Real World Classroom

The Real World Classroom

The Real World Classroom is a model design program that redefines the classroom. Students learn through doing, with actual clients, on location, and on campus including online international collaboration. Students engage in internships, and freelance professional work. The environment is relevant and real, which accelerates the learning process beyond mastering design course content; students develop a sense of competence and confidence that serve them well in the professional sphere. The environment fosters the development of life skills that aid in their fulfillment and success.

In their second semester, students have the opportunity to create a tri-fold brochure for their first Real World client.

Katie Scott-Childress in classroom with attentive students

Katie Scott-Childress presents information in her first meeting with the graphic design students

Graphic Design Students talk to their client

Katie Scott-Childress in classroom looking at tri-fold brochures

Katie Scott-Childress viewing students' brochures

In Spring 2019 the client was Katie Scott-Childress, Director of the Saugerties Public Library. She visited the classroom several times: to present the goals of the project, to see the first brochures, to pick the 3 best, and finally to choose the winning brochure.

Katie Scott-Childress with graphic design students and professor Sean Nixon

Tri-fold Brochures

Katie with finalists

Katie Scott-Childress with graphic design student Jarred Schwark

Winner: Jarred Schwark

Commercial Photography:

In the third semester, students get another opportunity to work with a Real World client in Commercial Photography. Here is some work from 2018 when the client was Tree Juice Maple Syrup.