The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University
The Graphic Design Blog
A group of two had to strategize and design the selected topic from the Colbert Report show to be hang up on the wall during 2 hours and 40 minutes of each class period.
They had to complete and construct all of the installation work directly on the hallway walls by having all of the content and materials ready in advance.
impromptustudio was created promptly after the Boston Marathon bombings. As a group of Master of Graphic design student taught by Professor Dimov, they wanted to do something for the victims through art.They came up with a “Bottles of Good” initiative, tucking healing messages and plant seeds into water bottles. “Water symbolizes replenishment—both on the marathon route and philosophically,” explains Dimov. “The seeds represent rebirth.” The students personally approached the Brigham and several other hospitals, and delivered bottles to 37 patients.
Each bottle’s message, signed by the class, read: “You are receiving this small token of empathy from a dedicated group of admirers. As young designers looking for inspiration, you stimulated our creativity and we decided to dedicate this piece to you. We admire your courage. It gives us hope and empowers us to live better. Please accept our love and warmest wishes for a speedy recovery and a fulfilling life ahead.”
Brigham and Women’s Hospital was wowed by the group’s compassion and asked them to create a larger installation, prominently displayed in the hospital’s lobby, to honor the victims. The team threw themselves into construction, liaising with hospital engineers and working outside of classroom hours to get the job done.
“I couldn’t speak more highly of these students,” says Kristen Koch, the hospital’s operations manager. “They worked day and night for ten days.” Koch says the display has captivated hospital staff and visitors alike. “One marathon victim even came on installation day to thank them personally,” she adds.
The design resembles a wishing well, representing a “waterfall of goodness overflowing with compassion,” Dimov says. Notes, cards, and banners are strung from the wall using yellow and blue ribbons, the marathon’s official colors, as well as from shoelaces tied as bows, a symbolic touch. Students also crafted a sign to accompany the mementos—the heartfelt message ends with a resounding “Brigham strong!”
The installation remains through July, but it’s just the beginning for Dimov’s designers. He’s now building what he calls an “impromptu studio,” an evolving space at Suffolk where civic-minded students can create art for hospitals, nonprofits, and other community partners. “It’s a bridge between the classroom and the real world,” he says. “After the response from Brigham and Women’s, we’re so excited and encouraged.”
Check Out “Wishing Wall” video:
Environmental Graphic Design
A Multi-Disciplinary Class
Instructors
Rita Daly, Graphic Design & Sen Mendoza, Interior Design
Project
A Study of Light & Shadow
Assignment
Design and fabrication of an individual window display based on the interpretation of a Shakespearian play quote, constructed out of paper with the addition of lighting to convey variety of moods.
The display was designed to appear in the Park Plaza street-level storefronts facing Arlington Street.
The quote can represent a contemporary interpretation or its meaning can be taken directly from the play.
Project Purpose
– RICHARD III
“For most people, launching a business in less than a year is a daunting task.
But Suffolk students aren’t most people.”
For the last six months, three entrepreneurship students—Trevor Young, Eric Hollenberg, and Joel Edwards—have spent nearly every day together building their business: Boston Uncharted.
Their company develops maps of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods, such as the North End and Beacon Hill. The maps provide interesting history facts and exclusive deals to local retailers and restaurants. Printed on Tyvek material, the maps are rip proof, water proof, and wrinkle proof.
Suffolk Offers a Helping Hand
How did they get the ball rolling so quickly? They took advantage of Suffolk’s resources.
“This business would still be an idea without Suffolk,” said Young.
They worked with nine Suffolk interns who are studying anything from finance, graphic design, and history to journalism and entrepreneurship. One intern in particular, graphic design major Shubha Roy, was instrumental in moving the product forward.
“She worked with us almost every day—modeling and tweaking the maps. She was a valuable asset and prime example of what students can achieve when they put their mind and energy into something,” Young said.
Young and his team also collaborated with students in Professor George Moker’s Financial and Legal Startup course.
“The school has been there every step of the way. We’re working with faculty to have the Beacon Hill Edition be distributed to incoming and touring students. We want students, their parents, and the city of Boston to recognize that Suffolk has the resources and intellect to create a product that required an interdisciplinary effort,” Young said.
Stepping up Their Game
The most important lesson they’ve learned along the way—face your challenges head on.
“Every situation is a learning experience. You can’t succeed without failing, recognizing why, and making improvements,” said Young.
They hit their first road block when the North End Chamber of Commerce proposed extreme changes to drive down the cost of the map.
“We had to stand our ground and decline their offer. We didn’t slow down. Instead, we moved forward by pitching to independent businesses. This taught us to stay strong and persistent,” Young said.
Persistence Leads to Success
And all that hard work is paying off.
Boston Uncharted is printing 5,000 maps for the North End and Beacon Hill. And now they’re pitching their product to local businesses.
As the president of sales and chief of technology, Edwards is leading the charge in finding new opportunities and connections. “Without Joel, the business would still be a big idea rather than a tangible product,” said Young.
Young is the president and creative director. He oversees the daily operations, works with the graphic designers, and handles the legal issues.
Hollenberg is the CEO and brainchild behind the business. “He’s the ideas man, the motivator, and problem solver. This business is his baby, and he’ll do anything to see it live,” Young said.
Boston Uncharted is Just the Beginning
They have big plans for the future. The three plan to expand their product into other major cities, including Chicago; Washington, DC; and Philadelphia.
They’re also developing an interactive app that will suggest retailers, restaurants, and entertainment for different target audiences.
We were so proud to have the opportunity of presenting the wonderful thesis works of Master of Graphic Design graduates at Adam’s gallery, 120 Tremont St. (Suffolk Law Building). The opening show that took place on Friday, August 23rd 2013 was well attended by the family, friends, alumni, instructors, and regional designers around Greater Boston area. The works are unique, well executed, innovative and interesting for public viewing.
Come to visit and see all of the works from our talented MAGD graduates at Adam’s Gallery until mid of November 2013!
Forward(ed) thinking. Your presence is requested as the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University proudly presents work from recent graphic design graduate students. See our response to some of today’s issues and leave your thoughts as part of our interactive exhibit.
Friday, August 23rd, from 6-9pm at the Adams Gallery at Suffolk University.
Show runs from August 23-September 16. This event is free and open to the public.
Adams Gallery
Suffolk University Law School
120 Tremont Street
First Floor
Boston, MA
Music is a mind-altering tool as strong as any drug. Since many artists get ideas from other media and most visual artists listen to music when they work, Atlantic Works has launched a group show that celebrates art made under the influence of music.
These pieces raise the question, how can ideas raised by one art form find resolution in another? The exchange is lively and fun and it shows how profoundly art and artists reflect our time and our culture.
For more information on the show, please visit www.atlanticworks.org.
This past Wednesday NESAD once again hosted an AIGA Afta party. Put together by NESAD’s own group of MAGD group, GAGA, the event was meant to serve as a networking social for graphic design professionals and students and to act as a chance to mingle, cut loose, and have some fun.
AIGA, The Professional Association for Design, is a national organization that is a place to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research, and advance the education of design. NESAD was given the privilege to host one of the “Afta series” events, a networking social event intended for after work.
The event was held at The CharlesMark Hotel on Boylston Street. Look out for futher events to be held by GAGA.
We were afforded the wonderful opportunity of presenting the thesis work of our most recent group of Masters in Graphic Design graduates at Digitas, one of the preeminent agencies in Boston, and beyond.
It was a great occasion for all of our students, with their work viewed by, not only family and friends, alumni, instructors, regional designers, but a number of Digitas’ 700 employees at their Boston location.
“This is just what we should be doing as a department and as an art school. The work produced in NESAD’s masters departments, Graphic Design and Interiors, and our BFA programs in Fine Arts, Illustration, Graphic and Interior Design are unique, innovative and professional; worthy reasons for public viewing.” Quoted Rita Daly MAGD Program Director
The show, Departure Point, attended by upwards of 200 visitors, took place on Thursday January 24, 2013. Thesis project topics covered and incredible variety of subjects from a web site geared to forming a society of designers “Designation”, a way of seeing the consumers through selecting the beer they like most “For the Love of Beer” to “Alternia”, exploring the disconnect between education and technology.
