The Graphic Design Blog

This past Wednesday NESAD once again hosted an AIGA Afta party. Put together by NESAD’s own group of MAGD group, GAGA, the event was meant to serve as a networking social for graphic design professionals and students and to act as a chance to mingle, cut loose, and have some fun.

AIGA, The Professional Association for Design, is a national organization that is a place to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research, and advance the education of design. NESAD was given the privilege to host one of the “Afta series” events, a networking social event intended for after work.

The event was held at The CharlesMark Hotel on Boylston Street. Look out for futher events to be held by GAGA.

We were afforded the wonderful opportunity of presenting the thesis work of our most recent group of Masters in Graphic Design graduates at Digitas, one of the preeminent agencies in Boston, and beyond.

It was a great occasion for all of our students, with their work viewed by, not only family and friends, alumni, instructors, regional designers, but a number of Digitas’ 700 employees at their Boston location.

“This is just what we should be doing as a department and as an art school. The work produced in NESAD’s masters departments, Graphic Design and Interiors, and our BFA programs in Fine Arts, Illustration, Graphic and Interior Design are unique, innovative and professional; worthy reasons for public viewing.” Quoted Rita Daly MAGD Program Director

The show, Departure Point, attended by upwards of 200 visitors, took place on Thursday January 24, 2013. Thesis project topics covered and incredible variety of subjects from a web site geared to forming a society of designers “Designation”, a way of seeing the consumers through selecting the beer they like most “For the Love of Beer” to “Alternia”, exploring the disconnect between education and technology.

Lastly we want to thank Digitas’ Recruitment Manager, Maureen Lawson, and Manager of Corporate Culture, Community & Connections Lori Magno for saying yes to our request and for their undaunted efforts in organizing and helping with show details.

Members of NESAD’s Graduate Association for Graphic Artists’, or GAGA for short, celebrate the end of the semester by visiting the LEGO North American headquarters in Enfield, CT to receive a private tour from MAGD student John Madrid. John is currently a Senior Art Director at LEGO and has worked there for 12 years now.

The tour included a sneak peak at unique LEGO setups that aren’t yet displayed to the public, a look into the creative process and development from start to finish of official LEGO product catalog and photo shoot, a story board setup of an upcoming catalog issue, and also the creation of giant LEGO character models! Members also received a tour of a mock store with mocked up LEGO package designs used to give designers a feel of how their product would look on shelves and ended with a stop at the LEGO gift shop!