Every DMAD major eventually reaches their senior year and is confronted with their senior thesis exhibition. The exhibition teaches students skills in planning and marketing, securing catering, setting up a gallery space, and holding an opening reception. It allows students to experience the process of setting up a solo exhibition, with the added support of a committee of professors of your choosing, from both DMAD and other outside disciplines. This semester two graduating students completed their exhibitions and gave their thoughts and experiences on the process and the development of their work and theme through the semester.
Sasha Gardiner
Sasha’s exhibition revolved around the theme of balance, via product photography. There was an underlying concept surrounding the idea of Spring that the products and color palettes highlighted throughout the entire 16-image body of work.”I chose to explore product photography as a development from the enjoyment I got when photographing food and drink last semester in my Advanced Lighting final,” she explained. She found it extremely rewarding despite the “tedious tiny tweaks” that made the shoots longer. She enjoys taking portraits but wanted to challenge herself to capture “soulless objects” in a creative and interesting way.
A major change in her work over the course of the semester was the newfound focus on spring and the warmer colour palettes that match. “This concept of Spring gave me real direction for the remainder of my photoshoots.”
Leading up to the exhibition she described feeling a sense of accomplishment, “everything was finally coming together, all the little details, the hanging of my frames, displaying my freshly made business cards, my artist statement and bio.” Now she feels pride and relief that everything went to plan, but also a sense of wonder at what will come next and what might her next exhibition be like.
When asked about advice for upcoming students approaching their senior exhibition, she said, “Don’t box yourself in from the start, be open to all of your ideas even if they are initially intimidating.” Her plans now after graduation are to move back home to England and work to get into the photography industry. If you would like to reach out to Sasha, you can find her via her website, or her email sashagardinerphotography@gmail.com. You can also find her on Instagram and Facebook.
Chloe Harmon
Chloe’s work revolved around the processing of her own grief surrounding the death of her grandfather. Her exhibition took on a multimedia format featuring 8 design pieces accompanied by a video, highlighting her skills across digital mediums.
“The main inspiration for my work was wanting my grandfather to be a part of my graduation from college even if he cannot be physically present anymore, like a tribute for the love I have for him even though he has passed,” Chloe said.
At the beginning of the process her exhibition was going to be paintings of her grandfather’s time in Vietnam along with the photograph of it beside it. But it lacked a strong concept, so she made some significant shifts to get to her final set of work. “There was a mix of nervousness and excitement, I was ready to show my work,” she detailed of her time before the exhibition. Now, after the exhibition, she feels relief, happiness, and readiness for whatever comes next.
“Re-shoot your work so your final portfolio is the best it can be and to invite anyone you can think of. You never know when a potential employer could walk through the door,” she advised students preparing for their own exhibition.
Chloe is currently in the process of seeking a job in digital media with interests in advertising, graphic design, and a variety of of other disciplines within the field. You can reach out to her via her portfolio website, LinkedIn, or by Instagram.
