The Temerlin Advertising Institute is almost finished with the approximate $140,000 renovation of its new advertising wing in Umphrey Lee Center. In December 2013, demolition began, and by the time fall 2014 classes begin, the new advertising wing will be open to all students. This area will be more visible in Umphrey Lee since it now has an all-glass wall facing the hallway.
Steve Edwards, director of the Temerlin Advertising Institute and professor, wants this renovation to open its doors to all advertising students campus-wide instead of just the creative-track advertising students it originally housed.
“I hope everyone uses this space. My intent was changing it from a dark cave to a communal area by adding this pure glass wall so that everyone can see what’s going on in here,” Edwards said.
The advertising wing was solely used for creative production and creative concepting courses in past semesters. Students on the general advertising track rarely used the space.
Amelia Ambrose, SMU senior advertising major, didn’t spend much time in the last advertising wing.
“I am not on the creative track so I never went in but I’m glad they are opening the space up to all advertising students,” Ambrose said.
Ambrose believes this renovation will truly enhance the program as a whole.
Edwards envisions this space being a place all students can come and work, do group projects and bounce advertising ideas. The big worktables, whiteboard walls and high technology are new enhancements to the space that will make student collaboration easier.
“It was a really dark area before, so adding these new light structures should make this a place people want to be,” Edwards said.
Something like this has never existed in this building before, which is irritating for Edwards.
“There is no place to come and just be an advertising community,” he said.
Willie Baronet, creative advertising professor, is looking forward to a place that will better inspire his students.
“I want all the students to be inspired and encourage collaboration amongst their colleagues. I think this new space will expose students to an agency like environment,” Baronet said.
Baronet thinks the last advertising space was dark and crowded. This sometimes unmotivated students and didn’t make it a happy or welcoming place to be. Alex Nowlin, senior creative advertising major, believes this space will give future creatives a space conducive to the type of work they do.
“We spend long hours executing campaigns and it helps having a nice, updated room. I wish I could stick around to use it,” Nowlin said.
