Inspiring Graduate: Jewel Fredrickson (’25)
- Hometown: Boyd
- Degree: B.F.A. Industrial & Product Design
Before crossing the commencement stage for a second time at UW-Stout, Jewel Fredrickson was hired prior to graduation as an asset specialist at WB Manufacturing, in Thorp.
She had earned her B.S. art education in 2020 and was teaching art at Thorp High School, when she decided to return for her degree in industrial and product design.
“I knew what to expect coming back. My previous experience gave me professors who I knew cared about me and wanted to see me succeed. I got the same experience in the industrial design program. The professors push you to create your best work, and classes are set up for real-world experience, whether it is classroom exercises or sponsored projects for industry companies,” Fredrickson said.
Fredrickson, of Boyd, earned her bachelor’s in industrial and product design on May 10, along with 1,174 UW-Stout graduates.
At WB Manufacturing, Fredrickson will produce product renderings of casework, tables, desks, and tops, and prepare the rendered images for print and publications.
“The company was able to see through my portfolio and the work I created at Stout that I was the right candidate for the job,” she said.
“The number one goal I have is to design products that make a positive impact on people’s lives through the products they use.”
How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?
The most impactful experience I had at Stout that prepared me for my field was my senior fall semester sponsored studio project. I had the opportunity to work with a real company designing a new product for their current line. Throughout this experience, I was faced with deadlines, research, critiques, and working with engineers to understand and develop a quality product.
The final part of this experience was to present all my work from the semester to a panel of professionals within the sponsor company. The entire semester gave me a realistic understanding of how the design process works, the importance of collaboration in a team and how to pitch designs.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
The professors at UW-Stout are at a different level. I had such a positive experience with all educators, from general education to individual major professors. Educators here want students to excel in whatever field they are heading into.
They push you to do your best and make time to meet with you when any road bumps or struggles occur. And one cannot forget about the people who run the labs like UW-Stout’s Materials and Process Lab and Fab Lab. Without the expertise of the people running those labs, projects wouldn’t get done and learning wouldn’t happen in the hands-on experience that Stout is known for.
During my art education degree, I received second place in the 2018 Fashion Without Fabric for our design “Garden of Eden,” created with Hailey Pfister.
What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?
With my B.F.A. being my second undergrad, I came back to college older than my peers. I had to relearn how to socialize with college students. This, in turn, helped me develop better communication skills and inclusion practices to have both a productive learning experience for myself and my peers.
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
As I finish my degree, I reflect on the success I have had as an industrial design student.
Since day one, I came in with the goal to give this degree everything I’ve got.
The very first project I completed was a fan concept inspired by a bird of paradise flower. During the final phases of the appearance model, I had a runny paint job that was less than desirable. Instead of leaving the mistake as good enough, I took the weekend to sand off all the botched paint and repaint my model to a result I was proud of.
I carried that mentality with me through the rest of my degree and it earned me first place in a sponsored project, an Industrial Designers Society of America Student Merit Award nomination and a job before graduation.
