Graphic Design and Media Arts 2 (Spring 2026)
SUNY Potsdam
Graphic Design and Media Arts 2 (Spring 2026)
03/23/2026 to 05/01/2026
Kathleen MahoneyCollaboration Overview
About Students
Graphic Design & Media Arts II students are upper-level undergraduates specializing in video production, film, animation, and multimedia design. They are trained in industry-standard tools, eager to collaborate with real clients, and capable of delivering high-quality creative work. Having previously produced content for companies like Iconic Candy and ReserveBar, they are prepared to take on real-world creative challenges with professionalism and enthusiasm.
These students bring:
- Strong creative instincts and technical execution
- Experience producing short films, digital animations, motion graphics, and branded content
- Ability to take a creative brief and produce professional, portfolio-ready deliverables
- Readiness to integrate client feedback throughout an iterative design process
Partnering with this group provides access to motivated emerging creatives capable of supporting brand storytelling, product promotion, and digital media needs.
About Program Goals
Graphic Design & Media Arts II students are upper-level undergraduates specializing in video production, film, animation, and multimedia design. They are trained in industry-standard tools, eager to collaborate with real clients, and capable of delivering high-quality creative work. Having previously produced content for companies like Iconic Candy and ReserveBar, they are prepared to take on real-world creative challenges with professionalism and enthusiasm.
These students bring:
- Strong creative instincts and technical execution
- Experience producing short films, digital animations, motion graphics, and branded content
- Ability to take a creative brief and produce professional, portfolio-ready deliverables
- Readiness to integrate client feedback throughout an iterative design process
Partnering with this group provides access to motivated emerging creatives capable of supporting brand storytelling, product promotion, and digital media needs.
About the Collaboration Format
This Live Case format offers a low-commitment, high-impact collaboration where industry partners engage with the entire class as students work in teams to produce creative media deliverables tailored to the partner’s brand.
Industry partners will:
- Provide a creative brief outlining goals, brand guidelines, and desired deliverables
- Participate in a kickoff meeting and 1–2 brief feedback sessions
- Review rough cuts or drafts and provide concise direction
- Receive final polished assets (video, animation, graphics, etc.) suitable for marketing, social media, or brand storytelling
Students will:
- Split into teams; each team may generate unique creative concepts
- Produce professional-level content based on the partner’s needs
- Present final deliverables at the end of the four-week collaboration
This model is designed to be efficient, structured, and rewarding for industry partners while giving students an authentic creative production experience.
Benefits for Industry Partners
Partnering with SUNY Potsdam’s Graphic Design & Media Arts II program gives organizations a unique opportunity to gain high-quality creative work, fresh thinking, and early access to emerging talent, all with a very low time commitment. Industry partners benefit from:
⭐ Professional-Quality Media Assets
Receive polished video, animation, or graphic deliverables created to support your brand, product, or campaign needs—without the cost of a traditional agency engagement.
⭐ Fresh Creative Perspectives
Student teams bring bold ideas, modern trends, and innovative storytelling approaches shaped by the latest tools and techniques in design, film, and media.
⭐ Multiple Creative Concepts
Because the class is split into teams, you may receive several different interpretations of your brief—giving you options, variability, and creative inspiration.
⭐ Minimal Time Commitment
With just 1 hour per week, partners guide student work efficiently through structured check-ins and feedback, with students driving the majority of the creative process.
⭐ Talent Pipeline & Employer Branding
Engage directly with high-potential students who may be strong candidates for internships, freelance work, or future hiring needs. Your involvement strengthens your brand visibility among emerging creatives.
⭐ Opportunity to Shape Future Creative Professionals
Serve as a mentor and influence how students develop industry-ready skills, communication habits, and production workflows.
⭐ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Impact
Support accessible, experiential learning for diverse students entering the media and creative industries—an easy, mission-aligned way to give back.
Program Details
Students Include: Bachelor Degree
Students Enrolled: Students Enrolled
Program Duration: 5 weeks
Program Launch Date: 03/23/26
Program End Date: 05/01/26
Student Commitment: 4-7 Hours hrs/week
Course Format: Live Case, Multiple Projects Multiple Teams
Modality: Fully Remote
# of Projects: 1
View All Program DetailsProject Requirements
| Industry Partner Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Project Topics | Digital Marketing Marketing UX/UI & Human-Centered Design |
| Location Preferences |
Located Anywhere |
| Compensation |
|
| Sponsorship |
No Sponsorship Required |
| Other Requirements |
|
| Project Management Time Commitment | 1 Hour per week |
| Interested Industries | Aerospace & Defense Agriculture & Farming Arts & Recreation Biotech & Pharmaceuticals Computers & Hardware Construction, Repair & Maitenance Consulting & Professional Services Consumer Products & Services Education & Ed-Tech Energy & Utilities Fashion & Apparel Finance & Investment Food & Beverage Government Health Care & Life Sciences Insurance Manufacturing & Industrial Media, Publishing & Content Natural Resources Non-Profit & Social Impact Public Works Real Estate Restaurants, Hospitality & Food Service Retail & E-Commerce Semiconductor Software, AI & Data Sports & Entertainment Telecommunications Transportation & Logistics Travel & Tourism |
Skills & Expertise
Adobe Creative Suite Animation Techniques Art Direction Brand Identity Development Client Communication Collaboration Skills Color Theory Concept Development Creative Direction Creative Problem Solving Digital Asset Creation Feedback Integration Film Editing Graphic Design Illustration Lighting Techniques Media Production Motion Graphics Narrative Development On-Set Production Skills Post-Production Workflow Presentation Skills Production Planning Project Management Sound Editing Storyboarding Typography Video Production Visual Effects Visual Storytelling| Key Program Dates | Due Date |
|---|
* We’ve got some inspirational project ideas below! These are related project topics that you can mix and match the components for the best cross-functional project experience possible.
| Program Overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program Title | Graphic Design and Media Arts 2 (Spring 2026) | |
| Organization | SUNY Potsdam | |
| # of Students Enrolled |
0
|
|
| # of Projects Running |
4 Project/s Added (of 1 Project Expected)
|
|
|
Program Timeline Project Duration |
Start Date: 03/23/26 End Date: 05/01/26 1 month |
|
| Collaboration Overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| About Students |
Graphic Design & Media Arts II students are upper-level undergraduates specializing in video production, film, animation, and multimedia design. They are trained in industry-standard tools, eager to collaborate with real clients, and capable of delivering high-quality creative work. Having previously produced content for companies like Iconic Candy and ReserveBar, they are prepared to take on real-world creative challenges with professionalism and enthusiasm. These students bring:
Partnering with this group provides access to motivated emerging creatives capable of supporting brand storytelling, product promotion, and digital media needs.
Student Level: Bachelor Degree Student Time Commitment: Full Time Team Structure: 3 - 6 |
|
| Program Goals | Graphic Design & Media Arts II students are upper-level undergraduates specializing in video production, film, animation, and multimedia design. They are trained in industry-standard tools, eager to collaborate with real clients, and capable of delivering high-quality creative work. Having previously produced content for companies like Iconic Candy and ReserveBar, they are prepared to take on real-world creative challenges with professionalism and enthusiasm. These students bring:
Partnering with this group provides access to motivated emerging creatives capable of supporting brand storytelling, product promotion, and digital media needs.
|
|
| Format Structure |
Multiple Projects Multiple Teams |
|
| Format Title | Live Case | |
| Format Description | This Live Case format offers a low-commitment, high-impact collaboration where industry partners engage with the entire class as students work in teams to produce creative media deliverables tailored to the partner’s brand. Industry partners will:
Students will:
This model is designed to be efficient, structured, and rewarding for industry partners while giving students an authentic creative production experience.
|
|
| Benefits For Industry Partners | Partnering with SUNY Potsdam’s Graphic Design & Media Arts II program gives organizations a unique opportunity to gain high-quality creative work, fresh thinking, and early access to emerging talent, all with a very low time commitment. Industry partners benefit from: ⭐ Professional-Quality Media Assets Receive polished video, animation, or graphic deliverables created to support your brand, product, or campaign needs—without the cost of a traditional agency engagement. ⭐ Fresh Creative Perspectives Student teams bring bold ideas, modern trends, and innovative storytelling approaches shaped by the latest tools and techniques in design, film, and media. ⭐ Multiple Creative Concepts Because the class is split into teams, you may receive several different interpretations of your brief—giving you options, variability, and creative inspiration. ⭐ Minimal Time Commitment With just 1 hour per week, partners guide student work efficiently through structured check-ins and feedback, with students driving the majority of the creative process. ⭐ Talent Pipeline & Employer Branding Engage directly with high-potential students who may be strong candidates for internships, freelance work, or future hiring needs. Your involvement strengthens your brand visibility among emerging creatives. ⭐ Opportunity to Shape Future Creative Professionals Serve as a mentor and influence how students develop industry-ready skills, communication habits, and production workflows. ⭐ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Impact Support accessible, experiential learning for diverse students entering the media and creative industries—an easy, mission-aligned way to give back.
|
|
| Project Modality | Fully Remote | |
| Industry Partner Requirements to Participate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project Topics | Digital Marketing Marketing UX/UI & Human-Centered Design | |
| Target Industries | Aerospace & Defense Agriculture & Farming Arts & Recreation Biotech & Pharmaceuticals Computers & Hardware Construction, Repair & Maitenance Consulting & Professional Services Consumer Products & Services Education & Ed-Tech Energy & Utilities Fashion & Apparel Finance & Investment Food & Beverage Government Health Care & Life Sciences Insurance Manufacturing & Industrial Media, Publishing & Content Natural Resources Non-Profit & Social Impact Public Works Real Estate Restaurants, Hospitality & Food Service Retail & E-Commerce Semiconductor Software, AI & Data Sports & Entertainment Telecommunications Transportation & Logistics Travel & Tourism | |
| Skills & Expertise | Adobe Creative Suite Animation Techniques Art Direction Brand Identity Development Client Communication Collaboration Skills Color Theory Concept Development Creative Direction Creative Problem Solving Digital Asset Creation Feedback Integration Film Editing Graphic Design Illustration Lighting Techniques Media Production Motion Graphics Narrative Development On-Set Production Skills Post-Production Workflow Presentation Skills Production Planning Project Management Sound Editing Storyboarding Typography Video Production Visual Effects Visual Storytelling | |
| Location Information & Preferences |
Located Anywhere This project will occur fully remotely
|
|
| Sponsorship |
No Sponsorship Required |
|
| Compensation |
No Compensation Required |
|
| Other Requirements |
|
|
| Expected Time Commitment For Project Managers | 1 Hour per week | |
| Key Program Dates | Due Date |
|---|
Kathleen Mahoney
View ProfileSUNY Potsdam
Associate Professor, Graphic Design and New Media @ Suny Potsdam for 14 year(s)
Jamie Sonneville
View ProfileAgri-Trak
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