There is something elegantly understated about good design. For every famous piece of art hung on a gallery wall clamoring for your attention, there are a dozen teapots, street signs, and chairs that are so immaculately executed that their designer’s inspiration becomes almost invisible. Thousands of seemingly daily items that are so easily taken for granted. What inspires these designers who make these often underappreciated beauties?

Perhaps nowhere is there a better example of this than in the average mall. Walking into a storefront, you likely see these hidden art pieces, but you may walk right past them. As you peruse stores, you are mindful of clothing’s shape, color, and designer labels, but what about what is beneath the garment? The humble mannequin. More than an opposable hanging rack, it is a blank canvas designed to feel universal, something that we can all look at and see ourselves staring back.

Anatomy of a Mannequin Designer

As an artist, Michelle Montano says she has “always been drawn to human anatomy.” However, when Montano first enrolled in RMCAD’s 3D animation program, she had no idea she would end up being a mannequin designer for NOA Brands. With a passion for character design, Montano found her footing as an animation student, designing realistic characters who came to life with stylistic flourishes.

While in school, Montano proved that she was not only capable of designing memorable characters but also engaging spaces as well. For her senior capstone project, she created an entire video game level with an avatar viewers could control as they navigated her one-of-a-kind streetscape. Titled “Fish N Chips,” because of the demo’s setting, Montano became fluent in nearly every single part of the game art pipeline.

Drawing inspiration from the fan-favorite character Spider-Punk, she designed all of the game’s assets herself, a task usually designated for an entire team. She estimates that she worked nine hours a day for eight weeks straight on the project. Montano said that she “learned a ton that I carry on with me in my professional career, it was a really awesome experience.”

 

She shared that she originally wanted to be a 3D animator for film and games, “in my heart, I was set on that.” But fate has a funny way of changing one’s original plan. It wasn’t until she took a digital sculpting class that her entire animation career began to pivot. She found a niche in 3D sculpting, creating characters with a software called Z-Brush. Whereas most of her classmates were thinking about movement, Montano was focused on form. Slowly structuring characters so that their design alone spoke volumes on who they were and what they were like.

Articulating Creativity

In 2024, Montano graduated from RMCAD. It was time for her to take her animation expertise into the working world. She went on to do some freelance work and stretched her skillset in a new role or two, but was still trying to find her perfect career fit. She opened up that she began struggling with creative burnout as a professional. Montano struggled to find that same inspiration that once came to her so easily. 

While Montano had long prioritized her physical health, it wasn’t until burnout got worse that she noticed the link between her creativity and her mental health. Once she noticed the link, her response became far more actionable. She began putting as much time into herself as she did her art. Stretching, going on runs, and being kinder to herself and her work, these were the key steps to rediscovering her creative voice. When asked what advice she would give to current students approaching graduation, she answered, “learn how to push through burnout and find inspiration from everyday life.”

 But as mentioned earlier, good design has a tendency to make an impact. In the case of “Fish N Chips,” all of Montano’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed. In 2025, almost a year later, she returned to her alma mater for RMCAD’s Annual Frames n’ Games Film Festival. The festival celebrates the hard work of RMCAD’s Animation and Game Art students and alumni. As an alumna, her game demo was recognized for its tremendous detail and scale. She was reminded of all those hours of work when she didn’t doubt herself, which certainly didn’t hurt in reigniting her confidence!

Striking a Pose

It was only a few months later that Montano accepted the role at NOA Brands. It may not have been the obvious choice to her when she first graduated, but after overcoming her professional struggles, NOA Brands allowed her to focus on her favorite part of animation, meticulously designing the form, posture, and character of her designs. Her new role puts all of her hours of digitally sculpting the human form in Z-Brush to good use. From the start, she could see how the role embodied all her favorite parts of being an animator.

“As a 3D artist, we make art, but it only really lives in the computer. So the really cool thing about my job is seeing my designs become something tangible.” Montano fell head over heels for the ability to not only see her designs come to life in a physical space but also how they could stand tall like her. “It is really magical to see a live scale mannequin looming over you. It’s something I never experienced before working here,” Montano shared.

 To her, the trick of good design for anything, not just mannequins, is to tell a story. No matter how subtle or nuanced, all good design tells a story. When starting a new project, Montano says that she looks for “the tiny details that tell stories.” These stories communicate the character of the mannequin to consumers, and, by operating as a blank slate, it can help them decide who they want to be by proxy. Whether it’s dynamic poses, simulated motion, or effortlessly articulated joints, every decision Montano makes communicates who the mannequin is. 

This process has completely changed Michelle Montano’s perspective on design. She once again sees inspiration lurking in the hidden details often forgotten by the rest of the world. Particularly, as a 3D artist, she loves to find those sweet secrets in the tangible world to inform her work. The gentle curve of ergonomic handles on public transit, the subtle color of carpet fibers in a hotel, the legible font of letters on a keyboard, and, of course, mannequins in a mall. Montano said it best, “It’s a constant pursuit of curiosity!”

Ready to Pursue Your Passion for Design?

Whether for TV, movies, games, or 3D sculpting, animate your dreams at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Our on-campus and online animation programs include 2D and 3D degrees that emphasize storytelling through character design, movement, and creating an animation demo reel. Get in touch for additional information or take the next step and apply today. 

The post The Inspiration Behind Mannequin Design with Michelle Montano appeared first on RMCAD.

Gavin LaCasse

Award in Illustrative Design for ‘Paper Art’

Another takeaway from this year’s exhibition was to keep things simple. Gavin Lacasse, shared that “Winning the award for Illustrative Design means a lot to me. I still view myself as a beginner artist and I was hesitant to submit my work in the first place, but I decided to take the opportunity anyway.” His piece ‘Paper Art’ is a minimalist design that utilizes bright colors, an astute eye for lighting, and clean line work to bring his illustrations to life. LaCasse’s design was inspired by the work of paper artist and animator, Eric Power, calling him “an underrated artist worth checking out.”

The young artist went on to say that “I’m trying to do that as much as I can while I’m at RMCAD because I want to grow as an artist and get my work out there. So just having my work accepted into the Philip J. Steele Gallery was an important opportunity. Winning the award is a great accomplishment because it recognizes all the hard work I put into my pieces.”

Kendall Mingo 

Award in Music Production for ‘Life Sentence’

When asked about the process that led them to create their song ‘Life Sentence,’ Kendall Mingo responded “My process has simply been life itself.” Mingo opened up about how their music career was largely influenced by losing their father and the difficulties that followed. Music offered a much needed escape, saying “listening to songs helped for a while, but it wasn’t enough, I needed to create. That’s why I pour everything I have into what I do.”

They shared that “everything I’ve been through comes out in my words. I’ve always been a quiet person, but I’ve learned to speak louder through my art.” The process of bringing this music to life has “been an emotional journey, and through all the breakdowns and challenges, I’ve channeled it all into my music and education.” Mingo wished to thank their band, the jury, and “everyone who took the time to listen.”

Leo Akers

Award in Fine Arts for ‘When They Were Kind (Baby’s First Quilt)’

As a senior in RMCAD’s Fine Arts program, Leo Akers says that Winning the Best in Fine Arts award was “certainly unexpected, but it is a moment I have been hoping for over the past three years.” The piece is certainly a profound culmination of their time at RMCAD as it was a final project for Akers’ Printmaking II class, they even called it “both nostalgic and bittersweet.” The artwork invokes the early years of their life “As the only girl on the paternal side of my family, I was immortalized until the age of 6, when I noticed a distinct loss of kindness shown towards me.”

The 16 by 16 pixel grid quilt depicts Akers’ face as a toddler and includes tags that replicate that of stuffed animals, and 54 screen-printed photos of their childhood. Aker shared that “I have chosen to exclude photos of me with anyone from the paternal side of my family, as their disrespect for me has only grown as I have grown up.” Through this curation of childhood memories, Aker’s rewrote their story to “fill it with love rather than indifference. I have since stepped away from that side of my family, and having this quilt be recognized for its technique and narrative feels gratifying and validating.”

Aerial Celestine 

Award in Fashion Design for ‘Rediscovering Me: A Journey Through Identity’

“Fashion gives me a voice—like a poet uses words or a painter uses paint, I use fabric to tell my story in a way words simply can’t,” says fashion design student, Ariel Celestine. ‘Rediscovering Me: A Journey Through Identity’is a three-piece collection by Celestine. As the name might lead you to believe, the articles that Celestine designed are reflections on her perception of self. “For years, my identity was centered around being a mother and caregiver, but through this collection, I reconnected with the parts of myself I had set aside,” shared the designer. 

Celestine credits the pieces with helping to personally transform and chronicle her “evolution of identity through distortion, confusion, and self-discovery.” She was inspired by famed neo-expressionist painter Jean-Michel Basquiat’s self-portraits. “I used fragmented silhouettes and layered textures to symbolize that journey of reclaiming individuality.

Mackenzie Neuman

Award in Illustration for ‘Messages’

‘Messages’ was originally conceptualized by Mackenzie Neuman for a studio seminar course. In it, she reflects the power of protest through “the bravery and unity of people fighting for their rights through the use of colors.” In the piece, the foundational imagery she learned in her coursework is not only utilized but recontextualized to share a powerful message about using your voice as an artist to enact change in the world.

She shared that “the skills I learned from that studio seminar course, like thumbnail making, really helped my creative process.” Neuman wanted to thank her teacher and her family for the support she received not only during ‘Messages’ but all the projects that led her there.

Olivia McDonough

Award in Photography for ‘Face the Feeling’

Similarly, Olivia McDonough’s ‘Face the Feeling’ series is also a reflection on the artist’s unique “creative processes to expressing thoughts, feelings, and stories.” McDonough, who has always been inspired by everything from makeup and fashion to theatrical techniques, blends media in her photographic work to pay homage to her many inspirations and curate a creative voice full of texture and nuance. 

McDonough’s wealth of inspiration is visible in ‘Face of Feeling’ through both photography and fashion techniques. “Creating art not only on the model but also through a camera is something I will definitely continue to pursue throughout my career.” They also wanted to thank the hard work and support of “Jake Koenig and Leandra Hausle for helping me bring this project to life!”

Laura Molloy

Award in Graphic Design for ‘Marie Curie Poster’

Every so often, a piece of art comes along that not only embodies a single person’s achievements but also an entire discipline. In Laura Molloy’s ‘Marie Curie Poster,’ she captures the achievements and legacy of the titular scientist who made many of the early breakthroughs in the research of radioactivity. “I started with researching Marie Curie, her biography, and her Nobel Prize awards. After a few sketches, I decided on this layout,” stated Molloy.

From there it wasn’t just about creating a likeness of Curie, but representing her innovative research with an engaging visual flourish. “I experimented with fonts and colors to represent her awards related to radioactivity and radium. The illustrations I added help to visualize her scientific achievements while also adding to the visual appeal of my poster. I added “radium” splatters with bright green as a part of the background to emphasize the scientific icons in the center.”

Nakiyah Martin 

Award in 2D Animation for ‘Lights Out Little Star’

For some artists, their work in the 62nd Annual Student Exhibition represents a second chance at perfecting an existing work, such as Nakiyah Martin’s ‘Lights Out Little Star.’ According to Martin, the piece was “a slight rework of a final project in a sound design class. The sound design and characters were inspired by classic cartoons that utilize music to drive the story.” 

Harkening back to some of the first animated shorts such as Looney Tunes’ ‘Merrie Melodies’, Martin imbues an iterative quality into their work, building on the past beautifully. Not only are they showcasing the growth in their own animation but also the evolution of the medium itself over the last century. They share that winning the award in 2D animation has inspired them to keep “working towards my goals of becoming a professional storyboard artist.”

Miles Lopez

RMCAD Award for Creativity for ‘Lavender Lads’

For many RMCAD students, history is a common thread in their work. Miles Lopez, winner of the ‘RMCAD Award for Creativity’ for their piece ‘Lavender Lads,’ shared how the piece was made to “showcase queer joy and the strength that queer people have had throughout history.” The title of the piece is in reference to the bravery of the people who stood up against the ‘Lavender Scare,’ a movement which aimed at blackballing members of the LGBTQ+ community from serving in the government. “I wanted to portray the gift that our queer ancestors have given us through their fight and struggles. Because of their resistance and fights I am able to create queer looks for a runway as a trans hispanic man.” 

By recontextualizing vintage silhouettes to make them modern, Lopez pays tribute to the queer icons of the past and how they led us to the present, without indulging in nostalgia of a turbulent period in history. “The goal of my designs is to remind people of their strength and to urge us to continue our communities’ resilience. I conducted research into the history of the lavender lads and clothing of that era.” Lopez is honored to be recognized for their creativity and research, they will use this win as “momentum to tell more stories.”

Caitlyn Dolphin

Gallery Director Award for ‘Suits and Ranks’

For ‘Gallery Director Award’ winner Caitlyn Dolphin, patience is a virtue. According to her, she was thinking about the piece ‘Suits and Ranks’ “for over two years before I finally got the chance to execute it.” Over that time, she meticulously considered every detail of her take on a classic house of cards, working on getting everything just right. “The ornate blue design is something I created by repeatedly mirroring the pattern of a chip magnet over itself. The faces of the royalty cards were all drawn by me. Our printmaking teacher, Alicia McKim, walked me through making a custom registration system to fit each credit card and easily switch between designs.”

Dolphin says she was inspired to create a piece that encouraged audiences to interact with the space around her work, sharing that at the exhibition’s opening she “saw viewers dance around the pedestal, being careful not to move in a way that would disrupt the house of cards.” Dolphin’s work is so successful because of her keen eye for curation and knowledge of how audiences will interact with art on display. As such, she went on to thank gallery director, Rob Evans, saying, “having my work recognized by someone who consistently curates such high-quality exhibitions meant the world to me.”

Exhibitions aren’t just a celebration of a handful of winners, but a recognition of an entire collective of artists who compete not for an award, but for the sake of inspiring one another. As any one of the winners in the 62nd Annual Student Exhibition will tell you, it takes a village of family, friends, and educators to get an artist to that point. The unparalleled creativity and dedication that goes into each and every show is a testament not only to the students whose work is exhibited but to the communities who have helped them get there. To view the most recent work of RMCAD’s students, head over to the galleries page and check out the virtual exhibitions from the comfort of your home.

Think You Have What it Takes to be a Winner?

If you want to see your work in the next Annual Student Exhibition, you can’t compete if you don’t submit. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, thousands of students are creating new and innovative work everyday to inspire their classmates on-campus and online. Study in one of RMCAD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in areas ranging from Fine Arts and Interior Design, to Animation and Music Production. Learn more about joining this thriving creative community by requesting information today!

The post Winners Reflect on the 62nd Annual Student Exhibition appeared first on RMCAD.

Christina Richart

Online Student

You would certainly be forgiven for mistaking Christina Richart’s online store for a pristine pond because of the many adorable turtles you will spot there. While there are certainly too many to choose from, we recommend her design !Artists Unite!. Because not only are four turtles better than one, but its sentiment matches the reason behind this gift guide!

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Sammi Ghormley-Pichler

Staff Member

Whimsy, wizardy, and whiskers – that’s what Sammi Ghormley-Pichler brings to the table with her Wizard Possum sticker. The magical marsupial you didn’t know you needed. The perfect gift for your fantasy loving friend who brings more than just a little chaos with them wherever they go. Pichler’s store is full of cute oddities worth checking out and sharing with your friends.

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Sarah Hollis

Faculty Member

Everyone has at least one friend whose rear bumper is a mosaic of overlapping decals, and this year you know just what to get them. Check out Sarah Hollis’ fun and funky fan art designs. These vinyl car decals are water resistant and pay homage to some of your favorite animated characters.

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George-Otis Satterfield

Online Student

Sterling the snail is not just the star of this sticker, but also George-Otis Satterfield’s entire web store. While the digital artist’s pet snail is obviously photogenic from all angles, we are pretty keen on the confident pose Sterling is striking in the design of Sterling No. 9. Now that’s one glamorous gastropod the whole family can get behind!

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Leo Akers

On-Ground Student

What’s a better gift for all the astronomers, history buffs, and canine lovers in your life than a print of the historic Russian astronaut and certified good girl, Laika the dog? This print by Leo Akers is a photographic intaglio print which captures the likeness of the first dog in space beautifully surrounding her with satellites and constellations. It’s really out of this world!

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Blake Ballard

Faculty Member

Blake Ballard’s luscious prints utilize color, contrast, and the use of negative space in an exciting and boldly playful way. While you can’t go wrong anywhere on his website, this time of year we are obligated to point out his fantastic holiday cards. Share the gift of art with all the loved ones you won’t get to see in person this year.

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Kamari Murphy 

Online Student

Another exciting designer doing eye-catching work, is online student Kamari Murphy whose brand UNHNGE radiates with rebellious glee. Their print Zip Me Up combines an old school design with an updated barrage of visual intrigue, described as “a striking mix of streetwise attitude and art-school surrealism.” Purchase it now preframed.

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Sophia Trey

On-Ground Student

For the concert lover on your gift list, this next print is essential! Many of Sophia Trey’s prints capture the natural beauty of Colorado’s favorite geological amphitheater, Red Rocks. However, one print in particular also conveys the essence of what it feels to see the greatest venue on earth beneath the stars. The prints’ luxurious purple sky reaches down to meet the majestic red sandstone in a way that feels just like a hot summer night.

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Brenda Lyons

Faculty Member

Can your mom tell the difference between Western and Eastern Meadowlarks? Then, we have the perfect store to shop. Brenda Lyons’ collection is full of designs that will make your favorite birdwatcher whistle in delight. From ornate ornithological necklaces to mythical tableaus, there is a lot to love. Check out our favorite, her breathtaking Page of Pentacles – Fantasy Gryphon Print.

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Everyday Cheer

Who said art can’t be practical? These daily use items are more than just supplies, they spark joy. This year, buy your dad something he will love and actually use. The artists and designers below imbue so much wonder into these everyday items that you might just have to purchase some for yourself.

Kialah Redmon

Online Student

Cute paperclips, need we say more? Kialah Redmon puts the “fun” in functional with a design so brilliant we can’t believe we don’t see them everywhere. Add some personality to a friend or coworker’s desk with the gift of frogs, llamas, cats, rabbits, and panda bears.

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Noelle Oxford

Online Student

Takeout menus, family photos, Christmas cards – these are just a few of the things that Noelle Oxford’s joyful fridge magnets can hold. Choose between oranges or strawberries or just take home the whole fruit basket. With an entire online store of friendly ceramic creations, Oxford’s site is certainly one worth perusing.

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Natalie Hadaway

Online Student

For the cult-horror fan in your life, get them a keychain that celebrates their unique love of movies. Natalie Hadaway’s online store will ensure that your friends and family will never lose their keys again. With an array of character illustrations printed on acrylic, these frightening designs can easily clip to anything and look great.

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Alex Wolf

Online Student

Whether you have children of your own or are shopping for nieces and nephews, you likely need to find the perfect plush toy this holiday season. Alex Wolf has several cuddle plushes to choose from, but our personal favorite is the Grey Cat in a Box. This is exactly the friendly face that the child in your life will want to see everyday.

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Jessica Nelson

Online Student

Speaking of cats, have we got a stellar tote bag for you! This high-quality photograph printed on a sturdy cotton canvas bag will remind the cat-lover in your life of their furry friend’s wild side. Jessica Nelson’s A-meowzing Leo The Cat Tote Bag is the perfect item for daily errands, transporting presents, or can even function as fantastic packaging for a smaller gift inside.

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Festive Fits

This year, give the gift of apparel that isn’t just trendy, but also expresses the wearer’s creativity. From sweatshirts to scarves to beanies, there is something to fit everyone on your list.

Isabella Williams

Online Student

If you’re not a cat lover, sorry, because Isabella Williams brings us two more of our favorite felines. Sphynx Kitty with Bow and Grumpy Black Cat with Purple Blueberry Headscarf both seem to stare into your soul with a fiercely, dazzling gaze that only cats can do. With a truly stupendous array of colors to choose from, bring that extra layer of warmth to your gift exchange with either a long sleeve tee or a sweatshirt.

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La’Dariaus Chavis

Online Student

While we’re getting all bundled up, what says “it’s the holidays!” better than a classic beanie? Great for sledding, ice skating, and snowball fights, this handsome green cap by La’Dariaus Chavis is the perfect gift for that special someone who thinks winter is better outside.

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Landis White

Online Student

Fall might feel like it’s over, but we likely all have one friend who reminds us that it’s technically not until December 21. So what better way to make them feel like they’re still drinking a pumpkin spice latte and watching leaves turn yellow than with the Fall Vibes Aspen Scarf? This serene painting by Landis White will warm not only their neck, but also their heart with the memory of those crisp and cozy October days. 

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Scent-Sational Selections

With the holidays, comes a myriad of accompanying aromas from evergreen and peppermint to cinnamon and gingerbread cookies. Scents are known for their ability to remind us of impactful memories and stir up potent emotions. This year, remind your family of all those great holidays, past and present.

Andrea Slusarski

Faculty Member

Andrea Slusarski’s web store brings you The Flow State Candle. This highly complex candle’s scents range from bergamot, to juniper, to redwood throughout its roughly 65 hour burn time. The candle is hand-wicked, hand-poured, and hand-labeled in their Denver studio using 100% natural soy wax from U.S.-grown soybeans, cotton wicks, the highest-quality fragrance oils and is cozier than a pair of fuzzy socks straight from the dryer.

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Regan Rosburg

Faculty Member

High-end perfume always makes for a luxurious gift for a romantic partner, however when shopping online it’s impossible to know which scent is right. Luckily, Regan Rosburg’s business, Yesterday’s Rain, has cut out all the guess work. By purchasing the sample pack, your loved one can affordably explore all four of Yesterday’s Rain’s full-bodied perfumes. 

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Giftable Services

Sometimes the best gift isn’t a physical thing, but rather an unforgettable experience. As such, here are a few gift suggestions that will go the extra mile for the people in your life who would rather unwrap an adventure this year.

Mark Dalton

On-Ground Student

For that friend or sibling who has been eyeing a tattoo, introduce them to a new tattoo artist who is sure to knock their socks off and then tattoo them back on! “Morbid” Mark Dalton of The Scurvy Dog Tattoo is an on-ground student who specializes in dark and wicked imagery but isn’t afraid of drawing some beautiful flowers too!

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Leon Archer

Online Student

Art is all a matter of personal taste, so why decide on what to give as a gift when those nearest to you can decide for themselves? That’s exactly what online student Leon Archer is offering with their prompt of Draw Me Anything I Want. For a very reasonable price, you can give your friends the gift of any illustration of their choice.

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Sierra Harvey

Online Student

How often do artists give you the chance to purchase exciting acrylic nails designs? Answer, not often enough. Admittedly, we might be cheating by putting this item in the services category. However, not unlike our last suggestion, you can give someone the gift of a customized set of acrylic nails by Sierra Harvey!

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Ligel Lambert

Faculty Member

Maybe 2026 is the year where someone you know is getting serious about their own creative career. If so, what better gift than to give them a private lesson with renowned fine artist Ligel Lambert? With one-on-one lessons starting at just $99, you can give the gift of self-expression. Additionally, we would be remiss to not mention that you can pre-order Lambert’s new book now!

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Collector’s Holiday Picks

Alright, if you have made it this far, you are likely looking for the rarest of works to add to an already impressive art collection. Below you will find original works you can’t find anywhere else, by artists who are certain to delight the collector in your life. Whether it’s for your grandparents, siblings, or a romantic partner, add one of these items to their collection!

Jess Moore

Faculty Member

Jess Moore’s brings the natural beauty of the setting sun into your loved one’s home in an elegant and understated wood design. These perfectly dyed, cut, and placed pieces are ideal for the minimalist in your life who knows that keeping things simple doesn’t mean everything needs to be beige and gray.

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Joseph Gonzalez

Faculty Member

Few clocks are able to tell you as much as Joseph Gonzalez’s Pangaea clock. Across its many planes, this complex beauty is the perfect fit for the clock collector in your life who can’t seem to remember the time, date, or even the season.

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Shayna Cohn

Faculty Member

Shayna Cohn’s work may be familiar to you if you have ever been to Meow Wolf Convergence Station. Her online store is full of ceramic creations that she describes as celebrating “iridescent, playful color palettes and intuitive flow.” Her corral-esq sculptures come to life with fluidity and ease. They are a sure-fire way to bring that same playful spirit into your favorite aspiring interior designer’s living room.

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Caitlyn Dolphin

On-Ground Student

Last but not least, we would like for you to check out Caitlyn Dolphin’s original oil paintings on wood. Specifically, we love her one of a kind take on the bucolic Americana of Gas Pumps. Dolphin’s work has been a staple on the RMCAD campus with her impressive fine art exhibitions continuing to win hearts and minds on the front range and beyond. 

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We hope you enjoyed learning more about the tremendously talented artists in the RMCAD community and hope their artwork makes the perfect holiday gift for those nearest to you this holiday season. Additionally, if you are interested in purchasing RMCAD specific merchandise for the student or alumni in your life, you can do so at the RMCAD Spectrum Store. 

Give Yourself the Greatest Gift of All

There are few gifts that make the same impact as a quality education, so if you want to find out how to start your own creative journey, then give yourself the gift of learning. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer several Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in programs including Illustration, Graphic Design, and Photography both in-person and online. Find out how to hone your creative and entrepreneurial skills this holiday season by requesting more information today!

The post RMCAD 2025 Holiday Gift guide appeared first on RMCAD.

They may be the new kids on the block, but Bumpko is coming out of the gate swinging. In April 2025, the small team debuted their animated short film Cloaked at RMCAD’s Annual Frames n’ Games Film Festival. The film took home the most prestigious honor of the night, Best in Show for Long-Form Animation. Not dissimilar from Cloaked’s story of hilarious heroism and fantasy hijinks, the true story of Bumpko Studios has more than just a few twists and turns!

Networking in the Animation Industry

The name Bumpko began as an inside joke between animation classmates and friends Talisen Rae and Ricky Scalise, well before they had any intention of starting an animation studio. Scalise kept jokingly giving Rae’s cat, Bucky, more and more ridiculous nicknames until one day the duo came up with Bumpko. Around the same time, Rae was building a personal portfolio site and figured the name was perfect. Just like that, the website for Bumpko Studios was born. Assembling the team, however, was not quite so haphazard. 

Connecting with Peers

Rae dreamed of creating playful and fun animated shorts in a queer inclusive space, which wouldn’t be possible without building industry connections. Connecting with peers in class, Rae would spitball the ideas that would eventually become Cloaked with Scalise, Lindsey Ball, and Marin Perkins.

While it took the team around seven months to complete the project, the general idea had been brewing for around three years prior to Frames n’ Games. As the gang’s jokes slowly turned into storyboards, they all realized that this wasn’t the type of group project that comes and goes with the semester; this was something special.

Rae, who had first conceived the idea of a vigilante in a classic fantasy setting, wanted to try their hand at directing Cloaked as well as being a cartoonist on the film. Scalise, whose passion was for writing, penned the final draft of the short’s script. Ball brought the world to life, designing all of the film’s backgrounds. Perkins served as the short’s editor and mixer, and also claims the title of having viewed the film the most times of anyone. A well-oiled machine, Bumpko Studios worked overtime to complete the ambitious project. Even still, the team was butting up against their deadline with a backlog of completed sketches that had yet to be colored. As the laundry list of tasks got longer, they began to question whether they would ever make it to Frames n’ Games. 

Luckily, word spread about the team’s vision. Classmate, Callahan Meyer, had noticed the hard work and fun-loving spirit that the Bumpko team was putting into their project. Meyer thought to himself, “These guys are doing something cool, I need to wiggle my way in.” So each day, he would come to class and strike up a conversation, gently probing the team for updates on their project. At the same time, the Bumpko Studios team was slowly working up the courage to ask Meyer if he would consider animating for Cloaked.

He, of course, accepted without a second thought. Meyer quickly began animating for much of the film’s action sequences. However, the team wasn’t out of the woods yet; conforming their work schedule to the campus hours was limiting the time they could spend in the studio. The countdown to Cloaked’s premiere was nearing, and time was of the essence. 

Connecting with a Mentor

Eric Sinha isn’t a name you’ll find on the Bumpko Studios website, and yet he’s played a vital role in the team’s development. As an animation professor at RMCAD, Sinha passed along much of his industry knowledge, which includes studying traditional animation under the legendary Don Bluth (film director, animator, production designer of The Land Before Time, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and Anastasia).

Additionally, Sinha had completed work for companies such as Meta, Facebook, and WhatsApp as well as premiered projects at Sundance and streamed on Hulu. The Bumpko team cites Sinha as one of their biggest supporters through the production timeline. With Sinha’s guiding hand, along with the advice of other educators such as Patrick Mallek, the Bumpko Team was made massive strides towards finishing Cloaked.

Beyond the classroom, Sinha had even more to offer the students: a studio space. Sure, it was small (not much larger than a broom closet), but it was the perfect home for a ragtag group of students just getting their business off the ground. Housed in the same office as Sinha’s business, Mile High Animation, Bumpko had greater access to Sinha if they ever needed his wisdom. Additionally, they were only a block away from Denver’s beautiful City Park, which quickly led to “company mandated walks” that helped bolster their imaginations when long days of animation got them down. Best of all, they could access the space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bumpko Studios was no longer just a dream; it was a business with an office, employees, and a project nearing the finish line.

Building a Brand as an Animation Studio

The team was assembled, the studio space was secured, and all that was left was to get to work. With a matter of weeks before Cloaked’s premiere, the Bumpko team had a lot of animation project management to do. From finishing the character movement and coloring to dialogue recording and sound editing, the team was working overtime. Each decision they made slowly began to define the project more and more, informing not only what Cloaked would be but also the brand of the studio. 

Defining Their Style and Niche

Early in the conception of Cloaked, Rae and the team decided that they had a much longer story to tell than the final 5-minute short. As such, they conceptualized their film as a pilot for a series of adventures that would feature a princess’ guard, named Nim, who also serves as a masked vigilante in the magical kingdom. The ongoing plot of Cloaked follows Nim’s misadventures as she attempts to keep the kingdom safe without jeopardizing her secret identity, particularly to the princess who laments the presence of a masked hero.

At the core of Cloaked is a sapphic romance between the princess and Nim, as well as the drama that ensues due to their different perspectives on crime fighting. This focus on LGBTQIA+ representation is not something that is siloed to their work on Cloaked. On the business’ About Us page, Bumpko Studios states “As queer artists, it is important to us to use our skills to benefit our community. Whether that’s making motion graphics for small Colorado businesses or doing work with queer organizations, our goal is to do work that matters.”

Crafting a Strong Online Presence

The creativity exhibited by the Bumpko team extends far beyond that of their work on the short film. As the small team put together their website, they made sure to highlight the playful style that makes them unique. Highlighting their team, their story, and most importantly, all the work that went into creating several projects, not just Cloaked. Additionally, as the premiere of their project drew closer and closer, the team wanted to leverage social media for animators to promote the short. Sketches, concept drawings, and even behind-the-scenes videos all helped to springboard Cloaked to a broader audience ahead of the first public showing.

Showcasing Their Work

Finally, the day of the premiere came on April 25, 2025. The Annual Frames n’ Games Film Festival was showcasing animation projects by dozens of students. The Bumpko Studios team arrived at the screening equal parts anxious and excited.

Their film would not only debut in front of more than 100 RMCAD students, faculty, and community members, but also in front of legendary Disney animator John Musker (pictured in the center), director of The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Princess and the Frog. Needless to say, tensions were running high.

“My heart was pounding all day long. That was probably the slowest day of my life,” shared Rae, who was counting down the minutes until the short was shown to an audience. Consumed with unease, the team sought out Eric Sinha in the hopes of a comforting word just moments before the premiere. Sinha reminded the team to “do the dishes” they had left in the office, giving the team a much-needed laugh.

Still, the small crew waited with bated breath through the rest of the Frames n’ Games shorts until their film came on. Scalise shared that even before their logo hit the screen, their team recognized the first milliseconds of audio, and they grabbed onto one another’s hands and rode the wave of exhilaration together.

Winning at Frames n’ Games

Having just survived the first public screening of Cloaked, the team still had to make it to the awards ceremony. When their name was called out, the team let out a collective cry of joy! They were in such disbelief, not only that their short had won Best Long-Form Animation, but that they had even completed the project in time. Reminding them of all of the late nights and weekends they spent animating on campus, bumping into other animation students who were doing the same. A rush of pride overcame the team, pride in their work as individuals, as well as pride in the work of their teammates and close friends.

Having the RMCAD community recognize all the hard work and dedication the Bumpko team put into the short was gratifying, but more important than any award was seeing the crowd’s reaction. Showing Cloaked to such an enthusiastic audience “meant a lot to us, and it meant a lot to our peers. I think it’s such a great moment for us to get to compete and share,” said Scalise, Cloaked’s writer and co-director. The team remarked at how the audience laughed and cheered at the film, even in places they weren’t expecting.

The Value of Collaborating on Passion Projects

Reflecting on the best parts of the collaborative animation project, the Bumpko Studios team shared the sketches, characters, and frames that brought them the most joy. However, their favorite parts of making Cloaked won’t be spotted on screen. “Honestly, my favorite part about the whole project was having such a big team,” said Rae, “Being in a space with all of my favorite people in the whole wide world, doing all the same things, was just wonderful!”

Scalise added that even when morale was low and exhaustion was taking its toll on the small studio, those moments are when their team became a family. “We just had a lovely time, even in crunch time. We’d be working on a scene that we absolutely hated, but we’d be doing it together.”

In that way, the secret ingredient of Cloaked and their animation studio startup as a whole is not quality scriptwriting, great sound mixing, or even technical knowledge of their software, Toon Boom. The X-factor that has brought the studio so far was group cohesion. “I feel like the studio environment is something a lot of students come into school nervous about,” says Rae. According to Scalise, one of the most important parts of building an animation career, whether it’s at a big studio or your own, is learning to collaborate with teammates, saying, “The environment of working with other creatives…. there’s nothing quite like that!” 

According to Rae, the short film is full of details that “nobody will see unless they are looking for them.” These include subtle animation techniques such as smear frames, creative allusions to the world’s miniature nature, for example, pine needles as nails, and even inside jokes like the team’s Dungeons and Dragons characters drawn into the crowd scenes.

From beginning to end, Cloaked is a laborious love letter delivered to the same team that sent it. Luckily, the film’s humor, action, joy, and passion are on such full display that even the uninitiated can’t help but crack a smile at the animated short.

To check out the final project, head over to the Bumpko Studios YouTube channel and give Cloaked a watch!

Where Animation Comes to Life

Whether it’s 2D or 3D, animate your dreams at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Our on-campus and online animation programs include 2D and 3D degrees that emphasize storytelling through character design, movement, and creating an animation demo reel. Get in touch for additional information or take the next step and apply today. 

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but are meant to retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.

The post Bumpko Studios and the Business of Animation appeared first on RMCAD.

 

In honor of his contributions to the arts, Richert’s name lives on at the RMCAD campus as part of the fabrication lab, or FabLab. Z-Space and Nth Dimension are two RMCAD art labs named after two solo exhibitions of Richert’s. Each space houses art tools and equipment that are anything but industry standard!

Exploring RMCAD’s State-of-the-Art Facilities

Noah Phillips is an Assistant Professor at RMCAD and the college’s FabLab Coordinator. In Z-Space, he aids students in exploring new creative horizons by using innovative technology.  Not attached to any specific class or curriculum, the goal of Z-Space is to encourage all students, regardless of program, to utilize high-tech machinery to advance their creative processes.

Phillips is proud to facilitate the space as students, faculty, staff, and even alumni come to Z-Space for their newest projects. As one of Colorado’s best art school facilities, the lab’s goal is to foster education and creative problem-solving. Phillips shared that he has worked tirelessly to ensure “it’s always a welcoming, accessible, and positive space where there’s someone in the lab to help make your project a success!”

Cutting-Edge Technology and Equipment

When you think of art supplies, high-pressure water lasers, a sticker maker, and a 3D ceramics printer likely aren’t the first things that come to mind. Between Nth Dimension and Z-Space, RMCAD’s creative spaces are full of cutting-edge technology that encourages artists and designers to push their work to the next level. While many artists prefer the old school methods of expression, Phillips wants them to understand how tech is a tool in their journey. The FabLab aims to get students to consider “how technology relates to their creativity,” shared Phillips.

Planning Your Studio Time Effectively

Phillips is keen to greet all visitors to the Z-Space himself, making sure they feel welcome and get the lay of the land. After which, the first questions he asks are “What are we working on?” and “What’s our deadline?” Many of the students who request his help are working towards an exhibition or class due date. Timelines are particularly important to Phillips because “one of the most important things that happens in Z-Space, I would say, is iterative design.” This is the process of building multiple versions of a project and fine-tuning flaws or failures. As you can imagine, this adds time to any project, but it’s a key part of the learning that the FabLab facilitates. 

Learning through these multiple drafts motivates students towards the finish line while encouraging them to continue learning. Phillips says, “We’re not usually going to make the perfect project that first time,” so for passion projects and exhibition entries alike, practice and patience make perfect. The learning curve for many of these projects is particularly steep as students learn new technologies and techniques in the FabLab.

Hands-On Learning Through Workshops and Special Programs

Phillips found that the best way to encourage students to utilize these unique tools on campus is through the success stories of fellow artists. “However, I saw that some of my peers across the Front Range art scene seemed to have aversions to the idea of digital fabrication.” 

Phillips took it upon himself to change the community’s mind. As such, he began inviting members of the local art scene to the RMCAD campus, saying, “I was interested in the challenge of convincing them that even if digital fabrication wasn’t useful for their practice, at the very least it could challenge them to expand what they’re doing.” With that challenge, the FabLab Resident Artist (FLxRA) program was born.

Utilizing Equipment and Software Training

The FLxRA program has included the talents of local artists such as Lucy Holtsnider, Ray Muñoz, and even RMCAD alumna and staff member Aura Hucks. Phillips invites these artists to the Z-Space and aids them as they learn about the space’s many pieces of hardware and corresponding software. With the help of Philips, these artists and designers work to not only build original pieces but ultimately expand their creative horizons.

Phillips works with these artists the same way he would a student, helping them achieve their creative goals. He shared that a big part of his job is not only saying yes to an idea, and helping the artist figure out how to accomplish it. “When artists come with a big idea, we may not be able to fully realize their vision. But we’ll get as close as we can, and we can continue to improve it, through iteration.” As creatives grapple with the limits of any medium, they learn how to ideate solutions in new ways.

Visiting Artists and Industry Professionals

After they have completed their artwork in the FabLab, the resident artist then hosts an artist talk. During their talk, the artist shares their artwork and the process of making it with RMCAD community members. The goal of these talks is not only to provide local creatives with the space to showcase their creativity, but also to encourage students to learn from the speaker’s creative problem-solving approaches. Seeing firsthand how industry professionals overcome artistic issues helps students connect similar dots in their own creative practice.

As artists share their trials and tribulations surrounding a project and how they overcame certain creative hurdles, it inspires students to do the same. Phillips credits these artists with motivating these students to push forward towards new horizons in ways that he can’t do by himself. He shared that “showing students working artists that are crossing that bridge and using new tech, invites them across the bridge as well!”

Tips for Maximizing RMCAD’s Art Resources

Phillips makes clear that “digital fabrication is an expanding field,” so the tips that may serve artists today may not be true 50 years from now. However, he believes that the core principles of art always have and always will remain the same, regardless of the technology used. Phillips shared a few key principles that help students not only stay on track when completing a difficult project but also get the most out of the learning experience. 

Safety First

As you can imagine, being surrounded by machinery comes with a degree of danger, but nothing that proper training and caution can’t protect against. Phillips said the Z-Space is “safer than spaces like wood shops,” however, that’s no excuse not to stay attentive. Particularly as multiple students are finishing different projects, it is just as important to have respect and etiquette in the FabLab as you would in any of the other RMCAD studio spaces. Safety is always the number one concern for Phillips, and he ensures each and every student knows the potential risks and how they can be mitigated.

Consider the Production Process

One of the most important things to be mindful of when making the most of art school resources is to consider the whole production process. Many large-scale projects cannot be accomplished with only one machine or technique, so Phillips encourages anyone using creative spaces like Z-Space and Nth Dimension to think of the process in three stages. First, there is pre-production. This is the phase concerned primarily with digital files, and when Phillips is the most involved in helping them build the foundation of their project. Next comes production. This is when artists are actively using tools like 3D printers. Finally, post-production often includes sanding, polishing, painting, and fine-tuning the final product until it’s ready for a student’s class, exhibition, or just personal collection.

Avoiding the Word Failure

As part of his iterative design philosophy, Phillips believes that it’s normal for projects to fall short of the creator’s intentions, but they are still a far cry from failure. He reminds all of the students who come to the Fablab that one of the best ways to learn is through trial and error. 

Phillips shared that the process of finding the right mindset is a “really valuable lesson, especially for developing artists. It’s important that they never feel like their project is a failure. Instead, it’s always a learning opportunity.” That is why student access to professional tools is so important for all programs, it promotes repetition and problem-solving.

For educators like Phillips, hands-on learning in art school is the most important way that developing artists can further their creative journey. He shared that the most important part is to always  “engage in their idea, no matter what stage it’s at. Whether it’s that first, strange idea, wondering is this even possible? All the way to those last technical steps.” In that way, Noah Phillips is the most valuable resource in the Z-Space. He ensures that Clark Richert’s legacy lives on through the students, looking to find all unexplored permutations of reality to reflect in their work.

Discover More In A Fine Arts Degree Program

For students who want to get the most out of their hands-on learning experience, check out Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, our Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program. Students will learn about painting, sculpting, printmaking, and using the FabLab’s many exciting equipment and tools.

RMCAD also offers year-round classes in both online and in-person formats, so you can choose the learning experience that works best for you. Request information to learn more about our fine arts degree program today, or take the next step in your artistic journey by completing our online application for admission.

 

The post Making the Most of RMCAD’s Art Labs and Resources appeared first on RMCAD.

Murals have long stood as a powerful form of artistic expression, capable of turning the quiet architecture of a blank wall into a vibrant canvas. We are ecstatic to see this within the walls of our own institution, and watch our students be the ones to bring these canvases to life. Within RMCAD’s 2024 Summer B Experience Design class, four students worked to inspire others using the hallways of our Rude campus building, while simultaneously showing off RMCAD’s campus culture and student life. Students Matthew Fulton, Andrew Garcia, Deonte Hill, and Tim Smith Yusef made up the class alongside Professor Leah Chutz. Fulton, Yusef, and Professor Chutz were able to sit down and discuss the details behind the mural’s design and final creation. 

The Beginning: Developing the Concept

At RMCAD, the Experience Design class is focused around designing for spatial and environmental user experience and user interface (UX/UI). This process involves methodologies that are very similar to UX/UI design for website and mobile app development and design, but with very different deliverables. With human centered design at its core, the team began creating journey maps and interviewing fellow RMCAD students. 

Understanding the Project Goals

Professor Chutz shared, “Before we interviewed people, we created journey maps, similar to creating a user persona, where we create a ‘fake’ person who would potentially use the Rude building. So we all created different students to see how they would interact with it and what they would like to see.” These journey maps were used to see the person’s thoughts, feelings, needs, and wants as they move through the building itself, giving the team a better understanding of the direction their work should take. 

Alongside the student interviews, the journey maps helped the team to determine what the community felt surrounding the current Rude design and what they wanted the community to get out of the future murals. Many of their interviews came from first year RMCAD students who had classes within the Rude building in an attempt to reach students with fresh eyes and new perspectives. 

The Creative Process: Designing the Mural

The team’s interviews and journey maps showed that students wanted to see more color throughout the building, as well as more highlighted student work. Additionally, some students expressed occasionally getting lost within the building and asking for clear directional signage. Thus, these factors guided the team into their brainstorming process. 

Although each aspect was built in collaboration, the team found it most efficient to start by dividing up the sections of the building, and then work together to refine these ideas and execute them. Yusef was tasked with the wayfinding (the building’s signage) and the hallway on the lower level, Fulton was tasked with the bathroom doors, and Garcia and Hill were tasked with the entryway. 

Sketching and Refining Ideas

Fulton began his process by taking inspiration from the Epic building’s design, graphics that had been completed through a previous year’s Experience Design class. He felt it was not only appropriate to keep the consistency across campus, but to connect the two buildings and create a larger sense of unity. 

Yusef’s hallway and wayfinding designs were inspired by Massimo Vignelli, one of the great minds behind the New York City Subway signage designs. He wanted his designs to express creativity yet remain clear and understandable, while also allowing for students’ work to be highlighted.  “My design wasn’t meant to be anything crazy, so it wouldn’t distract from the student artwork,” Yusef noted. 

Selecting Colors and Materials

The class created moodboards that helped them narrow down their color and design choices, and in coming together, ultimately landed on the greens, oranges, and yellows that now make up the building. “Everyone felt good about their section of the building they were working on, but also everyone was very receptive to feedback and collaboration, which was incredibly helpful for this project,” said Professor Chutz. 

The Execution: Bringing the Mural to Life

They then dove into the process of combining their ideas and drawing their mockups. They used photos they had taken to visualize their ideas in photoshop which helped to understand scale.  “We wanted to make it fun, but also function in a way that makes sense to the users,” said Professor Chutz. 

Overcoming Challenges

For the majority of the team, this was their first experience laying vinyl and using paint in order to create the mural, so they encountered several learning curves along the way. At first, the tape they used was not properly sticking to the walls, and this process had to be restarted with new tape before they could begin painting. 

The painting itself was a very meticulous process. The coatings had to be painted over several times in order to achieve their desired colors and sharp outlines. Additionally, the lettering on the wayfinding required particular care when placing to make sure it was properly aligned. 

The Final Process

When entering the building, you are greeted with the RMCAD mural on one side and a plain green wall with frames on the other. This green backdrop was meant to leave room for RMCAD students’ artwork to truly shine within the entryway as well as the lower level hallway. These particular frames that were used are permanently affixed to the wall with the ability to open and switch out the artwork that lives inside, a similar feature to that of the Epic building. 

The Finished Product

Fulton and Yusef expressed their excitement for how the completed design was executed. They felt the color helped to bring the building to life and achieve the desired effect that students expressed within their initial interviews. Similarly, they were pleased with their design choices that allowed the student work being showcased within the building to truly shine. Yusef stated, “Professor Chutz really made the class. Most professors might not have let us be as ambitious as we were.”

Yusef described how exciting it is to work on a piece that gets to live on a building for years to come, and that he hopes to continue to do similar work after he graduates. Fulton shared, “I like doing it all, logos, books, murals, etc. I came to RMCAD with the intent of learning and doing as much as I can and I feel like we succeeded in redesigning the space for the purposes of the people that use it.”  

Leaving Their Mark 

The journey of transforming the Rude building interior was a long process that combined artistic vision with productive teamwork and perseverance. From imagination to completion, each step presented valuable lessons in imagination and design. Whether working on a large-scale campus or an individual piece of artwork, the skills and knowledge gained from the process are invaluable. 

Ready To Make Your Impact On The RMCAD Campus?

Both artistry and practical design play a central role within user based graphic design. At Rocky Mountain College for Art + Design, we imbue our students with a range of technical and artistic skills to suit your interests and professional goals. Learn more about our on-campus and online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Program where you can explore your passions, or request more information and apply today!

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.

The post From Concept to Canvas: The Making of the Rude Mural appeared first on RMCAD.

If you’ve visited campus lately, it’s likely that you’ve noticed the bright, newly wrapped buses driving around! Now known as the RMCAD Caravans, these wonderful new designs are thanks to the hard work of RMCAD’s Summer A 2024 Design Systems students, Angel Bautista, Owen Campbell, Matthew Fulton, and Cameron Fushimi. These four students worked tirelessly over their 8-week term in order to embrace creativity and overcome hurdles placed before them. 

While sitting down with Bautista and Campbell, they described their experiences around the daunting task of working on a canvas such as the RMCAD vehicles. This extremely unique challenge forced them to step outside of their comfort zones, get creative, and pivot when needed in order to succeed on their project. One not only going to be seen by the RMCAD community, but the Denver Metro Area as well. 

The Class Behind the Creation

RMCAD’s Design Systems course is offered every term, and focuses on real world application through design and branding. Typically, this class will work with real world clients who may have a variety of needs, from full brand creation to brand guides, logos, system of illustrations, or graphics. Professor Leah Chutz shared, “This [class] really allows students to understand what it entails to create a whole system and not just a logo. We talked a lot about brand positioning, and the different ideas of what the brand needs to be and say, visually.”

This time around, Professor Chutz says that RMCAD approached the class with the opportunity for not only a full redesign of the buses, but a rebrand as well. The students began meeting with the RMCAD marketing department weekly to ensure their designs and caravan branding were staying on track. This aspect of the class helped students  learn how to handle client check-ins when they enter the real world as graphic designers. Additionally, the students had to consider ways in which the brand might expand in the future, such as stickers, apparel, or social media applications. With their client and branding needs determined, the students swiftly began their long journey ahead, and started the brainstorming process.

Students At Work

The students started from the ground up, and used vision and mood boards to display each of their own initial ideas for the wrap design. Campbell remarked, “It was surprising how effective the mood boards and vision boards were. I usually just go straight into sketching and that can take a long time because you’re constantly changing things.” Each student included five words on their boards, with color palettes for each. Coming together as a class, they discussed and critiqued their boards until they narrowed it down to three words that would serve as the foundation of their designs: Community, Safety, and Inspiration. 

As part of the project research, students took a deeper dive into RMCAD’s brand to best determine which logo and design could properly represent the community. They were surprised to make an unexpected discovery. “Each department had their own color that was rarely used because most of the branding is focused on orange, gray, and white,” explained Campbell. “So, it was a fun discovery to find that each department is unique with the color it brings to the table, so that’s what we focused on for our color palette.”

Using those words and colors, they set out to create their own individual designs. After working on their own, they came together to share their ideas and mold and mesh their concept. Bautista and Campbell described how tricky the process was at first, having to determine the best direction to go. With each student having their own unique style and accustomed to working individually, the process was difficult. However, both students expressed their gratitude for getting to experience the challenge. 

“Group projects like this really help an artist, or anyone, overcome negative feelings too. Even if your design doesn’t get picked, at least you’re able to be a part of the whole experience.” Bautista shared. In reality, it is rare that an artist works alone on a project this size, which was evident in their class trip to Ink Monstr. 

A Class Trip To Inspire 

As part of the project, the class took a field trip to Ink Monstr, a large format printing company based in Denver, CO. As a company specializing in custom graphic designs and large-scale printing services such as banners, wall wraps, and vehicle wraps, the students gained a lot of knowledge for their project within this trip. Campbell shared, “We got to meet a lot of different people that we are not usually introduced to. People that do a lot of manual application and marketing. You see how important all of these jobs are in creating one finished product. It’s not just an artist doing it all.”

Despite the overall excitement of getting to redesign the RMCAD caravans, the team had to stop and consider the smaller details and challenges that they might encounter with a project as unique as this. “[The trip] helped us understand how the wrapping is actually executed. How it’s best to line up your design with the structure and shape of the vehicle.” Campbell remarked. The students discussed these challenges they hadn’t considered before with the Ink Monstr team. The seams, doors, and windows of the vehicle had to be taken into account to make the wrap as seamless as possible across the entire vehicle. This led to having to tweak a lot more minuscule details on the final design than they originally expected. 

Bautista described that as a previous bus rider herself, she noticed some of the vehicle’s old window designs resulted in a more dim and dark interior. A not so fun mood for gloomy or rainy days. This was an incredibly helpful insight for their final design, as the team agreed to leave the windows blank to avoid this conundrum. Additionally, the Ink Monstr team walked the students through different options for bus wrap materials and how this might affect the final coloring and appearance of the caravan. 

Bautista and Campbell expressed how grateful they were for this hands-on experience and the opportunity to discuss these topics with the experienced workers at Ink Monstr. They explained that it not only made the project more tangible, but helped them understand the practical aspects of design and branding that they would not have otherwise considered. Campbell stated, “It’s different when you’re doing just a 3D model or a 2D model, versus actually seeing it on the finished product, so we did have to pivot in a few spots to make sure everything worked seamlessly.”

Turning Ideas Into Art 

Bautista and Campbell emphasized that wanting to properly represent the RMCAD community was constantly at the forefront of their minds and designs. They explained how their final logo and caravan design contained an aspect of each of their individual designs, big and small.  “Once we did land on something, we did really well playing off of each other and expanding that concept.” Campbell said. Constructive critiques from one student to another helped shape their changes and artistic choices, and helped bring out each student’s best work, which ultimately led to the strongest final design. 

The two shared that by the end of the 8-week course, they were extremely excited and enthusiastic about the design they created with their classmates. Despite being tasked with such a large-scale project, they were proud of what they accomplished throughout the term. “It really helped open up our eyes because we did so much within these eight weeks.” Bautista shared.  

The students have since been praised by faculty, staff, and students for their hard work on the vehicles, known as the RMCAD Caravans, for their extensive thought and effort that contributed to the final design, now cruising around campus. 

Beyond The Bus

Within the Design Systems class, the students used their creativity and community involvement in new ways they hadn’t considered before. Campbell stated, “It opened my eyes to more of a corporate artistic position that I haven’t really been exposed to otherwise.” Despite the initial daunting nature of the assignment, Bautista and Campbell discussed the elation they felt in completing such an important community project such as this. 

Campbell explained how the whole experience has helped him when thinking about his future. “It gives you an introduction to the real world. It’s different when you’re learning something in a classroom versus when you’re actually practicing it for real. I think it made us all stronger as artists. Stronger employees for our futures.” By reimagining these everyday vehicles, these students showcased the range of their artistic abilities and imaginations. As their redesigned buses take to the Denver streets, they stand as a welcome reminder of the daily creativity just waiting to be explored at RMCAD, and in the words of Campbell, “There’s a reason why teamwork makes the dream work.”

Explore Graphic Design At RMCAD 

Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design allows students to gain hands-on experience inside and outside of the classroom. In this career focused program, you’ll explore a variety of projects and topics that help you take your knowledge and talent to the next level – all while building a comprehensive portfolio of your own unique work. Learn more about our on-campus or online graphic design program by getting in touch today, or get started by filling out your online application for admission.

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker. 

The post DRIVING CREATIVITY: HOW RMCAD STUDENTS TRANSFORMED CAMPUS BUSES INTO MOVING MASTERPIECES appeared first on RMCAD.

Wrinkles in fabric, shopping baskets, and the Denver International Airport are just a few of the things that inspire Caitlyn Dolphin’s oil paintings. Dolphin, who is a Fine Arts student at RMCAD, finds her muse wherever she goes. By affectionately depicting the “mundane” she aims to highlight the beauty in the world that some viewers may ignore. 

“When audiences see my pieces, I think they resonate strongly because they’re seeing these same scenes in the world that I preserved in an oil painting. I think it gives people a sense of sentiment for the world around them,” shared the young painter. Dolphin credits much of her inspiration with having the right surroundings.

As many young artists move to Denver to launch their creative careers, they’re all chasing the same creative spark to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and Dolphin is no exception. She moved to the Mile High City in 2021 to further pursue oil painting at RMCAD. She shares her insights on living in Denver as an artist, how the city influences her work, her favorite spots, and tips for navigating the city’s art scene.

Denver’s Creative Atmosphere

In a city like Denver, inspiration looms behind every corner. Within Denver, the diverse and abundant art scene has even generated unique nicknames for neighborhoods such as Five-Points which was known as “Harlem of the West” due to its vibrant jazz scene in the early 20th century. 

A Thriving Art Scene

“One thing that’s been really valuable about moving to a city like Denver is how it embraces the community aspect of art,” shared Dolphin, who made her way west from her home state of Iowa. Reflecting on the various markets and art events in Denver, Dolphin pointed specifically to the Santa Fe Art District’s First Friday as a source of creative fuel. Not only do events like this expose young artists to other creatives of various backgrounds and mediums but they also highlight just how much audiences crave authentic and original art in their city.

Living in Denver as an artist, Dolphin shared how she felt empowered by the local art scene’s massive audience. The community inspired her to think outside the box saying “In a lot of cities, the perception of what art can be is very limited to the big white gallery space. People think once your work is there, then good job, you’re all done! However, I think Denver is oriented on creativity in all forms.” 

Diversity in Artistic Expression

When Dolphin first set her gaze on attending RMCAD, she was overwhelmed by the multitude of options. Fresh out of high school she was unsure what her future as an artist would hold and considered enrolling in the Art Education and Illustration programs. In the end, she knew she was a fine artist because she was “always working an oil painting in the background.”

Dolphin credits her interest in different mediums with her artistic growth in Denver. Taking every chance she can to experiment with new art forms inside and outside of the classroom, she has learned to slow down and find her creative voice. Getting her hands dirty with clay influenced how she sees movement in her paintings. She reconsidered how 3D elements inhabit space by building fabric sculptures. “What’s funny is that understanding those different materials has enhanced my oil painting practice, which I’ve been grateful for!”

Searching for Inspiration in Denver

Denver’s art community is a bustle with urban street artists, upcycled fashion designers, and punk bands gigging their way through the city. No matter where you go in the city, you’ll stumble across something to kickstart your imagination. For young creatives, like Dolphin building their artistic lifestyle in Denver, the breadth of the local art scene offers inspiration in spades! 

Dolphin admits that no matter where she goes the source of inspiration remains the same, the people. People watching at various locations in the city gives her a distinct view into the lives of Denver locals. She named a few favorite spots for when she needs inspiration.

Denver International Airport

“I’ll go to the airport sometimes when I don’t have a flight and I just make a day out of it. I like getting on the A-line and watching people where I think their guard is the lowest.”

Bardo Coffee House

“I am a regular at Bardo Coffee House. I think at places like coffee shops, where people aren’t in as much of a rush, they know they’re being observed to some extent. How people react in those situations is also a prime source of inspiration.”

Local Malls

“Even if I’m not buying anything, I like to wander the mall. Another theme in my work is material. I enjoy making that visual association by asking questions like where’s this person going? What have they bought and why?”

Opportunities for Art Students in Denver

One of the most important ways that Dolphin has found her place in the community is by connecting with artists in Denver. Whether it’s from other students, faculty members, or artists outside of RMCAD, Dolphin is always seeking input from fellow artists.

Making the Most of Studio Time

At RMCAD, Dolphin has an on-campus studio. At Spivak Studios, Dolphin shares one of 12 studio spaces with other RMCAD students. The collaborative studio space can accommodate up to 25 students total. In Dolphin’s experience, every day in the studio brings something new. “Some days you walk in and you hear people giving feedback and advice, and sometimes you walk in and everyone’s got their earbuds in and they’re locked in on their own work.”

As an oil painter, Dolphin works slowly. Each day she brings something new to her work, a certain color, texture, or perspective that accumulates over days of hard work. Spivak’s “open-door” policy encourages students to provide one another with constructive criticism even when work is incomplete, which Dolphin believes has pushed her as a painter. “I love the element of critique in the studios. I think it’s important to get comfortable with people seeing your work even at its worst. It just makes you even more confident in your finished product.”

Networking in the Art Community

Dolphin will be the first to tell you how much she loves getting out of her comfort zone and meeting other artists, saying “I’m a big proponent of talking to strangers!” On top of that she also just really loves discussing art. This sociable mindset showed her how to network as an artist in Denver. “When I’m at art openings, I like to be the person that says, ‘I love your work,’ and ask them about their art. I think making that verbal connection with an artist is important.”

Even as a Denver-based artist, Dolphin doesn’t limit herself to only making connections in the Denver art community. “I’m also a big proponent of making social media connections in person. As much of an oxymoron that is.” Dolphin’s drive to build connections beyond her immediate circles has led to exciting opportunities beyond local art events in Colorado. Recently, she shipped a piece to be a part of a show in Lawrence, Kansas. It was a juried exhibition, so it was an honor to be accepted. On top of being accepted, Dolphin also sold her piece. “That was really exciting for me!”

Personal Reflections on Living and Creating in Denver

Since moving to Denver, Dolphin has learned volumes as both an artist and a person. “One of the biggest benefits I’ve gotten out of my education is the confidence to experiment.”

Advice for Aspiring Artists Moving to Denver

As Dolphin joins the next generation of emerging artists in Denver, she is blazing a trail for other artists to follow. On top of telling artists to go out and observe the world around them, Dolphin encourages artists to look deeper into their favorite artwork. She shared how she always comes back to her favorite movie for inspiration. “Ocean’s 11 truly emboldened me in such a strange way!” Between the color, the humor, and human interactions, Dolphin said she always notices something new when she rewatches it. 

For the painter, the film is a reminder to tell a story. “I think storytelling is something that all artists can benefit from, but especially artists like myself who work so intensively on these solitary images.” Dolphin shared how she uses storytelling in subtle ways. By painting situations that evoke familiar feelings, her work implies more than what is seen on a single canvas.

My Artistic Growth in Denver

Dolphin believes the guiding philosophy of her paintings is “giving attention to everyday tasks.” Through tirelessly observing the city around her, Dolphin has brought an elevated sense of realism to her work. By highlighting the seemingly ordinary in her paintings, she invites the viewer to engage more thoughtfully in the ordinary experiences of their day-to-day life. 

“When people see that anything can be an oil painting, not just oligarchs being fed grapes, I think they start thinking, ‘What about this situation I just had today? What about me picking up a basket at the grocery store? Could that be a painting?’” By treating daily tasks with such affection, Caitlyn Dolphin shows viewers that art is all around them, no matter where they live.

Explore Your New Community

Sharing your perspective as an artist is invaluable, whether you want to depict the ordinary or the extraordinary. However, to be successful you’ll need technique as well as vision.

Having the right community around you can refine that technique. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, our Fine Arts program prepares students with the technical and creative skills to share their one-of-a-kind ideas. Learn more about this career-focused program by requesting further information today. Additionally, you can get started by filling out an online application now!

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Recipient of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences – Film Scholar Award, the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Educators Forum Grant, and a Family Choice Award – Johnson is a leading voice in animation and film history. She has published such works as Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, Tinker Bell – An Evolution, and contributed to The Walt Disney Film Archives –The Animated Movies 1921-1968 and Marc Davis: Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man. Additionally, she served as an associate producer for the award-winning documentary Pencils vs. Pixels.

“These artist talks provide our students with co-curricular opportunities to learn about careers in the creative industry beyond the classroom,” shared Brent Fitch, President of RMCAD. “We’re absolutely ecstatic to welcome Mindy Johnson to RMCAD! Her amazing journey is living proof that our students can achieve anything when they combine their creativity with dedicated research – what an inspiration!” 
To reserve your seat for this free public event, visit the RMCAD website today or watch the live stream online. 

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