Investigating Culture Through a Fresh Perspective
In the Sessions BFA Graphic Design program, students are offered a unique opportunity to delve into the world of Cultural Anthropology, a course developed and taught by photojournalist, artist, and culture connector, Jill Mott.
Mott's course, born from her extensive experience as a photographer and journalist, equips design students with the essential knowledge of cultural perspectives, human behaviours, and social contexts. This exposure is crucial for creating thoughtful, culturally sensitive work in the realm of art and design.
Kylie Welsh, one of Mott's students, recently chose Germany as her culture to explore, creating a collection of ancient German ruins using a polyurethane medium for her course assignment. Another student, Kristin McKellar, researched traditional Irish embroidery for her project, combining it with her graphic art style to create a unique and authentic piece.
Mott encourages her students to create artifacts as part of the course assignments, aiming to reconnect them with their artistic roots. She believes that art and design students can play a significant role in overcoming cultural misunderstandings by creating work that is well-researched, sensitive, and authentic.
The course emphasises the importance of getting out into the field and talking to real people for effective cross-cultural collaboration. Mott advises against making assumptions or working off stereotypes, instead encouraging students to listen and internalise what someone from another culture is saying or doing.
Mott's travels in Africa and other parts of the world have shaped her worldview, revealing insights that inform her teaching and work. For instance, her work in Zimbabwe revealed that many people prefer images that reflect their serious or unsmiling disposition, rather than smiling ones.
Jill Mott's course aims to provide students with the tools to be more compassionate observers and to tell better stories that have more impact and meaning. Her work, including information about her BFA in Graphic Design program and Cultural Anthropology course, can be found on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
It is worth noting that while specific details about the course content and Jill Mott's role within the Sessions BFA Graphic Design program were not found in the search results provided, it may be necessary to consult the institution's graphic design department course catalog or faculty biography pages directly for precise information.
Student Kylie Welsh's graphic design work showcases traditional German ruins, created for her course assignment as part of Jill Mott's Cultural Anthropology class in the Sessions BFA Graphic Design program. travellers could find inspiration for their lifestyle by exploring Kristin McKellar's graphic art piece, which fuses traditional Irish embroidery with contemporary design, a testament to her class project under Mott's guidance.
