Rachelle ’16 is the graphic designer at Hillel, and has designed work for other off- campus groups as well. We sat down with her to find out more about what it’s like to be involved in graphic design and to put her art skills into practical use.
Name: Rachelle Gage
Class Year: 2016
Hometown: Westchester, NY
Major/Minor: Studio Art concentrating in Communication Design
HC: How did you get started in graphic design?
Rachelle: I have always had an interest in art. I was always creating since I was very young. As I approached my junior year in high school, I began to think about artistic careers. I wanted a job where I could be creative, but that I could also make a living in.
I had never tried computer-based art before, but always loved to explore in new mediums. During the college search, I decided to look into graphic design specifically. Even though I didn’t have any specific training yet, I had always had an artist’s perspective and creative thinking.
I took my first class, Digital Foundations, at Skidmore my sophomore year, and truly loved it. I would work on my own projects outside of class, creating vector drawings and designing logos and posters. This past summer I had two graphic design related internships in New York City, through which I realized that I truly wanted to continue in this field.
HC: What are some of your inspirations?
Rachelle: I recently became very interested in pattern, specifically the negative spaces that were created as I used repetition in my vector drawings.
After learning the techniques and terminology of design, I began to see it everywhere. Everything that surrounds us in our daily lives has been designed, or at least thought out about. I became interested in logo design as well, and this past year created and sold my first logo design, to Saratoga Apple.
HC: How has it been designing for a campus group?
Rachelle: I have felt so honored to be able to use my art to represent such a wonderful club. Some of my proudest accomplishments include my designing the new logo and my creative direction in the posters for events.
HC: Rabbi Linda Motzkin has just announced that she will be leaving after 28 years. What’s your favorite memory of working with her?
Rachelle: It has been so wonderful working with Rabbi Motzkin. It was always nice seeing her at Shabbat dinners and holiday services. I truly enjoyed the Bread and Torah workshop, where I got to braid challahs and learn Hebrew calligraphy.