University of Delaware Visual Communications BFA Show 2020

University of Delaware Department of Art & Design Visual Communications BFA Show

University of Delaware Department of Art & Design Visual Communications BFA Show

C c ON o n CEP c e p Tt We are creatives. We are artists. We are misfits.

How we got here is a bit of a mystery even to us. This book hopes to scratch the surface and peek into our creative upbringing.

With an emphasis on complete transparency, we illustrate our workmanship, process, and voice. Don’t worry, we censor nothing. We would sooner dance with the ghosts and kiss the cockroaches of Recitation (and, full disclosure, we can’t say for certain that hasn’t already happened) before we censored who we are.

UDVC is the name, and authenticity is the game.

visual communications class of 2020

Table of CONTENTS Anthony Celli 2 Casey Orledge 4 Carlee Montgomery 6 Mallory Russo 8 Mark Barnes 10 Bill Deering 12 Julia Silverman 14 Rachael Royer 16 Amanda Nielsen 18 Rachel Tallant 20 Krista Webster 22 London 24 Annabel Will 26

Amelia Ritter 28 Sari Kuba 30 Aaron Bonsignore 32 Eric Varakian 34 Internships 36 Sasha Reddy 38 Jim Sullivan 40 Corey Lynch 42 Jess Ivey 44 Natalie Hett 46 Convocation 48 Teams 49 Thank You 50

Anthony CELLI

Bethel Woods Poster In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock festival, I designed a poster that captures Bethel Woods’ mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals through the arts and humanities.

antdraws.com

Cherry Bomb Zine Some songs aren’t just about music; they can be very visual. Can you get the vibe of a song without actually hearing it?

After marinating in your basement for a few years and bubbling in the studio for one, this meatball is ready to serve. Here I entered, lightly seasoned and devoid of any sauce. Beaten and kneaded, I was rolled into the juicy entrée that stands before you. Today I leave as a fine piece of Italian cuisine that my ancestors would be proud of. To be honest, they told me this shit had to be 100 words, but I don’t have the brainpower or culinary lingo to drag this letter out to 100 words. I’m not gonna proofread this, on Jah.

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Casey ORLEDGE

Revolutionary Taste A letterpress rebrand of Iron Hill Brewery, which was named after an important battle in the revolutionary war.

Collaboration with Mark Barnes.

caseyaxelia.com

Dear Recitation, I have learned to love all of your little quirks in the past few years. The quirks before the storm – the orange-scented cleaner in the staircase, the sound of ice clinking around in people’s coffees, and the echoes of Bill in the hallway.

Which all lead to the actual storm – the never-ending critiques, a four-hour class during The Bachelor, and many long, sleepless nights. You are my second favorite building on Main Street, second only to El Diablo. You started my east coast hustle mentality and my obsession with coffee, and for that I thank you.

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Carlee MONTGOMERY

Halo Top A campaign focused on enhancing a pleasurable consumer experience through the promotion of National Sex Day, featuring limited edition flavors and new Halo Bottom pints to highlight that every top needs a bottom.

Collaboration with Mallory Russo.

Lyra Get to know your taste in music with Lyra. Users of the Lyra app will be able to discover music through daily curated playlists based on their astrological data.

carleemontgomery.com

Waffle House Waffle House desperately needed a rebrand that appeals to their younger demographic. Collaboration with Annabel Will.

Dear my beloved Reci, Oh, how I miss you. I’m sitting here on who knows what day of quarantine wishing I was out of breath from going up your steps yet pretending I’m not when I walk into the studio. I miss the strange smells in the stairwells and the ten-minute naps on the red couch. Even though I was usually frustrated or confused while I was with you, you were always there for me, and so were the roaches. You’ve seen all of me: the good, the bad, and the ugly, and I’m so sorry. But if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to create dope projects and even doper friendships. I never thought a pandemic would rip us apart, but one day I hope to see your lovely bricks again. Thank you for being the coolest building of all time, It’s been real!

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Mallory RUSSO

Jane A service that helps users optimize their smoking experience through a strain matchmaking process while also offering the purchase and delivery of marijuana products.

malloryrusso.com

Halo Top A campaign focused on enhancing a pleasurable consumer experience through the promotion of National Sex Day, featuring limited edition flavors and new Halo Bottom pints to highlight that every top needs a bottom. Collaboration with Carlee Montgomery.

I have never experienced such mixed emotions over a fucking building. Thank you for providing an environment that encouraged my extremely weird and unorthodox ideas. Despite having to share the senior studio with a bunch of cockroaches, I was lucky to have a space to call my own. Getting work done was a constant struggle when all I wanted to do was socialize. And let’s not forget about my dear friend, the Mac Lab. Thank you for paying me minimum wage to occasionally help customers with their printing needs. I enjoyed every second of the one semester during which I was a part of the workforce. Most importantly, I am thankful to have spent the majority of my senior year with the most amazing group of people.

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Mark BARNES

Star Words When the desire to try 3D modeling in Blender fused with my interest in typography, Star Words was born. Star Words is an intergalactic spellingbased battle game for ages 10+ designed to provide an interactive way to practice and improve spelling skills.

markbarnesdesigns.com

Pupsnout Record Sleeve Letterpress project

I‘ll always appreciate Recitation for being a place that drove my creative interest in making complete nonsense at all times and even encouraged it.

I was prompted here to push my work to new levels and I‘m happy to have applied that advice to silly illustrations rather than actual work. I hope that I can leave my crude doodles strewn about the senior studio for years to come. Also, shout out to the Mac Lab for employing me for three years and letting me scan at 1200dpi for no reason. I had a blast practically living here for MOST of senior year and only wish we could have all just finished there together like normal. Recitation really rocks.

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Julia SILVERMAN

Burger Fling Late night fling didn’t text back? Don’t worry, Burger King has got your needs covered. Text them anytime and they’ll be there quicker than you can text your booty call bae “wyd”.

D&AD New Blood entry 2020. Collaboration with Annabel Will.

juliasilverman.com

Oodles of doodles, man

10 Things I Hate About You (Recitation Edition) I hate the way your stairs creak, and the way you’re filled with bugs. I hate the way your toilets clog. I hate it how you smell like drugs. I hate your big dumb printers and the way they never work, especially right before a project is due.

You can really be a jerk. I hate how you’ve watched me fail harder. I hate how much coffee I’ve consumed within your walls. I hate it when you keep me there ‘til late, and when my inspiration for a concept falls. I hate how you’ve taught me the hard way that one plus one is three, and how sometimes my ideas hit a wall. But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close.

Not even a little bit. Not even at all. Reci, thank you for a stressful, crazy, amazing, wild four years full of growing pains and self-discovery. I have you to thank for it all.

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Rachael ROYER

Welcome to the Underworld Chamonix Resort map inspired by the underworld.

rachroyer.com

Chamonix zine exploring the mountain, written from the perspective of the characters of the underworld.

Dear Recitation, home of the stu (studio).

Rec, you’ve been good. Although we had to cram into tiny basement rooms and all use the one cutting board in the Mac Lab as a collective desk, those were the experiences that made us closer. And I really appreciate our desks in the stu. Sometimes you smell weird, and I know you’re definitely haunted, yet you were still comfy. You are the definition of bittersweet; a contradiction because nothing about you worked, especially the windows, but that’s what made it work for us. I guess you kinda cast a little spell on us VC students. I wish we didn’t have to end like this. See you later.

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Amanda NIELSEN

Cereal Cereal is seeking a new destination for the next City Guide issue. I pulled original photography from my trip to Kona for the next issue, deviating from the usual bustling metropolitan city features to provide a soul-stirring experience.

amandanielsen.com

UDress UDress is known for showcasing student’s handmade clothing pieces, each of which expresses their perspective on the fashion world today. This fall, the theme of the UDress fashion show is a Cosmic Collection, featuring student’s work that is out of this world.

Sometimes I’ll start a project and I don’t even know where it’s going.

I just hope I find it along the way.

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Rachel TALLANT

Casey // Pisces An experimental zine featuring 12 models, each of a different zodiac sign, with a mix of collage, painting, and photography.

Invisible Girl Album art cover design for local Newark music artist, Nic Snow, and his single Invisible Girl.

racheltallant.com

Ghost Boy A series of photographs exploring identity, depression, and a person’s dream-like state.

Things I’ve stolen from Recitation Hall: Paper, at least ten magazines, scissors, two cardboard boxes, Mac keyboard + mouse, phone charger, paper (but bigger), a couple of books, tape, colored pencils, plastic box thing?, ruler(s), sticker paper, some design advice, countless hours of work, a few friends, and more paper.

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Krista WEBSTER

Animaterialities

kristawebster.com

The Changeling Book Cover

The Origins of the Cherry Blossom Festival, illustrated spread

Recitation, I do not say this often: I love you. In many ways, we are alike.

We have hidden treasures. You have cockroaches in your cabinets. I have several bottles of wine in my apartment and an excess of memes on my phone about Epstein (who did not kill himself, by the way). You and only you can tolerate my whack sleep schedule. Thanks for not judging me and letting me be a freak by myself at 3am, screeching Avril Lavigne lyrics into the void and spinning around on your little wheeled chairs like a deranged child.

It is magical and sad that one day I will wake up, pack up my things, and leave you. I will graduate, go off on my own and find new places that, while different, will have their own charm. And I’ll fall in love all over again.

But never the same way. Farewell, Recitation.

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LO loN nD dO oN n In the summer of 2019, VC had the amazing opportunity to travel to London.

For anyone who thinks they speak English in Britain – oh, my dear sir, you are incorrect. They speak British.

Bloody crumpets! Tally oh! God save the queen! We were the Yankees, naively navigating our way through the streets of London to find where Bill had planned our next meeting. The tube was an adventure. This sweaty, fast, labyrinth of underground paths took us from Waterloo to Brixton, from cafe to bar to park as we clutched our sweaty Oyster cards in our pockets.

Our home base was the Art Workers’ Guild, a vertical haven filled with old books, creaky staircases, and all the coffee, tea, and biscuits we could ever desire. We soaked in the words of every speaker that came to visit us, as these were the people who had made it. The legendary ones. From the marvelous Peter Saville to the quirky Wendy Scott, we absorbed new ways of thinking about design. With a feathery flick of his wrist, a man in a turban named Sehmi summoned up the words “fuck you”

oh-so-elegantly. Jim Le Fevre let us in on his magic trick and taught us how to turn a record player into an animation device. Blimey! You had to see it to believe it.

We also traveled beyond the Art Workers’ Guild to meet other creatives.

As we sat on his leathery couch, the brilliant Nadav Kander transported us all into his world of artistic reverie. We met a woman named Emma, and with immense enthusiasm, she showed us her boat with a Toto-like dog trotting behind her. Peter, Wendy, Sehmi, Nadav, Emma, and so many more – these people oozed creativity. Their energy was contagious.

We live now to tell it all, to recount our glory days across the pond.

While it seems impossible that these experiences are now just memories, we will forever keep the skills and connections we’ve made. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly, the group of us who traveled to London can tell you that we truly have a special bond.

london

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Annabel WILL

Chamonix Dare to take on the highest, most dangerous mountain in Europe.

At 4,810 meters high, what goes up must come down one way or another‌

annabelwill.com

Brew Haha Brew Haha is a local cafe in Newark, Delaware that works hard to provide a place of comfort and community. Their goal is to ensure that customers are consistently cozy while also maintaining a sense of familiarity. Collaboration with Natalie Hett.

Burger Fling Late-night fling didn’t text back? Don’t worry – we’ve got your needs covered.

Text us anytime and we’ll be there quicker than you can text your booty call bae “wyd”. D&AD New Blood entry 2020. Collaboration with Julia Silverman.

Hey Reci, It has been REAL. Thanks for starting off the year with good vibes by letting me have the last possible pick of which desk to choose… But on a real note, I love my desk and couldn’t imagine sitting anywhere else! Thank you, Recitation, for giving me some of the most stressful moments of my four years at UD, but also thank you for giving me some of the best friends, times, and memories I’ve ever had! I will miss you. Oh, and thanks for not telling anyone about all the ink I spilled on my desk that left a stain…

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Amelia RITTER

London Illustration of what I packed for the VCUK Summer 2019 trip.

UDairy UDairy Creamery’s new packaging reflects how they create all their ice cream on-site at the University of Delaware dairy farm from cow to cone.

amelia-ritter.com

Travel photography KeeP UP Before KeeP UP there was no productivity app that tracks all aspects of your life: fitness, food, sleep, to-do lists, and more, in one place.

We’ve been stuck in this haunted, architecturally incorrect building that no one knows exists for four whole years. Freshman year, I was pumped to climb three floors at 9am and work on my drawing skills. Sophomore year sucked ‘cause we had to make a shopping bag, so I took a semester off to create magic at Disney. Junior year, we finally began VC and finished up the year with VCUK, and I had the best summer of my life. Senior year, we were finally in the VC studio that I dreamed of as a freshman, and we spent hours making a portfolio that should’ve been done months before. And although we didn’t get a senior show or commencement or graduation or a VC Prom or senior bar crawl, I’m glad that I got to be a part of our small VC family for four years.

And although I still dislike Delaware as an entity, I think I can finally say that I am proud to be a Blue Hen.

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Sari KUBA

Kinfolk Lifestyle magazine Kinfolk was seeking a new edition about life’s ups and downs: The Life Issue.

sarikuba.com

Ipsy Ipsy launches their own makeup line to help their subscribers feel confident letting their unique bodies shine every day.

Dear Recitation, I learned so many things from you that I wish I knew sooner. This is to the girl who tried to cry her way out of taking a digital media and photography class in ninth grade. One: don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Whether it is the physical space or your skills, do not be afraid to try new things. Two: practice makes perfect. You’re not going to be an amazing designer without trying. You have to try and try again. As Bill always says, “fail harder.” Three: prioritize your work. Your portfolio is the most important thing – only do work that you want to see in it. Four: the creative block is real. You’re going to get stumped and you’re not always going to know what to make. Work through it. Five: Recitation is more than a building. It is a learning environment. Use your peers and use the equipment because sooner than you know, it’ll be too late.

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Aaron BONSIGNORE

The Greenroom The Greenroom is the first-ever cannabis exhibit at the longest-running and largest flower show in the nation, The Philadelphia Flower Show. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the project, writing much of the copy for the booth and social media, and assisting some of the strategic direction accompanying a great team with 20nine’s sister company, Chronic.

aaronbonsignore.com

Whatup Old Reci, You, in all your grandeur, have housed and fostered my creative development. You witnessed my tears and it took you two years of core classes to wipe them away. You never judged me for the copious amounts of Chick-fil-A I’ve consumed. Admittedly, I have indulged in the occasional affair with the turf fields, Grotto’s bar, and Studio Arts building, but nothing could keep me away from the senior studio for too long. It’s where I learned not to ask for permission, but rather for forgiveness, and that doing what your professor asks is bad. Whatever they speak into existence, take it a step, nay, 100 steps further. Beyond just my creative ability, you have allowed me to cultivate my knack for copywriting. You’ve shown me what debilitating stress, what ephemeral moments of euphoria, and now what unwavering confidence feels like.

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Eric VARAKIAN

Still from animated song visual and vinyl record design for Lou Reed’s iconic track, Walk On the Wild Side.

ericvarakian.com

Walk on the Wild Side Tickets and concert poster branded around Lou Reed’s Walk On the Wild Side. D&AD New Blood entry 2020.

Recitation Hall? More like Procrastination Hall, am I right?! I have spent many long and agonizing nights in your classrooms that vaguely smell of sweat and tears. Those nights have led to the consumption of countless Uncrustables and Red Bulls that have probably taken ten years off of my life, but I regret none of it. You have been somewhat of a second home to myself and many others. You have taught me the art of hard work and harsh criticism; I cannot thank you enough for that. From my first class of college to my last, you have been the only one with me for the entire journey. Professors, classes, and faces have changed, but Recitation has not. Thank you for guiding me on this adventure. Until we meet again, old friend.

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iI N n Tt Ee R rN nS s hHiIP pS s After searching high and low, asking everyone and their mother if they had recommendations about where to apply and spending hours filling out job applications, we all ( finally) landed internships. And not just the kind where they send you on coffee runs.

I had the opportunity to shadow Matt Lucier, a Director and former VC alum working out of Brooklyn, as well as help out Young Hero, a creative agency that Matt works closely with.

During my time I was able to meet and learn from some amazing creatives in the design, film, and fashion industries. It was also cool getting a feel for the freelance life. With shoots, both within and outside of the city, it was nice to not always be at a desk – although on editing days, there was no way around that. And the amount of great food in NYC, although a bit pricey, was absolutely insane.

People say nine-tofive sucks. They say it’s soul-sucking. They must be in the wrong field. My internship was the classic eighthour work day, but I never knew what was going to happen in those hours. From day one I was on my toes, learning the many things that go into a day in advertising. And there are many. Thank you Red Tettemer for my first swimming lesson in advertising.

You made me love it.

Did you know that at the same nine-tofive desk job, you can learn endless information about weed, baseball, and data architects? I was blessed by the design gods with a riveting winter internship. My experiences included eating a lot of pizza, drinking weekly brews, and sharing lots of laughs with a bunch of new friends. Oh, I also enhanced my copywriting skills.

Much love to my companions at 20nine.

Corey Lynch Matt Lucier

Rachael Royer Red Tettemer

Aaron Bonsignore 20nine

internships

Krista Webster Society of Illustrators

Amelia Ritter Foundrae

Julia Silverman & Annabel Will Havas

My internship at the Society of Illustrators in New York was a treat.

The restaurant at the Society was one of my favorite places. It was not only aesthetic, but also a lovely place for me to work and chat with my co-workers (and eat delicious food, of course). At night, the restaurant turned into a studio where I got to attend the Society’s famous sketch nights and draw elaborately costumed models while mingling with other illustrators. Interning at the Society was truly a wonderful experience!

Although I literally didn’t figure out my internship until winter break had started already, I had a great time. I got to design for Foundrae which is a high-end gold jewelry company in NYC. It’s a small company, so I got to try on many hats and help out in every aspect of the company. The highlight of my internship was getting the opportunity to design a Foundrae bracelet for Gwyneth Paltrow!

Day one. Hour one. Annabel and I successfully locked ourselves out of the office in the stairwell trying to find the kitchen. Eight floors and many flights of stairs later, someone finally rescued us on the fifth floor. Thankfully, the rest of our time at Havas was (mostly) smooth sailing. Allyn and Chandler, our mentors, were the absolute best.

By the end of the five weeks, we called them mom and dad. This really went for everyone at the agency. Our desk neighbors were great, too, and we quickly became friends with anyone and everyone who brought their dog to the office.

Shout out Luca, Zoro, and Graham, the cutest, most well-behaved pups in New York City! It was truly the people (and pups) that made our experience so unforgettable. To our Havas family, we’re forever indebted.

Mark Barnes – Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, Aaron Bonsignore – 20nine, Anthony Celli – Printfresh Studio, Natalie Hett – Dragon Rouge, Jessica Ivey – Bloom Daily Planners, Sari Kuba – Open, Corey Lynch – Matt Lucier, Carlee Montgomery – UD Alumni Relations, Amanda Nielson – Siegfried, Casey Orledge – University of Delaware Athletics, Sasha Reddy – Juniper Group Media, Amelia Ritter – Foundrae, Rachael Royer – Red Tettemer, Mallory Russo – UD College of Arts and Sciences , Julia Silverman – Havas, Jim Sullivan – Grand Army, Rachel Tallant – Hockessin Athletic Club, Eric Varakian – Klip Collective, Krista Webster – Society of Illustrators, Annabel Will – Havas

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Sasha REDDY

Bethel Woods Submission to the 2019 Peace, Love & Posters Contest celebrating the golden anniversary of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The central illustration (watercolor and graphite) is comprised of a pyramid of elements representing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

sashareddy.com

Wink Wink Coffee is formulated with choline, a nutrient found in fish, to help consumers stay alert without missing out on a good night’s rest.

Hey, Reci. Just poppin’ in to say thanks. For the 9:00 am Mac Lab rushes, the eerie echoes after dark, and the afternoon cat-naps. For the happy lulls and the not-so-happy tears shed on top of the drawing studio lockers. For the microwave, and for all the late-night, Kickstart-fueled mac ‘n cheese runs to 7-eleven. For Brinley and Robyn’s come-to-Jesus spiels, Bill’s funny (and maybe a tad distracting) digressions, and Ashley’s never-ending alphabets.

And, yes, even for the cockroaches. Everyone always says that no one on their deathbed wishes they had done more work. And while Reci has been a hub for hard work over the past four years, in my final days at UD, I really do wish I had spent more time savoring it.

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Jim SULLIVAN

The Adhesive Dinosaur The Adhesive Dinosaur is a subversive sticker project that started in 2012 as my main creative outlet. Once rooted in the street art community, it has developed into a personal brand.

jimsull.com

Fugazi Fugazi wants to inspire people to become more aware of issues surrounding substance abuse within music culture. D&AD New Blood entry 2020.

Apparently in the 90s, Recitation was taken over by the art department, who altered the original construction of the building to get rid of the “occult architecture” that was causing paranormal activity. Rumor has it that the department used black magic to do away with the building’s curse. Since then, nothing paranormal has been reported. This would be perfect for a horror film. Email me – let’s make that happen.

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Corey LYNCH

The Adhesive Dinosaur Utilizing the abstraction of lines for a mini-documentary & social media content to hype the release of Adhesive Dinosaur’s newest line of hand-printed shirts.

coreylynch.com

Expressions Des Passions An exploration of self through poetry and the abstraction of color.

The Real Ingredients of Whopper City A reality TV universe that personifies the ingredients of the Whopper, based on abstracted traits, to highlight the “real-ness” of what goes into Burger King’s delicious burger. D&AD New Blood entry 2020.

Recitation, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. We’ve been through a lot me and you. You’ve taught me so much in our short time together: the artistic process, how to think like a designer, and that spiders really can grow that big in Delaware. You’ve helped me transform from a kid who didn’t know a thing about the real world to a kid who now knows he doesn’t know a thing about the real world, so thanks for that. Climbing the ranks from your windowless basement up to the holy land that is the senior studio really has been a special journey. Through blood, sweat, and an unhealthy amount of caffeine, I’ve been able to persevere and develop just how I choose to see the world as a creative.

For this and much more, I’ll always be thankful.

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Jess IVEY Photoshoot Photo experimentation with color, light, and models.

COVID-Wineteen Creating a little comedy during a global pandemic to ease the stress the media is causing.

Branding, art direction, Photoshop, Procreate, package design, typographic design.

jessicaiveyart.com

“Maggiezine” Fashion-focused photography and design collaboration with a model named Maggie, as well as a fashion merchandising major on campus. Art direction, photography, Photoshop, typographic design, InDesign.

Rocket Illustration Illustration with iPad Procreate program. Focus on 3D illustration, color relationships, value, texture, and mood.

From the funky basement walls to the dusty, yet endearing, third-floor skylights, this building has been my creative home for four years. I’ve collected countless memories of overcoming creative blocks, laughing with my classmates at 2am while working to finish projects, and more. While touring UD for the first time four years ago, I arrived in Recitation and was overwhelmingly ecstatic to imagine myself as a senior one day, working in the famous senior studio.

I was told I belonged here by a senior who saw my potential and excitement to create. Since then, I’ve learned so much in Recitation about how to hone my artistic passions, and I’ve begun to really see the creative I’m meant to be.

Overall rating: 9/10. Pros: everything I’ve said thus far. Cons: there are too many stairs; weirdly, tons of us artists are asthmatic.

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Natalie HETT

Hearts Speak Branding Hearts Speak is a non-profit organization that works to advocate for and improve the image of animal shelters by utilizing its network of over 500 artist volunteers. The branding campaign was focused on grabbing the attention of photographers, through the use of optimistic and inviting messaging, colors, and hand-done type. Collaboration with Annabel Will.

nataliehett.com

Brew Haha Brew Haha is a cozy coffee shop in the college town of Newark, DE. The branding concept, “A Daily Dose of Comfort,” was aimed at creating a homey and personal feel through the hand-drawn logo and illustrations. Collaboration with Annabel Will.

RefActive Reformation is a sustainable fashion company that launches limited edition lines of products using deadstock fabric. Their product lines range from wedding dresses to jeans and everything in between, but an activewear line was missing.

Launching in summer 2020, RefActive is Reformation’s new limited-edition, completely sustainable activewear line. Get it while it’s hot. Collaboration with Rachael Royer.

Recitation, it has been one hell of a roller coaster to call you home these last four years. Yes, there were days of anxiety and self-doubt where I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. Yes, there were days of running on no sleep, and days where this snack queen forgot her favorite snacks. And yes, there were days where I ran away from wasps, spiders, and roaches (but, luckily not all in the same day)! But, with all that aside, you have given me some of my very best friends who I will cherish for life. You have been one of the best eating and sleeping spots, aka El Diablo would put me into a food coma and I would take a lovely nap with my blue plush blanket. And finally, you have been a safe place for me to find out who I am as a designer, as a letterer, and even as a human being. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my home and such a meaningful part of my life.

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COVID-19

‘20 I thought this speech would find you sitting by the art buildings watching your immensely talented graduate grinning ear to ear in their violently too royally royal blue cap and gown. Unfortunately, you now have the honor of reading this all on your own. I won’t get to slip in my inflections or raise an eyebrow when I say something sarcastic. I won’t get to hold for applause or pause when a baby in the crowd interrupts me. But, at least you won’t see me shaking due to my crippling stage fright. That’s a plus. Ok, now let’s get into it.

If I had to write a book about college, it’d be titled, “College is the Best Four Years of Your Life, and Other Lies”. The truth is, college isn’t the best four years. It’s full of growing pains and learning curves and obstacles. It’s full of late nights in Recitation and jammed printers and failing harder. It’s full of learning that, against everything that math has taught us, one plus one is indeed three and everything (yes, everything) needs a concept. But looking back on it now, we wouldn’t change a thing.

We came in as eager, hungry freshmen, finding ourselves freshly sloppy in the pursuit of our passions. Through each core class, we sculpted, welded, molded, painted, drew, cut, pasted, and honed our craft, with a few x-acto nicks along the way. Our professors were, and continue to be, our biggest advocates, insisting that we be relentlessly innovative.

(or if you’re like me, on your ass) in the senior studio as official VC majors. It’s been anything but easy.

With the echoes of David Brinley saying ‘model stand’ followed by a swift clap, Robyn insisting we find the concept, Bill keeping us on our toes about portfolios, and Ashley always reminding us not to be too judgmental, we discovered the golden lesson that everyone who goes to art school learns; your greatest tool is yourself. Through every New York trip, speaker visit, and library excursion, endless hours of research, and the occasional break to have fun in the studio, we’ve grown into stronger artists and people.

In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Sallinger writes, “I think that one of these days...you’re going to have to find out where you want to go. And then you’ve got to start going there. But immediately. You can’t afford to lose a minute.” Visual Communications has done the thankless job of instilling in us young creatives just that. We must ask not for permission, but forgiveness and head fearlessly in the direction of our goals.

If there’s anything I think we’ve all learned along the way, it’s that people like us are unique, and in some twisted way, so is this commencement speech (which really isn’t a speech at all). Here’s to never being typical and here’s to us, VC class of 2020.

We faked it ‘till we made it.

And innovative we were. Sitting in the musty basement of Recitation, within the cement dungeon of Taylor Hall and the sawdust-filled halls of Studio Arts, we spawned worlds from our imaginations.

There were pinhole cameras made from take-out containers, type specimens from building blocks, and pizza slices from aluminum casts. After three years of making, we somehow landed on our feet

convocation

COMMENCEMENT Julia Silverman

But one thing remains true. Nothing in this whole world can keep us from being what we are:

creatives.

CREATIVES.

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Thank YOU You can’t do it alone. You don’t pull good design out of thin air. Good design is a result of curiosity, collaboration, and making.

The Visual Communications program lays all the tools we could possibly need out in front of us but then leaves it up to us to pick them up. That’s the mark of a good education. No one can force someone to care, but that’s the magic of VC. It doesn’t force us but inspires us. It ignites us to want to do something.

It prepares us for the excruciating, sleepless nights of a creative. For the harsh, but true crit that the concept doesn’t make any sense. For that anxious moment of presenting the solution to the client. It inspires us to literally look up. To see ideas and inspiration everywhere and make creativity not just a degree but a lifestyle.

The Class of 2020 thanks all the VC faculty for pushing us, even when we thought we had creatively run dry. Thank you to Martha Carothers, Colette Gaiter, Ashley Pigford, David Brinley, Gary Chang, Robyn Phillips-Pendleton, and Bill Deering for countless lessons, both in and out of the classroom. For never allowing us to be content. For instilling in us the desire to stay hungry, to stay creative.

Inspiration comes from all directions, and we found a lot of it in our other art classes. Thank you to Gregg Shelnutt, Chair of the Department of Art and Design, Jon Cox, Abby Donovan, Rene Marquez, David Meyer, Priscilla Smith, Amy Hicks, Ian Sampson, Aaron Terry, Peter Williams, Lance Winn as well as the graduate students and other faculty in the department. You were always there to relieve us of the concept-creating induced headaches and excite us to try something new.

There is always a hard-working team behind the scenes, making everything run smoothly. Thank you to Cindy Delaney, Amber Bonsall, Nate Sherman, Peter Schwenk, and the many site monitors and cage attendants making sure we can always make our projects print right.

We got a really big team. But these are the people that make Visual Communications special. Thank you for an unforgettable college career.

We promise to stay making.

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thank you

Dream TEAMS Advisor Bill Deering

Editor Sasha Reddy

Branding Mark Barnes Aaron Bonsignore Natalie Hett Corey Lynch Amelia Ritter Jim Sullivan Rachel Tallant

Hanging Anthony Celli Carlee Montgomery Mallory Russo Social Media Natalie Hett Sari Kuba Carlee Montgomery Mallory Russo Annabel Will

Book Sari Kuba Amanda Nielsen Casey Orledge Rachael Royer Julia Silverman Jim Sullivan Eric Varakian Krista Webster

Photo Team Anthony Celli Jess Ivey Amanda Nielsen Casey Orledge Rachel Tallant

Copy Aaron Bonsignore Corey Lynch Rachael Royer Julia Silverman Krista Webster

Producer Sasha Reddy Video Corey Lynch Eric Varakian

teams

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