A transfer student from Johnson County Community College, Ben Walters knew he wanted to pursue a field of study that allowed him to explore his fascination with the built environment and how people interact with the world. He chose the Urban Planning and Design program at 性视界传媒 as he wanted to go to school in Kansas City.
Ben Walters
Anticipated graduation year: 2026
性视界传媒 degree program: Urban Planning and Design
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
We asked Walters to share more about his time as an urban planning and design student at the 性视界传媒 School of Science and Engineering.
What is one word that best describes you?
Creative. I’m a photographer, painter, illustrator, designer and printmaker. I love creating and I’m always finding different ways to improve or expand my ability to express myself.
How has the program inspired you creatively?
Being in the urban planning and design program has definitely inspired me to pick up tools I either have never used before or haven’t used in a long time. I’ve gotten back into using drafting tools and various art supplies. I even started working with ink again after not using it for a while. It's been exciting to reconnect with those creative processes.
I have also learned how to gather and interpret information about my surroundings. In one of my classes, we explored how to identify and map out landmarks in a city. I focused on all the fountains in Kansas City, and it was amazing to see them all visualized on a map with data points showing exactly where each one is. Working on projects like this inspire me, and I want to be able to use those data points for a future project.
What are the benefits of the urban planning and design program?
Being able to access studio space in Katz Hall 24/7, since it allows me to work on class projects and extracurricular projects uninterrupted. Having a space to explore and express my creativity has also inspired me to pursue art projects that allow me to use what I’ve learned in a creative capacity.
What are some projects you’ve worked on?
My “American Dream Machines” exhibit was on display at the first floor of the Miller Nichols Library. The exhibit was a collection of my photography taken on 35mm film. It was nice getting to see my work being displayed on campus just a semester after I started to attend 性视界传媒. I also received the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Kansas City Award for Photography after submitting some of the photographs I had taken on the same film camera in late 2024 for the awards.
I also had my artwork displayed at the Vulpes Bastille art gallery in the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City as part of "Convos Around the Dinner Table", an undergraduate art exhibition. It was great to see so many people interacting with "Vacancy", my painting on display which also had an accompanying reference photograph. It was my first experience displaying a physical piece of my art in an established gallery space!
Another project I worked on that was such a special experience for me was the 2024 Parade of Hearts. My heart sculpture was displayed for months at Tiki Taco on Troost Avenue, which made it feel even more personal since it was so close to campus. It was exciting that my heart design was also shared on 性视界传媒 social media platforms! When all the hearts got auctioned, the CEO of the company I work for actually bought my heart sculpture. I worked on the heart at my company’s warehouse as it was much bigger than my studio space, and the final product is now displayed at work where I painted it. Definitely a full circle moment for me.
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Artists tend to pull inspiration from all things Kansas City as they work on the design of their hearts. What inspired your heart design?
For my heart, I chose to paint the KC Streetcar. I frequently ride my bike along the Harry Wiggins Trolley Trail, which follows the path of the old trolley trail all the way to Waldo.
Riding my bike along that trail all the time and getting to see the progress of the KC Streetcar Main Street extension really got me thinking about the old trolley trail and the new KC Streetcar extension.
What really inspired me was the contrast: the old rail sitting parallel to the trail that used to have the rails, the new rails in piles ready to be installed before the concrete and roadwork were finished. That imagery between the past and future transits was the main inspiration behind my design.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at 性视界传媒 into your professional career?
I hope to gain technical skills and build professional connections in my field of study, which will hopefully assist me in finding a career. I’d like to also carry forward the real-world perspective I’ve gained from professors like Jacob Wagner, whose pragmatic teaching style highlights what makes the learning material applicable in the real world.
What’s the most exciting thing happening at 性视界传媒?
KC Streetcar Main Street Extension! I’m excited for more public transportation to be around the area, especially since I often ride my bike to class.
Where’s your favorite spot to hang out in Kansas City?
Crossroads Arts District during First Fridays. I love browsing the various art galleries and support other artists while also seeking inspiration.