Steppin' Out

Story

Symphony's 'Doublc Concerto' adds up to a grand finale

By Heather Zimmerman

If all good things must come to an end, then it must follow that that such an ending can lead to the beginning of something even better. Accordingly, the exhibition "PREFLIGHT" is both a finale and a kind of preview.

The exhibit showcases the portfolios of 24 students graduating from San Jose State University's bachelor of fine arts graphic design program. PREFLIGHT runs May 15-17 at Works/San Jose, 451 S. First St., San Jose.

As students complete their work, this annual exhibit gives the public a chance to preview the vision of the latest generation of graphic designers and get a little taste of what the future might look like. These designers' work, after all, will help shape the look and function of what we'll be reading, watching, buying and interacting with in the years to come.

The term "preflight" is a reference to a printing term. In design, preflight is the process of readying a digital file for printing, similar to a preflight checklist that a pilot must complete before a plane takes off.

But of course, the careers of the 24 artists featured in the exhibit are also just taking off. And with designers in SJSU's program hailing from all around the globe, including Iran, Latvia, the Philippines, Sweden, Taiwan and Turkey, the theme of the exhibit also pays homage to these designers' diverse origins--and all the graduates' destinations.

"PREFLIGHT" is the second show in Works/San Jose's new S. First Street space. Throughout the exhibition, some of the artists will be on hand to discuss their work.

Free admission. For more information, visit www.preflightcountdown.com.