Impressive and diverse works on display
Article by: Julia Dawidowicz
Students at the New England School of Art and Design (NESAD) may feel disconnected from Suffolk’s main campus by being located on Arlington Street, but their contributions to the school are nonetheless just as important as anyone else’s. Last week, an influential contribution from Graphic Design seniors was presented at the New England School of Art and Design: opening Friday, April 3 was the yearly NESAD Undergraduate Graphic Art exhibition, where graduating graphic artists showcased the best of their artwork from the past year or so. At 5:30 P.M., guests crowded into the Suffolk University Art Gallery at 75 Arlington Street to mingle, enjoy refreshments, hors d’oeurves, and to take in the impressive and diverse works of graphic art that were on display.
The event was organized by NESAD Graphic Design Program Director Laura Golly, and has been occurring in that art space annually since 1996, when NESAD merged with Suffolk University. The colorful art show not only gave viewers the opportunity to see what a myriad of different types of artwork the field of graphic design encompasses—far beyond simple pamphlets and posters. It also provided the graphic artists whose work was presented at the show the opportunity to make a good impression on certain important guests, and even to land future graphic design gigs.
According to Bianca Petinicchi, a senior who had eight pieces up at the exhibition, there were job opportunities and alumni internships for the artists on display- one attendee, according to Petinicchi, came all the way from Puerto Rico to look for interns.
For the show, the artists choose which pieces they would like to submit and from among those, the teachers finally selected the best pieces to be put on display. Many of the pieces originated from class assignments, which resulted in varying interpretations of the same idea. A couple of the prompts which inspired pieces at the exhibit were: to make a repeat pattern out of labels or wine box; or to make a package for a play, which included designing a play poster, a modern day playbill, and the design for the soundtrack CD. Other pieces included design for a cookbook and display for museums and bookstores, while others experimented with 3-D and included artfully placed items such as cooking utensils and children’s toys.
Petinicchi explained that her graphic design process consisted of reading up on the background of the assignment, making primary sketches of her ideas in her sketchbook, and finally putting them onto the computer using programs like Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
“Images and design are everywhere. Some people don’t even realize it,” explained Petinicchi, adding, “There’s always going to be a need for design, whether it’s for a movie or a book. It’s a part of a consumer society. You’ll buy a bottle of wine because of the packaging.”
NESAD’S Senior Graphic Design Show is on Display through Friday, April 16 at 75 Arlington Street.
