Design alumnus honored by Print magazine

Submitted Photo

 

Recently named in Print magazine, Oklahoma Christian University alumnus Taylor Goad surpassed thousands of competitors to snag a spot in the “Top 20 Under 30” list of New Visual Artists.

“The award marks a big milestone early on in my career,” Goad said. “I’m trying to stay humble, work hard and strive to do the best work that I possibly can. You know, it’s certainly flattering and validating to be recognized by the industry for my work, but I desperately try to avoid complacency and always strive to develop my talents in such a way that honors the God that so graciously blessed me with them.”

Some students at Oklahoma Christian have found inspiration in Goad’s achievements.

“Being named on a list like that would be amazing,” sophomore Jonathan Johnson said. “I would feel like I accomplished something and have a firm foundational work. It’s something to be proud of, [to] see how far you’ve come and what you’ve achieved.”

Since receiving his bachelor’s degree in communication design from Oklahoma Christian in 2011, Goad has worked jobs in Oklahoma City, Kansas and Philadelphia. He is currently employed as a designer for Hatch Design in San Francisco.

“I think you could consider my career path unconventional,” Goad said. “I’ve lived in four states in the three years since I’ve graduated. I’ve worked alongside some of my personal heroes, had experiences and lived in cities I never imagined that I ever would. Along the way I’ve tried to keep an open mind and an open heart and go where I felt God was leading me.”

Goad’s willingness to relocate set him apart from among other eligible designers, according to Professor of Art and Design Michael O’Keefe.

“What helped Taylor’s career was he made the choice to climb the food chain from one firm to another, making a name out there through social media,” O’Keefe said. “Now that he has this type of high visibility on a national level; if he wants to move into another firm at another date, that’s part of his reward chest.”

Flexibility and the ability to see long-term advantages of his occupation enabled Goad to set himself apart and jump ahead of the competition thus far in his career.

“So many students immediately say they have to go back and work where their family is,” Scott Hale, instructor of art and design, said. “Our students can see from Taylor’s example that you’re capable of doing whatever you want to do, but you have to be willing to go where the opportunities are.”

Goad praised the design experience he received while at Oklahoma Christian, including multiple graphic design internships and an eventual job under one of his former professors, Scott Hale.

“One of the things that I especially appreciated was that most of our upper-level design courses are taught by local industry professionals,” Goad said. “Not only was my education coming from working professionally, I was also making valuable connections that led to two of the jobs that I have worked. All of that definitely gave me a leg up when I was looking for my first job post-graduation.”

Oklahoma Christian’s art department prides itself on the accessibility of educators that are active in their fields of study and lines of work.

“I’ve worked with several people who graduated from ‘brand name’ design and art schools that I feel weren’t nearly prepared for the workplace,” Goad said. “OC has a great design program, and I am extremely grateful for the education that I received.”

The Oklahoma Christian Art and Design Department offers four-year degree programs in communication design, fine art, gaming and animation, interior design and photography.

In both classroom and studio-based courses, students are challenged to create work that exudes the passion, knowledge and skills required to succeed in the professional field.

“We have a rigorous program, and as he committed himself to the program and being open to learning, that’s where the growth happened,” O’Keefe said.

Goad didn’t always know he would take off in this field, though. He started late and finished above the rest because of his work ethic and passion for design.

“I was actually a music education major for two years before switching to graphic design,” Goad said. “I had a little bit of a quarter-life crisis the summer before my junior year. … I was pretty close to finishing out my degree, and honestly had no real idea what graphic design was until later on. But I was always good at art and drawing growing up, so it seemed like it could be a good fit.”

Communication design opens the door to many job opportunities in current society, according to sophomore Christye Cook.

“I like communication design because it gives you the ability to use your creativity and not just focus on tests and learning facts,” Cook said. “This field lets you grow and build your mind in a different way.”

Goad’s personal goals allowed him to strive to do his best in every aspect of his field. This quality was evident to professors and fellow students.

“Taylor didn’t come in any more talented than anyone else, but his work ethic, his wanting to grow and get better, and willingness to listen set him apart,” Hale said. “If you ask him what he wanted to do, even though he didn’t necessarily know the answer, he was passionate about art and design.”

Overall, Goad expressed his desire for his career and story to affect those around him and the community he serves.

“I hope that my work and my small success will inspire current students to reach past their comfort zones, take risks and think bigger than they maybe currently are,” Goad said. “Listen to what God is calling you to do and really go for it.”

Goad’s work can be found at taylorgoad.com.