Meet Some of Our Graphic Design & Visual Communication Students
The best way to find out what it's like to study Graphic Design & Visual Communication at Champlain is to hear from our current students and alumni. Follow a few of them below as they take you on their journeys and share the successes they found along the way. Beyond the classrooms, students have countless avenues to explore their interests, connect with others, and dive headfirst into their field.
Becca Boucher on Senior Capstones, Studying Abroad in London, and Orientation Week
Becca Boucher, '20
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
*Graphic Design and Digital Media
Hometown
Natick, MA
Pronouns
She/Her
Studied Abroad
London, England
Internship
Her Campus Media in Boston, MA
Favorite Class
Advanced Typography
*Graphic Design and Digital Media is now called Graphic Design & Visual Communication
What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly
rewarding?
Getting to work on my Capstone, Critical, was by far the most rewarding experience. Critical is
an activism-based campaign advocating for accessible design practices to be integrated into undergraduate design programs. Getting to build up the concept, brand, and outcomes all from scratch was so much fun, but that was not even the most rewarding part. The most rewarding thing to come from the project was when a high school acquaintance reached out to me and thanked me for my work. He told me that he felt personally connected to my project, as he has two blind brothers. Of course, I knew going into the project that my intentions were to help those who are visually impaired but being thanked by someone that actually has a direct connection with the folks whose lives I was hoping to enhance was a feeling like no other.
What was your study abroad experience like?
For the spring 2019 semester, I got to study abroad in London, England. As cliche as it sounds, I really do think that studying abroad was a life-changing experience. I went through a third-party
program, so I got to live and study with people from all over the states and the world. I still talk to all five of the girls I lived with almost every day, and I know they will be forever friends. I got to visit my boyfriend in Dublin for St Patrick's Day and we got to spend our spring break in Paris. I think the most valuable thing I took from studying abroad was how rich other cultures are. London has some of the most amazing museums I have ever been to, and I learned so much from going and studying the work from all around the world. My favorite museums were the Tate Modern and the British Museum! If I were to give one piece of advice to any Champlain student, it would be to study abroad. I made so many unforgettable memories, learned so much, and made some amazing friends!
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I am an Orientation Leader and the Director of Design for CHAMP. I love both of these groups,
as I get to interact with so many different people! Orientation week is so much fun. We get so close with the best group of leaders and get to welcome so many new students. I love the high energy and seeing all the working parts come together. I have been a part of CHAMP since my first year, and love getting to plan the different events.
Ben Van Cleave on Exploring Burlington, Intermediate Typography, and Preparing for the Future
Ben Van Cleave, '20
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
*Visual Communication Design
Hometown
Canterbury, NH
Pronouns
He/Him
Studied Abroad
Central Saint Martins at the University of Arts London
Internship
Champlain College Marketing Department
Favorite Class
Intermediate Typography
*Visual Communication Design is now called Graphic Design & Visual Communication
What do you like about going to college in Burlington?
Burlington is the perfect college town. The student population here is huge, so everywhere you go, there's always young people out and about. It also has a unique spirit and tightly-knit community, so it really does feel like home. I always recommend that people check out the local music and arts. There are always a lot of amazing shows going on in a variety of different venues across town.
What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Champlain?
I think my favorite major-specific class I've taken at Champlain is Intermediate Typography with Suzanne Glover. You grow so much over the course of that class, and seeing the progression from project to project is really exciting and rewarding. My favorite Core class that I've taken at Champlain is definitely the History of Hip-Hop with Brian Murphy, which had really interesting subject matter. It was one of the few classes that I've been excited to write a paper for.
How has your Champlain experience prepared you for your future career, both in and out of the classroom?
Champlain has a really strong focus on providing you with real industry standards so that you can enter the field with all of the tools you need to succeed. The people I've met here form an amazing community, which will turn into an amazing professional network after graduation.
Juliette Cavanaugh on the Core Curriculum, Graphic Design, and Burlington City Arts
Juliette Cavanaugh, '19
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
*Graphic Design
Specialization
Motion Graphics
Pronouns
She/Her
Studied Abroad
Auckland, New Zealand
Internship
Graphic Design Intern at Burlington City Arts in Burlington, VT
*Graphic Design is now called Graphic Design & Visual Communication
How did you pick your major?
I've always been a creative person and graphic design seemed like a great way to express that creativity both in the classroom and in the professional field. Initially, there are a lot of preliminary steps you need to take, such as learning how to navigate certain software or how to articulate design language. Learning those skills early on has allowed me to hone my design skills and become more confident in my field.
What has been your experience with the Core Curriculum at Champlain?
While focusing on my major is obviously important, I think that being aware of what is going on around you-both locally and globally-is just as important. Especially being a graphic designer, I feel that I'm very aware of this because I know images can easily transcend cultural and language barriers. They're universal. Because of this, it's important to recognize who your audience is and how your work might be interpreted around the world.
Have you had any internships?
I was the Graphic Design Intern at Burlington City Arts in the summer of 2017. My duties included creating promotional materials for events and exhibitions, digital signage and social media assets, as well as printing vinyl signage for events, classrooms and office spaces. I also helped set up and run the Festival of Fools, which takes place on Church Street every summer. Seeing my designs all over Church Street was very exciting and rewarding for me.
Megan Milano on Why She Chose Champlain, Diving Into Class Projects, and Creating Designs for Major Campus Events
Megan Milano, '19
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
*Visual Communication Design
Specialization
Motion Graphics
Pronouns
She/Her
Internship
Design & Communication Intern at ECHO Leahy Center in Burlington, VT
Studied Abroad
London, United Kingdom
Post-Grad Job
Graphic Designer at Union Street Media in Burlington, VT
*Visual Communication Design is now called Graphic Design & Visual Communication
What made you choose Champlain College?
When I was looking for colleges, Champlain blew every other school out of the water by far. I could tell that the professors really cared about the students and were passionate about what they were teaching. The biggest thing that drew me to Champlain was that we could take classes in our major starting the very first semester, so I knew that Graphic Design & Digital Media* was right for me.
*This program named changed to Visual Communication Design in 2019.
Have you worked on any projects that have been particularly rewarding?
I often find myself connecting with and becoming invested in the projects that I do for my major. It is really tough for me to work on something that I am not passionate about, so being able to dive into something allows me to design it as my best self. Two projects in particular that I felt very connected with were a mantra poster I created and a typographic book that I designed.
Are you involved with any extracurricular activities?
I am the Director of Design for CHAMP (Champlain Has Activities and Motivational Programming). We plan all major campus events throughout the year to help build the community. I have been a member since the first week of my first year, and I love the positive atmosphere of the meetings. Now I'm a member of the board, and I make all the designs for the events. I couldn't be happier that I took a step out of my comfort zone.