Three JSU art students gain real-world experience, partner with Visit JXN for JXN restaurant rebranding collaboration

By William H. Kelley

Jackson State University’s (JSU) Department of Art and Visit Jackson announced a partnership with local restaurants in Jackson, Mississippi, at a press conference on March 1. Three JSU graphic design students created new logos, signage, and other marketing material for three “City with Soul” restaurants.

The announcement was held at Sugar’s Place located in downtown Jackson and simultaneously kicked off the final day of the inaugural JXN Restaurant Week, hosted by Visit Jackson.

“It was an incredible opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience. It’s so vital for graphic design students to have examples of real graphic design that actually lives in the world. It’s so significant,” said Mark Geil, interim chair for the Department of Art at JSU.

Students were introduced to the opportunity by JSU alumnus Reshonda Perryman, who formerly served as an adjunct professor in JSU’s Department of Art and is the current director of branding and creative engagement for Visit Jackson. As a professor, Perryman said she challenged her class of 16 to engage in a branding refresh to help elevate local restaurants but, most importantly, provide them with a chance to enhance their portfolios and prepare them for the workforce.

After submitting proposals for review, Ashanti Stiff, Tyler Tremble, and Michael Brown were the students chosen as designers. Stiff, a junior, created branding for Sugar’s Place, while Tremble, a junior, and Brown, a senior, designed for Bully’s Soul Food Restaurant and Taste of the Island, respectively.

“I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to be able to design something like that for a restaurant. I was proud of myself. It didn’t take me a long time, but it was a good journey getting to the end product, and it helped me learn so much,” said Brown, who is from LaPlace, Louisiana.

Stiff, a Jackson, Mississippi, native was excited for the opportunity to display the skills honed at JSU.

“As a graphic design major, you have to have the experience that tells people that, ‘Yes, I have the skill to be able to do this thing.’ And it separates you from everyone else, too, who may not have that same experience,” Stiff said. “I didn’t expect to actually see it on a building and such, so it was very exciting for me.”

Each designer met with their respective clients for consulting, brand updates, sketches, and more, ultimately translating an idea into something tangible for others to enjoy.

Glenda Barner, owner of Sugar’s Place, said she is delighted by the new design.

“It feels great, and to have this gift from Visit Jackson and Jackson State, we don’t have to pay for it. We’ll pay it forward to someone else…,” said Barner. “We just were so excited to have that collaboration with Ashanti and the other students who presented their designs. It meant a whole lot. Anything we can do to uplift our youth, it’s incumbent upon us to do that.”

This ongoing project and partnership promises to bring fresh energy and creativity to Jackson’s culinary scene. Signage and other marketing materials were sponsored by Visit Jackson.

Tremble said that he was originally interested in studying to be a veterinarian. However, his parents encouraged him to pursue a field of study that he would enjoy every day and have fun, which led him to graphic design.

“Now I have this piece to put in my portfolio. When people look at me, they can actually look up Bully’s and know that I did this in real life,” said Tremble, an Atlanta native.

Geil expressed pride for his students.

“I know this experience is going to really help their careers as they leave JSU. It’s going to speak about them forever,” Geil said.