Art & Design Students Take Part in Scarf Design Contest

The Department of Art & Design recently held a student scarf design contest celebrating the creativity and talent of its majors. The competition challenged students to create original scarf designs that celebrated New Jersey through concept, visuals, and symbolism, with the winning designs being produced for a special, high-profile client and occasion.

Thirteen students submitted original designs. In recognition of their work, all participants will receive certificates of participation, and every submitted design will be featured in an upcoming display in Calcia Hall. From the submissions, three students were selected as finalists for their outstanding designs. Each finalist received a $100 prize.

• Danielle Hughes, BFA in Visual Communication Design
• Arianna Colon, BFA in Illustration
• Agnieszka Palka, BA in Visual Arts

The scarves were created for a very special purpose: they were created for Governor Mikie Sherrill. Ultimately, the Governor’s office loved all three designs so much that they will all be worn by either Governor Sherrill or other members of her party. The students were not informed of the wearer’s identity or the specific event in advance, allowing them to focus purely their art.

The competition was open to all current majors in the Department of Art & Design, including Illustration, Fashion Design & Merchandising, Product Design, Visual Arts (and Art Education), and Visual Communication Design. Designers were asked to create either a repeat pattern or an all-over image, giving them creative freedom while emphasizing a clear connection to New Jersey.

The department celebrated the students’ achievements and creativity, highlighting the impact of their work not only within the Montclair State University community, but also on a statewide stage.

Danielle Hughes, BFA – Visual Communication Design
“In this scarf design, I took inspiration from New Jersey’s state symbolism, specifically ones in organic nature. New Jersey contains such rich biodiversity, and our state symbols can serve as tokens for over very own ecosystems. Featured in this design are Eastern Goldfinches, violet flowers, blueberries, honeybees, red oak tree leaves, and Black Swallowtail butterflies – all symbols of NJ! I also incorporated the original ornamentation from the state seal on the New Jersey flag within the design. To put all these symbolic images together, I made this ornamental, William-Morris-inspired pattern that is featured on the final scarf. The color palette also comes directly from the state flag, including but not limited to “Buff” and “Jersey Blue,” the official state colors chosen by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. My hope is to combine imagery from our rich, original history with modern, familiar symbolism to capture what makes New Jersey so special!”

–Danielle Hughes

Arianna Colon, BFA – Illustration
“When designing my scarf, I asked a majority of my colleagues what New Jersey means to them. Most of them were childhood memories on boardwalks and beaches, eating ice cream by the shore. Some were long drives on the parkway in anticipation to get to the Jersey shore. I tried to capture everything that makes New Jersey the state that it is. All its symbols from its fruit to flower to the more obscure, that we are one of the only states that do not pump their own gas. New Jersey has lots of history and great landmarks such as Paterson Falls which I had visited as a child. I included its fruits, flowers and the honeybee since it is the Garden State. I had to include the Pork Roll also known as Taylor Ham since it is a classic argument that remains strong to Jersey natives to this day and an iconic breakfast sandwich. New Jersey is my home state and I have so many fond memories all around it.

–Arianna Colon

Agnieszka Palka, BA – Visual Arts
“The composition displays a decorative purpose. The work favors symmetry and repetition. Through the radial arrangement, the scarf incorporates New Jersey state symbols such as the Eastern Goldfinch, violet flowers, blueberries, Red Oak branches, the Black Swallowtail butterfly, Dogwood, cranberries, and honeybees, which are essential to agriculture. The background flows with the warmth of the buff color of the New Jersey flag. At the center, the endangered state reptile, the bog turtle, with a shell constructed from franklinite, represents the state mineral, Lenape culture, and the symbolism of Mother Earth. To further honor the Lenape people, I included abstract geometric motifs and colors along the border, inspired by the Shakhukwian (Man’s Coat) pattern. In this piece, the eye does not focus on a single motif. All the elements share the same style; limited visual depth, achieved through flatness and simplified shapes, gives the work a folk-art character.

— Agnieszka Palka