Senior graphic design and illustration major Zack Tucker came to Southeast Missouri State University and jumped into the Bachelor of Fine Arts program.

"I didn't do art in, like, high school or anything," Tucker said. "I just started as an art major in college. I came in as a graphic design and illustration major because I liked working on yearbook in high school."

Every Bachelor of Fine Arts senior must complete a capstone project at the end of their college career called a BFA project. These projects will be featured in one of four Spring BFA Graduating Seniors Exhibitions this month.

Tucker has spent between 15 and 20 hours a week working on his project since November, but his idea has been in development since he started attending Southeast.

Tucker always knew that he wanted to brand an airline for his project. His inspiration came from architect and textile designer Alexander Girard, a commercial artist in the 1960s who worked with Braniff Airlines on a project to mark "The end of the plain plane."

Girard redesigned everything from the company's sugar packets to its in-flight stationary. He also had the entire fleet of planes painted colors like orange to turquoise. Tucker is creating something similar for his project.

"It's branding for a national airline service that I made up," Tucker said. "It's called Connect. It prides its hope in inspiring American travel through the use of culture and folklore from different regions of the United States. I'm designing logos, advertisements, packaging, boarding passes, airplane seats, letterhead and business cards. Additionally, I am working on designing a better airline experience that will stand out in the current, monotone airline industry."

Tucker has won two awards outside of Southeast's BFA program. Tucker and his group won the Gold Student Addy award and Best in Show from the Tri-State Association of Marketing Professionals in Cape Girardeau. The group was recognized for its work on a marketing campaign for the Around Town Art Gallery Association. As for life after graduation, Tucker is in the process of applying for jobs all over Missouri and the United States.

"I'd like to work in branding and work at a creative design firm where they specialize in just working with numerous brands and branding their identity," Tucker said.

Tucker's dream job would be working for AdamsMorioka in Beverly Hills, Calif.

"Sean Adams, who's one of the partners there, is my design hero," Tucker said. "So working for them would be a dream come true. I like that [his work] is simple and clear, and it kind of has a retro feel."

Tucker's work will be showcased from April 23-27 at the River Campus Art Gallery. A closing reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. April 27. The other three Spring BFA Graduating Seniors Exhibitions take place April 9-13, 16-20 and 30-May 4.