Graphic Design

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https://hdl.handle.net/10217/180169

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Open Access
Abigail Curran: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Curran, Abigail, artist
The artist's statement: I have never had a personal connection to the label "graphic design" because that does not eloquently describe how I create. I have always been very passionate and caring about other people no matter how familiar I am with them and I like to approach my designs in a similar way. I listen to what is generally expected and I add my own sense of personality to that conversation through bold color, playful typography, and composition that really activates the space it consumes. My goal with design is not only functionality but also personality, to create an experience that surprises people like a great plot twist in a novel. I want people to look at something that may seem ordinary and appreciate the joy of surprise. My illustration style is a mixture of surrealistic whimsy and stylized realism that I create both digitally and traditionally. My typography is compartmentalized, bold, and playful like me. My work is me; quirky, elegant, humorous, quick witted, intellectual and adaptive. The interpersonal relationship I aim to create between type and imagery is a conversation that I treat with the same attention and care that I would with people I talk to. My current work focuses primarily on how my arrangement of type and image evoke different emotion and elements of surprise. My intent is to communicate my passion and personality through my design by stimulating people's curiosity in what could have been mundane. I want to elevate the ordinary objects people use every day and give them personality not just functionality.
Open Access
Abigail Flitton: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Flitton, Abigail, artist
The artist's statement: As an illustrator and designer, I strive to use my skills in drawing and storytelling to create compelling and functional work. Hand-drawn type is a common feature within my work. I also explore the ways in which traditional art media can be melded within the digital world, in order to build off of the foundations of vector illustration and inorganic typography. My work is diverse, showcasing my whimsical illustration style when appropriate, yet utilizing essential design elements of typography and hierarchy to function as a communication tool.
Open Access
Abigail Howshar: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Howshar, Abigail, artist
The artist's statement: As a graphic designer, I am passionate about creating visually compelling designs that effectively communicate a message or tell a story. Being born and raised in Colorado my work is deeply influenced by the natural beauty and the environment. I am constantly inspired by the colors, textures, and patterns found in the mountains and cities that surround me. My goal is to create designs that not only look beautiful but also serve a functional purpose. Whether it's a logo, a website, or a print advertisement, I strive to create designs that capture the essence of a brand or project and resonate with its intended audience. I believe that design is about connecting people on another level. I approach each project with attention to detail and a deep understanding of the principles of design. I first begin my process by researching trends and topics as well as the target audience. Then I define my project by sketching and creating mood boards. Next, I create, refine, and present my final production while leaving room for review and evaluation. Each project and client are unique, and it is my job to ensure that their vision is brought to life. Ultimately, my goal as a graphic designer is to create designs that inspire and engage people, while also helping clients and businesses achieve their goals. Whether it's through typography, color, or composition, I strive to create designs that leave a lasting impression and make a positive impact. I am constantly exploring new techniques and always learning. No matter where my work takes me, I will always be rooted in my love of nature that Colorado has raised me with.
Open Access
Adam Maxwell: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Maxwell, Adam, artist
The artist's statement: As an artist I've always felt like I walk a fine line between art and business, and I have been trying to resolve that for most of my college career. Then I came across a quote from the famous designer Henrik Fiskar, "If design isn't profitable then it's art" and this really managed to sum up my thoughts. I am an artist and creative type, but my context isn't some social or political issue, its business. I used to joke about being a mercenary artist, but as time goes on this playful jibe has become closer to the truth. I am always trying to push artistic boundaries, find new trends, and try new ideas, but in a modern world I find that money is my biggest motivator. My art isn't for me; it's for my boss and for the public at large. We are surrounded on all sides by advertisement and branding at all times. So why shouldn't it be good design? I have the skills and the capability of making the world a more beautiful place. The most successful brands in America that become household names such as Tesla, Beats by Dre, and Apple all build from the idea of design, and usability. Many people buy these products because of their design and branding. It's about the image these things create, and the brand that has been built around them. This is where I make my difference.
Open Access
Alanis Hernandez: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Hernandez, Alanis, artist
The artist's statement: My illustrations and prints mostly center around my identity and cultural heritage, specifically about what it means to be a first generation Latina living in the United States. My art has allowed me to create depictions of my family and cultural roots. One of my main goals is to focus on all parts of my lived experiences both good and bad. Being able to tell stories of my community is an essential aspect of my art and expression. In my work I often like to juxtapose happy and bright imagery with concepts and storytelling of my hardships and struggles I’ve had to face. I do most of my work digitally and through printmaking, though I don't limit myself to solely those mediums. My art process typically entails days of brainstorming followed by initial sketches. Initial sketches and ideas are typically the longest part of my process as I like to pursue a variety of different ideas until one stands out to me most. Once I have an idea that works best to me I am able to hone in on details and final adjustments fairly quickly. I enjoy experimenting with different techniques and often combine both digital and printmaking. A lot of my work can be characterized often through bold strokes, vibrant color palettes and a lot of texture. These elements are what allow me to best create a relationship between my identity and art.
Open Access
Alec Broughton: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Broughton, Alec, artist
The artist's statement: In a time where authenticity is lacking in the interactions between brands and their audience, it is ever more apparent how important it is to be genuine. We live in a digital age where computers do the majority of the work for us. The pencil and paper have been replaced with the computer. Many modern brands are lacking in honesty and craft because of this and in the digital age, brands blend and meld together, none more unique than the other. I intend to create authentic and genuine artifacts. I use traditional tools along with modern technology to create visual works that transcend traditional elements. The most important aspect of my work is the most human: craft. Everything begins with a pencil and paper. When a viewer can tell that the work behind a product is carefully crafted, it instantly helps to build rapport before they even interact. The brand, the designer, and the viewer all have a similar goal: to strive greatness with the presence of imperfection. I draw a lot of my inspiration from the design of America and Europe in the early 20th century. The importance of detail paramount in this era. There are such small parts of the finished product that complete the overall vision of the artist. Designers like Herb Lubalin, Alexander Rodchenko, and Saul Bass were pioneers in design and art during a time where innovation was the cornerstone of our culture. I create to provide a feeling of nostalgia, like a distant memory which we wish to rediscover. I strive to be a good designer, a good father, a good brother, a good son... and to leave a legacy that lasts through my work.
Open Access
Alexandra Gulyan: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Gulyan, Alexandra, artist
The artist's statement: How can I make something that others will enjoy? This is a question I often ask myself as I work. Life these days can often be hectic and stressful. However, art presents a way to take a step back and smell the flowers, so to speak. As an artist, I aim to create pieces that are visually intriguing to look at. A goal of mine is to create something that will persuade the viewer to take a moment from their busy day and enjoy the small things in life, such as beautiful colors and soft textures. I am drawn towards graphic styles of art, and bright colors are a common theme throughout a lot of my work. I also like to experiment with different concepts, such as dualities in the natural world. I tend to gravitate towards the fiber arts as the medium is versatile and easy to manipulate and I enjoy being able to use the many textures and materials found within the fiber arts. In my graphic design work, I often use color to communicate ideas. I try to stick to clean designs as much as possible because ultimately, the information is what is most important. My goal when working is to let it shine through as much as possible, while still remaining visually interesting.
Open Access
Ali Okano: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Okano, Ali, artist
The artist's statement: As a designer and illustrator I am most interested in 2-d, surface design. The idea of using visual elements to entice or manipulate people’s perception is fascinating and exciting; for me this makes design the perfect tool to explore the connection between human psychology and symbols, colors and 'iconography'. Decoding why these icons exist and the ways they function in our daily lives is the basis of all my work.
Open Access
Ali Pierce: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Pierce, Ali, artist
The artist's statement: The current visual landscape is incredibly saturate. It seems like everywhere you look, there's optical stimuli fighting for acknowledgement. It's exhausting. In my design practice, I aspire to create imagery that not only grabs viewers' attention but keeps it. I catch eyes by utilizing vibrantly demanding colors and intentional secondary elements that provoke further consideration from the spectator. This can be a play on words, unique illustrations based on backstories, or analog elements like collage that are a bit out of the ordinary. When creating a poster zine detailing cardiovascular disease prevention research, I titled the primary poster "vastacular," combining the words vascular and spectacular to reiterate the positive impact of CVD deterrence. As I designed a T-shirt for United Way of Larimer County, I incorporated landmarks from their regional areas of focus into the illustration, including Horsetooth for Fort Collins, Devils Backbone for Loveland, and Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park for Estes. These components invite audiences to take a closer look at my designs and reflect on the associated stories they tell. I am particularly passionate about messaging that advocated for human rights and promotes positive mental health, creating visuals that can have a deeper impact.
Open Access
Allie Leslie: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Leslie, Allie, artist
The artist's statement: As a Graphic Designer and Photographer, I use these titles as the groundwork that allows me to be a spotlight-er and flashlight holder for expression, prospering brands, and businesses. I use my art as a vessel to provide creative offerings to others through digitized nuggets ranging in; the exploration of graphics used to create and compile visual brand language, to frozen snapshots of raw emotion standing through the permeance of real-time. Inside each of these facets, lies the potential to create and sustain new worlds as a hub of fresh perspectives and values. I look forward to the opportunity to keep creating in the realm of providing to others, by continuously passing on what I can provide, which in turn allows me to feel the most fulfilled, soulfully. To me, that is the purpose of art, in the purest, selfless form that it takes, acting as a constant in flux entity that can be morphed and cherished through endless ways of viewing it, depending on the particular eye acting on such.
Open Access
Allie Watkinson: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Watkinson, Allie, artist
The artist's statement: When I was first asked, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" As a little kid, I replied that I wanted to be an artist. Over the years that answer would change. Even going into college, I started with a major in computer science. Eventually, I realized that little me was right. I wanted to create and make art. I am at my best when I'm being creative. So, I changed my degree to a B.F.A. in graphic design. I chose to concentrate on graphic design because I enjoy communicating with an audience. I especially like communicating the right emotion to an audience. That is what I usually try to start with when making a design. What mood do I want to communicate? I like how the smallest detail, whether that be color, type, illustration, etc., can change the feeling the viewer gets when looking at the piece. When I'm given an assignment from a client, I start with brainstorming a list of different paths I could go with for a design. I move on to sketching the best ideas on paper. Keeping the sketching faze on paper helps me stay loose and allows me to quickly explore every idea at different angles. I take my best sketches and bring them to my client to see what direction they want me to go in and I start bringing the sketches onto the computer. When I'm finalizing a design, I like to create a few different versions for the clients to choose from so they can feel satisfied with the end product. My ultimate goal of designing, for me, is to create effective, interesting designs that are satisfying to the client and the audience that it is meant for.
Open Access
Allison Shaw: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Shaw, Allison, artist
The artist's statement: It is said that "a picture is worth a thousand words", however, the quantity of words a graphic designer needs is often no more than a few. Within design and form, we create impact. Shapes, colors, and texture are all elements used to evoke a response. The impact and response that comes from art is what pushes me to pursue graphic design, the art of visual communication. The body of work I have created over the course of my college career helped me discover how I can say a lot, with only a little. I embrace the simple shapes and explore the innovative solutions they possess. A shape as simple as a circle communicates unity and endurance. A square represents balance and stability. A visual identity gives clients a voice and an opportunity to say much with little. My passion is to help people. Whether it is simply holding a door open or volunteering for a good cause, I want to use my abilities toward the good of the people. My abilities in graphic design are no exception. As I continue with graphic design, I aspire to help even more people who are in need of a creative eye and create an impact worth a thousand words.
Open Access
Alyson Economou: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Economou, Alyson, artist
The artist's statement: My design work is highly influenced by my art practice, especially through my use of color and my focus on how the eye moves across the page. When I'm able, I prefer to take on projects that help improve the world around me and give back to local communities.
Open Access
Amanda Freymuth: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Freymuth, Amanda, artist
The artist's statement: If I could describe my work as a graphic design student in one word, it would be 'experimental.' When I first started my concentration, all I knew about graphic design was that it involved making art on the computer. That definition quickly expanded to include any art that was made for public use, with the intent of marketing to a broad audience. Coming from my entry level art courses, which mostly encouraged experimentation, I struggled at first to find a balance between my own personal style and the required elements for a successful design piece. My earliest logo designs were scrapped due to illegibility of both type and design, and my illustrations were either overly simplistic or complex. It was only when I accepted that graphic design was as much of a business as it was an art form that I feel my work started to blossom. Even when the confines of my chosen career path became clear to me, I still wanted to experiment as much as possible. Every single piece I work on has gone through multiple levels of experimentation before I arrived at the final product. Some were simple color changes; the background of my redesign of the two page magazine spread for The Atlantic article "Living Smaller" changed from multiple shades of green until I settled on a simple white background. Others were far more complicated. It took several layout sketches and mockups to arrive at the final six images of my animated storyboard for the German film The Wave, and several different layout and font choices were tried before I settled on the final design from my four page magazine spread entitled "History of the '#'". In my later concentration classes, I was tasked with either creating or expanding on an existing brand. While at first glance these assignments may seem to have been incredibly limiting, I found them to be the most creatively interesting for me as a designer. Not only did I have to define the corporate fonts to be used for the duration of each series of projects, but I had to design nearly everything about them from the ground up, including logos, typefaces, website pages, advertisements, and so on. Each project provided me with a new challenge, as well as a new opportunity to experiment using my knowledge from previous assignments as a base. The first of these two semester-long assignments was redesigning the corporate look for the Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition, or CIIPE for short, of which my instructor, Phil Risbeck, is co-director of I, along with other students in his class, was tasked with single-handedly redesigning the logo and designing a corporate typeface, website, and advertisement. All of these projects stick out quite firmly in my mind due to both the difficulty and the amount of fun I had with each of them. My typeface, in particular, came from a happy accident while I was placing the previously designed logo on a t-shirt mockup. I liked how the resulting lights and shadows within the logo played with each other, and decided to apply the same style to my typeface as well as subsequent uses of my logo. During my final semester I focused mainly on finding new ways to approach problems I had tackled in previous classes. In similar situation to the above project, I was tasked with creating my own political party, complete with logo, campaign slogan, and platform. Additionally, I was to design posters, a stationary set, a website, and a board game, including game pieces. Since these projects were not based on any pre-established brand, it was the perfect opportunity for me to experiment, as well as demonstrate the skills I learned both inside the CSU Art Department and outside. As I tend to avoid current events when it comes to my design work, I decided to take a humorous approach to the assignment and created the Ninja Party, based off of the old 'Pirates vs. Ninjas' Internet phenomenon and my finding of a real life Pirate Party while doing research for ideas. I based the logo on the edgy, dark motifs typically associated with ninjas in popular culture, but gave it a sense of elegance by evoking cursive handwriting using my own handmade typeface and a shuriken, or throwing star, as a flourish. The logo became the basis on which I designed all of the following projects in the series. As I finish my time at Colorado State University, I find that I have gained a unique skillset. I believe that this can be attributed both to my instructors, who helped me discover my place in the graphic design world, and my own willingness and eagerness to experiment whenever possible. I hope that my experiments in graphic design were, and will continue to be a success as I move further into the real world.
Open Access
Amanda Green: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Green, Amanda, artist
The artist's statement: When people ask me what exactly a graphic designer does, I usually have the same answer: "have you looked at anything lately?" As designers, we have the opportunity to bring art into the everyday, and it is this concept that I want to emphasize in my work. I am interested in the ways in which I can imbue meaning, impact, and artistic beauty in the everyday. In my work, I want to emphasize color and the simple beauty of well-arranged type. I want people to be pleasantly surprised some small detail that lends new meaning to the work. I want to communicate the ideas of my clients while remaining true to my own sense of style. The goal of my design work is to create opportunities for everyday objects to become art. I believe that there is value, and perhaps an obligation to do so, in bringing art closer to the everyday person and through this we might make the world a better place to look at and live in.
Open Access
Amanda Hogen: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Hogen, Amanda, artist
The artist's statement: As a graphic designer, I find my work to incorporate a traditional message of producing images and text that catches the audience's eye. At first, I didn't know where my work as a graphic designer was going. I then was fortunate enough to receive real world experience within advertisement, marketing, and social media. My completed work ranges throughout marketing, packaging design, rebranding, creative work, and social media. With each piece, I am able to produce clear information out to the audience through typography and imagery. As a designer, my desired work remains in the field of marketing.
Open Access
Amelia Falldorf: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Falldorf, Amelia, artist
The artist's statement: Technology itself may be, to some, nothing more than a tool with which to expedite the process of creation; one need only think of the Adobe Suite that dominates the graphics market. However, I view technology as more of a partner in creation; not exactly sentient, but certainly more complex and invested in the work than most people see on the surface. In the process of working alongside this technology, rather than simply with or through it, I find myself at an interesting place of discovery in which my work seemingly takes on a cognizance of its own, caught between the desired intentions of my own consciousness and the unconscious product of the code. Both myself and my work thrive within the confines of this partnership - while at the same time these confines help open unexplored doors to completely unseen forms of expression and entirely new ways to produce and conceptualize art. In my Graphic Design practice, I strive for a sensitive simplicity that is both instinctually familiar to a public audience while still reacting to and pushing the limits of our current creative mindset. A strong focus on typography drives my exploration of visual communication as I skirt the line of consumer interaction and my own artistic voice. However, the larger part of my passion lies with seamlessly incorporating fresh and exciting new media techniques into the time-honored Graphic Design tradition. Consumers are rewarded with a breath of fresh air when presented with 3D-modeled or procedurally generated illustrations, new forms of visual communication that lend well to the Graphic Design mindset in the unique way that they wholly capture one's attention.
Open Access
Amy Noble: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Noble, Amy, artist
The artist's statement: I am a firm believer that there is a difference between being an artist, and being a designer. Simply put, an artist creates for themselves, while a designer creates for other people. The differences between the two however, in my mind, are interchangeable and just because someone is a designer, doesn't mean they aren't an artist. I consider myself an artist, a designer, and a journalist. While the work I create for myself lies closely to the work of a true artist, journalistic design is where my strengths are grounded. On the other hand, as a design intern at the branding experience company, Monigle, I am able to develop my skills in branding and identity creation, a realm that is more typically considered when thinking of graphic design. My true interest lies in the visual identity of printed publications. Great journalism has the power to make each reader's life richer and more fulfilling, and I believe that it can be greater with exceptional design. The opportunity for my work to reach others on a public platform for the purpose of good, impactful, and truthful journalism is an indescribable desire I have, and while I am not there yet, I will be there soon. While I am often inspired by the work of others, drawing from the best to create even greater works of art and design, my cultural identity is where I draw a lot of inspiration from. I identify as what is known as a "Third Culture Kid" - I am an American citizen, born in Australia and raised in England. This is a huge part of who I am, and because of my cultural experiences, I have a broader understanding of the world around me, from which I often find myself referring back to when coming up with new concepts and ideas. I am genuinely inspired by the world of art and design and with everything I create, I do so with determination, purpose and true passion.
Open Access
Anders Carlson: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Carlson, Anders, artist
The artist's statement: My work explores the relationship between traditional print design and digital media. With influences such as Michael Beirut and Aaron Draplin, beautiful graphic solutions to complex problems are a thread throughout my work. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the psychology of others. What may start as a simple visual design can sometimes become a part of who we are and how we think. I believe it is a designer's job to care deeply for the people who will interact with our work because it will somehow affect their life. Through this kind of work, a designer learns how to make the space for themselves and the people around them to intentionally create the life they would like to have. It starts with an idea that can be communicated through a visual means, and becomes a means of reinventing the world and ourselves. My focus on branding and web projects for clients in the Fort Collins area represents my belief that this kind of work can affect the world in a massive way. This tool of visual design can empower people or harm them; I choose to try to make dreams come true, both my own, and the generous people who have enlisted my help on various projects.
Open Access
Andrea Anthony: capstone
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Anthony, Andrea, artist
The artist's statement: I tend to gravitate towards commercial art and comic-type illustration, complete with bold graphic elements and neon colors. More often than not, I draw and design intuitively; whatever happens to pique my interest that day will ultimately manifest into a drawing or composition prior to the editing process that follows. Lately I've found myself torn between the analog and digital spheres of image making. Perhaps it is best to remain nonconforming toward either, and instead continue to encourage the push and pull between both worlds; for example, an illustration colored in with markers, scanned, and integrated into a digital design, or printing and drawing over vector graphics by hand. I restlessly peruse the internet not only for other likeminded artists but also inspiration - just prior to writing this statement, I had fallen into a violent whirlwind of art-related social media posts and had to consciously rip myself away.