Mushy, funny or raunchy—how do designers and artists profess their love on Valentine’s Day?
To find out, the School of Visual Arts (SVA) checked in with some of its members this year:
Debbie Millman, MPS Branding Department Chair
“Though I loathe the obligatory festivities of most holidays, Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday to make a card for!” This year’s creation, made from felt fabric and felt letters, is called ‘Heartfelt’.
Marshall Arisman, MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Department Chair
For years, he’s given his wife a hand-drawn Valentine inspired by their “100-year-old cat and resident mystic”, Katmandu. Katmandu shared a space with them on the Upper West Side for almost a quarter of a century. As the Ocicat passed away a few days ago, this year’s tribute will be bittersweet. “He was an old man, but self-sufficient, like most New Yorkers. When he jumped and didn’t make it, we pretended not to notice”.
Steven Heller, MFA Design Department Co-chair
He handpicks his cards at Fresh Frances Greetings and Gifts. “I appreciate any Valentine’s Day card that has a devil or other ghoul on it as an antidote to cherubs. Remember, sweet things are unhealthy. This was for my son, who is indeed a handsome devil.”
Steven Heller, MFA Design Department Co-chair
“Okay, honey is sweet. But this card has more going for it. I like the fun type, even if it’s fake wood type.”
Steven Heller, MFA Design Department Co-chair
This image (by Terry Wha) is accompanied by words every girl wants to hear: “I would hold my farts for you… It’s love for certain. And the sentiments are from the (rhymes with…)”
Emily Weiner, SVA alumnus (MFA 2011 Fine Arts) and MFA Design Criticism Department program coordinator
She can’t express her Valentine’s Day message in a mere card. It takes an event. She recently transformed her Brooklyn Heights apartment into a salon for a one-night exhibition entitled ‘Love’, where artists were invited to contribute works—such as digital art, sculptural installations, and paintings—based on “love and collaboration, in all of its permutations”.
THE CARD THAT DOES NOT GET SENT
Paul Sahre, BFA Advertising and Design Department faculty member
“I’m a non-card person. Not for any reason, not even birthdays. Not even for my wife.”
[via SVA Close Up]
To find out, the School of Visual Arts (SVA) checked in with some of its members this year:
Debbie Millman, MPS Branding Department Chair
“Though I loathe the obligatory festivities of most holidays, Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday to make a card for!” This year’s creation, made from felt fabric and felt letters, is called ‘Heartfelt’.
Marshall Arisman, MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Department Chair
For years, he’s given his wife a hand-drawn Valentine inspired by their “100-year-old cat and resident mystic”, Katmandu. Katmandu shared a space with them on the Upper West Side for almost a quarter of a century. As the Ocicat passed away a few days ago, this year’s tribute will be bittersweet. “He was an old man, but self-sufficient, like most New Yorkers. When he jumped and didn’t make it, we pretended not to notice”.
Steven Heller, MFA Design Department Co-chair
He handpicks his cards at Fresh Frances Greetings and Gifts. “I appreciate any Valentine’s Day card that has a devil or other ghoul on it as an antidote to cherubs. Remember, sweet things are unhealthy. This was for my son, who is indeed a handsome devil.”
Steven Heller, MFA Design Department Co-chair
“Okay, honey is sweet. But this card has more going for it. I like the fun type, even if it’s fake wood type.”
Steven Heller, MFA Design Department Co-chair
This image (by Terry Wha) is accompanied by words every girl wants to hear: “I would hold my farts for you… It’s love for certain. And the sentiments are from the (rhymes with…)”
Emily Weiner, SVA alumnus (MFA 2011 Fine Arts) and MFA Design Criticism Department program coordinator
She can’t express her Valentine’s Day message in a mere card. It takes an event. She recently transformed her Brooklyn Heights apartment into a salon for a one-night exhibition entitled ‘Love’, where artists were invited to contribute works—such as digital art, sculptural installations, and paintings—based on “love and collaboration, in all of its permutations”.
THE CARD THAT DOES NOT GET SENT
Paul Sahre, BFA Advertising and Design Department faculty member
“I’m a non-card person. Not for any reason, not even birthdays. Not even for my wife.”
[via SVA Close Up]