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Life is Boring, Without the Arts.

Independent Project

This publication was designed for the future generation of the creative arts industry. High school students, teenagers, and young adults passionate about a career in the creative arts often face concerns such as a lack of support, pressure to pursue a career that can be considered a “hobby”, the rise of AI in creative platforms and the media, different perceptions, and much more. Through experiences with different creative artists from various fields, they create a space for readers to learn, gain advice, and put themselves in the shoes of these artists, who showcase their admiration for their career choice in the arts.

The overall achievement of the final publication showcases a space to promote artists and the factors that got them to where they are today in the industry. This publication emphasizes the value of pursuing a passion for the creative arts because ‘Life is Boring, Without the Arts.’

The publication is titled "Life is Boring, Without the Arts". The cover was designed with a simple black die-cut cover of "Life is Boring" to highlight the lack of understanding people outside the creative arts have of these careers. When the die-cut cover is opened, "Without the Arts" appears, showcasing an abstract, gestural, and colourful cover that represents the excitement, range of creativity, and what it is really like to have a career in the creative arts.
This spread in the publication is my personal message for the readers of this publication. I designed my capstone and this project around my love for the creative arts and my journey as an artist, my whole life through dance, art, and design. My letter from the artist shares why I made "Life is Boring, Without the Arts", and my journey as an artist that has guided me to my future career as a designer.
The sections of this publication include: 'Life is Boring, Without Fine Arts', 'Life is Boring, Without Performing Arts', 'Life is Boring, Without Creative Writing', 'Life is Boring, Without Music', and 'Life is Boring, Without Design'. The opening of each section includes an illustration based on the creative arts field and a short written reflection/narrative on the field. Each illustration was created with watercolour, gouache, acrylic paint, graphite, ink, and soft pastels.
Life is Boring, Without Fine Arts. This section includes an interview with painter Ashley Thimot. Ashley Thimot shares her experience of developing her personal art business and her path to her upcoming Art Academy, supported by her parents, her husband, and her degree in design.
Life is Boring, Without Performing Arts. This section includes an interview with dancers and choreographers Ethan and Ayden Valdriz. Ethan and Ayden share their development in dance, their success in starting their own dance company, and the process of creating different dance shows and performances for the stage.
Life is Boring, Without creative writing. This section includes an interview with writer Catherine Owen. Catherine Owen shares her routine and how she keeps up her writing and poetry practice. She also explains why she considers her creative writing career more in line with the term 'vocation', given the financial remuneration for working in the creative arts.
Life is Boring, Without Music. This section includes an interview with pop punk/emo band Misfortune Tellers. Misfortune Tellers talks about their journey from being students together to forming their band. They also talk about the many moments of burnout they face, but how they can work as a group to keep the creativity coming.
Life is Boring, Without Design. This section includes written responses from different design students and alums students. We filled out these answers through a contributor form. Each student and alum reflects on the start of their interest in the creative arts and where they are now through post-secondary education.