Students / Student Photos
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 14
June 07, 2009
Day 14 – June 6:
Like all good things, the SVA Masters Workshop has come to an end. After a day of work, participants presented their finished Molskine sketchbooks and Rome guide book proposals to a panel of guest critics at the Forum of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Roma. Among the projects were guides to the letter Q in Rome, to the best gelaterias, to the most significant inscriptions, and for the “Second Trip to Rome.” A food-filled reception followed in the Palazzo’s ultra modern lounge where we all posed – or shall we say swarmed – for group photos. Lita, Steve, and Esther wished the participants farewell, with the hope that it is not goodbye.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 13
June 06, 2009
Day 13 – June 5:
On this warm and sunny Tuesday Louise Fili’s type and food workshop participants took a “traghetto” across the canal to the Rialto market, where they scarfed up orange wrappers and other labels for their respective guidebook projects. Sharks andsquid ink were found at the bustling mercato de pesce. A spice shop was also on the agenda, then a jaunt to Gianni Basso’s Venetian letterpress shop where students viewed the printing of a card on press, and held wood and metal fonts. Basso also showed samples of work printed for the variegated likes of Paul Rand, Danielle Steele and Joseph Brodsky. That evening Steve Heller and Lita Talarico spoke to a packed audience of Italian designers at the Fondazione Claudio Buziol on the merits of the Design Entrepreneur.
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SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 12
June 04, 2009
Day 12 – June 4:
From ancient Roman letters to contemporary Roman designers. This morning Cristina Chiappini, who has developed a body of work focused on the female body, showed her Roses of Flesh Spines of Light project, a book designed to raise awareness of genital mutilation. She also showed how the body plays a role in her commercial and non-commercial design. Also on hand were the partners of ADE Creative Studio in Roma, who showed us their video bumpers and motion identity for QOOB, an entertainment broadcast company. With less than two more days to go, the workshop participants socked down some wine and went back to work.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 11
June 04, 2009
Day 11 – June 3:
Today was Roman Letter day at the SVA Workshop and James Clough, letterer and historian, served as our guide. During a three hour morning session he traced the origins of Roman type epigraphy to metal founding. Then he led a drawing session, where workshop participants interpreted the fundamental typographic forms in novel ways. After a day of drawing and rubbing we visited the National Museum’s Epigraphy collection. Some artifacts were so modern, they could have been done yesterday.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 10
June 03, 2009
Day 10 – June 2:
Today is the Day of the Republic commemorating when Italy became a nation. With school closed, Roman typographer Mauro Zennaro led a walking tour of Roman inscriptions. We trekked from the Piazza Minerva, where Bernini’s famous “chick and elephant” sculpture of a small elephant points his rear to the nearby monks, to the the Piazza del Popolo, where the first Arabic numerals can be found inscribed on a church in Rome. Workshop participants made countless tracings of words and letters, and the clicks of digital cameras filled the corsos.
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SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 9
Day 9 – June 1:
Walking the cobblestone streets of wet Roma we arrived at Sapienza, University of Rome for the first lecture on typographic inscription by Italian typographer Mauro Zennaro. He took us through his process of developing his own type interpretations of inscriptions from Pompeii and explained that early Roman lettering was painted not inscribed. Participants then spread out through the piazzas around the Pantheon to find their own inspirations. In the afternoon Steven Heller spoke to students of La Sapienza about influences and cliches in
contemporary design.
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SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 8
May 31, 2009
Day 8 – May 31:
Sunday the workshop participants met at the Venice railway station for what turned into a lengthy trip (owing to train delays) to Rome. However, we completely monopolized the First Class carriage. The weather was cooler than previous days, and close to Rome fog and rain dominated. But Rome is the eternal city, and participants will eternally remember the experience.
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SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 7
May 30, 2009
Day 7 – May 30:
After marathon all-night sessions in our studio at the Fondazione Claudio Buziol, participants were ready by 5 pm to present their finished guidebooks to a room of guest critics. Carlo Bach, Ariella Risch (Illy Caffe), Maurizio Corriani, (Edizioni Corraini), Giorgio Camuffo, Sandro Berra, and Renzo di Renzo attended. Molskine provided sketchbooks which participants used as journals. Everyone in Louise Fili’s guidebook workshop produced exceptional concepts and solid designs. Some of the books were decidedly ready to go to the next stage of development. A Prosecco-bathed reception followed the presentations.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 6
May 29, 2009
Day 6 – May 29:
By 8:30am participants converged on the Venice Santa Lucia train station for a trip to TIPOTECA ITALIANA. At this superb museum of type and printing we were guided by Sandro Berra, through three hundred years of typographic art and technology. He introduced us to wood and metal types and explained Linotype and Monotype systems. After a hearty meal, and “the best prosecco in Italy,” participants composed and printed a specimen of rare Futuristic wood type and handset a broadside with foundry type. At night they locked themselves into the Fondazione an intensive work session.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 5
Day 5 – May 28:
Today’s weather in Venice is perfect – not too hot, not too cold – just right for a day devoted to intensive work. Participants in the Masters Workshop spent the morning in Louise Fili’s guidebook class discussing and fine-tuning their concepts and designs. Time is running out, for tomorrow is an all-day visit to the type museum and workshop, Tipoteca. So today is devoted to hunkering down and producing for the final critique on Saturday. Participants are on their own this evening while Steve Heller visits with Giorgio Camuffo’s students at IUAV – The University of Venice. Rumor has it that Shepard Fairey, who is in Venice to produce artwork for the Biennale, may be there too.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 4
May 28, 2009
Day 4 – May 27:
As the clouds menacingly formed over St. Marks Square, participants were ensconced in their tromp l’oeil painted classroom at Fondazione Claudio Buziol. Louise Fili’s guidebook project is well underway, and participants are beginning to show their research and development. The class ended with a brief typographic walking tour to Rosa Salva Gelateria to photograph the exquisite script sign and then to Mariposa Blu, where one of a kind artisan velvet ballerina slippers adorned with Venetian glass beads are reasonably priced and beautifully displayed.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 3
May 27, 2009
Day 3 – May 26:
On this warm and sunny Tuesday Louise Fili’s type and food workshop participants took a “traghetto” across the canal to the Rialto market, where they scarfed up orange wrappers and other labels for their respective guidebook projects. Sharks and squid ink were found at the bustling mercato de pesce. A spice shop was also on the agenda, then a jaunt to Gianni Basso’s Venetian letterpress shop where students viewed the printing of a card on press, and held wood and metal fonts. Basso also showed samples of work printed for the variegated likes of Paul Rand, Danielle Steele and Joseph Brodsky. From there Fili held out the option of a brief lecture back at the Fondazione Claudio Buziol or a class at a gelateria on the Fondemente Nove – they opted for the creamy confection.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 2
May 26, 2009
Day 2 – May 25:
Carlo Branzaglia, Coordinator of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts, Bologna, gave a history of Italian graphic design from the Renaissance to Post-Modernism in just under 45 minutes. And it was not just concise, but totally insightful. Afterwards Louise Fili followed with the first lecture of Italian typographic inspirations. Workshop participants then climbed the Magical Mystery Tour bus to Fabrica for a visit and lecture by Omar Vulpinari, Creative Director of the Visual Communications department. This beautiful facility has a relatively recent addition designed in a neo-classical style by Tadao Ando. The tour was followed by “O Say Can You See: Who Put the O in Obama,” a talk by Steve Heller with jokes galore. The day concluded with a cocktail reception/mixer with our participants and Fabrica students and faculty.
SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome - Day 1
May 25, 2009
Day 1 – May 24:
Orientation at the Fondazione Claudio Buziol our collaborator for the SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome. Renzo di Renzo, the director of the Fondazione welcomed the workshop participants. Steve Heller and Lita Talarico introduced Louise Fili, the workshop faculty member who discussed plans for her Venetian typographic scavenger hunt. Then Giorgio Camuffo, a designer and force of nature and the “only native Venetian” provided an animated guide to the hidden Venice beyond the canals. Esther RoSchofield, program director, reviewed the schedule for the week, which includes daily classes/workshops from 9 am to 1pm at the Fondazione, several site visits, public lectures, and cocktail receptions.
Potential Energy Part Two
April 22, 2009
The first annual Thesis Forum, April 22, 2009 at the Visual Arts Theater.
During this innovative daylong event MFAD thesis students presented their products on one of SVA’s new stages. It was open to the public.
The Forum was divided into three moderated by faculty members Milton Glaser and Scott Stowell, and co-chairs Lita Talarico and Steven Heller, who introduced and questioned the candidates. Faculty member Allan Chochinov provided an endnote summation. The Thesis Forum showcased the variety and creativity of the Class of 2009 as they pitched their wares, showed their applications, and answered questions from the audience.
photos by Dohun Park
Potential Energy Part One
April 22, 2009
The first annual Thesis Forum, April 22, 2009 at the Visual Arts Theater.
During this innovative daylong event MFAD thesis students presented their products on one of SVA’s new stages. It was open to the public.
The Forum was divided into three moderated by faculty members Milton Glaser and Scott Stowell, and co-chairs Lita Talarico and Steven Heller, who introduced and questioned the candidates. Faculty member Allan Chochinov provided an endnote summation. The Thesis Forum showcased the variety and creativity of the Class of 2009 as they pitched their wares, showed their applications, and answered questions from the audience.
photos by Dohun Park
Information Sessions Fall 2008 + Spring 2009
Open House Fall 2008 and Applicant Only Information Session Spring 2009
Prosthetic Arm Project
October 10, 2009 – December 11, 2009
Allan Chochinov’s prosthetic arm project.
Chanel Mobile Art Exhibition
November 04, 2008
Zaha Hadid’s display in Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield. It was a gorgeous fall morning, leaves falling from trees painted with oranges, reds, siennas, and fading greens. The 7,500 square foot orb is filled with installations inspired by the quilted Chanel bag and perfume pervades the air. A personal tour is narrated by the deep yet dulcet tones of Jeanne Moreau “discussing everything from sex and love to the secrets at the bottom of a woman’s handbag.”
Deca Dance
October 18, 2008
MFA Designer as Author 10th anniversary gala bash at the Art Directors Club in New York. Over 200 attendees with representatives from all past and current classes attended. Capped by the crowning of the Deca Dance king and queen, prince and princess.
