Three NEIU alumni participated in a panel discussion about the art they created as  students in the Art and Design Department, as well as their experiences after graduation. This event was part of NEIU Weekend, held on Sept. 13, 2024. The panel featured Cristian Martinez, Kelly Novak and Alec Thorsen.

Martinez earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design from NEIU in December 2022. He currently works as an associate designer at Jack Morton, a global experiential marketing agency.

Martinez discussed  the diverse mediums he experimented with during his time at NEIU: “Everything was a mix of different things from 3D design, printmaking… I really got to try so many different mediums and so many different printing methods and it was just so fun to get to work with other classmates, especially on collaborative projects. Up until that point, I was really used to working by myself and just getting to work with other people was really fun and exciting.”

At Jack Morton, Martinez has designed a plethora of billboards displayed throughout  Chicago. He described the experience of seeing his designs in public view: “That was one of the biggest moments of just walking through the Loop and this design was on my computer a couple weeks ago and now it’s here and people are walking past it. It was a very out of body experience.” Collections of Martinez’s body of work can be found on his website.

Novak graduated from NEIU with a BFA in Secondary Education in 2010 and currently teaches art at Lane Tech High School.

With a graphic design background before attending NEIU, Novak cited her biggest influence at NEIU was the metalsmithing department: “I could incorporate not only my drawing skills, but my photography and design into one specific medium.”

As a former Chicago Public Schools (CPS) student, Novak always aspired to teach for CPS. However, she faced significant challenges: “At the time, there were a lot of school closings because of the recession in 2008, there were a lot of teachers that were staying well past retirement just to try to figure out finances because of certain losses, and as a person with no teaching experience, it was really hard to get my foot in the door.”

Novak relied heavily on the partnerships and friendships she formed during her time at NEIU. Along with a few classmates, she founded the Foster Collective, which organizes different art shows on and off campus. Meanwhile, she balanced student teaching at the college level and scouting for graduate schools to pursue a master’s degree. Ultimately, she earned her degree in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design from Indiana University.

After graduation, Novak returned to Chicago and established a metalsmithing course at Lane Tech High School: “Through writing grants, I’ve been able to secure more material, so students can have a more full-body experience working with hands-on tools, but also sculptural media that isn’t really present in public schools.” Collections of Novak’s body of work can be found on her website.

Thorsen, an artist and filmmaker, is currently enrolled at NEIU to complete his teaching credentials with the goal of becoming an elementary  art teacher.

During his time at NEIU, Thorsen went on several trips, including two trips to China and an NEIU-funded trip to South Korea. Thorsen also submitted photos to NEIU’s the Independent: “I never worked for the newspaper, but as I was doing my thing of documenting whatever was going on in my life and my community, I was in contact with the Independent, sending them my photos, ‘Hey, would you like these photos?’”

Thorsen shared insights into the work he created for his senior show at NEIU: “I incorporated old themes and old forms, now outdated through new technology. I did some 3D printing stuff [and] some laser cutting. That was really fun.”

Currently, Thorsen balances his studies, photographing events around  Chicago and writing about art and film. Collections of Thorsen’s body of work can be found on his website.

During the event’s Q+A session, Martinez, Novak and Thorsen offered advice to current NEIU students pursuing a BFA in the Art and Design program.

Martinez emphasized the importance of using NEIU’s facilities and exploring classes outside of one’s major: “I remember when I first came here, I was like, ‘I have to take a printmaking course, and it turned out that I actually love printmaking… Use the facilities, one day you won’t have them and it’s really hard to have access to a lot of the stuff that NEIU has here.”

Novak stressed the value of finding a mentor at NEIU: “In almost every class I took, I found that the professors here were really supportive, and they would acknowledge the hard work you put in.” She echoed Martinez’s point about the resources at NEIU: “[Give] yourself the awareness that everything you have here is finite. When you leave, it’s gone.”

“Make the most of your studio time,” Thorsen said. “Spend a lot of time with the professors here, the faculty is amazing. Try to take advantage of all those opportunities: scholarships, study tours, support your fellow students, document things [and] collaborate with people.”

Thorsen also highlighted the importance of travel while being a student in the Art and Design program: “That travel aspect is huge because in art, things are about contrasts. Same with life. I love Chicago, [but] going outside of America, going outside the city and seeing other cities was mind blowing to me.”

To learn more about the Art + Design program at NEIU and its various majors and minors, visit its webpage on NEIU’s website.