Hello everyone, my name is Laura Gonzalez, and I am a full-time student at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts and a Douglass Residential College student. I am also the current graphic designer for the Margery Somers Foster Center, Douglass Library. For the past 2 years, I have been working for Kayo Denda, creating visuals for the Center including event posters, booklets, and infographics.
The first project was a multiple parts project for the retirement of Professor Mary E. Hawkesworth, a distinguished professor in the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at Rutgers University. I created the event program and the PowerPoint Presentation using design elements, book cover images of books authored and edited by Professor Hawkesworth, and images from her significant career accomplishments. The event posters used the images of the front (right) and the back (left) covers of the event program below.
The second project consisted of a set of Douglass Library’s signage with the purpose of orienting the students and visitors to their desired destinations, including study rooms, bathrooms, and computer labs, in order to enhance their experience in the library. The colors used are bright, warm, and welcoming to the visitors, with easy to understand and straight forward information, perfect for everyone.
The third project was a collaboration with a fellow co-wor
ker Merna Ahmed, an amazing design student and friend. We designed the user manual for the new presentation technology in the Mabel Smith Douglass Room, with easy to understand, and clear step-by-step guide of setting up and using the new devices in the room.
The fourth project consisted of the creation a poster about the former Douglass College Dean Margery Somers Foster, as a way of honoring her legacy and accomplishments. I used photos from her deanship years from the yearbooks and archives. The color palette of the poster is on a pastel side, and I used the existing decorative patterns in the room creating a sense of harmony to the room.
The fifth project is a bookplate for the Celebration of Scholarship 2020 event that was scheduled in the Margery Somers F
oster Center, but it was cancelled due to the novel coronavirus. However, the design is still relevant. The picture of the MSFC that I took depicts the beautiful room and an environment that makes the Center a great place to study, learn, and relax as well.
(Post by Laura Gonzalez)