Hope Meriwether, graphic design senior, is a new kind of artist.
“I’m really into pop culture, and that shows in my work,” Meriwether said.
She is eager to use current technology, and has found herself in a relatively new, growing field: graphic design.
She also utilizes familiar approaches to art, which she was able to practice in a wide range of art courses.
In addition, she also hopes to show that graphic design is as legitimate as other forms of art.
“I want to know that people consider me an artist, even though I’m not using traditional methods,” she said.
Meriwether said she likes to incorporate both new and old styles to her artwork.
Meriwether studied art extensively at IU Southeast, and has had some of her work used by the school. Most recently, she designed the gallery card for one of the school’s faculty shows.
Meriwether was also accepted into the school’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (or BFA) program.
However, her college plans were initially different.
Meriwether began as a student at Northern Kentucky University, located a few miles south of Cincinnati.
While there, she majored in journalism. However, soon after starting there, she decided to look for a school that suited her better.
“I wanted to go to a smaller school and get personalized attention,” Meriwether said.
After transferring to IU Southeast, Meriwether also switched her major to graphic design. Since then, she has taken a variety of art classes like ceramics, painting and printmaking.
During her printmaking class, she created her favorite piece.
“I made a print in my printmaking class, which was trees reflecting on water, and it was very abstract,” Meriwether said “It took me outside the box.”
In addition to experimenting with the abstract, she also utilizes satire on occasion – most notably in animal-related art, one of her favorite styles.
“I like to put animals in awkward situations,” Meriwether said. “I like to put animal faces on human bodies. I know that must sound weird, it’s making fun of things we focus on in society.”
When she is at home, she rooms with Allison Orr, a double major in psychology and criminal justice.
Orr describes their relationship as “really good and honest,” and is enthusiastic about Meriwether’s art.
“She’s always been good at art, and she’s really improved over the past year or two,” Orr said. “She excels at graphics, which makes her art really relevant to people in my age group.”
According to Meriwether, though, not all students agree with this assessment.
“A lot of students don’t feel like graphic design is true art, because it’s computer-generated,” Meriwether said. “I wouldn’t say I face discrimination, but it is a common view.”
Meriwether says she isn’t frustrated or discouraged by this. She views it as motivation to prove them wrong.
“I want to show that I’m able to have artistic elements in my designs,” Meriwether said.
When she isn’t busy with school or her art, she enjoys reading, and seeing what her fellow graphic designers have been up to.
As a resident of the Louisville Highlands she also enjoys visiting the various art shows and concerts around town.
“I always like to see what’s going on around the community,” she said.
Currently, she’s working on a set of mixed media collages.
“I’m just an artist,” Meriwether said.
NIC BRITTON
Staff
nmbritto@umail.iu.edu