VSU Graphic Design Students Help YEA

Graphic Design students enrolled at Valdosta State University are lending a creative hand to students in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) held at the VSU Langdale College of Business, by developing logos for their new small business ventures. This is one of the many aspects of the YEA! program, provided by the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, that guides students through the process of starting their own real businesses or social movements.
 
This year’s graphic designers from VSU include Alexis Bass, Kelsi Canfield, Shelby Coulter, Isabelle Redenius, and Ashley Smith. With the assistance of VSU Professor Evelyn Davis-Walker, students were given the opportunity to meet the class and work with the students the combine their business ideas with suggestions regarding graphics from the designers.
 
According to Program Director, DeWayne Johnson, “Graphic designers play an important part in the process by helping students create a brand and successful promotion campaign for their businesses. I am grateful for Professor Davis-Walker and each of the college students that are offering their expertise. This is another way for these young artists to publically showcase their talents as Valdosta’s next generation of visual innovators.”

Additionally, YEA! students were supported by graphic design professionals, including Christina Kreyling, Freelance designer based in Utah; Arthur Morin, owner of BrandSouth; Sally Sutton, owner of Anchored Media Marketing; and Gary Kuhlmann, owner of Spyderserve Web Design & Hosting.
 
“I thought the evening went very well.  We were very productive and made a lot of important decisions. I walked through the fundamentals of logos, including fonts and colors, shapes and other style factors.  Finally, we put some ideas down on paper that I could transmit as a concept piece. We got right to work the next day,” said branding professional, Arthur Morin, who is mentoring one of the YEA! students.
 
During the course of the 20-week program, local businesses become involved with YEA! at various levels. Students work in close cooperation with local business leaders, community leaders, and educators who help them to transform ideas into tangible businesses or social movements that create economic and social value.
 
For more information about how to enroll a student for the Fall 2019 YEA! program, contact DeWayne Johnson at johnson.yea@valdostachamber.com or call (229) 588-0866.
 
Photo caption: Shelby Coulter (center) and Isabelle Redenius (left), who are both pursuing graphic design at Valdosta State University, help advise a YEA! student regarding ideas for potential logo designs