Finding my people – a cohort of design nerds

For Ronin Harver, VIU’s Graphic Design program is more than just a course of study – it’s the bridge between his lifelong passion and a creative career.

“The graphic design program encapsulated everything I’m passionate about,” says Ronin. “Ever since I was 10 years old, I’ve been working with Adobe programs, and this program gives you the tools to turn those skills into a career. If you’re serious about making creativity your profession, this is the place for you.”

Ronin highlights the collaborative and driven environment as one of the program’s greatest strengths. 

“You’re surrounded by people who are just as invested as you are. We constantly push each other to try new things and do better,” he says. “The program sets you up for success – it’s not a question of if you’ll find a job, but when.”

What sets the experience apart for Ronin is the sense of community he’s built in his cohort. From movie nights to study sessions, he’s found a group of like-minded peers who support and inspire one another.

“The best part of university for me has been that cohort group – passionate design nerds who just want to grow together,” he says. “Everyone is engaged with each other, with the professors and with the content. It’s not just one-on-one with the instructor. We bounce ideas off each other, ask questions and tackle challenges together.”

Ronin has this advice for students considering VIU’s Graphic Design program.

“I genuinely couldn’t recommend it more. If you can afford it and you’re passionate about design or art in any way, this is the place to be,” he says. “The biggest takeaway? Take advantage of the people around you. The professors care deeply about your work and your growth, and you’re rarely in a room with 20 other creatives, five days a week, who are just as into this as you are. That kind of environment is rare – embrace it.”

One hands-on project Ronin was a part of this year was the spring 2024 Crime Stoppers poster campaign, and his designs were chosen by the organization to use in community awareness campaigns. The project involved creating a set of three posters that worked cohesively as a theme. 

He works at an escape room and used the space as sets for his photographs. He combined the photographs with large shadows to convey his themes.

“The poster series explores three forms of abuse across different generations: child abuse, domestic abuse and elder abuse. I wanted to be respectful when it comes to working on these heavy topics. When addressing such heavy and sensitive topics, I chose a symbolic approach rather than depicting abuse in a graphic or literal way,” he explains. “Through the use of dramatic shadows and expressive body language in my photography, I aimed to evoke the emotional weight of these experiences without being overt or disrespectful. It was a great experience, especially being up against some of the most talented people I know – my classmates.”

He has an internship this summer through his program with a media company. He’ll be involved in various projects, including designing advertisements and working on a film set. Ronin hasn’t decided on a set career path for himself. Instead, he says he’s open to anything.

“I want to put myself out there because I’ve got a range of skills. I’m trying to figure out what suits me best and what opportunities come my way,” he says. “I just want to connect with as many people as I can and see where it takes me.”