NICOLE TESTA

Me: What make you choose graphic design as your concentration?

Nicole: I chose graphic Design as my major my sophomore year at Mason Gross. I came in undecided with a love for painting. However, my love for technology introduced me to Graphic Design and I found it very enjoyable. Graphic Design is all around you in everyday life and is functional, which I found very endearing. Also, I find it brings aspects of all different art fields together.

Me: Do you have a minor or another major?

Nicole: I do not have a minor, However my second major is Information Technology. 

Me: What kind of medium you usually use in your works?

Nicole: In Design, I’m relatively restricted when it comes to forms of medium. It depends on the project at hand. I have used many different kinds of papers and adhesive papers.

Me: Which medium you enjoy the most? Which software you most comfortable working with?
Nicole: Other than graphics, I enjoy using oil paints
and acrylics very much. I would say I’m most comfortable with Adobe illustrator, although I’m very comfortable with photoshop and indesign as well. 

Me: What have you found to be the most frustrating in graphic design?
Nicole: The only frustration that arises is when you don’t know how to achieve something in a piece. There are times where I want to throw my computer across the room. It’s difficult because trouble shooting may get in the way, but it’s like a communication barrier that you just overcome. Online tutorials really help out in the end as well as Shane in the lab.

Me: What other art classes you have taken and how do you like them?Nicole: I’ve taken drawing courses, painting courses, artmaking, visual thinking, figure drawing and some others. Presently, I’m enrolled in printmaking. I found my figure drawing class with Hanneline really helped me grow as an artist. I found that I learned to incorporate all my artistic abilities in one piece. For instance, you can think of a design as a painting, a drawing, a sculpture and include what ever aspects of art you want. It makes it more interesting when you step out of the box and cross such boundaries.

Me: As a graphic designer, seems like you have put a lot of 3D elements in your pieces, is there any particular reason for that?

Nicole: As you said, you like to experiment. I enjoy testing the waters and seeing how far I can go with things.  I like things out of the ordinary and I like stuff that really pops out. I want everything to scream look at me when a viewer passes it.

Me: Have you ever taken any sculpture class in Rutgers or elsewhere?
Nicole: I have never taken a sculpture class, yet I have touched on it briefly in other classes.

Me:Would you rather using computer or your own hands to make art?
Nicole: I would rather not chose. I like to do both and there are times where one suits a situation better than the other. I enjoy incorporating both my hands and the technological benefits of a computer.



Me: Where is your inspiration usually come from?
Nicole: My inspirations come from everyday life mostly. However, recently I have been interested in using a site called StumbleUpon in which you can browse a subject of websites on the Internet. I’ve found it to be very helpful, in learning new artists as well as their works.

Me: Seems like a lot of your works are painting, why choose graphic design but not painting as your major?
Nicole: I chose Design because for me painting is very much a hobby. Also, my paintings are very much design experiences. They aren’y exactly subjects but ways in which to create a design or decorative experience with the medium.

Me: The skateboard you made is very interesting, is that an assignment, just for fun or there is a purpose for it?Nicole: The reason I decided to the show you the skateboard was because people always think it’s so cool. It’s so realistic and almost like product design. Also, it’s probably one of my only substantial experiences sculpting something.

Me: Your works are mostly colorful, is color your main element in your pieces?
Nicole: I love color. I find it appealing to the eye. At times, it may not be effective, but it’s part of my artistic personality that does tend to poke through in my works.

Me: When you are creating a poster or advertisement, what is the most important thing you will focus on?
Nicole: Lately, i’ve been very concentrated on typeface.  I feel like my work is strong till the text is introduced. Text is very important in a design piece and can’t get lost or be pushed to the side. 


Me: Would you rather work on 3D object or 2D surface?
Nicole: It depends on the project at hand, However I do find 3D objects to be more exciting because they are a very different beast.

Me: Do you have any artists in mind that affect your style?

Nicole: David Carson is inspiring in the fact that he broke the rules and created his own graphic identity. However, I find alot of no names in technological design, such as with data interfaces t be very inspiring.

Me: Do you have anything in mind for thesis?

Nicole: I don’t exactly know. I do know that I want to lean towards a technical approach rather than a decorative design. 


Me: Are you working on anything at the moment?
Nicole: I haven’t been working on anything at this moment in time. I’ve been very busy, I wish I had more time for my art. I’m glad the semester has started cause it will give me a chance to hop back in. 


Me:What is your plan when you graduated?
Nicole: To get a job, hahhahaha.... I just really don’t know exactly what I’ll lean towards in the end.


Me: Is there an ideal job for you in graphic design?
Nicole: Like I have just said, my eye isn’t on an ideal at the moment. I’m hoping this year will help me tie up any loose ends and figure out my calling. Thesis should definitely clear it up some.