Local design firm hires OSU grads

University graphic design program credited for quality graduates now filling positions

By: Tim Pfarr

Posted: 4/11/07

What would you like to do for a living after you graduate?

In today's fierce economic climate, finding a good career can be tricky. But you could get lucky - Jordan Gushwa and Megan Beierle certainly did.

The two recent graduates of Oregon State University's graphic design program beat out numerous applicants for positions at Edge Design, a design and communication agency.

Gushwa, who graduated in 2005, and Beierle, who graduated in 2006, were recently hired by the company, which specializes in corporate identity, branding (the process of making logos and creating a visual and editorial style that supports the logo), custom Web design and programming.

Their clients include national names such as Hewlett-Packard as well as local ones like OSU Federal.

"I really love working [at Edge Design]," Beierle said. "We have a diverse client base which keeps things interesting. I always have something new to start on."

Gushwa said they also follow a creative process and strong conceptual development. He said the new employees are treated as professionals despite a lack of real professional experience.

"[We are] challenged to contribute as much as the senior designers. This is a real privilege, and I don't think it's typical of first-time hires," Gushwa said.

Gushwa works on projects ranging from Web design to advertising. He has also had the opportunity to work with Hawk-a-thon, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money to fight breast cancer by giving volunteers Mohawks in return for pledges from family and friends.

Beierle and Gushwa credit OSU's graphic design program and internships for their strong preparation.

"The [graphic] design program at OSU is fantastic," Beierle said. "The teachers are all very enthusiastic about design, and their passion is assimilated by the students. The classes teach you how to think and solve problems in a way that is unique to graphic design."

"The graphic design program at OSU is very competitive," professor Andrea Marks said. "About 80 students compete for a maximum of 44 spots."

Gushwa said everybody in the program works as hard as they can.

"I highly regard OSU's graphic design program," Gushwa said. "Graduates work at the highest levels of their discipline and some go on to the most prestigious graduate programs in the world."

Cranbrook Academy of Arts, regarded by many to be the most cutting-edge program, will enroll three of its 15 graduate students from OSU next year. Gushwa is one of these three.

"This is an amazing testament to the OSU design program's influence and reach. It's one of OSU's best kept secrets, and it's the dedicated and talented faculty and students that make it happen despite the lack of funding," Gushwa said.

During his time at OSU, Gushwa interned for OSU libraries and the Educational Opportunities Program.

"Both these jobs helped balance the more academic approach of the design program with the reality of being a creative person in a structured work environment," Gushwa said. "Interning helped me learn to be a creative communicator in a setting where I often needed to teach others about what I did and how it was beneficial."

Beierle, on the other hand, interned as a designer at the Memorial Union design studio, where she did work for the Memorial Union Program Council, University Housing and Dining Services and other organizations on campus.

"The internship helped to prepare me for my current position Edge design because I was given a lot of responsibility and was able to work with clients one-on-one," Beierle said.

Current undergraduates in the graphic design program are very satisfied as well. Travis Bach is one of those students.

"I love the design program at OSU," Bach said. "The program is a great balance between having a small, personal feel and being large enough to give the students plenty of room to grow. The program feels like a family."

Sophomore Kevin Morris, a computer-science-major-turned-graphic-designer, is also very happy with the program.

"I thoroughly enjoy it," said Morris, who was recently accepted into the program.

In the future, Gushwa plans to work in New York and teach design, possibly at OSU.

Beierle plans to further her career as a designer, become an art director and possibly start her own business one day.

"What would I like to say to the rest of the world about graphic design?" Gushwa said. "Do it yourself. It's fun, and you may be much better at it than you think. It's a form of language, but it's visual."