2023 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Jo Farley

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

For merits, I submitted some of my furniture design work: one a wooden nest and the other a hexagon shaped side table that I hand painted detailed earth worms all over.

I also displayed my 3D modeling solid works lamp design and rendering. The lamp was a model of a crystal shaped hanging lamp. I showed my design drawing and final product prototype for a box that was made of cedar wood and had painted detailing. Another design prototype I submitted was a prototype model of a meat mallet design with accompanying poster designs.

I also displayed one of my art dolls, Lady Death, a hand sewn and sculpted doll depicting death as a babushka. I also submitted a set of lamps Vulcan Disco and Vulcan Disco take two electric boogaloo lamps inspired by and dedicated to my love of campy low budget sci-fi.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

I came to MCAD because I want to pursue a career in product design. I was a Visual Arts Ambassador of PIM Arts High School and loved the thriving art community of my high school. I was on the gallery installation crew and on the Visual Arts committee as well.

I really wanted to come to a college that would have a similar sense of community and MCAD was a really great fit for that. I have enjoyed the camaraderie and community in my major and the connections MCAD has fostered. 

What's next for your practice? Anything you're really excited to make?

I look forward to sharpening my skills in designing work that can be reproduced or designed for production. I look towards preparing for future career opportunities as well as taking joy in my personal work.

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

My favorite part of college so far is the community in my major. I love collaborating and bouncing ideas off my peers as we work in proximity in the studio spaces

What inspires you? 

I feel very inspired by the world around me as well as the fantasy of what product design could be. I am interested in bringing fantastical whimsical aesthetics into product design. I feel very inspired by sci-fi fantasy aesthetics and otherworldly feeling designs. 

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

My favorite work I've made is an art doll of death depicted as a babushka. It's all hand sculpted and hand sewn. 

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment? 

Right now I am very interested in the Hi-Fructose artist collective. I have followed their work for a long time but I especially love their current creative collaborations. I am also obsessed with star trek. I love the playful visuals and fun premise. 

What's your favorite color?

Periwinkle.