by: Andrew Waner
Scott Landells is the Design Editor for the Prospectus newspaper. Landells hails from Lansing, Michigan but he has lived in Champaign most of his life.
He started designing the paper in the spring of 2019. This is his third semester working for the Prospectus; he is currently responsible for designing the paper and making sure it is ready for printing.
Landells’ first experience with graphic design was in high school. “I acted a role in a play called Biloxi Blues at the Station Theatre. The director knew I was interested in art, so he asked me to design a poster for the show,” he said. “The director introduced me to a professional graphic designer. I got to work in her office on her computer to design the poster. I loved it.” Interestingly enough, he shared the stage with Nick Offerman during that play.
Landells is a graphic design major. While attending Parkland, Landells has greatly enjoyed classes and appreciates the quality of education he has received while attending.
“I would have to say, the graphic design classes by Paul Young were my favorite. And they were my favorite because of Mr. Young’s persistence to ensure his students made the best work possible. He didn’t hand you answers. He expected you to solve problems on your own. He challenged every project I presented and expected justification for everything I made. Mr. Young set high expectations for his students.”
Landells was also a social worker for 20 years prior to attending Parkland. “I don’t have a degree in social work. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Art from Illinois State University. I got started in social work by volunteering at the Men’s Emergency Shelter in the basement of the McKinley Presbyterian Church on the U of I campus,” Landells told the Prospectus. “I washed dishes, cooked food, served food and handed out toiletries. I mostly enjoyed playing chess with the residents and listening to their stories. After a year of weekly volunteering, a job opened up at the shelter and the director asked me if I wanted the position.”
One of his favorite things about social work was advocating for people who could not advocate for themselves, and sometimes that meant advocating for people that society might have turned its back on.
“I learned quickly that if one person’s rights could be infringed, there is nothing to stop them from infringing on everyone’s rights,” he told the Prospectus.
“The student’s current goal is to find a job as a graphic designer in the print industry after he graduates from Parkland; he hopes to find a job with a newspaper”
The design editor’s most rewarding experience with the student newspaper has been teaching himself how to design a paper. “I like to read newspapers but to actually teach myself how newspapers are designed has been the most rewarding. The experience has made me appreciate their value even more,” he said.
Outside of Parkland, his favorite things to do are to read print newspapers, fish, hunt, bicycle and garden. Landells also enjoys anything to do with being in a boat on the water and cooking meals for friends and family. His favorite food is the food he makes and grows. He also enjoys a wide variety of styles of music from classical to contemporary.
The student’s current goal is to find a job as a graphic designer in the print industry after he graduates from Parkland; he hopes to find a job with a newspaper.
Landells’ piece of advice for students is to take advantage of the different opportunities Parkland has to offer. “…utilize all the resources and services to the fullest, especially scholarship applications, the writing lab, and career counseling services. Get your money’s worth,” he said. “Take nothing for granted. Participate in as many extra-curricular activities as you can that are closely related to your degree and some that are not.”
If you are interested in seeing some of Landells’ design work, feel free to check out his online portfolio .
