Students exhibit multimedia works

media Department of the College of Design at Dammam University hosted its first public exhibition from Monday, Jan. 2, to Thursday, Jan. 5. The exhibition's purpose was to introduce the newly opened department to the general public in the Eastern Province. The new department in town welcomed its first class of students in 2008, who are expected to graduate in May 2013. The chair of the Graphic Design and Multimedia Department, Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, opened the exhibition with a few encouraging and congratulatory words to the students. The 48 students (from three different years) exhibited their work from various classes ranging from logo designs to entire advertising campaigns. Second year students’ work consisted of concentration on the elements of design and defining it using various primary methods. The second year is considered to be the introductory year to the department, so most of the work is done manually to develop the students’ sketching and problem-solving skills to build a solid foundation. Third year students developed their computer skills with rebranding local products from the Saudi market as well as learning how to organize their work in a designer portfolio. They also designed their personal identity to promote themselves as graphic designers. The exhibition also featured a photography section, which was the work of third year students. Fourth year students had a variety of projects, from designing their own type to packaging design and designing an entire advertising campaign. One of the first projects the fourth year students worked on was designing Saudi logos for different Saudi cities that were nontraditional, modern and creative. Each student researched the city assigned to her and designed its logo in a new way. Students were also taught how to take their graphic design skills and turn them into advertising skills with designing a full advertising campaign for several products including magazine ads, storyboards for television commercials, radio commercials, a slogan and headline copy writing. Students ended their semester with designing their logo and identity as well as putting together their CV in a brochure displaying their portfolio.