MFA University of Memphis
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Rachel Bush is currently an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. She completed her undergraduate studies in Graphic Design at Morehead State University in 2008, and obtained her Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Memphis in 2014. Prior to obtaining her masters, Rachel was the sole graphic designer at the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia. Rachel’s clients include the Nashville Zoo, Young Life, United States Department of Agriculture Conservation Department, The Salvation Army, Kroger Helping Hands, University of Memphis Art Museum, Prime Fitness, and the City of Clarksville. Rachel continues to study humor as an effective method of visual communication and its influence on creativity in the graphic design classroom. She completed her thesis on the subject of humor, entitled “Humor is No Laughing Matter." |
You may have heard of the extremely trendy and fashionable hairstyle coined the mullet. Also known as “business in the front, party in the back”. A hairstyle so unusual that you simply can’t take your eyes off it because of the unexpected uniqueness it entails. As a graphic designer, I would like to think my process of finding an applicable design solution to visual problems is just that, a mixture of business and fun.
My artistic process always begins with knowledge, business, and research. I organize my existing background knowledge gathered from my own ideas and experiences. Then, I supplement with research, which is essential in my design process. I feel I must become an expert on my subject before I can feel confident that I will reach the best final outcome. Therefore, my visual research is like a sketchbook – an inspiration springboard from which my creative solutions develop, or in other words, the back end, where the
party begins.
As I work, I strive for unexpected originality by operating in a constant state of exploration and flexibility to best fit the design problem at hand. I draw inspiration from the world around me as well as artists who have proven effective in design such as Neville Brody and Alison Carmichael. I also pull from my education and use proven skills and processes taught to me in the world of critical thinking. As the great Albert Einstein says, “Creativity is intelligence having fun”.
While I’m a mixture of business and fun, and may use a variety of methods that best suits each project, my methodology is consistent. As I look at my work as a whole, communication is key. If the message isn’t communicated, then what good is my design? I concentrate on communication effectiveness and accompany it with purpose. Furthermore, I hold a keen sense of the fine details in my work and consider how my work can reach its maximum potential while also remaining uncomplicated, simple, fun, and bold. In other words, the final product should be something so unique and fun that it speaks to my intended audience.
My artistic process always begins with knowledge, business, and research. I organize my existing background knowledge gathered from my own ideas and experiences. Then, I supplement with research, which is essential in my design process. I feel I must become an expert on my subject before I can feel confident that I will reach the best final outcome. Therefore, my visual research is like a sketchbook – an inspiration springboard from which my creative solutions develop, or in other words, the back end, where the
party begins.
As I work, I strive for unexpected originality by operating in a constant state of exploration and flexibility to best fit the design problem at hand. I draw inspiration from the world around me as well as artists who have proven effective in design such as Neville Brody and Alison Carmichael. I also pull from my education and use proven skills and processes taught to me in the world of critical thinking. As the great Albert Einstein says, “Creativity is intelligence having fun”.
While I’m a mixture of business and fun, and may use a variety of methods that best suits each project, my methodology is consistent. As I look at my work as a whole, communication is key. If the message isn’t communicated, then what good is my design? I concentrate on communication effectiveness and accompany it with purpose. Furthermore, I hold a keen sense of the fine details in my work and consider how my work can reach its maximum potential while also remaining uncomplicated, simple, fun, and bold. In other words, the final product should be something so unique and fun that it speaks to my intended audience.