A mission for meaningful creative work

University of Colorado student Jennifer Gunther has joined Q Digital Studio as a web design intern for the summer.

Before you read any further, I want you to know: I want to save the world with web design. As a result of an interdisciplinary education combining political science, economics, and studio arts, my undergraduate career dangles between three competing appetites. Like any student trying to finish her degree, I realize the importance of financial compensation to overall survival and well-being, and yet, the starving artist in me demands a fulfilling creative endeavor. Having a political conciousness and an acute awareness of social responsibility provides the third thirst for meaningful work.

Forlorn, I described my mission and its contradictions to a favorite professor at CU Boulder, Michael Arnold-Mages, who, after several related tangents, recommended arduous freelance work after establishing myself with a larger web development organization. Thanking him for the excellent conversation, I left History and Theory of Digital Art thinking, “Might as well get a job at Starbucks. At least with that particular Man, I’ll get benefits as a part-time employee.”

And then something truly auspicious happened. A few days later, Michael Arnold-Mages said I should meet a local designer who does it all. A short trip to Longmont and an intense coffee buzz later, I discovered that Q Digital Studio and Susan Mowery Snipes are all about what I want to be immersed in: design whose aesthetics convey important information in a relevant manner, sustainable design practices, an effective and well-considered design process, designing and working by 100% wind power (so fresh!) and the list goes on into the foreseeable future, since topics like these will be the ones I’ll write a weekly article about.

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic summer with a bushel of appetizing projects. My name is Jennifer Gunther, and you can check out my website (as long as you’re not using PC IE, sorry) at www.auspiciousmotion.org, or see my other blogger entries and attempts at articles.