Life can feel a bit stagnant at times; it’s easy to get caught up in the routines of existing, leaving you feeling uninspired, stuck, or behind. Sometimes all you can do is take a deep breath, look around you, and smell the flowers. It’s a matter of consciously directing your mind to be aware and attentive to the present. It’s intentionally experiencing and enjoying more of the world surrounding you with a curious mind. Whether it’s creative inspiration or simply something you admire, there’s plenty of creativity to be found in the world; inspiration that can both transform your perspective and develop creative habits. Anything from the most monumental of experiences to the most mundane of moments has the chance to shift your focus, if you just slow down.
Stop and Smell the Flowers dives into the layers that have developed within myself as a designer, artist, and human over the years. The series applies the knowledge I’ve learned to offer my perspective on the joy found in existing. It combines my love for design and creative curiosity through disciplines like printmaking, ceramics, photography, and more. The screen-printed poster combines my own film and digital photography with various influences of fine art, design, culture, and more to serve as a reminder to slow down and find what inspires you. The ceramic vessels holding Risograph printed flowers are meant to represent the beautiful simplicity of existing – vessels carrying our knowledge and experiences. The online visual index serves as a mood board of sorts, composed of a variety of people, places, and things that I’ve found inspiration in, some from my own lens and others from around the web.
Scan here to view Tyler’s microsite!
24×36 Screen print
Risograph Prints, Stoneware Ceramics
As an artist, I have always taken inspiration and been drawn to the powerful and sometimes bittersweet emotion that is nostalgia. It is a feeling that we all experience, yet each person has a unique set of memories to revisit. Through my work in this exhibition, I seek to capture the essence of this complex emotion.
Nostalgia is a particularly interesting subject for me because it can evoke such a range of emotions. It can be a source of comfort and joy, reminding us of happy times and the people we love. But it can also be tinged with sadness and a sense of loss, reminding us of moments and experiences that we can never fully recapture.
I explore these themes through a variety of mediums and styles. In particular, the symbolic nature of the anatomical heart, where most of my nostalgia stems from. In addition to this, the tie of the red yarn strings these memories together, invoking a sense that though these memories may be lost somewhere in the past, a piece of them will always be there to remind me.
Ultimately, I hope that my work inspires viewers to reflect on their own experiences of nostalgia and the emotions that it brings up. Whether we are reminiscing about childhood, a place you grew up, or a memory you can feel yet can’t quite place, nostalgia is always a constant reminder of the richness and complexity that is our time spent here on earth.
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24 x 36 Poster
Poetry Photo Book
The idea of a mushroom is often clouded by an immediate assumption that they represent something bad. Mycology is a very misunderstood concept to many people, and I feel that I resonate with the misconceptions associated with the visuals of fungi. I’ve worn a beanie ever since freshman year in high-school and it has always been a defining trait for me. This came with its fair share of taunting from classmates and wild assumptions based solely on my appearance. At the time I loved drawing, and the main subjects of my illustrations were always mushrooms. Something about the textures, colors, shapes, and even the names interested me to no end. Like most people, I’ve experienced my fair share of heartache and loss in the past. We lost our house in 2018 to a house fire and had to start over from scratch, all while I was attending Coastal Bend College-Alice trying to get my Associates of Arts. Rock bottom was a understatement at this time in my life, but like fungi growing from a fallen tree, I gradually grew and continued to thrive amidst the tragedy. I see mushrooms as surviving organisms that thrive no matter what kind of loss or bad situation comes their way. In my response to the prompt of “Transparency,” I felt it was appropriate to create a depiction of how I viewed myself and what values I held close. I chose lyrics from a song that represented both myself and my work. “Forever more than just surviving, this is my life, and this life is my diamond” are words that I live by and words that describe the life of a mushroom. In my physical piece I wanted to take a step back and create something that showcased an artistic process that contained layering, so I chose paperue mache. I hadn’t worked with paper mache since the fourth grade, but I rose to the challenge. The paper mache mushroom that I created is the result of countless layers of foil, tissue paper, collage paper, and origami paper to develop the forms. I wanted the piece to feel both organic and artfully constructed while staying true to the process of layering on the paper. I feel strongly about these pieces, not only because they represent myself and my interests, but also pay respects to the design process. My final piece was an Artivive digital extension of the poster that allowed the viewer to read the quote behind the mushroom while experiencing the different transitions and animations. I have not been able to create for myself as much as I would like in the past couple of years, so this was my opportunity to branch out and connect to myself as both a designer and an artist.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Cody’s AR Extension!
24 x 36 Poster
Paper Mache Sculpture
I have always been known to be shy and reserved. While this is me, there is more to be seen. I am a nerd, an artist, and a performer. Many of the things I can do, people don’t expect. With my three pieces, I wanted to showcase myself to those who may not know what I can do and what I like. I want them to see more than the shy, reserved girl I present on the outside.
Throughout each piece, the lines,” I am a NERD”, “I am an ARTIST”, and “I am a PERFORMER” show. Each word stated describes me, my interests, and my talents.
“I am a NERD,” represents my love of video games, cartoons, and Marvel. These items are typically seen as “nerdy”, and I decided to embrace that.
“I am an ARTIST,” shows my talent as an artist of makeup, drawing, and illustration. Art has always been a part of my life and I thought it was only appropriate to include it.
Finally, “I am a PERFORMER,” draws from my experience as a baton twirler and a dancer. This is the thing that many people outside of my life seem surprised about because I become a completely different person when I perform. While shy, I love performing.
I combine illustrations and photos throughout my pieces. The illustrations are usually associated with self-portraits and the photos are associated with the things I like. I wanted to produce my series like this because I feel illustration is free and transformative while photos are straightforward. The photos don’t change too much while my self-portraits vary from piece to piece.
Scan here to view Victoria’s Interactive Adobe XD Mobile Presentation!
24 x 36 Poster
Video Game Case
Through the Layers is a small series that captures the many layers of my life, and how each one has contributed to my growth as a person and an artist. My poster introduces my message while my physical piece is a variation of a tunnel book and allows me to showcase a multi-dimensional view of my life’s journey.
At the core of this series is a celebration of the importance of family. Growing up, my family was, and still is, everything to me. My parents were my rock, but it was my relationship with my special needs brother that set me apart from my peers. Caring for him taught me empathy, patience, and the value of selflessness. It also gave me a unique perspective on life that has influenced my art in countless ways.
As a child, I discovered dance, and spent the next 16 years of my life competing in various styles. Dance was a form of expression that allowed me to escape from the pressures of the world, and to channel my emotions into something beautiful. It taught me discipline, hard work, and perseverance, all of which have been invaluable in my artistic pursuits.
Eventually, my passion for creativity led me to graphic design. I fell in love with the process of creating visual art that communicates a message, and I knew that this was what I was meant to do. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills as a graphic designer, and I’m constantly inspired by the world around me.
Last but not least, Through the Layers also reflects the joy I’ve found in my personal life. Meeting my future husband and creating a little family with our many pets, was a pivotal moment in my journey, and he continues to inspire me every day.
The colors and textures in my artwork reflect the vibrancy and depth of my love for each of these parts of my life. I hope that my artwork inspires others to reflect on their own journeys, and to appreciate the beauty of the layers that make up their lives.
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24 x 36 Poster
Tunnel Book
Transparency to me is being vulnerable and showing sides of yourself that you wouldn’t show everyone. Transparency also means being vulnerable and available to others. These pieces represent places and animals (sometimes stuffed) that gave me comfort throughout my childhood in different ways.
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24×36 Riso Poster
Layered Glass Painting
“Windows of Growth” embodies my personal journey of transformation. Using photo manipulation, riso printing, and a limited color palette with overlaying to create new colors, the poster is divided into four pieces, each representing a word: embrace, change, flourish, and evolve. Through these windows, I explore different aspects of growth. At the heart of the poster, a girl gazes out of the “window,” surrounded by delicate butterflies and vibrant vines.
The first window, “embrace,” signifies self-acceptance and vulnerability. The second, “change,” symbolizes transformation and the beauty that arises from it. The third, “flourish,” portrays thriving and the strength gained through growth. Lastly, “evolve” represents continuous progress and a commitment to self-improvement.
Through vibrant colors achieved by overlaying and manipulating photos, my works inspire hope and reflection. The exhibition invites viewers to embrace, change, flourish, and evolve in their own lives. “Windows of Growth” shares my insights, aiming to spark self-discovery, empowerment, and an appreciation of personal growth in a concise and impactful way.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Sarah’s AR Extension!
24 x 36 Riso Poster
Riso Handout Prints
As I considered the term Transparency and how I could help people see a version of myself I considered what style I would use and what theme I wanted to communicate. I also considered how my designs would make others feel. After thoughtful consideration, I decided to create a design that would utilize a playful style I enjoy designing in and utilize copy points that could be inspiring to those who come and view the exhibition. Each deliverable was created based on a reminder I often need: be yourself and don’t worry about what people think of you. The poster has the saying “Dance to your own beat” with a retro/western illustration. This saying is a fun and approachable way to say be yourself! My physical deliverables are risograph printed handouts that are an extension of this theme, with more motivational sayings and fun illustrations. I wanted these to be something that people can take away from the exhibition to keep and put up somewhere for daily encouragement. I chose to incorporate illustrations in my exhibition deliverables because illustration is something I have grown to enjoy, and it is something that I want to incorporate more in my design style. My digital element is an animated version of the large poster that adds an interactive element to the overall experience. I hope that the takeaway people have from engaging with my work is that they feel happy to be themselves in every phase of life they are in.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Paige’s animated poster!
24 x 36 Illustrated Poster
Risograph Printed Handouts
Through my poster, I aim to encapsulate my identity as a nature photographer and illustrator. Nature serves as the perfect backdrop for me, allowing me to connect with the world around me and showcase the beauty and diversity of wildlife. The abundance of trees and the presence of various animals, such as deer, turtles, beaver, raccoon, woodpecker, frog, ducks, and salmon, symbolize my deep passion for capturing the essence of nature in my work.
My goal with the poster is to evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and develop a deeper connection with the environment. I hope that my passion for wildlife and my ability and its beauty shines through, inspiring others to value and protect the remarkable creatures that inhabit our planet. My work represents my artistic journey as a photographer and illustrator, guided by the wonders of nature and driven by my commitment to raising awareness and appreciation for the wildlife that surrounds us.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Colby’s poster GIF!
24 x 36 Illustrated Poster
Riso Prints
Skeletons have always been a huge part of me. Ever since a young age I’ve always been drawn to whatever graphic contained a skeleton. Evidently, Día de los Muertos is my favorite holiday as well. Both through my culture and my own personal beliefs, skeletons just help us see the person underneath, figuratively and literally. It’s proof that no matter what, we’re all still human, we’re all still mortal, we’re all just trying to get by in our own ways. In Seeing through my Skeleton, I took the theme Transparency very literally, as you can see a silhouette of a person with their skeleton visible for the same reasons as above. Surrounding it though, are different values and things that motivate me and have sculpted me into who I am.
Moving to college in Corpus Christi from my hometown in Sugar Land was the first time I had set off on my own. I didn’t know anyone at school, and it was my time to start anew. Over the last four years, I’ve gotten to know myself better and the skeleton underneath everything, which has truly helped me be more confident in my own image. Values and traits that I once felt hesitant about are now some of the things I’m most proud of. This piece is a culmination of different values and meanings of myself that have helped modeled me into who I am and who I love today.
Each piece of this exhibition set is a different layer that helps you see the meaning of all these elements a little closer. The poster helps set the standard and paired with this artist statement, makes for a nice art piece and illustration. The physical pieces can then be held up to the poster to highlight its specific elements that it highlights. Each of the pages includes a short story of myself and the impact these values have had on me, as well as my own understanding of it. Lastly, the digital piece allows you to look at the entire poster more closely, picking which parts you’d like to focus on and what specifically it is and represent. Each piece is a different layer of myself and helps you to see my skeleton as I see it myself.
Scan here to view Sierra’s interactive!
24 x 36 Poster
Printed Transparent Sheets
As an artist, my work is an expression of my personal experiences and passions. For my exhibition, I wanted to explore a topic that is near and dear to my heart: mental health. Through my three different components, I aim to shed light on the importance of acknowledging our own limitations and making informed decisions about how we use our time, energy, skills, and resources.
My poster, which I hand-lettered and hand-illustrated and printed using a risograph printer, features four key words that hold significant meaning to me. These words have helped me greatly in my own mental health journey, and I hope they can inspire others as well. Time, energy, skills, and resources are often all we have when facing a difficult situation. We must be realistic about what we can accomplish and how we will use these limited resources. My poster serves as a reminder of this idea and encourages viewers to be mindful of their own resources.
For my physical component, I chose candles as a metaphor for the limited nature of our resources. Each candle represents one of the four key words on the poster. I designed labels for each candle that highlight the importance of each resource and how it contributes to our overall well-being. Candles also burn at different speeds, just like how we might have more of one resource than another. By using candles as a visual representation, I hope to inspire viewers to think carefully about how they choose to “burn” their resources and make informed decisions about what is truly important to them.
In addition to the candles, I also created wax melts that serve as a symbol of replenishment. Just because we might be running low on a particular resource does not mean that it is gone forever. We can take steps to replenish our resources, whether it is through self-care, seeking help from others, or taking time to recharge. The wax melts remind us that we have the power to refill our “candles” and continue moving forward.
Overall, my exhibition is a reflection of my personal experiences with mental health and my passion for helping others. I hope that through my work, viewers can find inspiration to prioritize their own mental health and make informed decisions about how they use their resources.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Mandy’s AR Extension!
24×36 Poster
Candle Labels
As a night person, I have always connected with stars and all the things in the night sky, most notably the moon. Life, like the moon goes through phases and while most life phases are way longer than the time it takes the moon to make a full cycle, there is something symbolic about how the moon, while only a sliver of itself, always manages to become whole again. This connected to me as while my life is ever changing I have somehow managed to make it to the end of this phase of my life and along the way hopefully made a positive impact on others. In effort to help them also get back to feeling whole again.
As I was connecting my idea to the theme of our exhibition, Transparency, I knew I wanted to do make a for visitors to be able to see into a different world. Leading me to create the cut-out book where you can look through the pages and watch the moon, much like myself over the last few years, become whole again. Moving to the poster and digital execution I wanted to have a similar meaning but include a quote to tie together all three of my deliverables to the message of reminding others that no matter what, you will feel whole again, no matter how many phases it will take.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Cat’s AR Extension!
24 x 36 Poster
Cut Out Book
“Is Your Mind Filled with Static?” is a body of work that dives into self-reflection, existentialism, maximalism, and my relationship to magazines stemming from my mother. When I was growing up, my mother cut and sold magazine clippings to make extra money to provide for our family. Being surrounded by the glossy stacks of cut-outs instilled a love of print media and publication design within me. The idea that I will be able to make magazines that my mom could cut into clippings feels very special to me. I knew I wanted my physical piece to be a magazine-style zine and I decided to fill it with 2 types of spreads. It features black and white spreads that pay homage to my love of vintage fashion magazine aesthetics, and full-color surrealist spreads that look into moments of reflection and existentialism I have experienced. My first color spread, (What would you rather do?) talks about the relationship between my fine art and graphic design work. It poses a question to myself, what would I rather do, art or design? I had felt like I could not just call myself an artist or designer, and I used to feel a strange pull from each side as if I could never live fully in one or the other. My second color spread (Sailing Out Into My Mind) shows the fear and effects that imposter syndrome has on my mind. It makes me feel as if I am floating in the ocean, lost and alone. I have no map, no tools, no way to reach land and find ground. My final spread (Is Your Mind Filled with Static?) talks about how all of these feelings, from imposter syndrome to being unsure about my place as a graphic designer, constantly float around in the back of my mind. No matter how much I tried to reassure myself I could not quiet those emotions. My poster is an extension of this final spread and introduces the idea of me finding hope and truly seeing myself as both an artist and designer. The process of finding comfort and confidence within myself was not easy, nor did it happen quickly, and my AR extension reveals this process. Phrases like, “Let’s Float Together” and “Be Fluid and Still” allude to my finding comfort and assurance from colleagues and friends. These pieces have provided me not only experience but have helped solidify my place in the fields of fine art and graphic design.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Noah’s AR extension!
24 x 36 Poster
Zine
My work revolves around medieval aesthetics about my view of myself. I enjoy representing myself as a knight in various iterations to show the struggles through life, along with the physical and mental strength required to overcome all battles. I choose to add flowers to represent not just my name but the growth I’ve gone through throughout the years, coming to full bloom, each flower being a sense of accomplishment or new knowledge acquired. I made them pink to bring in some femininity throughout my piece. As for my physical component, I’ve decided to do origami since it represents layers, each showing a different part of my personality and interests, all coming together to make a complete flower, me. It takes patience to make each one, something I’ve had to acquire when dealing with myself. “Memento Vivere” Means to remember to live. Everyone needs to remember to break away from the mundane routine of work, school, and home. Having a work-life balance is challenging, but it’s crucial to a healthy life. I plan to remind myself of this, allowing my passions to continue to grow and me to enjoy all the little things life has to offer.
Scan here to download Artivive and then scan the poster to view Azalia’s AR extension!
24 x 36 Illustrated Poster
Origami Flowers
Collaging images together can be a powerful form of self-expression that allows people to tap into their creativity and reveal their unique personalities, both visually and artistically. Since I was a child, I have utilized this technique in many ways and have carried it with me into my career. When I was younger, my mom and I would make scrapbooks together. We would gather keepsakes and photos, collaging them together to create a cohesive book of sweet memories. These moments were some of the first introductions to design that I remember. When reflecting on the theme of Transparency, my mind traveled back to these precious moments and tokens from my childhood that shaped me as a person and a designer.
By using techniques of collage, photo manipulation, and risograph printing methods, I wanted to transport the viewer to my childhood: a place where boredom doesn’t exist, and creativity runs free. The collaged poster represents my personality and contains my favorite photos, keepsakes, song lyrics, and font. To better explain my past and how small moments have impacted my life, I wrote a diary entry in the form of a zine that includes stories from my early years and my love for design. The zine links the reader to a Spotify playlist that serves as a soundtrack to these stories. As an extension of the poster, I created an animated Instagram filter for viewers to capture their memories with. The imagery in each deliverable represents the person I was and still am to this very day.
Scan here to view Hannah’s Instagram filter!
24 x 36 Poster
Risograph Printed Zine
