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“I am: The project” poster
This poster displays the 21 postcards created by each student — using Adobe InDesign software — as part of the mentoring program.
“I am: The project” video
View a short video in which the participating students speak about themselves and their art.
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View QuickTime
4.9M/ 2:19 mi |
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View Windows Media
7.7M/ 2:19 min |
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Students connect with the professional world through art, collaboration, and self expression
New York High School of Art & Design, AIGA NY, and Adobe Systems
"This project helps me better understand myself" was a typical statement from students involved in a new, innovative mentoring program — and was also the program's main objective. Art, collaboration, and self expression were the the catalysts for inspiring personal growth when students at the New York High School of Art & Design worked with the New York chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA NY) and Adobe to present "I am: The project" in spring 2003.
Students gain personal insights
The unified mentoring program paired AIGA NY creative professionals with 21 students with the objective of producing art that truly represented the students of this multiethnic, working-class school. The interaction with the creative professionals and the work on a unifying project offered the students an opportunity for personal self expression and understanding that they would not normally have.
The students chose “I am” as their project theme. With mentor guidance, each student created an original piece of two- or three-dimensional art that reflected their interests and how they see themselves. Media ranged from photography and painting to sculpture and textiles.
The student art goes live
The program didn’t stop with the creation of individual pieces. The original art took on a life of its own when the students learned to digitally recreate their art on postcards using Adobe® InDesign® software. This process was made possible by professional direction from AIGA creative professionals combined with software and training from Adobe. Best of all, the students collaborated with one another — the same way creative professionals do every day — by providing critiques and modifications of their materials.
The digital art came to life, as the students saw their work professionally produced and were able to present it personally to friends, family members, and the public.
- Live student presentations at the AIGA National Design Center provided a forum for students to speak about their art while displaying the pieces in a professional setting. A week-long exhibit in June of the students' art began with a gala opening — attended by the students, parents, mentors, other creative professionals, and the general public.
- A large-scale color poster — a mosaic of the postcards of all 21 students — was designed and professionally printed.
- A video montage was developed that highlighted individual students who spoke about the inspiration for their art. (View the video clips: QuickTime or Windows Media Player.)
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