Featured Student Projects
2023–2024
Here is a collection of featured work from stand-out student projects this year throughout the Department of Art+Design.
Annabelle Acord | Advanced 3D Studio
For this teapot, I focused on honing texture and color to create a unique yet engaging functional artwork. To do this, I piped wet clay slip through cake piping tools to develop new textures I had not yet applied to my pieces. Adding vibrant colored slips to my pieces is where I bring all of the forms and textures together into one cohesive artwork.
Simon Commanda | Advanced 3D Studio
Through my exploration of furniture, I have found a love for woodworking, design, and functionality. This piece is a combination of metal and reclaimed wood. The process of creating has stretched my abilities to shape metal and wood to my designs.
Sydney Welch | Advanced Design Studio 1
Neuair (pronounced “new air) is a comprehensive brand system that is synonymous with cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and the thrill of short-haul travel on the West Coast. It’s the travel choice for environmentally conscious individuals who value efficiency, style, and a seamless experience. Travel runs through a triangular circuit of flights, operating between Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco as an initial launch.
Mei Mei Edgar | Advanced 3D Studio
The concept and motivation behind the design of the plates stemmed from my inspiration of nature and forms that surround me. I am eager to explore new techniques and designs that have proven to enhance creativity in all of my pieces.
Mini Makers Team | History of Graphic Design
This past semester the Junior Designers in the History of Graphic Design course competed as teams to create a dynamic, elegant publication to inform and delight a chosen audience about an assigned group of design luminaries from history. This year, the project brief was expanded to allow a greater scope of opportunities in terms of outcomes beyond the printed material.
The winning team crafted a publication entitled “Mini-Makers” — utilizing warm, compelling illustrations that engage an audience of children towards a fun and educational understanding of Mid-Century Modern design.
Mini-Makers compelled their audience of young minds to physically engage with the publication through a variety of interactive printed elements, including fold-outs, die-cuts, tip ins, and a host of playful physical touchpoints. The Mini Maker Team went above and beyond by creating a variety of elements that extended beyond the publication, creating a captivating website, welcoming promotional videos, and amusing merchandise.
Kacie Parks | Photography 3
My goal for this shoot was to capture a traditionally very commercial subject, donuts, in a way that was very visceral and unexpected. I wanted to intentionally disrupt how we see a normal everyday food objects showcasing them in a way viewers would not expect.
Sydney Broadwell | Photography 2
We were assigned to photograph beauty. I wanted to capture beauty as more than something that is physical but it’s actually something felt deeply in the soul. The image of the eyes symbolizes the smile as a soul embrace with the grace of beauty. The image of the hair being braided symbolizes sisterhood. And the image on the beach resembles friendship, the kind that is free and airy. For me this project was capturing unique feelings and associations that I think are beautiful.
John-Luke Grob | Production 2
The “Timer Pal” app’s primary purpose is to aid college students in enhancing their productivity by holding them accountable for a predetermined duration to complete a task. The app’s essence is to be calming and relaxing, easing any stress students may experience, particularly in the context of using the app.
Ethan Wright | Studio Lighting
In this image, the two figures are complete strangers, which creates an intriguing dynamic. Although they appear conjoined, they have no actual relation.
Hannah Lane | Photography 2
The things we hold dear in this world appear to be shiny and beautiful in a moment, all the while being broken and shattered. There is more to life than what our eyes behold in front of us — things of eternal beauty and value.
Leah Davis | Advanced Photography
For this project, I collaborated with coworkers to create some updated imagery for our campus’ taco truck. We wanted to incorporate bright colors and dynamic movement. By using lighting (and some post-production editing) we were able to make vibrant, funky, and fun results.
*Leah received a Gold Addy in Still Photography for this project.
Lindsay Blumenfeld | Digital Resurrections in Typography
Placebo LB, which is drawn from a sugar-coated liver pill label printed in 1895, embodies the sophistication of an era marked by innovation and novelty. Including a mere six letterforms in its original specimen, the development of this typeface drew from a limited pool of elements to craft a consistent collection of forms that echoes the classic tone of the source. Placebo LB includes Regular, Oblique, Bold, and Bold Oblique versions for a wide range of application. With the capacity to communicate effectively at both large and small scales, Placebo LB establishes itself as a versatile typeface with timeless charm.
Curtis Shirkey | Advanced Painting & Drawing
It all starts with an idea, or rather, a world I want to see that I haven’t before. I create these drawings through layers of watercolor and pen and inks. They look like scenes from a movie, but one I want us to write together. They are part of my series titled “The Butterfly Lanterns” not only cause each piece contains a butterfly lantern, but because you the viewer are to act as the butterfly effect for each artwork. Take what is presented and make your own story for how they got there and where they will go.
Diane Lee | Methods of Ideation
In Methods of Ideation, I researched a designer and through extensive research and analysis, I was able to draw four common themes that were prevalent in their style. These were 1.) The incorporation of handwriting or lettering, 2.) A proud cultural heritage, 3.) Women’s equality activism, and 4.) Book design. After establishing these themes and discovering connections between me and my designer, I had to design a poster and editorial. The poster and editorial had to reflect their distinct themes and our connections.
Lily McNamara | Advanced Painting & Drawing
Revenant is a self-portrait painted with oils on paper. I created this piece while I was coming to terms with my need for medication, the work expressing both the resentment I felt for my reliance on it and the relief that came with treatment. The hazy colors, direct mark-making, and fluid linear hands layered over the portrait were intended to create a dreamlike, untethered feeling.
Aubrey Partain | Foundations
This sculpture was created for the wearable project in ART 106. Made entirely with wire and buttons, the piece is designed to appear organic. The sculpture represents unrealistic expectations and how they often contradict reality, limiting opportunities and growth.
Rachel Austin | Foundations
“Block the Risks” is a paper sculpture project that portrays the theme of managing challenges in life. The differing white origami barriers and red chaotic forms surrounding them symbolize our choices in controlling or allowing risks to rise. The intricate weaving of the organized barriers shows a sense of protection that can urge viewers to reflect on their decisions regarding the red risk management and the consequences.
Mateo De Los Cobos | Production 2
JIVE is a single-function mobile app that allows college students to join or attend listening parties for newly released songs or albums. JIVE aims to create a welcoming space for students to connect with others on their university’s campus with similar music taste.
Ella Siragusa | Foundations
As the first foundations assignment, the line project was intimidating, yet it taught me skills and methods that I have implemented into all my future projects. Having to produce numerous compositions, all demonstrating various principles in their own way, forced me to push my ideas further and exposed how easily I can stay in my comfort zone when creating art. Also, although it was tedious, it taught me how important attention to detail is and how good craftsmanship can heavily impact the final product. Overall, this project was challenging to complete but fulfilling in the end.
Emily Miller | Advanced Design Studio 1
Created to be high-end, but familiar, La Bonté pays homage to French bistro culture and cuisine while bringing the fine dining experience of Sonoma County’s wine country to the neighborhood audience of downtown Santa Rosa, California. La Bonté is committed to being “Classically French and California Grown.” Situated in the Historic Railroad Square District of Santa Rosa, the bistro finds its home among many small businesses and local restaurants. The brand system is made up of an expansive set of marks and visual assets that are applied in subtle, delicate ways. The exterior of the building is designed to be casual and classically French, while the interior was designed to be intimate and upscale.
Courtney Barrett | Digital Resurrections in Typography
Derived from hand-painted signage in Anderson, South Carolina, CB Dex was handcrafted to prolong the story of Dexter Grocery Co. Wholesale, a former downtown grocery store that closed in 1990. After sitting vacant for 34 years, the building is now pending renovation for resale, risking historical aspects being erased.
Isabelle Rigsbee | Advanced Studio 1
Arrotino is a Neapolitan wood-fired pizzeria in Iowa City, Iowa. Here, a highly intimate, fine dining experience is tucked away amongst the bustling city, unperturbed. Arrotino attracts well-established clientele, and its most loyal customers consider it to be one of Iowa City’s best-kept secrets. From every door in the establishment to the box you take home for a night of pizza and wine, Arrotino creates an atmosphere of sophisticated intimacy. Together, the rustic, bare stone walls, dark bentwood furniture, and bronze accents transport guests to a time spent in Italy.
