Maggie Acker (CDM ’12) holds the distinct privilege of being one of the very first students to graduate from DePaul with a BFA in graphic design. “The degree launched when I was a sophomore, so I transferred over as soon as I could,” she remembers. “It was really exciting to be a student during that time, and it’s so cool to see how the program has grown since then.”
Though Acker entered DePaul as a psychology major, her childhood in Colorado Springs, Colo., reveals an enduring artistic streak. She recalls making her own clothes, experimenting with photography and always having a penchant for design. “I was the type of kid who rearranged my room every six months, trying to find the perfect layout,” Acker says. “I loved creating and coming up with new projects.”
The summer before her senior year in high school, Acker spent time in Chicago while attending a summer course at Columbia College in fashion design and digital photography. Her brother, who was pursuing a master’s in finance at DePaul, encouraged Acker to look at the university. “Immediately, I liked what DePaul stood for,” Acker says.
When Acker switched over to the graphic design major, she found a mentor in Professor Dolores Wilber (see page 4). “I owe my love of graphic design in large part to her,” Acker says. “Whenever I had doubts about myself as a designer, she helped me rediscover my determination. It was so meaningful to have that support and encouragement from a professor.” More recently, Wilber recommended Acker to Associate Dean JoAnne Zielinski, who needed someone to assist with promotional materials for the Project Bluelight film “Sweet 16,” and Acker eagerly accepted. “DePaul was such a big part of my life for four years and taught me so much,” Acker notes. “I really enjoy giving back when I can.”
This philosophy also informs Acker’s day-to-day life as a production designer at Sandbox Agency, a communication and marketing agency focused on health care, digital and consumer markets. “I like working on projects that have a purpose because I like to believe in what I produce,” Acker says. She has worked on videos, motion graphics, presentations and other collateral for clients in a variety of fields.
At Sandbox, Acker thrives in a hybrid role. As a production designer, she works closely with art directors to execute designs; she also serves as a lead designer and presentation specialist on other projects. Unlike graphic design majors from other institutions, Acker stepped into the position with experience in both animation and video production. She quickly saw how those strengths were assets in the field. “You don’t always get those classes in traditional graphic design programs, but because of the BFA program, I was able to explore those areas at DePaul,” she says.
When Acker hits a creative wall, she turns to her co-workers. “That’s one of the best ways to find inspiration.” Other times, she’ll put the work down for a bit, walk through her adopted city and return with a new vision. “I like to play around with different ideas,” she explains. “It reminds me of a puzzle—you may not see where the piece goes right away, but the answer is always there.”