Graphic design senior Juan Pilar Baldera has always had a passion for painting and drawing. Before attending LSU, Juan was a salesman, a profession he couldn’t see as his lifelong career.

Juan lived in Austin for 15 years before he moved to North Carolina with his wife so she could attend graduate school at Duke University. Juan’s wife was creating a professional network through her graduate studies, and that inspired him to do the same thing. He sought a career with plenty of room for creativity that would allow for him to provide for his family.

Juan has been very active at LSU. He worked for the Graphic Design Student Office, which provides professional design services for local community organizations and university departments. GDSO gives students the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience while building their professional portfolios. Juan explained that in class, students learn the artistic side of graphic design, but through GDSO, they learn how to work with clients who hold them responsible for their artistic visions.

Work from Juan’s Portfolio:

As an active student and scholarship recipient, Juan has also served as an ambassador for the graphic design program at LSU by assisting at recruiting events and leading tours at the School of Art. Juan was also selected as the student speaker at the May 2015 LSU College of Art & Design Commencement Ceremony, and his work was on display in the senior graphic design exhibition, Keep Unfolding, May 11–15, 2015, in the Design Building Commons (room 102).

After graduation, Juan and his family moved back to Austin. “Austin has a really great network for graphic designers and is a city that supports the arts,” Juan said.