Arts and Entertainment

Penn State hosts Adobe Creative Jam

Adobe Creative Jam logo Credit: Adobe Creative CloudAll Rights Reserved.

The Adobe Creative Cloud team and College of Arts and Architecture eLearning Institute will host Adobe Creative Jam on Friday, March 17 in the Hintz Family Alumni Center on Penn State’s University Park campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The two-part design experience consists of presentations by guest speakers and a student design competition. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a reception, portfolio reviews, and an opportunity to see design teams at work. Creative Jam talks begin at 8 p.m. with three guest speakers. The design team presentations and judging occur at 9 p.m., with the awards ceremony at 9:30 p.m.

“We appreciate Penn State’s relationship with Adobe and eagerness to keep students up-to-date on Creative Cloud apps,” said Liz Schmidt, the host for Adobe Creative Jam. “We look forward to meeting the talented students at Penn State and learning how they see the future of digital media.”

Creative Jam is a public event, providing a fun and unique opportunity for students to connect with other students and bringing together the local creative community. Guests are invited to attend talks, enjoy refreshments, watch the teams work, and choose their favorite design.

Students have the opportunity to register (before March 16) for 15-minute individual portfolio reviews by design professionals prior to the main event, with appointments beginning at 7 p.m. 

"I'm excited for our students. I see the Creative Jam event as a unique way for them to engage with design practice on multiple dimensions. Those taking part in the tournament will obviously have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills on a public stage. Working under a deadline and presenting projects are essential skills, so this will be great practice," said Gary Chinn, director of the eLearning Institute.

Creative Jam guest speakers will be Robert Generette III, illustrator, educator, and Adobe freelancer; Kristine di Grigoli, freelance photographer; and Tony Romano, creative director, 2-D and 3-D illustrator, videographer, animator, motion graphics designer, and athlete. While the talks are underway, in an adjacent room, twelve student design teams will compete in the design charrette showdown, creating their designs based on a theme provided to them immediately before the event.

“I think the opportunity to hear working professionals speak about their process and the opportunity to meet the local design community are really important opportunities as well,” added Chinn.

The design competition will have three categories: graphic design, photography, and motion design. Teams will present their work, and audience members will have the opportunity to vote for the People's Choice winner. The judges, Michael Black, creative director and photographer at Black Sun; Scott Wing, associate professor of architecture at Penn State and associate dean for Academic Affairs; and Peter Lusch, assistant professor of graphic design at Penn State, will select the grand prize winner.

“There are plenty of ways to get involved with this event— whether it’s to compete and show off your skills, be inspired by the presentations, or connect with friends — there’s something for everyone. Nothing beats being part of a creative community!” added Schmidt.

For more information about Adobe Creative Jam and to register, visit the website: http://bit.ly/ACJam

Last Updated March 7, 2017

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