On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, The Modern hosted its second annual Design Day, a day dedicated to celebrating design. Current and future students joined faculty and staff for a day of exploration and networking with design industry leaders. Students attended two 30-minute information sessions tailored to their unique career goals and networked with leaders between sessions.

During information sessions, design leaders shared their work and insights into design’s hottest disciplines, including graphic design, illustration, photography, user interface and user experience design, video, motion design, branding, marketing, advertising, and printing. Interested students followed up with speakers between sessions to develop relationships and ask questions. The following organizations participated in the sessions:

• Midnight27 Studios, Austintown, Ohio
• Crown Equipment Corporation, New Bremen, Ohio
• MadAveGroup, Toledo, Ohio
• Boom Crate Studios, Dayton, Ohio
• Oregon Printing Communications, Dayton, Ohio
• We Care Arts, Kettering, Ohio
• The Brauns – Photography, Dayton, Ohio

Students also networked with representatives from the following art and design organizations:

• Portfolio Creative, Columbus, Ohio
• Rosewood Art Center, Kettering, Ohio
• American Advertising Federation – Dayton, Ohio
• Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, Columbus, Ohio

The Modern emphasizes the importance of students exploring the many facets of design early in their education so they can choose elective courses that will prepare them for their chosen career path. The Modern also provides many networking opportunities for students to develop professional relationships that can lead to externships, internships, and careers after graduation.

“We are thankful to the industry leaders who joined us for Design Day and gave back by inspiring the next generation of designers,” said President Jessica Barry. “Their participation encouraged our students to explore new paths that can lead to a successful career.”