The Graphic Design Student Office provides professional design services for local community organizations and university departments, giving students the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience and build their portfolios. Students selected to participate in GDSO learn communication skills by interacting with fellow designers, clients, printers, and professionals. They are introduced to the problem-solving and collaborative situations they will encounter in future professional activities. Through these interactions, students receive first-hand experience with professional practices in graphic design. GDSO projects have won awards from the American Advertising Federation, the International Design Awards, and the American Graphic Design Awards (GD USA Magazine) and have been featured in the Print Regional Design Annual.