More than 80 students and community members gathered at the Barry Art Museum on Nov. 9 for the first-ever TIDAL 757 Design Conference hosted by ’s graphic design program in the Department of Art and IxDA Hampton Roads. The conference featured five sessions focused on topics from how to stay creative and empathetic to how to position yourself as an undeniable value within your company with guest speakers from local and national companies including SuperCompStudios and IBM. The event also provided attendees with an opportunity to network with and have their portfolios reviewed by industry professionals. Photos by Vaughn Davis/

Drew Palko, an attendee, asks a question during one of the sessions. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Ceindy Nunez, senior designer at Elevance Health and alumna, gives a talk on "Failing Forward: How I've learned from 'failures' in my graphic design career." Photo Vaughn Davis/

students (left to right) Mallory Sherman, Jonathan Dowd, Andre Majette and Emily Webster clap for a speaker during one of the conference sessions. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Aimee Bruce, an artist who creates work under the name HIGHONYOURSUPPLY and an alumna, participates in a design game with conference emcee and lecturer Derek Munn. Photo Vaughn Davis/. 

student Daniel Bueno participates in a design game during one of the conference sessions. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Ted Patterson, a local leader for IxDA Hampton Roads, talks with Janice Pang, a staff product designer for Grow Therapy. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Assistant Professor of Art Will Truran, who helped organize the TIDAL 757 Design Conference, gives closing remarks. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Alex Salas (left) of SuperCompStudios gives student Tahleé Robinson feedback during the portfolio review session. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Tidal Conference pass. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Stickers, notebooks and other giveaways from conference sponsors. Photo Vaughn Davis/

A man stands in a crowd.
A woman speaks to a group of people.
A group of students clapping.
A woman holds up a whiteboard with a design.
A student holds up a design on a whiteboard.
A group of people talking.
A man speaks into a microphone.
Two people talking.
A pass on a lanyard.
a table full of stickers and notepads.

Drew Palko, an attendee, asks a question during one of the sessions. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Ceindy Nunez, senior designer at Elevance Health and alumna, gives a talk on "Failing Forward: How I've learned from 'failures' in my graphic design career." Photo Vaughn Davis/

students (left to right) Mallory Sherman, Jonathan Dowd, Andre Majette and Emily Webster clap for a speaker during one of the conference sessions. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Aimee Bruce, an artist who creates work under the name HIGHONYOURSUPPLY and an alumna, participates in a design game with conference emcee and lecturer Derek Munn. Photo Vaughn Davis/. 

student Daniel Bueno participates in a design game during one of the conference sessions. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Ted Patterson, a local leader for IxDA Hampton Roads, talks with Janice Pang, a staff product designer for Grow Therapy. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Assistant Professor of Art Will Truran, who helped organize the TIDAL 757 Design Conference, gives closing remarks. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Alex Salas (left) of SuperCompStudios gives student Tahleé Robinson feedback during the portfolio review session. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Tidal Conference pass. Photo Vaughn Davis/

Stickers, notebooks and other giveaways from conference sponsors. Photo Vaughn Davis/