Established in 1972 by Professor of Art, Bob Smith, the Create Studio functions as professional graphic design studio within the School of Fine Arts. The studio is staffed by Washington University undergraduate senior art students, most majoring in graphic design. Operated as a business, participating students receive both professional experience and academic credit. Studio clients range from other departments within the University, to local not-for-profit agencies, such as the St. Louis Zoo and St. Louis Symphony, and locally based corporations, such as Monsanto.  Income generated from fees charged for design consultation and production off-sets operating costs of the studio.

When the program began in the fall of 1972, the name “Create One Studio” was used.  The following year this name changes to “Create Two Studio” and so forth for the first twelve years of the program. Following this the name was shortened to “Create Studio.”

For further information, see Washington University Magazine, Vol. 61, No. 2, Summer 1991, pages 13 – 17.