Contractors are still working away throughout the building, but it now looks and feels like a state-of-the-art facility.

The classrooms and storerooms have been arranged, but the work is really just starting, but will pay off for both instructors and students.

We are all looking forward to a great year.

The assignment consisted of a few pieces - it started by randomly drawing numbers that represented each of the BSC campus buildings. Students chose two numbers and were then expected to shoot photos of the buildings. The photo parameters were simple - capture an image that represents the building, it could be inside or out and didn’t have to encompass the entire structure. The idea was to shoot photos like those that would be used in advertising pieces.

After students edited their photos, each uploaded the photos to a service called Panoramio that hosts images for Google Earth. The assignment was completed in early May and the photos are just beginning to show up. Each photo is reviewed by Panoramio staff before it can be viewed on the map.

Check out students’ work by opening Google Earth (the application can be downloaded here for free) and locating Bismarck State College. Make sure the Panoramio Photos layer is turned on. Click on the small blue squares to see images of the college. There are a few images of buildings that didn’t exist such as the National Energy Center of Excellence building when the satellite maps were created.

There should be several more photos appearing throughout the summer.

A screenshot from the Google Earth map of Bismarck State College shot by the Graphic Design and Communications students.

The department will have a new home next year - a building still under construction a little west and across the street from the current building. The staff is looking forward to the new location, but there are many memories from the old place.

The old building will be remodeled and house other Bismarck State College classes. The remodeling will take place this summer, so these photos are a last look at the old space.

In the graphic design industry, a designer’s portfolio tells her or his story. It showcases design style, concepts and strengths. Other than written testing, the portfolio is the last piece a sophomore student will produce before leaving the program.

The portfolios are no longer oversized briefcases filled with basic mylar pages, today they are full-blown promotional books. Below are examples from some of the sophomore portfolios.

Sophomore group photo shot on the fourth floor of the National Energy Center of Excellence building on the Bismarck State College Campus.

Sophomore group photo at Steamboat park in Bismarck.

The final photo project for the sophomore Graphic Design and Communications classes was to shoot a group photo. All students were expected to be involved and to work together to create a product everyone was happy with. It will be a record for the students and the instructors for years to come.

The zoo train wasn’t running yet, but the students still enjoyed themselves. The facility was closed to the public last week, but the zoo made special accommodations for the classes.

After a long winter of shooting with cold fingers or working indoors the nice weather and outdoor setting were a great change and a reminder that spring is here.

Jessica Ohlhauser gets low to take a photo of one of the zoo's babies.

Reed Kuhnley, Blake Kaul and Kristy Orcutt shoot photos during class at the zoo.

Jeff Fisher explained his methods of self promotion Wednesday night.

Fisher spoke to the freshmen and sophomore classes on Wednesday and presented to a nearly-full house that evening.  KFYR television talked with Fisher and a GDC student, Abby Anderson. View the story here.

Thanks to all that helped make this event happen and also to those that attended the show and Fisher’s presentation.

Judges look at Flash animations to determine which work deserves top honors.

Judges discuss the merits of photos as they decide which will receive ribbons.

The 2010 Graphic Design and Communications Spring Show is underway. Monday evening the judges evaluated the work and assigned places.

The student work will hang at the mall until Thursday afternoon.

Piles of student work waiting to be sorted into categories.

Graphic Design and Communications students have been working all week to print and mount artwork for the Spring Show. The piles have been growing and today the artwork will be categorized and prepared to ship to Kirkwood Mall.

Monday morning the students and instructors will transport the work to the mall and hang it up. Late Monday judges will select the award winners and students will hang the ribbons.

The show runs Monday through Thursday at Kirkwood Mall.

Sticking with the GDC spring tradition, the annual Spring Show will be held April 19-22 at Kirkwood Mall. The show will feature digital design, illustration and photography along with 35mm film photography.

The show has become part of the campus-wide ArtsQuest which features a variety of events. This year, GDC will be hosting nationally-known designer and speaker Jeff Fisher. He will be speaking at 7:30 p.m. April 21 in the National Energy Center of Excellence Auditorium on the BSC campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Check out the posters below advertising the events.

Spring Show poster designed by sophomore GDC student Bree Malingen.

Spring Show poster designed by sophomore GDC student Jordan Erickson.

Check out Jeff Fisher - the presentation is free and open to the public.