I am pleased to announce our new Chixel artist for the month of May, Ariana Abud. Designer, photographer, and artist.  She explores the layers and colors of everything as she creates pieces for herself and clients. Drawing on her own history, experiences and surroundings, she always looks to the brilliant color and people in her life that are dearest to her.

How did it all begin?

As a child, I studied piano, classical ballet and jazz for many years. Since my father was originally from the Dominican Republic, our family would visit the island as often as possible. The time I spent there with my creative family inspired me at a very young age to become very intrigued with the arts and culture. This beautiful untouched place of breathtaking beaches, dense forests, and sprawling mountain ranges helped influence me to create work that is heartfelt and unique. To me, Dominican art stands apart as extremely emotionally charged with colorful energy. Having parents who appreciate all artistic expression I feel blessed to have had such a rich cultural experience growing up and I feel it has had a great impact on the artistic paths I have chosen in life.

Early on in my academic life, I began studying at the Baum School of Art in Allentown, PA.  In addition, throughout high school I continued taking classes in art with Donna Swift in addition to studying photography with R. Cryer.  There I explored different mediums and focused primarily on painting, color theory, computer arts and jewelry. I found that there I really learned how to create and brainstorm in a studio setting.  Through this exploration at Baum, I realized I had a great eye for color and illustration, and learned that I could easily grasp ideas and be creative in a studio setting.

In my senior year in high school, I was part of the Illicks Mill Project, a non-profit organization that was devoted to creating an environmental education center for the students of Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA.  The Executive Director and my mentor of the IMP Karen Dolan, placed me in charge of the Design Team where I flourished as a team leader in a group of junior and senior students. It was here at I.M.P. where I created the name, “Riverfusion,” for their annual fund raising concert, and developed promotional materials for this and other events.  At that moment, I realized I had a desire to create materials for issues that are important to me, and art could be that perfect vehicle of expression.  From here, I decided to pursue a career in Fine Arts and Design and attend Tyler School of Art, Temple University’s Art School. This decision was the best one I have ever made.

As a fellow Alum of Tyler, I agree it was a great school, did you find it all that you hoped it would be?

Tyler has always pushed students to their limits in order to create the best work possible.  During my first year, while taking my Foundation courses, is where I realized that Design was for me. My creativity found an outlet for it’s expression, and I was ready! I used a combination of my love of painting, illustration, and photography in all my work. I capitalized on everything creative I could get my hands on, including art history and literature, which gave birth to strong conceptual pieces that stylistically could set me apart.  In addition, Tyler enabled me to develop strengths in illustration, typography, and color theory. My motto as a student which has carried me throughout my life has been, “create something out of nothing.” I have realized that with a tight budget and a great concept you can explore all of your options and reach down within yourself to make something amazing.

Sounds like you really had a hold on your future and what it had to offer you! What have you been doing since then?

After graduating from Tyler and having lived in Philadelphia for five years, I felt that it was time for something new. In the Fall of 2007, I made the jump with the help of my husband David to move to New York City because there was much more I needed to explore.  Despite the fact that I was nervous, the leap to the big city was inspiring and motivating because I was hungry for whatever came my way. All this experience in my life has made me continue to strive to do the most diverse, innovative, creative work I can.
My first position in Manhattan was as a freelance designer at the advertising agency Catch24.  Their primary account besides Lufthanza, was the Yankees, as well as many others. Later I obtained a full-time position at Perseus Books Group, an independent publishing house where I was the junior designer to the art director for almost three years. This position allowed me to grow personally and professionally as a designer and artist. For them, I designed over 40 covers, and one of the last ones recently made it onto the NYTimes Best-Sellers list last month, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, by Diane Ravitch.

From some of your recent work, I can see you have moved into more print/photography realm. I know you have always used the camera as a medium, how did it first inspire you?

I have always been fascinated by photography and for a time considered minoring in it.  During that time in college, I traveled around the U.S. with bands and to the island of the Dominican Republic. I began shooting photographs constantly. With every shot, I was always thinking how I can incorporate the imagery later into my design work. With the addition of the new medium I found that I am able to manipulate them to incorporate them into my designs which adds another layer of depth and originality

What excites you about creating something new for your clients?

I have been freelancing from my early days of college for musical groups, bands, and other artists. Lately, I have been creating album covers, book covers, merchandising, posters for bands/art functions, as well as sell sheets and branding for more corporate clients. A customer can come to me with an overall idea of what he/she wants, stylistically, they know my work and allow me to push the concepts. At the beginning of every project, brainstorming and research are always the most exciting part of the process. I really study the aspects of what the client envisions for the final product, and then I gather the materials from all the sources I can find to push the ideas and develop a strong concept. I have come to believe that there are no limits on creativity.

Where do you go when you need to be inspired to help push your boundaries of creativity ?

Usually for inspiration, I go to libraries, used book stores, museums and lectures through AIGA. In addition, depending on the project, I like to study design annuals and other designers’ websites to get inspiration. For each project, I do a ton of research so that I know the product inside and out which helps spur my ideas and then the art can flow freely. In addition, travel has also had a big influence on my work, the smallest adventure can awaken creativity. For instance, noticing the change in landscape from New York City, to the Lehigh Valley in PA, which actually inspired work for one of my exhibitions.

I know you have been recognized and won awards for poster design, for The One Club in Manhattan and one for the War and Peace Gallery to name a few. Also, you’ve had several shows, any plans to show again in the future?

Yes, I try to show at least once a year. I am also considering another showing of “The NoShows” in the fall. This gallery showing, of which I am a co-founder and c0-creator, of is a one night show only to promote artists who don’t show work as often as they should so they become motivated to get their work out into the public eye.
My current project is to revamp my portfolio website to pursue freelancing full time.

Where do you see your creativity taking you? What is your ultimate goal?

I am along for the ride, hungry and ready for the next endeavor. My ultimate goal would be to start a non-profit organization geared towards the arts and music with a few of my colleagues. It is very important to me as a creative person that our youth are exposed to the arts, especially now because they continue to cut all of the funding in schools for these programs. Being apart of The Illick’s Mill Project and the success that followed really had an impact on me and who I am today. Regardless of where the future might take me, I will always continually strive to build my knowledge so I can expand upon my artwork that I do for myself as well as others. Forever playing with ideas and mediums, layering, textures, colors, photos, to create concepts that flow from one idea to the next.

So dear readers of Chixel, please keep following Ariana on her path of creativity and continue checking her site for new updates and work as she redesigns her portfolio in the next month.  As the layers build in her life and on her work, I wish her the best of luck, (though she doesn’t need it) in her future endeavors and creations.

http://www.ariana.alarmclockdesign.com/

http://www.gigposters.com/designer/126151_Ariana_Abud

http://designrelated.com/portfolio/arianaAbud

Snap on friends!

~DeAnn

This entry was posted on Monday, May 10th, 2010 at 5:03 am and is filed under Artists, blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.