Daemen alum, Katie Arcara ‘11 Graphic Design, debuted creative designs and illustrations in her art exhibit at the Nancy Haberman Gacioch Center for Visual & Performing Arts Tower Gallery on June 13. 
The exhibit, appropriately titled Mind:Full, is a play on words, combining the mindfulness techniques Arcara has learned since college with the multitude of creative ideas in her head. Sketchbooks and drawings are peppered throughout the gallery, providing a glimpse into her thought process behind every design.
“I knew I wanted to show what goes on in my brain as much as I could so I wasn’t just showing the final product,” she said. “It was a challenge because graphic design isn’t typically featured in art shows. I wanted to help bring people into the process before they see the final product. Once it’s living in the world, it’s meant to do its own thing and it’s not really about me anymore.”
Exhibit-goers appreciated Arcara’s thoughtful approach, telling her they couldn’t believe how many iterations and stages were involved in her design process. “That’s what I love. That’s my job,” she said. Throughout the exhibit, guests are encouraged to leave their own creative mark, whether it’s drawing their own sketch on a small clipboard or weighing in on what creativity means to them. “I wanted the exhibit to be interactive,” she added.
Arcara enjoys the variety that comes with being a graphic designer, saying, “With design, your job is to interpret and find the best way to tell someone else’s story over and over. That’s what I love because I don’t like sticking to one style or aesthetic.”
While no two projects are alike, there is a common thread throughout her work — a clean, minimalist approach. “I’m inspired by everything,” she said, adding, “That’s something I learned at Daemen. Professors instilled in us that everything you look at is usually touched by design somehow, so you start to explore the world differently.”
She looks forward to continuing to expand her freelance work, which is largely focused on branding. “It’s my favorite, though it’s also the most challenging of all the work I do,” she said.
Arcara’s exhibit will be on display throughout the summer. “This show wouldn’t have been possible without the tremendous support of family and friends who pulled together to help. I am so grateful!” she said.
The Tower Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.