Career & Professional Experience (CAPX)

Monday, October 5
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Sharp, Room 327
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How you present your work can shape the opportunities that follow. Join designer and author Justin Dauer (BFA 1998) for a practical conversation about communicating your ideas in critiques, interviews, client meetings, and collaborative work environments. Learn how to explain your creative decisions with confidence and guide conversations around purpose, audience, context, and impact.

The session will also explore how artists and designers can distinguish themselves in the age of AI by communicating the thinking behind their work, responding productively to feedback, and building stronger professional relationships. You'll leave with practical strategies you can use throughout your career.

Book giveaway: Justin has generously donated two signed copies of his award-winning book, In Fulfillment: The Designer's Journey, which will be given away at random to attendees. Winner of a 2024 Independent Press Award and featured in Communication Arts' 2024 Interactive Annual, the book explores how designers' choices—not the tools they use—shape their creative legacy, offering practical insights to help you build a meaningful and fulfilling design practice.

About the speaker:
Justin Dauer is an internationally renowned design leader, author, and speaker from Chicago.

A perpetual student of design, Justin is constantly evolving in his craft and its integration with the digital landscape. Medium-agnostic in approach, he leverages the same core set of values across practice (culture), process (craft), and product (output)—with the belief that "connection" is at the heart of it all.

He speaks internationally on culture and design, including keynotes at the UXPA International Conference, Midwest UX, and St. Louis Design Week. Justin is also the writer of the celebrated books Creative Culture: Human-Centered Interaction, Design, & Inspiration and In Fulfillment: The Designer's Journey, and a former VP of Design at CVS Health.

A 2025 Marquis Who's Who inductee, you'll find him often engaging with AIGA's speaking events, featured in Communication Arts and Forbes magazine, and penning articles for Aquent, CEO World Magazine, and A List Apart.

This event is part of CAPX's How It Works series, which offers a set of concentrated, skills-oriented sessions that present critical components of creative careers as applicable methods for students and alums. Sessions offer practical strategies and expert guidance anchored in current professional standards.

Wednesday, October 7
3:30–4:30 p.m.
MacLean Ballroom
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Gensler is one of the world's leading architecture and design firms, creating spaces that shape how people live, work, learn, and connect. Join Scott Hurst, Principal and Design Director in Gensler's Chicago office, for an inside look at the firm and the many creative careers that contribute to designing the built environment. Gensler's work is guided by a mission to create a better world through the power of design and spans projects in more than 100 countries.

Drawing from his experience leading community-driven education, civic, and cultural projects, Scott will discuss the collaborative design process behind large-scale projects, the wide range of creative disciplines represented at Gensler, and what it takes to build a career at a global design firm. He'll also share insights into his own career journey and offer practical advice for students and alums interested in architecture, interior design, urban design, graphic design, and other creative fields.

About the speaker:
Scott Hurst is a Principal and Design Director in Gensler's Chicago office, where he leads community-driven projects focused on educational environments and civic buildings. His recent work includes the Ironworkers Union 63 Training Facility, Columbia College Chicago's Student Center, and the John Glenn Columbus International Airport terminal project. Beyond his project work, Scott serves on the board of the Design Museum of Chicago and has partnered with the Urban Land Institute on initiatives to reimagine Chicago's Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile. His work has been featured in publications including The Journal of Architectural Education, GQ, and Wired, and in 2021 he received an honorary Doctorate of the Arts from Columbia College for his contributions to architectural design.

Monday, October 12
3:30–5:30 p.m.
MacLean, Room 302
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Join CAPX and Graduate Studies for a panel exploring careers in academic teaching. SAIC faculty will share their experiences and practical advice on researching opportunities, navigating the faculty job search, and building sustainable careers as both educators and practicing artists.

Moderator:

Delinda Collier, Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies
Teaches in SAIC Graduate Studies
MA, Arizona State University; PhD, Emory University
_____

Panelists:

Adam Greteman, Professor
Teaches in SAIC Art Education
PhD, Michigan State University in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education; BA, Creighton University in Psychology

Daniel Ricardo Quiles, Associate Professor
Teaches in SAIC Art History, Theory, and Criticism
PhD, City University of New York Graduate Center

Nicole Hall, Lecturer
Teaches in SAIC Graduate Studies and MFA Graduate Projects
BFA, Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Metalsmithing; MS, Thomas Jefferson University in Sustainable Design; PhD, Temple University in Geography and Urban Studies

Robert Burnier, Assistant Professor
Teaches in SAIC Painting and Drawing and MFA Graduate Projects
MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Painting and Drawing; BS, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in Computer Science

Vanessa Damilola Macaulay, Assistant Professor
Teaches in SAIC Performance and MFA Graduate Projects
BA (Hons), University of Lincoln, UK; MA, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, UK; PhD, Queen Mary University of London, UK

Friday, October 16
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
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What does it take to transform emerging cultural trends into products that connect with millions of people? This Career Talk offers an inside look at the creative strategy behind today's retail industry through the perspective of SAIC alum Kara Fenoglietto (BFA 2013), Trend Manager at DICK's Sporting Goods.

Drawing from her experience in trend forecasting, concept development, and fashion design, Kara will share her career journey from SAIC to leading creative work for one of the nation's largest retailers. She'll walk through how a single idea evolves into a finished product, following the creative process from identifying macro trends and building mood boards to developing color palettes, product collections, and marketing campaigns. Along the way, she'll discuss what her day-to-day work looks like, how creative teams collaborate across disciplines, and the skills that have helped her build a career at the intersection of sport, fashion, and contemporary culture.

Kara will also offer practical advice on breaking into the retail industry, navigating career transitions, and interviewing for creative roles, with insights for students and alums interested in fashion, product development, trend forecasting, branding, and creative strategy.

About the speaker:
Kara Fenoglietto (BFA 2013) is a Trend Manager at DICK's Sporting Goods, where she develops seasonal concepts that shape color direction, print design, and product collections across retail brands. Her work bridges sport, fashion, and contemporary culture, translating emerging ideas into meaningful products and consumer experiences. Before joining DICK's Sporting Goods, Kara held creative roles at Nordstrom, White House Black Market, and Anthropologie. Alongside her work in the retail industry, she maintains an installation-based studio art practice exploring the intersection of fashion, sculpture, and the body.

Monday, October 19
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Sharp, Room 327
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Artist residencies can provide dedicated time, space, funding, mentorship, and creative community, but with so many opportunities available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Join artist and arts career specialist Anna Ogier-Bloomer for a practical introduction to artist residencies and how they can support your creative and professional growth.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience advising artists and teaching professional practice, Anna will explain what artist residencies are, the different types of opportunities available, who they are designed for, and what to expect during a residency. She'll also share practical strategies for researching opportunities, preparing competitive applications, and making the most of the experience as you build your career.

About the speaker:
Anna Ogier-Bloomer is an artist and arts career specialist with more than 20 years of experience advising artists and teaching professional practice at leading art and design institutions, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Parsons School of Design, and the School of Visual Arts. She regularly leads workshops and lectures on artist career development and has partnered with arts organizations across the country to help creatives build meaningful, sustainable careers.

This event is part of CAPX's How It Works series, which offers a set of concentrated, skills-oriented sessions that present critical components of creative careers as applicable methods for students and alums. Sessions offer practical strategies and expert guidance anchored in current professional standards.

Monday, October 26
3:30–5:00 p.m.
Sharp, Room 327
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Learn practical strategies for turning conversations into sales without compromising your artistic voice. Join Chicago artist and arts administrator Kimberly Kim as she shares real-world approaches to presenting your work with confidence, connecting with potential buyers, reading customer cues, creating effective displays, and making the selling process feel approachable and authentic. You'll also explore how to choose the right work for different audiences, handle negotiations, and remove common barriers that can cost you a sale.

Timed just before SAIC's Holiday Art Sale, this session will help you put these strategies into practice if you are preparing to showcase and sell your work. Stay afterward for an informal Q&A where you can ask Kimberly and Campus Life staff questions about selling your work and participating in Art Sale.

This event is part of CAPX's How It Works series, which offers a set of concentrated, skills-oriented sessions that present critical components of creative careers as applicable methods for students and alums. Sessions offer practical strategies and expert guidance anchored in current professional standards.

This event is presented in partnership with Campus Life.

Wednesday, October 28
3:30–5:00 p.m.
MacLean, Room 302
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Build a resume that clearly communicates your creative experience, skills, and goals. Whether you're creating your first resume or updating an existing one, this workshop will help you develop a stronger application for internships, freelance opportunities, part-time jobs, and full-time positions in the arts and creative industries.

CAPX staff will cover the fundamentals of writing an effective resume, including how to organize your experience, highlight relevant skills, tailor your resume to different opportunities, and present your creative background. Following the presentation, you'll have time to work on your resume, ask questions, and receive guidance.

To make the most of the workshop, we encourage you to review CAPX's resume guide beforehand and bring a printed or digital copy of your resume and a writing utensil.