Third-year design student Aleksandra Gniadowska and some of her peers in the York/Sheridan Joint Program in Design are making a big splash at this year’s Design Area Show.
Gniadowska conceptualized the theme of this year’s exhibition – called “Splash” – and designed the promotional poster for it. For Gniadowska, water represents her engagement with design in everyday life, and how design has the ability to work with numerous other disciplines. “Just like water, design students can make a splash in their lives, and find a meaning of their own in different environments,” she said.
Left: Splash poster by Aleksandra Gniadowska
Combining technical and creative skills, the students’ graphic design projects provide viewers with the opportunity to experience an exceptional sense of style in a contemporary context. Through their visual interpretations, these up-and-coming designers hope to influence how our world looks.
The Joint Program in Design, Ontario’s first bachelor of design degree program, provides a professional education in a humanistic context. It is offered jointly by York University and the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Students take courses at both institutions.
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Above: Inspired by the Kensington Market, student artist Lindsey Poetz created this poster for a postage stamp design series project
“Now that the design departments of both York and Sheridan have each moved into new state-of-the-art facilities, this year’s Design Area Show marks a significant new era for the joint program,” said York design Professor Wendy Wong. “The show demonstrates the symbiosis between the two design departments and demonstrates how our students benefit, getting the best from both schools.”
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Above: “Deako Typography” created by student artist Alain Parizeau for a typeface design project
The Design Area Show is being held at both campuses. Splash will be on view at York from Monday, Feb. 23 to Friday, Mar. 5, and at Sheridan from Wednesday, Mar.10, to Tuesday, Mar. 16.
The hours of operation at the two galleries are as follows.
- York University
The Gallery, Joan & Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
- Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Oakville
The Gallery, School of Animation, Arts and Design
Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm
York’s Faculty of Fine Arts sent the above article to YFile.