As a student pursuing a BFA in graphic design, I was excited to have the opportunity to speak with Carol Sogard, graphic design professor at the University of Utah Department of Art & Art History and member of the Sustainable Education Advisory Committee, and learn about her career and research in sustainable design practices.
Carol credits her inspiration as stemming from her upbringing in Detroit, Michigan, home to the Great Lakes and the automotive industry. Her other inspiration comes from taking an online sustainable packaging course through the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. This course brought thought-provoking insight into the more devastating environmental impacts of single-use plastics.
Wisdom Chair & Stooble, Carol Sogard 2017
Medium: reclaimed plastic bags, billboard vinyl, wood
The medium that paved the way for Carol’s work was plastic bags in particular. Although made of recycled materials, plastic bags have a single-use purpose and are very difficult to recycle, depending on what types of plastics they’re made of. Carol’s design work involves weaving reclaimed plastic bags into works of art, transforming their original purpose of single-use waste into something with a new function. “I don't want to design things that are gonna get thrown away. Why not take the things that are meant to be thrown away and figure out how to make a functional use out of them?” she said.
This topic led us further into a discussion on research, the design process, and working sustainably with unconventional materials. Carol used her research and interest in sustainable design practices to develop a course for graphic design students at the University of Utah, shedding light on the environmental impact of design, production, and consumption practices. Some projects from this course included an on-campus clothing exchange and a UMFA exhibit featuring student artwork made with recycled materials. Sustainable design practice is a growing and adapting field, and it's worthwhile to consider the impact of industrial waste habits on a global scale, not just at the individual level.“I think in the end, you know, we do have a problem with how much we consume, and I think the system is not helping us solve that problem. And it's putting it on the consumers to solve the problem, when really, we just shouldn't be doing it to begin with,” she said.
I don't want to design things that are gonna get thrown away. Why not take the things that are meant to be thrown away and figure out how to make a functional use out of them?
-Carol Sogard
When designing, Carol and I both agree that experimentation feeds the creative process. Through experimentation, a graphic designer is spending less time observing and following trends and more time developing something unique. The design process is fueled by creative experimentation, and often, it might be those experimental projects that are most successful, engaging, or otherwise beneficial in the future. One topic Carol mentioned, which left an impression on me, was:
“My main thing I would say to designers is it’s different than being a fine artist. Maybe just choose the path you want to go on. And even though it might not always lead to specific design projects, if you’re working in an area of your interest, like sustainability, those types of projects will come, but you might also be doing other projects related to that interest. I mean, that's a great thing about being a designer, we can work on anything. We don't just have to design typefaces. Or, you know, do UI/UX projects exclusively.”
There is more to do with graphic design than one might think. From editorials to websites, and infographics to motion graphics, graphic design is a multifaceted field built on research, creativity, technical skill, and problem-solving. Like Carol’s process of reclaiming single-use plastic bags to craft unique artworks, there is almost always a creative opportunity to solve real-world problems.
ArtsForce takeaways:
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Always have something on the side that fuels your creative energy.
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Graphic design is a fluid field with diverse work opportunities and employers that are looking for personality.
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Consider how you want to develop your career based on what your design niche may be.
