Studio Research I Spring 2025: Post 1 Introduction

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Post 1 Introduction - Nam Maple

Personal Logo
(Procreate, 2024)

Hello! My name is Nam Maple, and I’m an African American graphic designer and illustrator with a deep passion for creating through digital media. My artistic practice is heavily influenced by a wide range of media, particularly video games, animation, and graphic novels/comics, which have shaped both my style and my approach to design. I work primarily in digital formats, using tools like Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop to bring my visions to life.

My artistic style draws heavily from the bold, graphic qualities of pop art and street art, with thick outlines and vibrant colors that command attention. As a designer, I’m particularly drawn to creating logos, while as an illustrator, I enjoy designing original characters as well as reimagining those from my favorite series. I find that my skills in design and illustration go hand in hand as I enjoy combining character drawings and design aspects to create things like stickers and posters. The media I consume fuels my creativity and motivates me to create—whether it’s putting my own twist on existing ideas or crafting something new entirely.

Here is some of my artwork:

Magical Tika Original Character Design + Logo
(Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, 2024)

Barcade Logo Redesign
(Adobe Illustrator, 2024)

Sonic the Hedgehog Char
acter Art
(Procreate, 2025)

Shadow the Hedgehog Character Art
(Procreate, 2025)

Tika Character Art
(Procreate, 2025)

La Montaigne Mascot Design + Logo Redesign
(Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, 2024)

Wario Land II Mock Magazine Ad
(Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, 2024)

Miscellaneous Photography
(2024)

Kirby Tilt 'n Tumble Mock Magazine Ad
(Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Procreate, 2024)

Miscellaneous Photography (2024)

Some of my favorite artists include cartoonist Bill Watterson, the creator of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, Akira Toriyama creator of the anime/manga Dragon Ball, Yuji Uewekawa, the artist behind the modern redesign of Sonic the Hedgehog in the early - mid 2000s, and pop singer Remi Wolf.

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We will be meeting in B07 and B08

DUE THURSDAY 5/1

FINAL PRESENTATIONS ~10-15 slides

Portfolio, Statement, Bio and proposal for a future project.

Artist Portfolio Presentation ~7-10 slides: Looking back to your influences, historical connections, contemporary context and art examples that you have researched throughout the course, create a short presentation about YOUR WORK that includes your artist statement, bio and 3-4 portfolio examples with explanation for each project. This should be neat, concise and have a clear visual presentation of your work. Include website information and contact information as well.

Proposal ~3-5 slides: Propose a project to be installed in an empty space in your community. This can be a storefront, a public place or a gallery. You can imagine it as part of a group exhibition or alone. Think about the main themes of your work that you have expressed in your projects thus far. Plan your next series or body of work. This can be something you have already begun planning or a brand new idea. Dive into the issue you have chosen to focus on and research process, socio-political context and art historical connections. As you dive into the research create a detailed plan for your project. Be specific in the methods, materials, techniques, timelines, budget, scale, audience and exhibition. Sketch out as many details as possible. This is an important exercise as many projects must first be proposed for commissions, awards or client approval.

Consider how this work fits into your larger body of work/portfolio. Take this opportunity to sketch out your (possible) BFA project. If you have already completed your BFA project, this should be your plan for the next project you will complete in summer 2025. Although the exhibition of this work might be theoretical, think about how you might realize this project. You must present your artist presentation and proposals in one final presentation “pitch” to the class.

-WRITTEN POST compose a short written post on the blog that summarizes your presentation

~200 words + images from your presentation

-Final presentation slides must be linked from a post on the class blog make sure these slides are public or shared with both professors.

-Presentations must be only 3 MINUTES - practice your presentation so your can present clearly and quickly.

PLEASE NOTE: We will meet on 5/15 to finish the presentations!

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We will all meet together in B08

DUE THURSDAY 4/24

1-page Artist Statement and short Bio

Be sure to have at least 2 people read and give feedback on your statement and Bio. Read through other submissions on the blog and leave comments on two classmates statement/bios.

Artist Statement: Write & Post a 400-word artist statement with the guidance below.

Take time to think about your answers to our previous course assignments.
Brainstorm before writing in full paragraphs.

What. Make sure to state what medium you work in (paintings, sculptures, installation, non-narrative video, durational performance, etc.). What are some facts about your work? Using language, how do you describe your work? Name your stylistic, process, and thematic influences to help the readers visualize.
Why. Try not to overthink this one. Look back at your brainstorms and your casual conversations. You make this work because you’re excited about it. What, exactly, are you excited about? Here is where you can also bring up your influences and inspirations. — What is the meaning, idea, message of your work? What is a problem that your work plans to solve?
How. If you have a truly unique process that’s important to understand—or one that images can’t accurately convey—briefly describe how you make your work. What is the solution to a problem you see in the world? How do you communicate this visually? How do you want your audience to feel? How do you imagine the work will be received? What does the work accomplish?
Read more about artist statements:

Short Bio: Write & Post a short 100 word bio. See other artist examples to find a style you want to use.

An artist bio is a concise, informative, and engaging summary of an artist's life, career, and work, typically written in the third person. It provides a brief introduction to the artist and their work, often including details about their background, artistic journey, influences, and key accomplishments. This is different from the artist statement.
A short and effective artist bio for a student artist should introduce them, their medium, and their artistic style or themes. It can also include a brief background, any relevant awards or recognition, and a glimpse into their current work.
5 points to concentrate on:

Where you are currently based, where you were born.
Your art education, background or where you grew up, if it informs your work.
Your art medium(s) and techniques
Inspiration and what you are passionate about (be brief and to the point)
Your achievements. This is a list of participation in projects, awards, clients you’ve worked for, gallery shows, workshops, residencies.

______________________

DUE THURSDAY 4/17

1-page Artist Statement and short Bio (DRAFTS DUE on blog 4/17)

Week12 Lecture Slides // Artist Statements and Bios

______________________________________

Week 11 Lecture Slides // How do you make it? Listing your medium / Framing your intention

______________________________________

We will all meet back in B08

DUE THURSDAY 4/10

Historical Context, exploring art history

POST 5 ART HISTORY:

Which movement(s) from art/design history do you feel the most akin to and why? Review this timeline carefully: https://www.theartstory.org/section-movements-timeline.htm Think about the historical movements you have studied in art history courses and seen in your art explorations. Consider the places and times of art movements and historical events. Choose one art period that specifically moves you in some way. Include an image of your work next to an image of a work from the movement you are referring to, and reference them in your post. Explain why you feel drawn to the movement and the work.

Additional resource for exploration: https://smarthistory.org/

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DUE THURSDAY 4/3 // How do you make it?

READ:

Art Talk with Filmmaker Sky Hopinka / By Rebecca Sutton / Nov 16, 2018 / National Endowment for the Arts
Link: <https://www.arts.gov/stories/blog/2018/art-talk-filmmaker-sky-hopinka>

WATCH:
Sky Hopinka, Mnemonics of Shape and Reason, 2021 / ICA Miami

Link: <https://icamiami.org/video/sky-hopinka-mnemonics-of-shape-and-reason-2021/>

POST your notes as you think about how his inspirations inform his creative process.

How does Sky Hopinka use his medium of choice? What inspired him to use video?
What material/medium/process do you use and how? What inspired you to make your work that way?

DUE THURSDAY 3/27

On 3/27, we will ALL meet in B08 and continue MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS in class

Be ready to present if you have not yet presented (last chance)

______________________

DUE THURSDAY 3/6

*Prof. Doris Cacoilo's class will meet in B07

*Prof Jin Jung's class will meet in B08

SLIDE PRESENTATION: INFLUENCE and MESSAGE due 3/6 on the blog

as PDFs or linked to a google presentation

Make sure the presentation is available as PUBLIC or SHARED (with prof.)

+ practice a 3min presentation for the class of your slides

Look through your investigations into your influences and the messages of your work thus far. Explore the videos and reading and questions we have explored in the written posts for class and use these to create a slide presentation (10+ slides) explaining your art influences and the message/mission of your work. Push into your objectives and hopes for your work as much as the reflection on what you have created already. Think about your art influences and new artists you may be discovering. Research various art movements, artists and curated exhibitions and find inspiration and connection to your own practice. Include five artists that you feel inspire your own studio practice at the moment in your presentation. How might these connect and shape your existing portfolio/body of work or work you are aspiring to create? Be sure to take note of material, medium, process, messaging, formal and functional connections, techniques, context and content, exhibition strategies and implementation of the inspiring artists work.

Next focus on the message/mission of your work. Including various examples of your work explain your processes of making work as well as the messages and intentions you have for the things you make. Consider how your existing portfolio may be influenced or connects to these messages as well as how these messages may drive future work.

Your slide presentation should address these two main inquiries but ultimately should present your work and your ideas to the class. You must practice presenting your slides to the class in a clear and concise 3 minute presentation. The class will have a chnace to give you some feedback (and high fives) after you present.

10 SLIDES linked from the blog - make sure it is available *PUBLIC of SHARED* from google slides or another web based software. We cannot present from a pen drive.

________________________

DUE THURSDAY 2/27

What do you expect?

READ:

Art on My Mind by bell hooks

Talking Art with Carrie Mae Weems pdf pages 89-108 (pages from the book 74-93)

pdf linked here: https://www.are.na/block/19364636

2 quotes and short response for each quote

-take notes about how the artist responds to questions that deal with her influences and her messages and meaning in her work.

***Find another written or video interview that helps you with the language and organization of your own work.

GO TO AN ART EXHIBITION *optional but highly encouraged

- take pictures, take notes

- share your experience on the blog

____________________

REFERENCE

Week 5 (2/20) Slideshow including the list of museums and galleries LINK

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DUE THURSDAY 2/20

No new readings this week

POST 4 MESSAGE/MISSON due on the blog

Identify the message/mission of your work. Answer the questions below in a piece of writing (~250 words+) and 5+ examples/images of your work. Be sure to include captions on your images.

What is the meaning, idea, and message of your work?

What is a problem in the world that your work helps to solve or a story it helps to tell?

What is important to convey in your work?

How do you want your audience to feel?

How do you imagine the work will be received?

What does the work accomplish?

Explain how the examples of your work included in the post might fulfill this mission(s).

PREPARING FOR YOUR MIDTERM PRESENTATION:

Begin to compile images for your work in a slide presentation for your midterm. Begin thinking about how you will present your work.

Using the class readings and building on your written posts so far, create a slide presentation about your work. You will present this to the class in a short in-class presentation. Presentations should include ~5 slides about what influences your work and ~5 slides about the process of making your work and its message(s)/mission(s). The completed presentations will be due on 3/6.

_____________________

DUE THURSDAY 2/13

READ:

Interview: Le’Andra LeSeur by Ksenia M. Soboleva / BOMB Magazine <https://bombmagazine.org/articles/2023/09/18/leandra-leseur-interviewed/>

Take notes as you think about how you bring meaning to your work through your creative decisions.

What inspired LeSeur? Compare what motivates you to create meaning.
How does your choice of material, process, aesthetic, content, etc. reinforce your message?

WATCH:

See below for a 4 part video series assigned on 2/6 to watch before class on 2/13.

________________________

NO CLASS TODAY 2/6 due to a weather advisory

As you probably know, the university is closed today due to weather conditions. Since meeting in person is not possible, we request that you watch 4 interviews from the Under the Influence series on Art Forum:

Take notes on the interviews and be sure to note the questions as they relate to artist influence. How would you answer the interview questions?

Be sure to complete your INFLUENCES IN ART PRACTICE assignment on the blog due 2/6.

READINGS DUE 2/13 will be posted here on Saturday. Check back soon.

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DUE THURSDAY 2/6

POST 2 INFLUENCES IN ART PRACTICE

GO TO: https://www.youtube.com/@art21org

CHOOSE AT LEAST 5 VIDEOS TO WATCH. These are inportant insights into the work of other artists. Use these interviews to help reflect on your own art practice. You may choose from the videos we have suggested below or select others from the art21 channel (or elsewhere) that you find. Use the search function to search the art21 videos for a specific medium or subject(s) that interest you most - ceramic, design, activism, feminism, street art etc. The important thing is to slow down and watch AT LEAST 5 videos with complete attention. Have a piece of paper or sketchbook next to you. Put away other distractions.

Take notes on each of the artists. Jot down things that compel you. Moments and phrases that stand out to you. While watching, think about your own art practice. What is it that you already love to make? What do you wish you could do with more confidence? What processes scare you? How do you set about starting your own work? What inspires you? What does your art say to an audience? Watch carefully and with attention and think about your own work.

After watching at least 5 of the videos and taking notes/sketching/reflecting, answer the following questions in a short response.

1-Who are the 5+ artists you chose?
2-What were 5+ themes the artists addressed about making work?
3-What were 5+ challenges the artists faced in making their work?
4-What were 5+ inspirations you drew from the artists?
5-What were 5+ things you would like to incorporate into your own work after watching these videos?

Our Art21 video suggestions if needed:

Cao Fei | Art21 "Fantasy"

https://youtu.be/dHlRliJf4t4?si=KfR15ORfckETo8x8

Wangechi Mutu: Between the Earth and the Sky | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaL8zDealmU&t=428s&ab_channel=Art21

Guadalupe Maravilla & the Sound of Healing | Art21 "New York Close Up"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OQeUMZ3jNk&t=157s&ab_channel=Art21

Michael Rakowitz: Haunting the West | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y5-KGIMN9o&t=354s&ab_channel=Art21

Firelei Báez: An Open Horizon (or) the Stillness of a Wound | Art21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RjY0hiJ5Sw&t=2s&ab_channel=Art21

Theaster Gates: Collecting | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byin7zoiiUU&ab_channel=Art21

Sarah Sze: Designing a Subway Station | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oivCLEc_jfU&ab_channel=Art21

Barry McGee: Tagging | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5byVU2nhBQ4&ab_channel=Art21

Julie Mehretu: "Mural" | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4F9scZ3idM&ab_channel=Art21

Joan Jonas: New York Performances | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6wI33GTnf0&ab_channel=Art21

Jordan Casteel Stays in the Moment | Art21 "New York Close Up"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar2s-s86tyA&ab_channel=Art21

Gabriel Orozco: "Spanish Lessons" | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWC2abuzkQU&ab_channel=Art21

Zanele Muholi: Mobile Studios | Art21 "Extended Play"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5MMcjZ6nsQ&ab_channel=Art21

Tanya Aguiñiga in "Borderlands" - Extended Segment | Art21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bDvgPOl4J4&ab_channel=Art21

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DUE THURSDAY 1/30

READ: Susan Sontag, excerpt from On Photography
http://www.susansontag.com/SusanSontag/books/onPhotographyExerpt.shtml
2 quotes and short response

POST 1 INTRODUCTION on the blog
Who are you? What do you make? What artwork influences your art practice?

In a short post on the class blog please include the following:

1-Create a digital self portrait to introduce yourself and your artwork to the class.

2-Post this image along with 5+ images of your artwork that shows your creative style and interests. Add captions for the 5 images that explain the works (title, materials.)

3-Choose at least one artist that influences your artwork and include that inspiration in your introduction post.

4-Write 2-3 paragraphs about yourself, the artist(s) who influence you, describe some of your artwork and what motivates you to make work and explore the creative process. Please include any social issues that you are passionate about, and how you were inspired by the artist(s) you chose. Who are you? What artwork do you make? What artwork/artist(s) influences your art practice?

5-Post the two quotes from the Susan Sontag article that stuck out to you and your short response to these quotes and how these ideas might connect to your artwork.

RESOURCES:

JCFRIDAYS https://www.jcfridays.com/

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LINK TO SYLLABUS

Discussion guidelines
The course material and discussions can often be provocative and challenging. We must therefore be respectful of each other and of our viewpoints.

We must come to class prepared and ready to discuss the readings. Please keep discussions focused on the readings and class materials and keep examples relevant and appropriate. If you have not done the readings you are not to participate in the discussion.