Literature, as a medium, has the capacity to convey our ideas, our emotions, and our thoughts. Such notions, be they factual or fictional, are bound together by the spine of the book. It is a structure designed to burden the weight of the context held within the pages: the tangible attribute that differentiates a book from a collection of letter forms.

The Spines exhibition is a collection of discarded books, appropriated and reinvented by the students of Graphic Design I, under the direction of Rita Daly. These pieces are our ideas, emotions, and thoughts, factual or fictional: their content, translated into original conceptions, remain founded upon and supported by the spines.

Music is a mind-altering tool as strong as any drug. Since many artists get ideas from other media and most visual artists listen to music when they work, Atlantic Works has launched a group show that celebrates art made under the influence of music.

These pieces raise the question, how can ideas raised by one art form find resolution in another? The exchange is lively and fun and it shows how profoundly art and artists reflect our time and our culture.

For more information on the show, please visit www.atlanticworks.org.

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.

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.

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!

The event was a hit and GAGA plans to do similar events in the future! For more information on GAGA contact Michelle Pergal or Craig Dudley.

Be sure to check out Jackrabbit Design and apply for a job or a internship!