A College Montage: Through the Eyes of a Designer
Organization: Butler University
Showcase
Graphic Design | Creative Storytelling
Previously on display in the Jordan College Annex
My four years in college have taught me so much and changed me into the person I am today. With that, comes stories that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Some are funny, some are sentimental, and some…well, you had to be there. I wanted to incorporate my passion for design, love for movies, and nostalgia for my time at Butler through each of these movie posters.
In addition to the posters, I also built my own marquee frame from 1x3 wood planks and a set of string lights. This is on display at our senior thesis show along with the rest of my posters. The goal is to create an atmosphere of displaying these posters to spark conversation and nostalgia. I am serving fresh popcorn to everyone at the show’s opening. Invoking the nostalgic feeling of being at the movies can help guide the audience through my journey over the course of four years and reminisce with me.
Cookies & Canvases
The first semester of freshman year is when it’s vital to take advantage of the free activities (and free food) the university offers. For Alaina and Stephanie, that meant participating in SGA’s Cookies and Canvas night. After indulging in unlimited cookies and letting their creative juices flow, the girls embark on a wild adventure exploring campus and getting to know each other better. Their journey introduces them to a cast of quirky characters and exploring their home for the next four years. In a final act of camaraderie, they both donate their canvas creations to their dorm's laundry room windows, creating a colorful display that will serve as a reminder of their fun-filled freshman year.
The Tickets
Life at Butler University is wonderful, but Stephanie is about to discover a dark and terrifying secret lurking beneath the surface. Time and again she’s been subjected to the horror of finding this green menace under her windshield wiper after a long day at the Annex. For every student who's ever been plagued by the ticket of terror, the truth is even more sinister than they could have imagined. As she investigates the ticketing system, she uncovers a horrifying truth: the green paper is not just a nuisance, but a sign of doom. The Parking Services, a malevolent and seemingly useless force, has been using the parking violations to mark their victims for years. "The Tickets” is a bone-chilling horror movie that will make you think twice before parking in the wrong spot. With jump scares, suspenseful chases, and a supernatural twist, it's a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
*At the show, I have a small collection of parking tickets I have received throughout my time at Butler along with a QR code that leads directly to my Venmo so people are able to donate to my parking ticket fund.
The Night Before Senior Year
“The Night Before Senior Year" is a coming-of-age film that follows a group of six Butler University seniors on their quest to complete a campus tradition before their last first day of school. With cowboy hats on their heads and wine in their systems, the friends visit each of the five fountains on campus, starting with the Star Fountain and ending with the two fountains at Holcomb. However, the last fountain proves to be the most daunting, with murky water and living organisms. After much deliberation, they dip their toes in and count it as a win. They walk back to their houses with itchy feet and wet shorts, feeling accomplished and ready to begin senior year. The film captures the bittersweet feelings of leaving college behind while also celebrating the bond between friends and the thrill of adventure.
“You’re on Mute”
A documentary about the year we went online
A reflective documentary takes viewers on a journey through a challenging year, highlighting the ways in which individuals and communities have adapted to a new reality in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film opens with a glimpse into the early days of the pandemic, as Stephanie, a student in a professional practices class, hears about the virus making its way around China. A year later, she attends class on Zoom, showcasing the drastic shift to online learning. The documentary explores the many other changes introduced in 2020, such as the rise of remote work, social distancing, and the importance of mental health. Through individual stories and interviews, the film provides a glimpse into the ways in which individuals and communities have adapted and evolved in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Blue’s Debut
“Blue’s Debut” is a heartwarming tale of college freshmen determined to see the Butler University mascot's big debut. The town is buzzing with excitement over the successor to Trip, who served eight years as the beloved mascot. However, upon arriving at the Reilly Room, the friends are met with a seemingly never-ending line going up and down the stairs. Undeterred, they sneak their way to the front row, thanks to a stroke of luck and quick thinking. Little did they know that their daring move would earn them a cameo in a Netflix documentary called “Dogs”, featuring none other than Butler Blue IV. This is a story of seizing the moment and making memories that last a lifetime.
No-Go in Chicago
Four friends embark on a road trip to the Windy City with a carefully planned itinerary, but their excitement is cut short when they arrive at Navy Pier and find it closed due to COVID. Undeterred, they make the most of their day by visiting other iconic tourist spots, including the American Girl Store, where they indulge in nostalgia, and the famous bean, which they admire from a distance. They satisfy their hunger with a slice of deep-dish pizza and sip on drinks at Starbucks Reserve. The trip ends on a festive note, with a glimpse of the green Chicago River on St. Patrick's day. It may have been a quick trip, but the memories they made will last a lifetime.