Q&A with the New Dean of the LSU College of Art & Design.
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Jason Jamerson’s Keepsake Debuts
The first episode of Keepsake, a children’s television series created by Jason Jamerson, assistant professor of digital art, has been released.
Jamerson teaches virtual production and immersive media, and is a multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of experiential narrative and the forefront of digital media, including virtual production, XR, and AI-assisted production design.
Keepsake is an original children’s television pilot for ages 3 to 9, created using virtual production in LSU’s XR Studio. Set in a whimsical world of song, storytelling, and curiosity, the show features memorable characters, original music, and gentle adventures that celebrate imagination and kindness. Supported by LSU’s ATLAS grant and the LSU Provost’s Fund for Arts and Humanities, Keepsake also offers students hands-on experience in collaborative creative production.
Watch via Youtube:
Big Ideas in Arts & Humanities
The Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research has established the Big Ideas in Arts & Humanities to engage in scholarly research and creative activities that promote the national prominence of LSU. These funds are to support collaborative efforts in the Arts & Humanities that support research and creative projects by faculty and expand the national recognition of these projects to peer universities and audiences. The goal is to provide resources to individuals or collaborative teams that will enhance the competitiveness of the project for external funding in the arts and humanities. Successful projects will demonstrate intellectual merit, potential impact on scholarship or social change, and strong prospects of receiving external funding. The Pentagon Research Priorities represent some of the most existential threats to society and will require significant change in social well-being, values, and ethics. Research on the present, past and future social connections to these research priorities through the scholarship and creative works in the arts and humanities represents significant opportunity at LSU.
Chris Baos Receives LAF Research Award
MLA candidate Chris Baos is the winner of the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF)’s 2025 Kenneth R. Brooks MLA Research Scholarship.Originally from Greece, Chris is pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture at the LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture. Passionate about mitigating natural hazards, Chris aims to work in urban and regional planning with an emphasis on disaster resilience and sustainable development. He holds both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Science (MS) in Architectural Engineering and was recognized as the top graduate of his architecture school by the Technical Chamber of Greece.
He was selected for the 2025 Kenneth R. Brooks MLA Research Scholarship to pursue his graduate research. This scholarship is awarded to a continuing MLA student based on their “outstanding proposal for thesis or capstone research that contributes to the body of knowledge needed to advance the practice of landscape architecture,” according to LAF.
“Louisiana is a remarkable natural and cultural laboratory—rich with real-world challenges and unexpected beauty. It has a unique spirit that constantly surprises you. This is a place with soul and a strong sense of local identity—exactly what we seek in students here.”
“Thanks to professors like Dr. Harmon and Dr. Wang, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in meaningful, community-oriented projects from the very start of my studies,” Baos said. “This year, I consider it a great privilege to collaborate with the Louisiana Sea Grant team, guided by Dr. Matthew Bethel, and to be part of a dynamic interdisciplinary network that includes Dr. Alyssa Outhwaite, Dr. Chris Boyd, and many others.”
“I always look forward to our visits to Pointe-au-Chien and the time spent with people like Donald and Theresa Dardar. They represent a resilient and forward-moving Louisiana. Their example carries a powerful message—one the world urgently needs to hear.”
“The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) and its people do truly inspiring work. It’s remarkable how deeply they support, connect, and listen to students and researchers across the country. They shine a light especially on smaller or more ‘decentralized’ programs.”
“This fellowship will allow me to deepen my research into coastal Louisiana and its communities,” he said.
“But perhaps most importantly, it offers the opportunity to connect with Professor Kenneth Brooks—a deeply experienced landscape architect and educator with a longstanding commitment to the future of our profession and a sincere belief in the next generation. I actively seek mentors with integrity and vision who can both inspire and guide me as a designer and a researcher. I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to collaborate with him.”
About the Kenneth R. Brooks MLA Research Scholarship
Professor Kenneth R. Brooks, FALSA, FCELA, PLA, has had a long career in academia including: 18 years of teaching, research, and service in The Design School in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. Prior to that, he taught for 22 years in the Department of Landscape Architecture / Regional and Community Planning at Kansas State University and for 5 years at Washington State University. Throughout his career, Professor Brooks emphasized the value of research, particularly for students at the master’s level. This scholarship recognizing his career, has been established to provide financial support so that master’s students can focus on a rigorous, evidence-based research project that contributes to advancing the discipline of landscape architecture.
Candidates will be evaluated based on the merits of their intended research as well as the applicant’s academic aptitude and commitment to the profession of landscape architecture. The scholarship award may be used for research expenses, tuition, living expenses, or other costs associated with the applicant’s course of study; funds do not need to be exclusively used for research project expenses.
The LAF has awarded a total of $165,000 to 26 outstanding students for its 2024-25 scholarship season.
The 17 scholarships offered support the next generation of designers by rewarding superior student performance, supporting access and diversity, supporting original research, and assisting students with unmet financial need. The awards are made possible through funds established by generous sponsors.
LAF “congratulates all of our 2025 winners, who were selected through a competitive process by sponsor- and LAF-convened juries made up of leaders in landscape architecture practice, academia, and industry.”
LSU Faculty and Student Researchers Develop Engineering and Design Solutions Aimed to Advance Coastal Resilience
Ecosystem restoration is defined as “the action of repairing sites in nature to their former function or condition.” Climate impacts negatively affect coastal ecosystem functionality, communities, and infrastructures. Consequently, restoration efforts are increasingly focused on natural and nature-based features (NNBF) to build land and protect assets. However, restored landscapes often differ significantly from their original conditions.
Although restoration frameworks rely heavily on design-oriented processes, landscape designers are rarely involved in their development or implementation. The LSU Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio (CEDS), with support from the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center through the Developing Integrated Engineering and Design Solutions (DEEDS) project, has advanced a Collaborative Ecosystem Design (CED) framework to improve the development of coastal NNBF.
This framework emphasizes the environmental co-benefits associated with NNBF in the Gulf of Mexico and works to develop “design criteria” that quantify relationships between ecosystem structure, function, and ecosystem service valuation—ultimately aiming to reduce uncertainty in evaluating social benefits.
Fabiana Trindade da Silva, assistant professor of landscape architecture, moderated a panel at the State of the Coast 2025 conference in New Orleans, LA discussing the project. The panel, titled “Developing Integrated Engineering and Design Solutions: Foundations and Partnerships,” highlighted the interdisciplinary work happening through CEDS and the DEEDS project—a collaboration aimed at advancing coastal resilience through ecosystem-based design, modeling, and cross-sector partnerships.
The panel was organized by Dr. Traci Birch, associate professor of architecture, and included the following participants:
- Dr. Fabiana Trindade da Silva (Moderator – LSU School of Landscape Architecture)
- Dr. Yao Wang (LSU School of Landscape Architecture assistant professor)
- Dov Block, AICP, CFM (St. John the Baptist Parish)
- Jacob Midkiff (Undergraduate researcher, LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture)
- Joseph Brooks (Undergraduate researcher, LSU Landscape Architecture)
- Casey Jones (Independent researcher, UC Berkeley)
The panel showcased a range of interdisciplinary projects supported by the CEDS Summer Institute, including student-led research, simulation toolkits, green infrastructure planning, and thesis-to-practice case studies across Louisiana’s coast.
“Our session, ‘Developing Integrated Engineering and Design Solutions: Foundations and Partnerships,’ brought together an incredible mix of voices working at the intersection of design, modeling, and coastal resilience,” Trindade da Silva said. “I’ve been part of the CEDS Summer Institute for the past three years, helping to integrate landscape architecture with engineering and environmental science. It’s been a truly rewarding experience—watching students grow, partnerships evolve, and ideas take shape through design, data, and dialogue.”
The panel showcased projects and experiences from the DEEDS initiative, especially through the CEDS Summer Institute, which engages university students across disciplines and institutions to support nature-based solutions and collaborate with community partners along the Gulf Coast.
“I participated in the CEDS Summer Institute last year. I talked about what the experience there was like—working with a trans-disciplinary team to develop a barrier island restoration plan,” BLA candidate Jacob Midkiff said. “Then I shared how that experience shaped my research and led me to create a toolkit that allows designers to run coastal process simulations on AutoCAD and Rhino models. This tool helps quickly test design ideas and assess their effectiveness, ultimately supporting more resilient outcomes.
“I’d like to thank my mentor, Dr. Fabiana Trindade da Silva, for advising me throughout this project and for moderating the panel. Her guidance has been invaluable. I’d also like to thank my friend and colleague Joseph Brooks for collaborating with me on the toolkit, and my fellow panelists.
And last but not least, thank you to Dr. Traci Birch, PhD, AICP, for organizing the panel. It was a fun and enriching experience, and I was glad to be a part of it.”
Alumni Spotlight: Phillip Fernberg
Dr. Phillip Fernberg presenting at Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF).
Phillip Fernberg is a researcher, educator, and technology strategist. He earned a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree from the LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture (LSU RRSLA) in 2019, and has gone on to a multidisciplinary career exploring the intersections of technology and the built environment.
“I have a habit of just following my nose,” he said. His nose has led him to the field of landscape architecture, to innovate in design practice, to exploring emerging technologies changing the world.
“I’ve always kind of lived at the boundaries of disciplines. It’s always been hard for me to box myself into a hyper specificity of any given profession,” he said.
Design Meets Technology
Now an incoming faculty member at Utah State University, Fernberg’s research interests explore the intersection of technology and landscape architecture. Part of the landscape architecture & environmental planning department, he also teaches and conducts research with the Institute for Land, Water, and Air, a policy think tank affiliated with the university and the state of Utah. Additionally, he has a role in the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence, an interdisciplinary multi-domain lab that aims to solve global issues, including geopolitics, biosecurity, climate change, the emergent threat of using technology for conflict, and more.
“I work with a cross-disciplinary team of experts working to explore, anticipate, and solve the world’s most wicked problems,” Fernberg said.
Fernberg also works with the Visualization, Instrumentation, and Virtual Interaction Design (VIVID) Design Laboratory, which aims to bring “the best in class of technology” to spatial design and planning research.
“It’s fun to be able to work in a place with access to AI computing, geospatial modeling, drones and UAVs, and VR headsets, and to put these tools in people’s hands from all across the university,” he said.
His career path has taken him from professional practice to higher education, exploring a range of fields. After he graduated from LSU he moved to San Francisco to work at RHAA Landscape Architecture + Planning firm, where numerous fellow LSU landscape architecture graduates practice.
He decided to advance his research and pursue a PhD at Utah State University, studying in the landscape architecture and environmental planning department. He met his PhD advisor Brent Chamberlain through Mark Boyer, former director of the LSU RRSLA. (Chamberlain is a computational environmental planner)
“Since my time at LSU, I was really interested in the intersection between technology and landscape,” Fernberg said. “While I was working at different firms – engineering, architecture, landscape and planning firms – I was seeing this increasing role of new technologies. And so I had that bug [of interest] in me while in practice, and when I went back to get my PhD.”
During his PhD, Fernberg quickly became interested in the fast-evolving applications of AI and “delved in” to the emerging field of study. He was awarded the 2023 Landscape Architecture Foundation Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership, to study AI in landscape architecture.
Next, he took a position as Director of Digital Innovation at OJB Landscape Architecture (Office of Jim Burnett) in San Diego, where he helped the firm advance technological aspirations. Fernberg is now helping to cofound a tech startup for the nursery industry called Bloomlogic, trying to help problems with supply chain, logistics, and upstream management of one of the main design mediums of landscape architecture: plants.
Rooted in Landscape Architecture
Fernberg’s start in the field of landscape architecture began “in the real late stage” of his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University, he said. “Right before I was finishing undergrad, I had figured out that urban design was very interesting to me,” he said.
He had learned this “largely due to one of my past lives as an entertainer on cruise ships (I’ve worked random jobs ranging from Disney performer to librarian assistant in the Library of Congress). On ships, I would wake up each day in a new city, immersed in a new set of streets and public spaces and would be inspired by the many different ways they were laid out,” he shared. “At some point, I made the realization that there were people who made decisions about those layouts, whether formally or informally. It took a lot of searching through majors and specialities until the urban design class finally made things click.”
Interested in coastal studies, he came across the LSU MLA program basically “Googling,” he said with a laugh. “I read about the Coastal Sustainability Studio (now called the Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio) affiliated with the LSU College of Art & Design, which is what originally drew me to do my MLA at LSU.”
So he came to campus. “I visited [the LSU RRSLA] and there was this sense that you’re able to get an education on par with any of the other big great schools that you hear about, but also really grounded in the practice of landscape architecture and the fundamentals of design. It has both a rigorous structure and there’s this freedom to define your own path there, if you choose.”
“I knew I would get both the bread and butter of what the profession is, but you also have opportunities to explore and be able to reinvent whatever it is you do in your career.”
The LSU RRSLA has a warm and supportive community, he said. “Throughout my whole time in my MLA, I always felt that at the core of it, the faculty wanted my success – they wanted me to do well. I went deep, gained an understanding of what landscape architecture is and has been, but I could also see places where I could go with it. And I gained a skill set that has been transferrable across fields.”
LSU’s landscape architecture program trains students with a solid foundation in the principles of design, all the way through the progression of history and theories of design, he said. “At LSU you learn all the important procedural skills that you need to be a landscape architect,” he said. “You learn how to use CAD and all the relevant design programs, and of course the fundamental principles of drawing that were taught in foundation studios. So right away in practice, you can show up to the office and if someone asks you, ‘can you do this kind of thing?’ – and the answer is yes, easy.”
At the same time, learning how to think more critically about the relationship between design and place, and the framework of being in “dialogue with a landscape has a huge impact on the way I approach practice, the way I approach my research and teaching and pretty much everything I do,” Fernberg said.
“And it goes beyond landscape architecture.”
Where Stately Oaks and Broad Magnolias Shade Inspiring Halls
Originally from Southern California, Fernberg was instantly drawn to LSU’s dappled campus. “Under the shade of these massive live oak trees, it is a cool place,” he said. “And the people are super warm and welcoming, and have no problem just delving right into the heart of a good, meaty conversation with you, in a genuine way. I always appreciated those things, being a part of the community there.”
Inspirational professors, transformative studios, and opportunities to travel are among the most memorable aspects of his time at LSU.
“I have so many great memories of my time at LSU,” Fernberg said. “I remember my first year, first semester studio with Professor Emeritus Van Cox, which was completely unforgettable. It was at once the greatest orientation to landscape architecture and also the greatest orientation to Louisiana and life in Baton Rouge.”
“Another fond memory from over the years was our final year’s studio with my cohort, when we traveled with Professor Bruce Sharky to Portugal. That was amongst the last trips that Bruce led, and it was so special. It was the embodiment of Bruce’s ideal studio: travel, culture and design. How do those things all fit together? It was incredible. We were all just walking around southern Portugal sketching it, talking about it, identifying potential projects. Then he took us through a completely freeform studio where the main theme was: how can you apply all the skills you’ve come up with over the past 2 1/2 years together and apply them to interesting issues and problems, and how can you grow as a person because of it?”
Professor Sharky passed away in 2023 and left a profound impact on the generations of LSU students that he taught. “I really miss Bruce deeply,” Fernberg said. “He’s a wonderful, incredible human being, and he had a huge impact on our education.”
Sharky’s enduring legacy lives on, in the many landscape architects that he taught, now practicing across the globe.
For the Future
For future aspiring landscape architects and students deciding whether to pursue graduate education, Fernberg advises, “When you pick your master’s degree, ask yourself, ‘what are possible trajectories I could see myself on, and does this potential program seem to equip me with the skills needed for any of those trajectories?’ Do you want to help design the biggest, most interesting, transformational public park of the century – or pen the public policy of the century? Or perhaps represent fantastical landscapes for a movie studio? Or make science documentaries about our changing planet?”
“Ask yourself, what do you want to do, or what could you possibly do?”
For lifelong learners like Phillip Fernberg, the possibilities are endless.
Learn more about the LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture.
LSU Faculty Work Featured in LSU Museum of Art Exhibition In Focus
The LSU Museum of Art exhibition In Focus features art by LSU College of Art & Design faculty, showcasing the vast range of talent in areas such as digital technology, painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and printmaking. In Focus is on view April 24–August 3, 2025.
“Their work sets the standard for students and demonstrates the University’s commitment to training the next generation of artists, providing them with the skills, vision, and understanding needed to succeed in a world of accelerating cultural and social change, innovation, and rapid globalization,” according to the LSU Museum of Art.
Participating LSU faculty include: professor of painting/drawing Ed Smith, professor of painting/drawing Kelli Scott Kelley, associate professor of photography Johanna Warwick, professor of photography Jeremiah Ariaz, associate professor of art Denyce Celentano, associate professor of art Scott Andresen, associate professor of sculpture Loren Schwerd, associate professor of ceramics Michaelene Walsh, associate professor of photography Kristine Thompson, assistant professor of printmaking Lauren Graciela Cardenás, assistant professor of graphic design Andrew Shurtz, professor of graphic design Courtney Barr, associate professor of digital art Derick Ostrenko, professor of printmaking Leslie Koptcho, professor of graphic design Lynne Joddrell Baggett, and assistant professor of graphic design Luisa Fernanda Restrepo Pérez. The exhibition also includes a special presentation of work by LSU professor emeritus Edward Pramuk, The XYZ Collective (Brendan Harmon, LSU associate professor of landscape architecture, Hye Yeon Nam, associate professor of digital art, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Annicia Streete, LSU assistant professor of architecture, Nicholas Serrano, assistant professor of landscape architecture, University of Florida), and LSU assistant professor of professional practice William Maxen. The Pen Test is a collaboration between LSU associate professor of digital art Derick Ostrenko, LSU associate professor of experimental music & digital media Jesse Allison, and artist Vincent Cellucci, TU Delft Library.
“I’m excited to see my work at the LSU Museum among the work of my colleagues,” Kelley said. “In my work subconscious worlds, populated by hybrid beings, are woven into dreamlike tales. Figures, animals, and objects appear in metaphorical narratives which explore humankind’s connection, disconnection and impact on the natural world.” Her piece Female Sutler (2025), acrylic on a vintage quilt, is featured in the exhibition entrance.
The School of Art continues to thrive as a center for innovation, artistic expression, and creative exploration. One of the largest and most comprehensive art schools in the region, the program employs dozens of accomplished professional artists, designers, and researchers, working in a wide range of media. The School of Art collaborates with the LSU Museum of Art as a forum that offers opportunities for LSU art students to learn about art in a modern museum setting located in downtown Baton Rouge.
Learn more about the LSU Museum of Art.
LSU School of Art seeks entries for its 2025 Juried Summer Contemporary: FELT
The LSU School of Art and LSU College of Art & Design are pleased to invite contemporary local and regional artists and culture bearers to submit work to this year’s summer show—an open call, juried exhibition entitled FELT, which will be on view in Glassell Gallery located in downtown Baton Rouge’s Shaw Center for the Arts.
Taking an expansive approach to feel, feeling, felt, Glassell Gallery is seeking artists whose work addresses emotional states and embodiment—to the shifts felt when we tune into our senses. We seek work that embraces the sensuous—touch, temperature, vibration, aura—and connects the haptic, emotional, and somatic.
The call for entries is open April 22–June 10, 2024; entries are accepted via artcall.org at the following link Home | FELT | LSU School of Art Summer Contemporary. Please review the full submission guidelines and important dates at this link, where you may also submit your work. There is a $10 fee for entry. The exhibition will be on view from July 12–August 23, 2025, at Glassell Gallery.
About the Juror
Emily Wilkerson is the founder and director of Other Plans, a contemporary art gallery in New Orleans that presents solo and two-person exhibitions by an inter-generational group of artists. Wilkerson’s writing has been featured in Artforum.com, Art in America, Pelican Bomb, Art Papers, Burnaway, and multiple exhibition catalogs, and she has worked on exhibitions and projects with Prospect New Orleans, the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, the Chinati Foundation, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, among others. Wilkerson completed her master’s at the University of Southern California in Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere in 2012 and holds a B.A. from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Submission Deadlines
The call will be open from April 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m. CT through June 10, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Awards
First $750 / Second $500 / Third $250
Eligibility & Guidelines
Contemporary visual artists and culture bearers who live, work, study in–or are connected to– Louisiana are eligible to apply. We especially encourage local and college/university student-artists from across the Greater Baton Rouge area to apply. Artists must be 18 years and older.
There is a $10 entry fee.
Full details and guidelines can be found at https://felt-summercontemporary.artcall.org
Important Dates
Open Call: April 22–June 10, 2025 – Entries accepted through artcall.org
Juror Review: June 11–22, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: June 23, 2025
Mail or Delivery of Artwork: Glassell Gallery June 29–July 2 / July 7
Exhibition Dates: July 12–August 23, 2025
Reception & Awards: Saturday, August 23, 6–8 p.m.
Angelina Nguyen Selected for 2025 Metropolis Future100
Angelina Nguyen, an undergraduate architecture student, was selected for the 2025 METROPOLIS Future100. Each year, METROPOLIS magazine recognizes the top graduating architecture and interior design students across the United States and Canada through its prestigious Future100 program.
Angelina was nominated by Fabio Capra-Ribeiro, assistant professor of architecture, for her demonstrated excellence as a future architect.
“Angelina’s commitment to excellence, leadership, and innovative thinking exemplifies the kind of talent that will shape the future of architecture,” he said. “She has also received the prestigious O.J. Baker Portfolio Award, which highlights her ability to communicate her ideas effectively and with artistic clarity – skills crucial for any emerging architect.”
A fifth-year (May 2025 graduate) in the LSU School of Architecture, Angelina is a Bachelor of Architecture major with a minor in architectural history, and an LSU Honors College student. She was the 2024 first place winner of the O.J. Baker Award, a 2024 LSU Discover Summer Research Grant Recipient, and an LSU CxC Certified Communicator.
“I am so honored to have been recognized by LSU and by Metropolis Magazine!” Angelina shared.
A design researcher, Angelina has presented at a number of conferences while still an undergraduate student. In March 2025 she presented her research at the Penn State University 2025 Biophilia Symposium: Designing for Animals.
She presented her research “Integrating Non-Human Habitats into Architectural Design: The Case Study of Bird Nest Facades in Louisiana” in front of numerous professionals, educators, and graduate students from a variety of professions, ranging from landscape architecture, ecology, and archeology.
“As the only undergraduate presenting their research at this conference, I had much to learn about this important topic that has not yet been acknowledged by most architecture curriculums,” she said. “This conference gave me valuable insight into the growing conversations in multi-disciplinary design, and I hope to participate in more events soon!”
During her time at the LSU School of Architecture, Angelina has worked as a student worker on campus. She has also gained design skills in the field as an intern at Didier Architecture from 2022-2024. Read more about internships/externships at the LSU College of Art & Design.
After graduation, she plans to find work in Chicago or Boston.
Read more about the LSU School of Architecture.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Meet Safiyeh Niknami, MFA 2025
Designer of the World
For Freedom Typography project, by Safiyeh Niknami (MFA 2025).
Safiyeh Niknami is an artist and designer born and nurtured in the rich cultural heritage of Iran. She graduates with an MFA in graphic design at LSU in 2025, and also plans to embark on a journey as a Doctor of Design candidate.
Her journey into graphic design began “in the warmth of my childhood home, where I was drawn to art, from it was doodling in my books to creating collages with old newspapers. I cherish memories of sitting beside my mother as she sewed, using leftover pieces of fabric to create colorful patterns and pictures.”
“Design is never just a hobby for me, it is a style of life.”
Choosing graphic design was more than a career decision; it was a natural path that allowed her to combine creativity with purpose. “I chose graphic design because it allows me to speak visually on a global scale, breaking language barriers and telling stories that resonate with people everywhere,” she said.
Her international worldview profoundly influences her art, Safiyeh said. “The experiences I’ve had and the cultures I’ve been exposed to shape the themes and subjects I explore in my art and design practice,” she said. “Growing up in a cultural environment and moving to a foreign country has led me to incorporate various cultural elements into my work, celebrating the beauty of multiculturalism.”
“My personal beliefs and values inform my artistic choices,” she said. “Whether addressing human issues, exploring identity, or reflecting on nature, my art often reflects my hopes, concerns, and aspirations for the world. I find that my perspective on humanity, life, and the environment drives the emotions I want to convey, pushing me to create pieces that resonate on a deeper level.”
“My worldview influences the mediums and techniques I choose in my work. For instance, if I feel a connection to a product, I may incorporate cultural and historical elements and blend them with modern design to create a deeper meaning in my design. Ultimately, my design serves as a visual representation of how I perceive the world, inviting viewers to engage with my perspective and perhaps reconsider their own.”
After graduating from Alzahra University in Tehran, she worked as a freelance designer, collaborating with various companies both in Iran and internationally. Over the years, she wanted to continue her personal and professional growth. She decided to pursue an MFA degree, aiming to deepen her understanding and enhance her skills in a more structured academic environment.
A Welcoming Art & Design Community
“I chose LSU because it felt like the right place for me to grow,” Safiyeh said. “Among several options, LSU stood out with its supportive community and a teaching style that really clicked with my learning preferences. The environment at LSU is nurturing and dynamic, perfect for achieving my educational aspirations. Plus, as an Iranian female artist, I felt particularly welcomed and valued here. Over the past three years, LSU has provided some of the most enriching and memorable moments of my academic journey.”
“Some of my best moments at LSU revolve around the inspiring guidance I received from esteemed graphic design faculty like Professor Courtney Barr and Assistant Professor Luisa Restrepo,” she shared. “Their support was crucial in helping me reach new heights in both my academic and professional life. Participating in prestigious competitions like the American Advertising Federation Awards and coming away with several awards stands out as particularly rewarding. These achievements underscore the nurturing and encouraging atmosphere at the LSU School of Art, which has been pivotal in my growth and development.”
While completing her MFA degree, Safa worked in the Graphic Design Student Office (GDSO), a professional graphic design office at the LSU College of Art & Design.
As a GDSO designer, she provided professional design services for local community organizations and university departments, engaging in a wide array of projects that showcased commitment to impactful design. She had the opportunity to work on diverse projects, including creating brochures, catalogs, annual reports, art exhibition cards, posters, and logos.
“Each project offered unique challenges and the chance to immerse myself in the creative process,” she said. “Working at GDSO was not only about gaining invaluable real-world experience; it was also about honing my skills in graphic design, expanding my network, and building a comprehensive portfolio that reflects my abilities and style.”
Thesis Time: Design Meets Technology
Her MFA thesis exhibition SAFIYEH NIKNAMI: From Roses to Pixels: Design for Kashan’s Golab Festival showcased the Golabgiri Festival in Kashan, Iran, an annual rose water festival, through the lens of graphic design and digital experiences. This project was a valuable opportunity to push her design and research skills while engaging visitors in a cultural dialogue, Safiyeh said.
“I developed a destination branding strategy that reflects the deep cultural richness of Kashan, bringing its traditions to life in a modern context. At the heart of my exhibition was a prototype of the Golab App, a travel guide powered by AI to help visitors and tourists navigate Kashan and fully immerse themselves in its cultural events, particularly the Golab Festival. This exhibition allowed me to share a piece of Iranian art and heritage with an American audience, presenting it through innovative design solutions that bridge tradition and technology.”
In the future, she hopes to continue to blend her love for graphic design with my passion for cultural preservation. “I aim to be recognized as an international artist who uses graphic design as a powerful tool to bridge cultures and communicate meaningful messages across global platforms. Specifically, I wish to deepen my exploration of Iranian art and culture, bringing its rich heritage to a broader audience through my professional work and ongoing research.”
As a Doctor of Design candidate, she will continue my research focusing on cultural preservation, exploring how design and visual arts can significantly impact the conservation and enhancement of cultures that are fading into obscurity. “I look forward to further developing my skills and knowledge as a Doctor of Design candidate, focusing on innovative solutions that make heritage art forms relevant and preserved in the modern world.”
“My research will specifically address the culture and arts of Iran, investigating how these elements can be effectively showcased on a global scale through innovative design practices. This study aims to demonstrate how strategic design interventions can promote and maintain cultural heritage, making it accessible and relevant to a worldwide audience. The goal is to help heritage artworks stay alive and preserved in the modern world. To achieve this, I am analyzing historical Persian motifs and their unique features, creating a bridge between tradition and modernity in forms, mediums, and design strategies.”
Advice for Future Students
“For students interested in graphic design or considering graduate school, it’s crucial to immerse yourself deeply in both practical and theoretical aspects of the field,” she advises. “Always be curious and willing to explore new technologies and design methodologies. For international students, it’s particularly important to engage actively with the broader community, not just within your field but also in diverse cultural settings. This engagement can provide unique perspectives and opportunities, enhancing your creative output and helping you build a supportive network.”
“It’s vital to approach your studies and projects with curiosity and an open mind,” she said. “The field of graphic design is constantly evolving, so staying innovative and proactive in learning new skills is key. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different styles and mediums. Remember, every project is a chance to refine your skills and define your voice as a designer.”
“The challenges you face will build your resilience and expand your creative horizons, preparing you for a successful career in any part of the world.”
LSU College of Art & Design Announces Damien Mitchell and Nicholas Roberts as 2025 Open Experimental Studio resident artists
LSU College of Art & Design has selected two resident artists for the second year of its Open Experimental Studio. Designer and Assistant Professor of Industrial Design Damien Mitchell and LSU School of Art MFA ‘26 printmaker Nicholas Roberts will set up open studios in Glassell Gallery, located in the Shaw Center for the Arts, throughout the month of June. The artists will kick off their residency during Free First Sunday on June 1, 2025. Both artists will spend three days a week in Glassell Gallery making their own work and inviting visitors to make with them June 1–28.
Damien Mitchell
Nick Roberts
The Open Experimental Studio seeks not only to activate the gallery but to activate creative expression. It offers visitors the opportunity to experiment with artmaking, community building, and contributing their work to the experimental space. The Open Experimental Studio values process over product, experience over outcome, and communing over consuming. It seeks to create a supportive, open space for playful expression through artmaking that is open and welcoming to all.
In addition to the artists’ studios, the gallery will offer open studio space for visitors to create, scheduled workshops, and collaborative projects that will be facilitated by the artists over their month-long residency. The Open Experimental Studio will host an opening event with both artists Sunday June 1, from 2–5 p.m. All Open Experimental Studio hours, workshops, and events are free and open to all. More details about projects and workshops will be released in early May, including more about a closing event planned for June 28, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. The 2025 Open Experimental Studio is supported by the Charles Lamar Family Foundation.