Gallery 130 in Meek Hall was packed with graphic design enthusiasts Thursday evening as the “I Profess” exhibit came to a close. The University of Mississippi was the final stop of the traveling exhibition, which began its tour at Portland State University in February 2024.
The exhibition, on view from September 15 to October 9, was curated by Chris Corneal and Audrey Bennett. Corneal is an associate professor of graphic design at Michigan State University and Bennett is a professor of academic diversity and social change at the University of Michigan.
Corneal, who attended the reception, explained the couple's thesis behind the exhibition.
“What's interesting about the show is simply that it's about how designers work from their own beliefs about graphic design and how that impacts their teaching, methodology and pedagogy,” Corneal said.
The pedagogy or teaching philosophy of the professors was the focus of the gallery. Design scientists' approaches to presenting their philosophy ranged from detailed mind maps to mock comic book covers.
Blake Hafler, an art major, was impressed by the variety of approaches taken in the exhibition.
“I saw a lot of cool designs there that I don’t normally see in graphic design,” Hafler said. “It really reminds me of how things change in the world as we move forward.”
According to Corneal, observing the changes in design education over time was a driving force behind the exhibition.
“I co-curated this exhibition in 2004, and then 20 years later I realized that design education had changed so much, so I sent out the call,” Corneal said.
An exhibition of graphic design pieces created by design professors, the works in “I Profess” were intentionally self-referential. This meta-approach was crucial for the curators’ artistic conception of the exhibition.
“It forces designers and design educators to walk their talk and challenges design professors to translate their own philosophy and ideology into a visual work of visual communication,” Corneal said.
Autumn Wittebort, an art student, was extremely impressed by the exhibition. Although her focus is not graphic design, Wittebort appreciated the spotlight the exhibition shined on the field as well as its welcoming approach.
“I think graphic design is something that doesn’t get as much attention as painting, ceramics or other studio practices,” Wittebort said. “The gallery style felt very accessible to someone who isn’t into (graphic design).”
Corneal hoped students left the exhibition with the confidence to create designs that reflect their personal beliefs.
“I think a responsible graphic designer should have an ideology and philosophy in their work,” Corneal said. “There is a responsibility in creating an image or communication that will be seen by 1,000 or 100,000 people.”
Hafler appreciated the flexibility the university's graphic design studio gave him to follow his own philosophy.
“They push you to fully express your creativity, for example,” said Hafler. “Nothing is restricted.”