Geographically, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus is located on the north side of the city near the airport. But in reality, evidence of the college can be found nearly everywhere.
And that’s a good thing.
The college has a growing connection to the community at large, and its School of Art & Design is one reason why.
Students in the design school have contributed their talents and vision to Columbus community projects to make them shine and resonate. For example, Ivy Tech graphic design students have worked on:
the State Street redevelopment project
bicentennial banners that hang downtown
materials for the city’s new BikeShare program
The latest collaboration with the city was designing a mural to line the entrance to the Jackson Street garage as a Columbus bicentennial project to celebrate the state’s 200th birthday. Entries from 20 Ivy tech students and four high-schoolers who participated in a summer design camp were viewed by the public and reviewed by a selection committee.
Ivy Tech student Cristina Tuttle’s “Kaleidoscopic View” — an abstract geometric scene of the city’s most famous design icons as they would appear in a kaleidoscope — was chosen as the winner. Tuttle’s design is expected to be completed by Sept. 18, when the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay passes through Columbus.
The continued use of Ivy Tech graphic design students is an excellent idea with win-win results — namely improvements for the community and practical experience for college students. Future collaborations are encouraged because they add positively to the community.
