In Summer of 2023, I was invited to attend the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City for an intense 5-week art residency program.
Alongside 17 talented illustrators, I underwent a demanding curriculum designed to improve visual storytelling skills within the medium of illustration.
Alongside 17 talented illustrators, I underwent a demanding curriculum designed to improve visual storytelling skills within the medium of illustration.
The program was divided into 3 courses, each led by a different professor.
One course emphasized a range of projects meant to simulate a freelance career, one course focused heavily on sequential art, and one course was dedicated to creating a visual essay based on a text of our choosing, referred to as the Independent Project.
One course emphasized a range of projects meant to simulate a freelance career, one course focused heavily on sequential art, and one course was dedicated to creating a visual essay based on a text of our choosing, referred to as the Independent Project.
On Day 1, the residency was described as "an MFA on steroids crammed into 5 weeks" and it certainly felt that way!
Within a few days, we were buried in assignments, all of which involved finding visual solutions to various prompts and subjects. In each class, we participated in group critiques, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each student's work while improving our own skills as art directors.
Each consecutive week became more demanding, as we juggled new assignments with previous ones, right up until the grand finale: Open Studios at the SVA gallery! The whole experience was exhilarating, exhausting, eye-opening, and rewarding. My art and photos of the journey are below!
Within a few days, we were buried in assignments, all of which involved finding visual solutions to various prompts and subjects. In each class, we participated in group critiques, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each student's work while improving our own skills as art directors.
Each consecutive week became more demanding, as we juggled new assignments with previous ones, right up until the grand finale: Open Studios at the SVA gallery! The whole experience was exhilarating, exhausting, eye-opening, and rewarding. My art and photos of the journey are below!
My Independent Project:
A visual interpretation of the song "I'm Looking Forward to Joining You, Finally" by Nine Inch Nails.
These six images encompass the lyrics and mood of the song.
A visual interpretation of the song "I'm Looking Forward to Joining You, Finally" by Nine Inch Nails.
These six images encompass the lyrics and mood of the song.
I have been a lifelong fan of Nine Inch Nails + Trent Reznor, so having the opportunity to create my own visual component honoring one of my favorite artists felt exciting. This also represented a departure from my usual approach to illustration: instead of prioritizing line art, I focused on establishing shapes and textures that served the overall concept first.
Below are some initial sketches and color tests for my independent project.
Various illustrations + comics made during the residency program.
The art residency in photos!
