Designing Her Future: Skylar Boone Prepares to Graduate with Graphic Design Degree

When Skylar Boone graduates in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she will mark years of determined effort to build a career in the arts.

Born in Vancouver, Washington, Boone has called Arkansas home since 2017.  For her, earning a bachelor’s degree has long been a personal goal shaped by passion and practicality.

“I knew that getting an undergraduate degree would give me the opportunity to specialize in something, like graphic design, while also opening doors for me career-wise,” she said.

Her family’s experience was also a motivation. Her parents didn’t attend college after high school, and her father earned his undergraduate degree in his 40s.

“Growing up, I remember hearing a lot about how they wished they had gone to college, so I think that influenced me a lot too,” she said.

A full-time student, Boone worked while completing her coursework, which felt overwhelming at times.

“Despite the stress, I’m really glad that I continued to work throughout school,” she said. “If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have developed some of the skills in time management and prioritization that I have now. It’s also been nice to have the opportunity to work for the Communications and Marketing office here because it’s given me a peek into what my career will look like after I graduate. I don’t think the transition will be so difficult now that I have that experience under my belt.” 

Boone found her educational journey rewarding and challenging.

“It’s definitely been difficult, but overall, I would say it was a great experience,” she said. “I’m incredibly grateful to be in the Donaghey Scholars Program, as that’s taken a huge financial burden off of my shoulders while opening a lot of doors for me.”

Early on, she had a hard time balancing school, extracurriculars, work, family, and social life.

“If I didn’t push myself to endure those challenges, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do things like study abroad, participate in art exhibits, make the friends I have now, or get my first internship,” she said.

Among her most memorable experiences were study abroad opportunities.

“I got the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France, and Berlin, Germany with the art department, and it was an absolute blast going on those trips with my friends and professors,” she said. “I also studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last summer on my own, and I think that has been one of my most rewarding experiences so far.”

Dr. Simon Hawkins,  director of the Donaghey Scholars Program, said Boone is committed to both artistic excellence and pragmatism. “Skylar is a thinker and an artist and uses those skills to help every group that she works with,” he said.

Boone served as president of the Art Club, communication director for the Student Government Association, and as an award-winning executive editor of the Forum student newspaper. She has a BFA art show at the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery at UA Little Rock and has also had a show at the university’s downtown space. These roles and achievements have helped her grow creatively and professionally. 

Muriel Schrepfer, a senior graphic designer in UA Little Rock’s Office of Communications and Marketing, praised Boone’s creativity and professionalism.

“Skylar is a joy to work with and has been such a valuable member of our team this year. Her creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail shine through in every project she works on,” she said.

Kevin Cates, professor of graphic design, said Skylar’s work evolved as she “put everything she had into every project.”

“The results were excellent, thoroughly thought out and researched, and meticulously built with the software applications,” he said. “During the course of the projects, she would enthusiastically build on strengths and correct any weaknesses.”

Boone said she’s ready to take the next step in her career path: an internship with mhp.si, a full-service marketing agency.

“I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come,” she said. “My experience wasn’t always easy, but I think that every challenge I’ve faced was worth it. I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned at UA Little Rock and finally start my career in the real world.”