Sarah Edmands Martin

DESIGNER

Associate Professor
University of Notre Dame

Designer, artist, and scholar working at the intersection of visual communication design, critical fabulation, and media aesthetics. 


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UIC School of Design guest juror
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University of Notre Dame MFA Thesis Catalogue

Book design, book cover design, icon set design, creative direction, photography2015
Book cover, interior design, icon set design, creative direction, and photography for the catalogue celebrating the thesis work of the 2015 MFA class at the University of Notre Dame.    







Concept


This project encompassed creative direction, catalogue design, iconography, and book design for the Department of Art, Art History & Design at the University of Notre Dame, culminating in a visually refined MFA exhibition catalogue. The design seamlessly blends modern minimalism with a structured, archival sensibility, creating a publication that not only documents but also celebrates the creative rigor of the graduating artists.

book cover design
illustration
publication design
layout design
photography
creative direction



exhibited at the Snite Museum of Art
Client


Cover design

Book design

Photo


Essays

Featured 
University of Notre Dame
Department of Art, Art History & Design

Sarah Edmands Martin

Sarah Edmands Martin

Allison Evans
Sarah Edmands Martin

Dr. Nicole Woods, Maria Tomasula

Allison Evans
Benjamin Sunderland
Yifan Wang
Sarah Edmands Martin
Nathan Smith
Michael Swoboda














The cover’s simple, deep black design offers a sense of sophistication and formality, while the grid of custom-designed line-art icons alludes to the diverse disciplines represented in the MFA program. The icons represent painting, sculpture, photography, visual communication design, industrial design, and ceramics are rendered in a clean, geometric style, lending the publication a contemporary and cohesive visual identity. Subtle orange dividers add structure without overwhelming the refined aesthetic.













Inside, the layout maintains a strong editorial sensibility, with a crisp use of whitespace and typographic hierarchy that enhances readability. Each MFA candidate’s thesis writing is deployed across multiple spreads, as is documentation of their creative work———either work that is exhibited in the show ro work that is representative of their time in the MFA program at Notre Dame. The photography enjoys an almost full-bleed page treatment, letting the work of the featured contributors shine. Interspersed throughout are bold red interior spreads which acts as a visual and thematic break, injecting energy and contrast into the book’s otherwise restrained color palette. The typography is elegant and modern, with carefully considered spacing and alignment that lend a sense of balance and clarity to the content.


















More than just a documentation of student work, the catalogue becomes a curated experience reflecting the intellectual and material exploration inherent in an Master of Fine Arts program. The publication seeks to honor the creative depth of each candidate while also reinforcing the department’s commitment to excellence in both fine art and design.














The annual exhibition of works by six graduating MFA candidates demonstrates a broad awareness of the themes, strategies, and processes of contemporary art and design. The artworks included range from industrial and graphic design projects and more complex multi-media installations to more traditional art forms such as paintings, photographs, prints, ceramics, and sculptures.