University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student Kya Smith has joined a growing community of students and alumni leaving their mark on campus through artistic and architectural contributions.
Smith is a third-year graphic design major from Nekoosa, Wis. She chose UW-Stevens Point so that she could stay close to her large family and run track, while also receiving a quality education in her field.
“After realizing I wanted to go into graphic design, I saw that UWSP had a graphic design major. Not many schools have that, especially where I could stay close to home,” she said.
In her second year of school, Smith joined the University Centers Marketing team as a graphic designer. After being inspired by a recent window installation in the DUC, she was encouraged to embark on one of her most difficult and influential projects yet.
“When I saw the iris stained glass window being installed, I told my boss that would be a dream project,” she said. “Later, The Cupboard was looking for something to cover their windows. I thought this could be my chance to do something similar.”
The Cupboard campus food pantry approached Smith with the idea. Their goal was to make the space more inviting, while enhancing privacy for students. While she was given branding guidelines and measurements for the space, Smith had the freedom to manage designing and executing the project independently.
“I focused on creating a soft and welcoming design,” she said. “I went for some cartoon style foods and snacks to make the space more inviting. It was fun to see my work come together in a large space.”
As a member of the University Centers Marketing team, Smith is typically tasked with designing graphics for social media and poster prints. This project pushed her out of her comfort zone, creating one cohesive design for 12 individual window covers.
Smith credits the University Centers team for allowing her to grow professionally and be able to take on a project of this caliber. This role has allowed her to gain experience in a professional setting with encouraging staff, in a convenient on-campus location.
“I love working for University Centers because everyone on the team is very kind and supportive,” she said. “I feel encouraged to ask questions and learn, while getting the experience of working as a designer in a professional setting.”
Smith was tasked with creating a cohesive design to cover 12 individual windows.
Smith’s dedication to the University Centers team has not gone unnoticed. Marketing Manager Kimberly Prophett is grateful for the close working relationship she has developed with Smith, citing the qualities that will take her far as a professional.
“She such a talented young designer,” Prophett said. “Her positive outlook, drive and energetic personality help make all members of the team feel welcomed. She has handled every project, big and small with pride and has worked hard during her tenure to learn new techniques and implement her coursework to help support student programming marketing across campus.”
In addition to the close bonds she has formed working for University Centers, Smith also feels prepared for a career as a designer thanks to her education in the College of Fine Arts and Communication.
“In the graphic design program, we are given projects that try to get us out of our comfort zones,” she said. “A lot of times, we focus on the principles of good design instead of just doing tutorials in digital platforms. We really focus on what makes certain designs appealing or unappealing.”
Specifically, she credits Associate Professor Matthew Groshek for his ability to push her and her classmates to their limits as designers.
“You may come up with something that you think is really good, and he may even be impressed by it, but he will still push you to do more,” Smith said.
She has taken advantage of the wealth of experiences UWSP has to offer in the field of graphic design, while balancing the intense schedule of a student athlete. When she is not in class or working at the University Center, Smith runs the 400-meter dash and relay for the UWSP Track and Field team. She says that being a student athlete has allowed her to learn balance and improve her time management skills.
Smith is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the campus community through her work in the University Centers, feeling encouraged and welcomed in every step of her professional journey, especially as a student of color.
“I have always been given equal opportunities at UWSP,” she said. “I love this campus and have always felt welcome and like I fit into every space where I’ve been involved.”
The Cupboard at UW-Stevens Point was created to help students meet basic needs so that they can focus on their academic success. The food pantry is staffed by student volunteers who organize food drives, raise awareness, and assist with the distribution of food to those in need.
