SPEAKING THE CULTURE and
VISUAL COMMUNICATION FINAL STUDENT EXHIBITION
FUA A c a d e m i c Ye a r 2 0 1 4 / 1 5
T h e C M Y K - S P E A K I N G T H E C U LT U R E exhibition is the “final act� of a research journey carried out by four students of the School of Digital Imaging and Visual Arts (DIVA) at FUA. Led by DIVA faculty members Ivka Markovic and Juri Ciani, FUA Career Students Lauren, Ramzi, Geoffrey, and Amanda have deepened their personal explorations within the field of visual arts to present a series of works produced with the screen printing technique. The technique is a specific choice to complete an educational path by using a decorative approach and expressivity that is created with the hands. The digital component, on the other hand, will be evidenced by a combination of projects featuring graphic design, video, and multimedia.
LAUREN FROMIN Hollywood Florida, Usa
Studying visual communication in FUA’s DIVA career program has been one of the most educational experiences I have had to date. The projects I took on taught me not just about what I was doing in the moment - photography, graphic design, etc - they taught me how to get inspired and approach the way I view the world much more profoundly. Photography taught me how to observe different settings with patience and appreciation in order to take the perfect shot. Graphic design taught me how to focus on the details, even the smallest ones, because they can be the difference between a good
design and a great design. Screen printing allowed me to literally get my hands dirty and create something organically, away from the screens that occupy us daily, and this connected me with our present’s past - proving we don’t need electronics to manufacture beautiful productions. Today, I am better prepared, informed and inspired, and this is why I am excited for what will come next. I want to thank all of my professors - Ivka Markovic, Juri Ciani, Kirsten Hills, and Silvia Nannini, as well as DIVA’s GM Giulio Vinci, and all of the staff at FUA who made this program what it was for me.
Beer branding “Apple of my pie”, Special Project in Visual Communication
ATAF City Bus Map Redesign, Visual Communication IV
Internazionali D’Italia, Food Photography
RAMZI MAALOUF Beirut, Lebanon
I was born on September 4 1993, and raised in Beirut, Lebanon where I lived until two years ago when I moved to Florence. I am graduating Visual Communications at DIVA, Florence University of the Arts. When I first arrived to FUA I wasn’t familiar with the software. I chose the visual communications program because it introduces me to various disciplines. As a child I was always inspired by the graphic designer Milton Glazer. I enjoying looking at his work and wondering what the process of design was like. Now that I’m studying this field I am even more
inspired by his work. From concepts to fonts, his way of analysing life amazes me. After two years living in Florence, the City Of Art, I have learned how to expand my creativity, how to take inspiration from different Artists, and how important it is to be in an artistic environment while studying. Everything I know today as a designer I learned in the past two years. My goal is to become a Graphic Designer / Video Editor after finishing my studies.
Beer branding “Old Man’s Brew”, Special Project in Visual Communications
ATAF City Bus Map Redesign, Visual Communication IV
Gaiole in Chianti Branding, Visual Communication II
GEOFFREY PONCELET Paris, France
My name is Geoffrey Poncelet, I come from France where I graduated from an engineering school in multimedia. Then I decided to choose a more fulfilling path, and that is why I came to Florence. By studying photography, video and graphic design, I am specializing in creative video making, as my work focuses on emotions. I capture frames in the same way I use words while writing novels, a dance occurs when describing a story beyond what you can see. You might perceive this vision in my last design: The Rover. My models are those who offer a conceptual depth that I’m trying to reach. Henri
Cartier Bresson, a French photographer who passed away in 2004, achieved this through an intense life. He traveled to Mexico, was jailed during the second World War, covered Gandhi funerals, went to the URSS during the Cold War... And you can feel this intensity in all of his photographs, documentaries, and drawings. “I’m only dealing with humans,” he said, “I’m going for the more pressing. Landscapes have eternity.” Like him, I’m focusing on what matters the most. I have a huge faith in the human spirit and what it can reach when set free. And I think emotions are the best way to make it work.
Beer branding “The Rover”, Special Project in Visual Communications
Fashionable blood
75 billions animals killed
Creative video “Fashionable blood,” Digital Video Editing
Photography “The disheartening beauty”, Flying full bloom
AMANDA RICCIARDI Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Usa
My passion for the visual arts started after I was given a small polaroid camera for my 10th birthday. I became fascinated with telling stories through still imagery. Being a shy child, it felt more naturual for me to communicate through photos than it was verbally. It was because of that my passion and interest grew, leading me to study fine arts with a concentration in photography at Arcadia University. After graduating I decided I wanted to continue my studies in a more commercial version of storytelling and ended up here at DIVA studying visual communications.
My work is highly influenced by my belief in humility and our interconnectivity with the natural world. In my fine art work, I explore these themes more directly. In my commercial work these themes can be related in that I work with small business owners/entrepenuers who are passionate about their craft and are more concerned with improving quality, connecting with customers, and staying environmentally sound over expanding into corporate enterprices with a sole intention to make the most money possible. I find solace in helping people express their stories through their relationship with their craft/ passion and business.
Beer branding “BryggarBroderna”, Special Project in Visual Communication
Mexican restaurant branding & packaging “La Casa Loca,” Visual Communication IV
Creative video “Genius Loci” Multimedia Studio II
SPEAKING THE CULTURE and
CORRIDOIO FIORENTINO @ DIVA Via Magliabechi,1 Florence Italy
Gabriella Ganugi FUA President
David Weiss DIVA Chair
Giulio Vinci DIVA and IDEAS Academic Coordinator
Ivka Markovic Special Project in Visual Communication Portfolio Development IV
Juri Ciani Multimedia Studio II Digital Video Editing
FUA Communications & Marketing Office Graphic Design, Press Office
Special Thanks to
Enrica Quaranta DIVA Staff
Ringraziamenti | Acknowledgements
Printed on April 2015 by Fua Florence University of the Arts