In ART480: Design — Purpose & Practice, junior and senior graphic design students apply their skills to real-world challenges through client-based, social good-focused projects. This allows them to explore how thoughtful visual communication can support nonprofits and strengthen communities.
This past semester, seven students partnered with InnerCity Tennis (ICT), a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and empowering youth through tennis, education, and community programming. Working directly with ICT’s team, students developed a visual system to commemorate this milestone year. Deliverables included a commemorative 2026 calendar and an anniversary mark.
Students divided the work across the team, designing multiple months and assets within shared brand guidelines to produce one cohesive, professional system — mirroring how collaborative design studios operate. The final pieces have been produced and are now being used by ICT as part of their anniversary celebrations.
Projects like this give students hands-on client experience while demonstrating how design can create meaningful, real-world impact.