The Flagler College department of art and design has announced a 24-hour “Designathon” to begin Friday, November 16 at 5 p.m. Event organizers are planning for it to become an annual fixture on the calendar for local nonprofits to have their design needs realized.
The event is intended to assist nonprofits with creating a strong brand presence for which they otherwise may not be able to pay a professional. Student Jasmin Quinones imagined the idea for her senior project in an independent study art class.
“We want to spread awareness that design isn’t just commercial, but can help further the missions of nonprofits,” she said.
The client projects to be designed will include logos, fliers, posters, brochures and social media graphics. Due to time constraints, more complex designs for projects like a website or app, will not be able to be completed.
Professor of art and design Natalie Stephenson is helping to oversee the project and explained that an event like this will hopefully reach more people who have design needs. She said that cold calling local businesses and convincing them that they need this service is much more difficult and not as fruitful.
“This gives the students the opportunity to use their talents to give back to the community in an impactful way,” she said.
To make it easier for a nonprofit to register their project to be completed, the planning team has created a form online at fcdesignathon.com.
Graphic design and communication students, faculty, staff and alumni are all invited to participate in this event as designers. Participants can sign up for a 4-hour shift, multiple shifts, or work for the entire 24 hours. Registration to participate can also be completed on the Designathon website. Those with copyright experience are also encouraged to participate.
For the students who participate as designers, the format of the event will provide relevant experience working with clients in a fast-paced environment and foster a greater understanding of the local community and its needs.
For alumni who participate, Stephenson sees it as an opportunity to “get back into familiar and nostalgic spaces to create again with the Flagler community.”
Although the concept of a designathon isn’t a new one, Quinones and Stephenson want the aspect of staff, faculty and alumni participation to be a unique addition to this not too common event.
For more information, visit the Designathon’s website at fcdesignathon.com.
