ELIZABETH M. PERRY
Art Director, Harris, Deville & Associates, Inc.
Baton Rouge, LA

Provide an educational background including professional experience.

I received my BFA in 1980 in graphic design, though back then it was called “design technology.” I have worked for several publications and agencies in Louisiana and Houston, Texas. I have been the “Art Department” at Harris, DeVille & Associates in Baton Rouge since 1989. At HDA I do all graphic design, production and media placement.

Why did you choose LSU for your education?

All my friends were going to LSU — and I got a letter from the department encouraging me to look into their design program. I think the program was fairly young back then but I know it is now one of the best in the Southeast. Through coordinating District Student ADDY Awards with the American Advertising Federation, I have seen student work from most of the southeastern United States and the work from LSU is on a much higher level than most.

How did your LSU degree help to prepare you for your profession?

My degree gave me a very well-rounded education in all of the arts, not just design, and that has helped me to be more creative — to think outside the box and draw infl uence from anything and everything. I still draw on what I learned in classes on creative thinking, use of color, typography, art history, even the studio arts.

What current or past research and projects/exhibitions have you done?

Solutions Through Science vinyl and chlorine end products 3D brochure series.
Blueprint Louisiana statewide campaign.
ExxonMobil Baton Rouge education outreach campaign.
Shell Oil Company Marine Habitat Program national campaign.
Louisiana Ammonia Producers ammonia awareness campaign.
Through the Advertising Federation of Greater Baton Rouge (Ad Fed) and the assistance of design and advertising faculty, I was able to coordinate the fi rst statewide student career conference for design, advertising and marketing students.

Please list any awards or special recognition that you have received.

LSU College of Art + Design’s Most Outstanding Professional in 2006

Design Work
American Advertising Federation ADDY® Awards — local and district.
Southern Public Relations Federation Lantern Awards.
International Association of Business Communicators Awards — local and regional.
The Communicator Awards — international.
Summit Creative Awards — international.
MarComm Creative Awards — international.

For contribution to the American Advertising Federation (district and local)
AAF 7th District “President of the Year”
AAF 7th District Otis Dodge Memorial Award.
Advertising Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Silver Medal Award and Hall of Fame inductee.

What are your plans for the future?

I am far enough along in my career and have achieved the honors and accolades that I used to dream of, that I’m happy I’m now in a position to give back to the community. I plan to continue my involvement with the American Advertising Federation, especially their work with design and advertising students. But my biggest plan for the future is to watch my son graduate from LSU with a degree in graphic design. Who knew this could become a legacy?