BRANDED shows began in 2011 as the final exhibition of a senior-level course called “Branding” in the acquisition of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design degree through Arkansas State University's Department of Art + Design. This show was solely to show work in branding and job acquisition abilities, as the portfolio class was not yet required as a co-requisite. Though the annual event was always popular, it seemed confusing when it couldn't be called a senior show and not every student had a developed portfolio of work.
IN 2019, EVERYTHING CHANGED when Portfolio Capstone and Professional Practice for Design became co-requisites. 

Branding class donned this new name Professional Practice for Design, though the curriculum stayed much the same. 
The new Portfolio Capstone course replaced its independent study predecessor. The old way works perfectly for traditional fine arts disciplines, but stands lacking for designers. A design portfolio needs a different kind of development with an end audience that is often made up of non-designers who hire. This is (usually) different from an audience of art professors and those fluent in the gallery space.
Students were also now witness to and participant in fellow students' portfolio development instead of being in an online dialogue between only her/him/themself and the professor. 
See link below, understanding that some domains are no longer active. 
In 2020, we hoped to have a repeat performance, complete with award-wining materials in a new theme to publicize both the annual regional portfolio review we host for AIGA-Memphis and the best Branded show yet! ​
​Then COVID struck. All classes had to be moved online at midterms, but these students didn't miss a beat. Aside from no longer requiring any materials other than business cards to be printed, students still completed every single thing that would've been required of them before the online shift.
See link below, understanding that some domains are no longer active. 
Though 2021 once again didn't allow the show to be in person, it provided unexpected opportunities for the students!
They became skilled in the hybrid online environment and can now work just as well remotely as in person. We even added individual Zoom interviews to test these skills. Zoom also brought in designers from around the country to speak to students in required events like the regional AIGA-Memphis Student Day and monthly Conversations with Designers.
Students in this senior-level course once again completed a MASSIVE amount of work in these demanding co-requisite classes. So please see all of their hard work here. This group was – once again – absolutely amazing and should be congratulated on how much they achieved.
See link below, understanding that some domains are no longer active. ​
2022 was the first Graphic Design Senior Show back on campus near the Bradbury Gallery and Fowler Center. 
The one-night in-person event was a success. Students had only printed posters on walls instead of space to spread work. These posters held QRCs so attendees could quickly view even more work than what was displayed on posters.
As always, each student in this senior-level course once again completed a MASSIVE amount of work in these demanding co-requisite classes. This group was another outstanding bunch!
See link below, understanding that some domains are no longer active.  
In 2023, we were officially back to an in-person, one-night huge event in the Fowler Center Lobby! Each student had a table and attendees could easily move around the room and speak with everyone. 
Students also had a Portfolio Review this same week, discussing their work professionally both in-person and online with professionals who were kind enough to devote a couple hours of their time to such an important event. ​​
See link below, understanding that some domains are no longer active. ​
2024 looks to be another groundbreaking year as the Branded Show is in the Bradbury Art Museum alongside the other work exhibited by graduating seniors in other disciplines. Beyond the traditional Branded Show one-night event, a portion of students' work will continue to be in the gallery until the exhibition closes. 

Prof. Nikki Arnell continued to instruct Professional Practice (Branding), but Prof. Kim Vickrey taught this year's Portfolio Capstone class. 

Another frontier cleared this year is the beginning of an annual regional Portfolio Review/Career Preparation event held by the amazing AAF-NEA in conjunction with A-State Dept. of Art + Design called ADvantage. The event offers a unique opportunity for students to connect directly with industry professionals and advance their skills and career prospects. In-depth Portfolio Reviews and Mock Interview workshops will provide invaluable insight and powerful networking opportunities for all those who attend from the region.

​Both the Branded Show and ADvantage events test all of the lessons learned from A-State's senior co-requisite classes for the BFA in Graphic Design.