HIGH POINT, N.C., March 3, 2023 – High Point University graphic design students in Professor Scott Raynor’s class recently traveled to the Big Apple to learn more about the inner workings of a design agency. The students benefited from a behind-the-scenes look at The Mill, a global creative and production partner for agencies, production companies and brands in New York City.

Raynor says this immersive experience offered the HPU students life skills opportunities to learn from designers in their future field. Designers at The Mill shared real-world wisdom with the students, including advice on how to network. They even practiced networking skills with the students in attendance.

“I asked their art directors if they could travel back in time and give advice to themselves in college, what would they say,” said Raynor, professor and chair of art and graphic design. “The answers were less centered around learning software and design skills and more driven toward the life skills that we teach and model in our graphic design program. They spoke about creativity and the importance of problem solving along with the challenges of collaborating and working with clients.”

During the trip, students also explored various galleries and museums in New York City. Several students said the opportunity was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that greatly impacted them while they grow as artists.

“While visiting the design agency, we also learned how to search for jobs, work in a team, and how to learn new skills and programs while on the job,” said Ann Claire Edwards, a senior graphic design student from Charlotte, North Carolina. “We were also exposed to new areas of design to explore, and we connected with the employees of The Mill on LinkedIn. The networking did not stop there! We visited numerous galleries where the curators gave students their business cards, followed us on social media, provided private tours and insight on the work in the gallery, as well as offered career advice.

One of the designers at The Mill had this to say about the students he met through leading a session.

“It was a pleasure to host the students of High Point University at our New York studio and to tell them a little bit about what we do here at The Mill,” said Eddie Livingstone, designer at The Mill. “As a graphic design major who late in college discovered his love for motion and CGI, I’m hoping the exposure to these exciting mediums that are at the heart of The Mill will do the same for some of the students.”

Edwards said that the trip also gave the students a lot of inspiration to bring back to HPU and apply in their own designs.

This was Raynor’s first trip with students to NYC in three years

Photos: 1) High Point University graphic design students in Professor Scott Raynor’s class recently spent a few days in the Big Apple learning about the inner workings of a design agency. The Mill is a global creative and production partner for agencies, production companies and brands in New York City. Pictured from left are students Katie Daniels, Larson Rula, Ella Gutenstein, Ann Claire Edwards, Taylor Steilman, Emma Rolfe, Garrett Motsko, Jonathan Senkier, Skyler U’Glay, Ashley Storm and Sophie Stebbins. 2) During the trip, students also explored various galleries and museums in New York City. Students are pictured reenacting the art piece “George Washington Crossing the Delaware,” which is featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Raynor said this technique is called tableau vivant, where students pose like the art.