When the U.S. Army renamed Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty in mid-2023, new signage had to be placed all around the city and base reflecting the new name – a major task in a limited time frame. The graphic designer behind all of the new signage was Karen Moody ’21, who developed her graphic design skills at Methodist University.
When the U.S. Army renamed Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty in mid-2023, new signage had to be placed all around the city and base reflecting the new name – a major task in a limited time frame.
The graphic designer behind all of the new signage was Karen Moody ’21, who developed her graphic design skills at Methodist University and now works at Blashfield Sign Company.
“Without the graphic design program at Methodist University, I would have never had this opportunity,” said Moody, a Fayetteville native who earned a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at MU in 2021. “From the fundamentals of design to the sales inside of it, the lessons inside the classroom have been valuable during my career.”
Many Doors, Many Careers
Moody’s success is one of the many that can be traced back to Methodist University’s Graphic Design program that is offered on campus as a bachelor’s degree – an education that opens doors to nearly any industry.
“Graphic designers have their hands in everything, which is neat because every facet of the world needs graphic design in some way,” said Tori Hord, associate professor of Graphic Design. “Whether it’s packaging, a book cover, or food labels, someone had to design it. Graphic design is about creative problem solving. It bridges the gap between the fine art world and the professional world.”
According to Hord, the graphic design field has grown exponentially as technology grows.
“Sometimes, parents worry about their children entering an art field, but graphic design is in high demand. There are more jobs every day,” she said. “You’re also seeing different positions like visual artists, UX designers, or even presentation deck designers. I don’t see it slowing down, there may just shifting gears to fit what’s popular at the time.”
Advanced Technology & Spaces
The Graphic Design program caps all of its classes at a maximum of 12 students per class to ensure a low student-to-faculty ratio. Inside the program’s Bethune Center for Visual Arts, students have access to a fully outfitted Mac lab with Adobe programming, a photo studio, printmaking studio, fine arts studio, art gallery, and makerspace. The variety of spaces even allow students to utilize laser and vinyl cutters, large format printers, and 3D printers.
The up-to-date technology and spaces offered by the program have been pivotal for Graphic Design major Gabriela Manolias, a sophomore from Fayetteville.
“My favorite experience in this program is finally learning Adobe. As a kid, I always wanted to use the tools I saw artists using,” Manolias said. “The program helps us prepare for future careers by allowing creative freedom, student critiques, close mentorship, and plenty of opportunities to excel at your best.”
Manolias, who is considering a few graphic design careers in editorial design, journalism, or curation, also pointed to the wide range of classes available at MU, another high mark for the program. Students can register for classes such as Interactive Design – which covers website and app design – along with other classes that review digital design and print design.
But Hord said a student-favorite is the senior capstone class.
“The project is their first opportunity to completely self-direct a project, so the topic is completely up to them,” she added. “They get to pick something they are passionate about, do their own research, decide how the project evolves, and create something.”
The seniors then have an opportunity to present their projects in front of the MU community during a senior art show exhibit at the Union-Zukowski Lobby & Gallery on campus.
Career-Preparing Education
Many of the Graphic Design students also receive internship or student work opportunities throughout the community or on campus, providing an avenue of experience during their time at MU. The program has also had an influx of interest from students as seen by the revival of the Visual Arts Club on campus, allowing students to collaborate together on fun graphic design projects outside of the classroom.
Overall, students receive a well-rounded education through Methodist University’s Graphic Design program, allowing them to flourish once they enter the workforce after graduation – a success Moody can surely speak to.
“What I really enjoyed about the graphic design program was how close-knit it was. I felt like my professors had time for me and truly wanted to see me improve,” said Moody. “Getting a formal education allowed me to grow with others and get real-time feedback for things that I would have never been able to point out on my own. So, to me, it truly was the community that made me know graphic design was the program for me.”
For anyone interested in applying or learning more about the Graphic Design program, visit the program’s webpage or Apply webpage to get started.