A West Virginia University alum will return to campus to share professional insights into the graphic design industry.

Matt Connar, who holds a BFA in graphic design from WVU’s College of Creative Arts, will discuss his progression from employee to business owner in a presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in Bloch Learning and Performance Hall, 200A Creative Arts Center. He’ll also work with students in design classes during the day.

Two weeks before graduating from WVU in 1999, Connar was hired as an in-house graphic artist in the marketing department of MeriStar Hotels and Resorts, which at that time owned and managed more than 250 hotels and resorts internationally. While at MeriStar he developed marketing materials for each of their properties and the food and beverage outlets within them.

He then worked as art director at Chico’s FAS, an upscale women’s retail corporation which operates over 1,000 specialty stores. At Chico’s he played an integral part in national ad campaigns and was responsible for point-of-purchase creative materials for all stores and outlets.

In 2002, Connar left the security of salary and benefits to launch his own company. He’s currently the owner and creative director of Boost Creative, based in Cape Coral, Fla. His specialties include brand identity and advertising concepts.

Connar has served on the board of directors for the Gulf Coast Symphony and the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. He co-founded Taste of the Cape, a collaborative effort between the Chamber and Symphony. He was named one of Gulfshore Business Magazines “40 under 40” business professionals.

Connar’s visit is part of the College of Creative Arts Alumni-in-Residence series, featuring graduates of the Schools of Art and Design, Music, and Theatre and Dance.

-WVU-

dw/09/02/15

CONTACT: David Welsh, WVU College of Creative Arts
304-293-3397; David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu

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