Jay Bauer, a senior graphic designer for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, says he has more opportunity to exercise his creativity here than he would at any ad agency.
Now at CAES for 12 years, Bauer still gets plenty of opportunity to work on unique projects that further the message of the college-like creating a 3-D cartoon kitchen model for the Integrated Pest Management program of the entomology department.
Placed inside an acrylic aquarium, the kitchen is the heart of a display for giant Madagascan hissing cockroaches. Momma’s Kitchen, as it’s called, features a screaming mother holding a baby as a terrified dog tries to climb to safety.
The project makes a humorous but effective case for keeping your kitchen clean to combat pests.
“Creativity is really what we’re selling,” said Bauer, a former illustrator for aerospace giant Boeing.
Bauer’s job revolves around creating exciting concepts to promote the college’s diverse initiatives and programs.
“Typically, when people come to me, they are looking for reinforcement through printed materials that advertise their major or their program,” he said.
With projects like Momma’s Kitchen and others like a portable miniature golf course created for CAES events, Bauer doesn’t just stop at design for posters and brochures.
Instead, he asks clients what they would want if time and money were not concerns.
“I try to get them not to start with the limiting factors of the job,” said Bauer.
Once the creative doors are open, Bauer finds ways to meet their goals on a tight deadline and budget.
Prior to joining UGA, Bauer spent five years rendering designs of Boeing airplanes. He also has worked as a welder, jewelry designer, voice-over performer and even as a club bouncer.
“I’ve kind of done a little of everything,” he said.
When he’s not working on projects for CAES, Bauer also is an independent artist creating furniture, paintings and more from his home studio. His personal art page can be found online at www.grumpyhoosier.com.
While Bauer’s achievements are diverse, perhaps his most lasting creation is tied to his roots as an illustrator. In 2001, Bauer first conceived of the ubiquitous Caesar, CAES’ cartoon bulldog mascot that appears on the college’s posters and publications. Caesar, with a prominent, jutting lower tooth, is instantly recognizable to those familiar with CAES on campus and across the state through the UGA Cooperative Extension.
“He’s sort of my stock-in-trade these days,” said Bauer.
Bauer’s hundreds of Ceasar illustrations have put the character in scenes previously unimaginable for a bulldog: from science labs to the Wall Street trading floor and even crossing the Delaware River like George Washington at Valley Forge in apromotional brochure for a CAES leadership program.
Cindy Allen, a fellow senior graphics designer at CAES, said Bauer-given the breadth of his work-is a “hidden gem” for the college.
“I don’t think people have any idea of the scope of his talents,” said Allen. “He brings ideas that are beyond what people expect when he solves problems.”
For Bauer, it’s a lot of hard work and long hours-but the job is still fun.
“It’s a gas,” he said of his work. “It’s an absolute gas to do.”