diverse and inclusive cultures.

“This reality has fueled my determination to champion a crucial mission with all students I teach – addressing and rectifying the systemic imbalances within our field. I am committed to actively contributing to the cause and being a catalyst for change,” he said.

The Graphic Design II students embraced this mentality. As they delved into their research and the industry report to build ideations for their posters, they joined in conversation with each other, sharing their experiences and perspectives on equity, diversity and inclusion.

“This is not a passive topic,” said Carly Kauffman, of Hanover, Minn., whose poster series encourages viewers to embrace diversity, with a message of “You Belong.” Her design was inspired by a quilt, representing diversity in the workplace, and was printed on canvas instead of paper in continuation of her quilt theme.

“We all work together toward a shared goal, yet we’re all unique, like squares on a quilt,” she said.

Jalen Sanfelippo, of Waterford, searched the report for facts about leadership roles and comfortability. He wanted to create an in-your-face design with bold colors to express statistics, including that only 26% of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) employees feel comfortable in the workplace.

“These are important aspects, especially as design is such a collaborative field. Everyone should be made to feel comfortable in their workplace,” he said.

Kate Gillette, of Green Bay, designed a series emphasizing active, inclusive listening and celebrating others’ stories. She included music records as a visual reminder to listen and inspirational quotes, including by author Simon Sinek, who said, “Hearing is listening to what is said. Listening is hearing what isn’t said.”

Regan Haack, of Minneapolis, designed a “We Must” series, portraying illustrations of the faces behind the statistics. One of her posters states “Institutionalize Equity,” restating Shinde’s emphasis on DEI&B in the workplace, at the university level and beyond.

“Faculty should reflect the students, and people in marketing should reflect the population,” she said.

Clara Nicolai, of Bangor, encourages organizations to examine if their DEI&B efforts are making a difference and to recommit their efforts, having open conversations with employees because intentions mean nothing without action.

The posters were first featured at UW-Stout’s Destination Weekend, April 5-6, in the Furlong Gallery atrium in the Applied Arts Building and Micheels Hall.

Furlong Gallery Coordinator Hannah Phelps thinks having the posters in the atrium has been a bonus.

“It’s been wonderful for our students, staff and community members to see them,” she said. “And an especially wonderful opportunity for the design students to have been able to work with such a cool company as BrandLab and echo their strong message.”

Exhibit venues after Fearless are being scheduled. Possibilities include the American Institute of Graphic Arts and Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association events, Minneapolis College of Art and Design and other schools, and alumni and partner design studios and agencies in the Twin Cities. The exhibit will return to campus this fall and be displayed in the University Library Art Lab.

The project received funding support from the College of Arts and Human Sciences to laminate the posters and purchase a protective traveling case.

Graphic design seniors’ capstones will be featured at the School of Art and Design Senior Show from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 3. Meet with nearly 120 graduating SOAD seniors and talk about their creative works in exhibits throughout Applied Arts and Micheels Hall. Graphic design capstones will be showcased in AA221E, with the theme of Transform-Ai, an exploration of the future of design applications that use artificial intelligence to empower user experiences.

UW-Stout, a member of the Universities of Wisconsin, is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.