Liam Hargreaves Masters the Art of Balance as a Multidisciplinary Artist at Ivy Tech

Liam Hargreaves displays the traits of a dedicated Ivy Tech student. He takes the best from obstacles he overcomes and continues to push himself toward success. His message highlights the hidden efforts of Ivy Tech students. 

“Success comes to those who truly work hard,” Hargreaves said.

Hargreaves defies what may try to limit him as he pursues his degree in visual communications. He is a talented multidisciplinary graphic artist and designer who is now contributing his skills as an intern at the Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL). 

Since enrollment, Ivy Tech has had an encouraging influence on Hargreaves’ perspective of the visual arts and the pursuit of professional success.

Hargreaves originally attended college at the early age of 16. At that time, he felt that balancing his personal and student life was overwhelming, so he made the decision to drop his classes. He spent his time in the work field and exploring his creative interests. Hargreaves picked up purposeful skills while working at a museum and more recently, IndyPL. These creative skills played a part in the development of certain collections, included in his published portfolio. Now, at 26, Hargreaves has settled on his ultimate career goal to be a character designer. 

To assist him in his journey, Hargreaves chose Ivy Tech to continue his education. He was looking for an accessible institution that complements his professional life, offers affordability, and allowed him to keep a manageable schedule. After considering what he needed, Hargreaves was referred to Ivy Tech by his peers, who knew Ivy Tech would aid in his search for higher education

Hargreaves utilizes Ivy Tech’s supportive tools, especially as an online student. Ivy Tech’s resources have helped him communicate with instructors, provided educational guidance, and helped him balance his workload. This type of support from Ivy Tech holds the possibility to decrease feelings of pressure students may feel even in their personal lives. Using Ivy Tech resources, Hargreaves continues to balance activities between his student, professional and personal life. Being an Ivy Tech student, he is still able to spend time with friends to develop an on-going project named “Castrella” – a community narrative-building project – in addition to working as a part-time graphic design intern.

The student experience at Ivy Tech reignited Hargreaves’ enthusiasm to explore aspects of his classes outside of the academic setting. 

“I've been taking an art history class and it's given me significant different perspectives on art, both through the evolution of art and different cultures,” Hargreaves explained. “Actually, before doing this art history class, I was planning to go to Australia. One of my reasons was because I wanted to check out the Aboriginal art there and get a different perspective on art, culturally,” he continued. But, both have given me a lot of skills on how to perceive art, but also have pushed me to want to explore different avenues of what art is.”

In a moment when Hargreaves’ student life and professional life crossed paths, he unexpectedly gained a step closer toward his career goals. While attending Ivy Tech, he seized the opportunity of a graphic design internship at IndyPL, where he has taken on some of the duties of designing the IndyPL’s magazine. Due to his hard work, Hargreaves is thriving in a position tailored to his desired career after only mentioning that he is a student.

Projected to achieve his visual communications degree in the fall semester of 2026, Hargreaves’ next step is to seek professional work with his earned credentials. Still, he embraces the possibility of continuing his education at a four-year college as a secondary plan. 

“There are going to be people who are going to be much more critical of you, but for the most part, if you just put what you love into the work, people will enjoy it,” Hargreaves said.

Hargreaves is ready to work his way towards his ultimate goal, and isn’t afraid to have fun along the way. To make the best of the education and professional development he receives, he works on his own collection of character designs which he calls “Kreetchurs.” With this collection and other portfolio projects, he aims to spread the message of finding the value in doing what you love.