CMD Student Gains Professional Experience with Park Design House
Drea Kasianchuk ’11 enjoys the creative freedom of graphic design. “I thrive on forming an idea in my mind and having the technology available to translate that idea into a specific visual,” she explains. “I took several graphic arts classes in high school which really stimulated my interest.”
In support of her interest in design and to sharpen skills beyond available course work, Kasianchuk joined the Park Design House this fall. “I joined PDH to improve my understanding of design. I feel it is important to not only communicate through words, but also visuals. Graphic design’s combination of images and words enhances a message, providing mood and context through various fonts, colors, and visuals.”
She was thrilled when her first design, created to promote Golberstein Jewish Studies Travel-Study Grant applications, was chosen by the client for publication. She recognizes the importance of designer-client interactions to project success.
“Not only does PDH speak to my interest in graphic design,” she explains, “but it also addresses my interest in communication. When assigned a design project, I need to meet with the client to discuss the type of design he or she feels would best represent their information.”
Kasianchuk chose the CMD major “because of the integration of communication and design. I feel that it is essential to have strong communication skills to effectively and efficiently complete a task or make an important decision. I know the skills I will gain from my education within the CMD will benefit me once I enter professional life.”
At the completion of her first year in the major, Kasianchuk was honored by faculty with The Most Promising CMD Student Award. She also has two minors, Still Photography and Environmental Studies. “I try to incorporate my own photographs into my graphic design projects and the minor enhances my understanding of composition.”
She thinks that her interest in the environment stems from growing up in New Hampshire where she appreciates hiking in the White Mountains, Nordic skiing on fresh snow, and planting fresh vegetables on a local farm. “Since my childhood I have noticed negative changes in the environment such as warmer summers, less snow in the winter, and more flooding in the spring. These changes have had a negative impact on plants and animals in the area as well. My interest in sustainability—finding ways to live now while preserving the environment for future generations—is rooted there.”
Beyond the classroom, Kasianchuk is involved with REMP (Resource and Environmental Management Program), through which she helps to inform students about the importance of reducing waste, recycling, and reusing through dorm programs, campus events, and tabling. “I monitor the energy consumption, recycling habits, and water leaks in residential halls to address improvements that could save resources and money,” she explains. “I am also a member of the Sustainably Conscious Community, a dorm that promotes improving students' relationships with the environment, society, and the economy.”
Always on the lookout for opportunities to improve her design skills, she creates advertisements for The Ithacan and has designed and edited the Buzzsaw website. Additionally she is vice president of the Ithaca College Nordic Ski team.
“I’m not exactly sure what I would like to do after college, but on a broad scale, I would like to inform people through various media—website, magazine, or advertisements—and human interaction about the importance of maintaining our environment. I would like to work for an environmentally aware business with involvement in promotional or public relations work.”
According to the PDH web site, “The Park Design House is a collaborative project between the Park School of Communications and the Office of Marketing Communications. Launched in spring 2007, PDH allows students to gain real-life client and design experience.”
Becoming a PDH designer is a competitive process with interested students recruited at the beginning of each semester. Application includes the submission of a sample project; designers are chosen based on their ability to work professionally with clients, their design skills and creativity, and their ability to package work for printing. Designers are paid a flat rate per project and design.
Other CMD designers for PDH in 2008 (click on their names to see their work) include Janelle Mackereth ‘09 and Michelle Duffy ’09.
PDH alums from the communication management and design major include Jason Lysenko ’08, Francis Emilfarb ’08, and Simrat Applebaum ’07.
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