When Em Rowe first enrolled in the graphic design program at Spokane Falls Community College, she knew she wanted to do something creative, but she wasn’t entirely sure graphic design was the right path.
“I wanted to do something creative but not necessarily art-focused,” Em says. “I liked working with computers, and I saw that animation was something we could learn in the graphic design program. That really intrigued me.”
Today, Em is a graphic designer for Spokane Colleges’ marketing department, where she’s worked for nearly five years. Her journey from uncertain student to in-demand professional reflects something deeper about the program itself: it’s not just about learning software, it’s about learning how to think, collaborate, and communicate as a creative professional.
Building Confidence Through Experience
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure if graphic design was for me at the beginning,” Em says. “But my instructors had a lot of confidence in me. They told me, ‘You are a great designer. You should have more confidence.’ That was a really good push for me.”
That encouragement, paired with hands-on opportunities, helped Em begin to see how to turn her creative interests into a career. In her second year, she became more engaged on campus, stepping into a leadership role as Director of Marketing for the Associated Student Government.
“Just being more involved and seeing what’s possible on campus, I had more confidence,” she says. "Preflight," the program’s portfolio review event where students present their work to industry professionals, was a turning point.
“That was one of the main reasons I got a job right out of graduating,” Em explains. “My former boss reviewed my portfolio there, was impressed, and reached out after I graduated.”
More Than Software Skills
While technical skills are a core part of any design program, Em is quick to point out that the most valuable lessons she learned weren’t tied to specific tools.
“Definitely communication, receiving critiques, and not being tied down to your designs,” she says. “You have to be open to what clients want.”
She also highlights organization as a critical skill; something that often gets overlooked.
“Learning how to organize files so you can find things easily is huge, especially when you need to be quick and create assets on the fly.”
These are the kinds of skills that translate far beyond graphic design itself. Whether working with clients, collaborating with a marketing team, or managing multiple projects, success depends on how well you work with others.
“If I didn’t go through the program, I don’t think I would have the motivation to learn all those skills,” Em adds.
A Flexible Path for Creative Careers
One of the biggest misconceptions about graphic design programs is that they only lead to one type of job. Em’s experience (and the paths of her classmates) tell a very different story.
“There are a lot of different ways you can go with a graphic design degree,” she says. “You could own your own business, be a tattoo designer, an account manager, a marketer, a web designer. There’s really a lot.”
Em herself started in web design before discovering that print design: brochures, flyers, posters; was a better fit.
“You learn all those different aspects in the program, and you can take whatever direction you want. Or try all of them to see what fits best.”
That flexibility makes the program especially valuable for students who aren’t entirely sure what they want to do yet.
“You don’t have to be sure when you start,” Em says. “There are a bunch of different projects where you get to experience different things.”
Learning by Doing
Ask Em about her favorite project, and she immediately points to packaging design.
“Thinking about a physical object, something you see every day, and trying to come up with a cool, engaging design was really fun,” she says.
Projects like these challenge students to think beyond the screen and consider how design functions in the real world—how it communicates, attracts attention, and solves problems.
That real-world focus is what helps students transition smoothly into professional environments.
Designing in the Age of AI
As the creative industry evolves, so do questions about the role of technology, especially AI. For Em, the future of design isn’t something to fear.
“I think there’s always going to be a human aspect to design,” she says. “AI is more of a tool to make things easier.”
While some tasks may become automated, Em believes the core purpose of design (communicating with people) will always require a human touch.
“There will always be roles for humans to play in design, because it’s for other humans. It’s visual communication to help people understand what’s being presented.”
Rather than resisting change, she sees opportunity.
“It’s always changing, like everything else. So it is really exciting to embrace it rather than reject it and get stuck in the past.”
Preparing Graduates for What’s Next
Em Rowe’s story illustrates how the graphic design program at Spokane Falls Community College goes beyond individual skill training to prepare graduates for careers in the creative industries. It builds confidence, fosters collaboration, and equips students with the adaptability needed during a period of revolutionary technology change.
Whether graduates go on to become designers, marketers, entrepreneurs, or creative collaborators in other fields, the foundation remains the same: strong communication, openness to feedback, and the ability to turn ideas into meaningful visual experiences.
Or, as Em puts it: “You can take whatever direction you want—and figure out what fits best for you.”
Spokane Falls Community College is accepting applications for its next Graphic Design cohort beginning this fall.
Get in touch with faculty, learn more, and apply today for SFCC’s Graphic Design Program.