Mount Saint Mary College is proud to present “Type Faces: Self-Portraits in Type,” a unique exhibition featuring the work of digital media students.
The show is free and open to the public. It’s located on the first floor of the Kaplan Family Library and Learning Center on the Mount campus, 330 Powell Ave., Newburgh, N.Y.
The show features a series of self-portraits constructed entirely through the creative use of typography, exploring the intersection of visual identity and the written word. They were created for the Graphic Design I course.
The featured artists include those pursuing degrees in Graphic Design, Game Development, Cybersecurity, Nursing, Biology, and more.
Under the guidance of instructor Dean DiMarzo, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the college, students utilized various typefaces, weights, and arrangements to capture their likenesses. The project challenged students to look beyond traditional illustration techniques, using the anatomy of letters and symbols to create texture, shading, and form.
“I’ve been really impressed with the students’ work,” said DiMarzo. “If a picture is worth a thousand words, these typographic self-portraits are worth at least a thousand and one. Some give insight into their interests with quotes from poems, songs, and movies, or by sharing something about themselves. Each one is unique and special.”
The exhibition highlights the technical proficiency and artistic vision of the students, offering a fresh perspective on the traditional self-portrait. By restricting the medium to type, the artists were encouraged to think critically about how font choice and layout can convey personality and emotion.