A1
Type Studies:
The Bitmap Monogram project was an interesting exercise in thinking outside the box and problem-solving. Not being able to use diagonal lines or stair-steps was difficult and definitely pushed me in the ideation process.
For the 4-letter system, we traced historical woodblock R’s and then designed four-letter words to look like they were part of the same typeface. This assignment was a good exercise in creating smooth curves and transitions in Illustrator. It was also interesting to experiment with incorporating the most interesting elements of the wood type R’s into other letters.
Creating figure and ground relationships for the Sequential Type project was quite enjoyable, but translating individual arrangements into a whole composition with overall movement through the whole piece was a lot more difficult. It was a lot of trial and error, but spending so much time playing with different colors, typefaces, and placements was an interesting, informative process.
B1
Poster Fold:
For the poster fold project, we had to create an informative, engaging music festival poster using only type, with no images. This definitely challenged me; creating something that conveyed the type of music the festival was putting on, while also being interesting to look at, was difficult within the limitations. I had to rely heavily on color and type manipulation to capture the feeling of the festival. It was a good exercise in problem-solving and not being too reliant on imagery in design.
C1
Magazine:
This project was an interesting way to experiment with how design influences readability. It was a challenge to have the text flow in a way that was easy to follow while also being interesting. Picking the typefaces and hierarchy conventions was an added challenge. One thing I had to work through was how to make the layout draw the viewer in without losing the scholarly feel that I wanted to convey.
D1
Packaging:
Designing the packaging for this project was one of my favorite things we have created so far. I really enjoyed the process of evolving ideas– how the brand name inspired logo ideas, which inspired different logos, and finally, the packaging itself. Experimenting with color and layout, and finally having an actual physical completed work was really cool. I feel like I learned a lot about designing for a 3D object.
F1
Artwork:
This first piece in a still life in graphite that I made about a year and a half ago. Creating realistic pencil drawings is something I really enjoy, and this piece I drew from life with sight measuring rather than from a picture, like I do more often. It is also larger than other pieces I have made, so it provided some new challenges in a medium I am pretty comfortable with. It was good practice with proportion and subtle shading.
The second piece is a multimedia painting I made around the same time. It is slightly more abstract than some of my other work, and I spent more time on the conceptual and ideation phase of the creation process. It is acrylic paint on canvas board that I prepped with gesso over pieces of old sheet music and pages of a book I loved when I was younger, and that I ended up with two copies of. I wanted the painting to have a dreamy, nostalgic feeling, like the viewer is looking back on a half-forgotten memory or story from their past.
G1
My name is Siara Grimstad. I am an artist from Billings, Montana, and I am currently a student at Montana State University studying graphic design. I enjoy designing things like logos, product packaging, and posters. I approach each project with an open mind to try to understand what style would fit the mood for that specific work, but I tend to gravitate toward clean designs that get information across quickly and cleanly. This allows the viewer to enjoy the piece without getting overwhelmed by less important content, while still being a beautiful, elegant form of visual communication.
When creating art outside of a graphic design context, I especially love using pencil, watercolor, and acrylic paint, though I have recently been dabbling with ceramics as well. I also enjoy hiking and backpacking with my family, reading, and baking when time allows.