montserrat design
design senior projects, ca 1998-2022

2021  <   2022   >   course blogs : spring 22, fall 21show : (un)expectation

			Audrey Aristeo (Book Arts) Andrea Badolato (Kennedy) Melissa Connors
			Eileen Coughlin Brooke Fraser Will Higgins
			Emily Klesaris Jessica Saab HX Varley (Book Arts)
			Henry Waggett

 

• Audrey Aristeo
  form | thought

  form | thought is an exploration in embroidery, the sewing of soft sculptures, and the relationship between stream-of-consciousness-based idea generation and the creation of content. Like freeform drawing exercises, the embroidery on my pieces is created without a plan.
        The purpose of this project from the beginning was not just to better understand how ideas are formed and executed, but also to learn to trust my creative instinct and return to a state of thought mostly untouched by the anxiety and uncertainty that often disturbs my art-making process.
        Over my one semester of work, I have focused on self-forgiveness, love, and joy as motivators to create a visual chronological record of my growing skill in embroidery and an exercise in mindful self-care.

  formats     embroidery on felt; felt collages
  blog posts     spring 22
  website     audreyaristeo.art

• Andrea Badolato (Andrea Ann Kennedy)
  Abstraction, Pattern / First Thought, Second Thought

  I am working with these ideas in two realms: (1) visual design; and (2) behavior. I hope my work in the first realm can play a role in my work in the second, both for me and for others, personally and professionally.

  formats     gestural drawings, and patterns derived therefrom (using Procreate and other tools); application on fabrics, &c.
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22
  website     andreaanndesign.com

• Melissa Connors
  it must be just fine

  Women are often depicted and treated like decorations, objects, or as a form to project male ideas and interests onto. This work explores the objectification, idealization, perception and treatment of women. By reflecting on my own observations and experiences, I am creating pieces representing the frustrating reality of existing as a woman.

  formats     collages, collages, collages; digitally altered collages; prints; books; accordion books
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22

• Eileen Coughlin
  Gus Walks

  I took photographs in my iPhone during my walks with my dog throughout different times of the day, during the autumn of 2021 and the spring of 2022. These allowed me to see certain aspects of Beverly that I hadn’t previously noticed. I have enjoyed taking these pictures, whether of a close view of the ground at my feet, or a strange object encountered.
  subjects : ground; trash; night; signs; streets; houses; items

  formats     photographs; sequenced in book
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22

• Brooke Fraser
  Head in the Clouds

  Head in the Clouds is a series of experimental digital collages surrounding the ritualistic nature in which I create my work. This series of digital collages was created using found and scanned imagery, as well as photographs I have taken. This process focuses on my own thoughts and feelings, and my headspace as I explore the North Shore on my own. My imagery has to do with the sky, planes, power lines and other themes that feel important to me personally.

  formats     digital collages
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22

• Will Higgins
  Pa|Rasites

  Pa|Rasites explores the concept of home and serves as an exploration into our interaction with it. The house is an integral tool used to adhere people to one another but a house abandoned is like a glove with no hand. Each owner, unique in their own right, leaves an indelible mark upon the life of the house. In this project I seek to expose these marks to those who may only take each at face value.

  formats     writing; photography (various digital processing); constructed and 3-D printed models
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22
  website     williamhigginsdesign.com

• Emily Klesaris
  redaction

  Amidst current events and the chaos of my senior year, I've found myself redacting the influx of information (my input) to avoid decision paralysis and information overload, known as infobesity. These digital and analog collages (my output) are examples of these redactions as my response to the environment.
        This idea parallels my experience with nonverbal learning disorder, an information processing deficit. Though I struggle with interpreting body language, social cues, and communication as a direct result of my disorder, I am a graphic designer whose main objective is to communicate effectively.

  formats     diagrams, text and image collages
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22

• Jessica Saab
  Fluid Thoughts

  Memories are fluid. They overlap, disappear, break apart and combine together. I’ve been exploring this concept in my work through writing and through altering, simplifying, overlapping, and piecing various images from my maps and walks, home, and an antique store. Memories themselves come from conscious or subconscious intake. Experiences form memories, and experiences are created by doing. I see these experiences as fuel to drive further work and exploration.

  formats     maps, diagrams, digital collages, typographic abstractions, photographs, drawings, various forms of indexes and inventories, 3D pieces
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22
  website     jessicasaabdesigns.com

• HX Varley
  7 Day Dresses

  7 Day Dresses is an experiment in concept and construction. One day one I have an idea, and on day seven I have a finished dress. Each week I follow the same basic steps with extremely different results, highlighting the differences between process and product.
        My reasoning, along with the project, has evolved over the semester, and has arrived here: This is a challenge, a dare, an entire season of Project Runway where I am the only contestant and also the only judge. And also the host and director and catering crew. This project has become a manifestation of the four most motivating words in the English language: “I Bet You Can’t.” And every week is another chance to prove those words wrong.

  formats     drawings, sketches, patterns, dresses, installation
  blog posts     spring 22

• Henry Waggett
  Mapping Spaces

  I aim to explore mapping different spaces. Some maps have more context and others are more abstract in nature. This project may be about maps and mapping but also involves design and shapes. Maps are created with shapes that are drawn by someone and often have to be designed to be readable and usable. There’s a lot of overlap with mapping and design in the way that both can be used as tools of communication.

  formats     diagrams, maps, installation
  blog posts     fall 21     spring 22
  website     henrywaggett.com