Fabulous Senior Showcases…Now Virtual!
May 27, 2020
While this spring term has presented tremendous challenges, we are excited to report new ways of celebrating the achievements of Westphal's graduating students. While the usual roster of Senior Shows cannot be presented in person, our supportive community will still be able to see and appreciate impressive student work in the virtual Senior Shows and activities of our programs in Fashion Design, Animation & Visual Effects, Game Design & Production, Interactive Digital Media, Virtual Reality & Immersive Media, Graphic Design, Photography, Design & Merchandising, Interior Design, and Product Design.
Drexel Fashion Design 2020
Experience the amazing creativity of Fashion Design students and get in a glimpse into the future of fashion in this year’s virtual fashion showcase, Drexel Fashion Design 2020. On Saturday, May 30th at 7pm EST, the Department of Design will highlight the creative visions of undergraduate and graduate Fashion Design students, accompanied by their own vision and digital content detailing their thesis work created over the past three terms. The collection of works will be judged by industry experts for awards honoring excellence in design, illustration, presentation, inclusivity, social responsibility, technology and future direction. Drexel Fashion Design 2020 will be housed here.
Digital Media Showcase 2020
The Digital Media Showcase 2020 is a milestone event for Westphal’s Digital Media programs with the celebration of our 20th graduating class in the year 2020. Instead of an in-person event, Digital Media majors will be displaying student works through live-streamed presentations and demos from their homes. This showcase features innovative work from students in the Animation & Visual Effects, Game Design & Production, Interactive Digital Media, and Virtual Reality & Immersive Media programs. On Sunday, May 31st, fourteen senior teams will discuss their processes and present their works in a live streamed webinar (12pm-2pm EST). Afterwards, viewers will be able to experience student work through live gameplays and demonstrations (2pm-4pm EST). Be sure to stay connected with our Facebook Event and Drexel Westphal's social media accounts as we will be highlighting student projects and keeping in touch with students and alumni while away from campus. The livestream Showcase will be hosted here and the Expo will be hosted here.
Photography Senior Thesis 2020
On Friday, June 12th at 6pm EST, the Photography program will host a virtual Senior Thesis Exhibition & Opening Reception. Seniors have spent the year working on their self-directed thesis projects and are excited to share them with friends, family, faculty, and industry professionals. The opening will be held via Zoom and will begin with the graduating class presenting their thesis work, including a portfolio by Hannah Beier, whose senior thesis photos recently illustrated TIME Magazine's "Generation Pandemic" issue. Each student will have a limited custom designed book in an edition of 50 as well as 10 prints accompanying each book. The books and prints will be available for sale. Purchases can be made here, and sales will open on June 12th. All proceeds from the book sales will go towards assisting returning Photography students with their project material costs.
Graphic Design Senior Showcase
Each year, Graphic Design seniors showcase their creative work to family, friends, industry professionals, and the Drexel community. This year, the Graphic Design Senior Showcase goes digital with a website premiering on Tuesday, June 9th. In the weeks leading up to the launch, visit the Graphic Design Instagram and Facebook for project teasers and student spotlights, and watch the Senior Show webpage for further updates. The Senior Showcase Awards will be announced on Wednesday, June 10th on our social media and the showcase website. The 2020 Graphic Design Senior Showcase offers viewers the opportunity to see stunning work and meet our newly minted designers. Graphic Design seniors will exhibit projects that showcase their versatility and talent. Highlights include senior capstone projects, motion graphics, packaging, book and publication design, web design, wayfinding, exhibition design, and more.
Product Design Senior Showcase
The Product Design Class of 2020 proudly presents “F1NAL_R3ND3R: Displaying Design in a Digital Paradigm” starting at 7pm ET on Friday, June 5th. This virtual show is the culmination of eight months of independent research and development, all leading to this showcase of senior thesis projects. The Class of 2020 was presented with the challenge of creating their first ever virtual senior exhibition. Guests can get an in-depth look at all of their projects before the live event starts, and will be able to speak with the designers on Friday, June 5th, from 7-10pm EST. Before the exhibition, visit the PROD senior showcase website to learn about the designers, register for the live event on June 5th, and check out custom merchandise in their Threadless Shop.
Interior Design Senior Showcase
Interior Design seniors will conduct a senior thesis presentation via Zoom on Wednesday, June 10th at 7pm EST. Additionally, the seniors are working on a 'yearbook,' which will showcase each graduating student, their chosen work, and a collage of images. The evening will feature opening remarks from Colin Lott, President of the Drexel Interior Group (DIG), individual presentations of work, a celebratory video honoring the achievements of the Class of 2020, and the presentation of Senior Awards.
Design & Merchandising
Design & Merchandising will unveil the 2020 issue of the award-winning lifestyle magazine D&M at a virtual launch event. Faculty editor Nick Cassway will launch the 2020 D&M Magazine in conversation with Editor-in-Chief graduating D&M student Emily Dieli on Thursday, May 28th at 6pm EST. They’ll discuss this year's theme, key editorials and the future of digital publication. Faculty will also celebrate the achievements of graduating Design & Merchandising seniors at a special friends-and-family only virtual send-off event.
TEDxDrexelU
Entertainment & Arts Management seniors Caroline McFarland and Aliena Walrond, along with faculty advisers Larry Epstein and Vivianna Bermudez, will present a virtual TEDx event as part of their senior project. TEDxDrexelU 2020 will feature TED Talks from alumna and fashion designer Nancy Volpe-Beringer (MS Fashion Design ’16); Jane Golden and Nadia Malik of Mural Arts Philadelphia; Boeing’s first commercial test pilot astronaut Christopher J. Ferguson; licensed clinical psychologist and Drexel University Director of Athletics Dr. Eric Zillmer; and Director of the Expressive and Creative Interaction Technologies (ExCITe) Center Dr. Youngmoo Kim. Join us on May 31st, 2020 at 2pm EST to hear our community’s “ideas worth spreading.”