Interview with the Artist 3: Shaina Huffman

My name is Maria Connour and I am a fourth year Studio Arts major at Ohio Northern. I believe it is important to shine a light on the many talented artists we have on campus, and a good way to do that is to feature their art in the Northern Review. I sat down with Shaina Huffman, a twenty-two year old senior Graphic Design major from Urbana, Ohio, to learn about her artistic process and do a spotlight on her work. 

Shaina chose to go to Ohio Northern University because it was close to her home and had a program that relates to her interests. She appreciates the close-knit community as a contrast to bigger universities, which are more difficult to navigate. She is president of the Art Club, as well as the treasurer and historian in Kappa Pi, the art honorary fraternity. Shaina is also a member of A.I.G.A., the American Institute of Graphic Arts. 

The first work, pictured below, was a project Shaina did for her Advertising Design Class, where the assignment was to make an advertisement for unplugging and engaging in activities outside of your phone. She chose the theme “Unplug and Color” because when she is not using her phone, she enjoys drawing and coloring. She says it helps her with relaxation. 

The next picture featured is one of Shaina’s assignments for her Photography Class, which was supposed to advocate for involvement in your community. She had written the words using chalk on a sidewalk in her hometown park, which she hopes to serve as a reminder to spend time outside, and in your local area. Shaina believes it is important to get sunlight and to get out of the house. 

The following image is another one of Shaina’s works from her Advertising Design Class. For this work, she was assigned to make an imaginary appeal to the U.S. Postal Services for Black History Month. She chose to feature four black artists who had made a social impact at their time. 

The top left depicts Art Sims, a graphic designer and art director from Detroit, Michigan who is perhaps best known for designing the poster for The Color Purple (1985) and his work displayed in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

Pictured in the top right is Aaron Douglas, a painter, illustrator, and arts educator from Topeka, Kansas. He is attributed with helping to develop the African-American Modernism Movement and used traditional African works to inspire a lot of his compositions. 

The bottom left shows Gail Anderson, a graphic designer who was born in Bronx, New York and has created many advertisements for Broadway shows. Gail Anderson is also the designer of the Emancipation Proclamation U.S. postage stamp, which debuted in 2013. Lastly, the bottom right design features graphic illustrator Emory Douglas who hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Emory Douglas was an active member of the Black Panther Party and used his compositions to feature ideologies the Black Panther’s displayed. 

Finally, Behind the images of the artist’s face, Shaina featured actual works they’d created as a backdrop to their portraits, which helps the viewer to get a glimpse of their individual styles. 

Next is one of Shaina’s graphic designs for her Typography class, which serves to emphasize the importance of education to our youth. The sun is essential to growth and development of life, just as education is essential to the growth and development of young minds. 

The last piece is Shaina’s entry for a t-shirt design competition her freshman year. Shaina’s submission was the winner of the competition and she believed that to be a sign she made the right choice coming to Ohio Northern University. So, if you see someone wearing a t-shirt with this design, it was a result of Shaina’s hard work!

To get more involved with Ohio Northern’s Art Program and to get in touch with Shaina, consider attending ONU’s Art Club. The club meets every Tuesday at four o’clock in room 121 of the Wilson Art Building.