In creative clubs at Iowa State, you can practice and grow alongside a sea of students looking to stretch their creative abilities in different ways and for different reasons.
According to the American Psychology Association, the best predictor of creativity is openness to new experiences. Participation in creative outlets and clubs cultivates relaxation, helps emotional regulation and increases problem-solving skills, in both children and adults. Whether you consider yourself a ‘creative person’ or not, it is healthy to stretch and exercise your creative muscles.
Listed below are a few of the clubs on campus that are good opportunities to flex those creative muscles.
DATUM – Journal of architecture and design
Each year, DATUM publishes a journal filled with collages, photography, creative writing and any other art that can be put on a page. The fall semester of this club consists of group discussions about current events and design theory, all in the context of an overarching ‘theme,’ which defines the journal’s focus for the coming spring. Once spring semester hits, the club works together to create a printed publication containing what was discussed the semester prior.
DATUM President Izzy Witten and Vice President Sierra Wroolie, both fifth-year architecture students, are looking to foster enjoyment, community and freedom within this year’s club activities.
“DATUM is the club where you can truly create whatever you want, a place to channel any untapped creativity you might not be finding in your studios or your electives,” Witten said. “The open-ended structure of this club is a breeding ground for imagination, and prompts a unique stretch of vision by allowing creative ideas to evolve as the year goes on.”
The club often attends lectures and exhibitions going on within the College of Design and the spotlighted speakers for members to learn more. DATUM is an opportunity to learn more about different forms of artistry without being in the classroom.
“[DATUM is] a good way to build interconnectivity, and have conversations with professors and people from the outside world that you wouldn’t normally be able to talk to,” Wroolie said.
This year’s publication theme has yet to be decided, making it prime time to join the organization. To learn more, visit their website.
TREND Magazine
TREND is a fashion-oriented magazine with a wide range of student involvement and student interests. The operation is split into committees, including editorial/writing, fashion, advertising, public relations, art and design and photography. These committees are then split into sub-committees to ensure no interest or detail is overlooked.
Last year’s Director of the Accessories Committee and fourth-year architecture student, Chloe Timmerman, talked about some unexpected and niche jobs that ended up being an exciting passion project to explore.
“For me, it was experimenting with different nail designs, but some directors got really creative with set design, or makeup concepts or designing their own clothes for the shoot,” Timmerman said.
TREND is full of detail-oriented jobs that encourage people to unlock their creative skills. The magazine has an extensive Instagram page that inspired Timmerman to join. In addition, there is a website that holds past publications dating back to 2009.
The magazine contains a blend of all types of self-expression, and in terms of creative outlets, TREND has opportunities for many interests.
3D Printing and Design
The 3D Printing and Design club aspires to innovate and push the boundaries of what 3D printers can accomplish. Each year, the club works together on a group project aimed at creating an optimized design and printing it to perfection.
The club’s webpage notes, “3D printers are becoming more and more practical, and can be very useful for engineers, designers and entrepreneurs.”
The group emphasizes collaboration during every step of the printing process, from designing the model digitally, to printing physically, to sanding, painting and assembling the final product.
If interested in learning to 3D print as a beginner, ISU students and staff can contact the Student Innovation Center Makerspace to get trained and certified on the many 3D printers available. The SIC offers a safe space to learn and practice printing artwork three-dimensionally.
The club’s history of printed endeavors is shown on the 3D Printing and Design’s Instagram and Facebook page.
To explore more creative clubs, attend the University ClubFest or click here for more information about club options.
