Anna Warkentin (Class of 2023)
Blogger Role: Graphic Design
Major: Graphic Design
Minor: Multimedia Communication
Clubs: Zeta Omicron (Kappa Pi) International Art Honor Society
I chose Marywood because I fell in love with campus. My first time on campus was with an alumni who showed me around and told me about the programs, like a personalized, unofficial tour. I was searching for a college where I would have the room to grow and be myself while still feeling at home, and as soon as I set foot on the art field I knew that Marywood was the place. The more I discovered about Marywood the more I fell in love. From the soaring rotunda to the tricked out TV studio to the spacious studios, every part of Marywood was unique and beautiful in its own way. Everyone I met: staff, faculty, security, housekeeping, were knowledgeable and kind, everyone cares about the students and it shows in everything they do. I’ve been at Marywood for three years now and I’ve never felt more at home.
I am majoring in Art because it’s been a lifelong love of mine. I started my Marywood career as a Multimedia Communications major (back when it was called Communication Arts) and while I enjoyed my time there it wasn’t my passion. It wasn’t until I took Graphic Design for Communication Arts, a design class that overlapped with my Comm Arts schedule, that I found something I loved. Then, the pandemic happened. I spent more and more time doing art and blowing off my Comm Arts work (apologies to my Comm professors, if you’re reading this!) until my boyfriend finally sat me down and asked why I wasn’t majoring in Art instead. I couldn’t come up with a good reason, and that’s when the lightbulb went off above my head. It’s art. It’s always been art. Growing up, I was the kid running around Monet’s garden with a watercolor palette and pad, the teenager spending her weekends at the National Gallery voluntarily taking tours, the young adult with a hoard of paints and pencils. It was always going to be art, I just had to get with the plan.
When I’m not in class, I’m playing video games, reading, writing, or making my own art. My favorite video game is League of Legends, but I’m currently really enjoying space games such as Astroneer and No Man’s Sky. I have several published short stories from a few years ago, and several story ideas in the works including a science fiction fantasy starring an ace starship pilot and a high fantasy featuring a gladiatrix champion. I hope to publish a novel one day, but for now I’m happy just writing for myself.
So far, my favorite art class at Marywood was Digital Design (formerly called Computer Graphics). I got to explore several different Adobe programs and hone my skills in a series of fun and creative projects! Although my Typography class has to be a close second, I discovered a love of type that has served me well in all of my designs since.
The coolest thing I’ve done at Marywood so far was create a nine second animated gif composed of something like 24 different digitally painted frames. I learned so much doing that project and the final thing was my first animation ever, and each frame was a full digital painting, so I’m pretty proud of it. When I graduate I’d love to work in esports or publishing, as video games and reading/writing are my two major passions after art.
I’d recommend the Art program at Marywood because all of the professors are so knowledgeable and genuinely care so much about every student. I’ve never met a more passionate and kind group of people, and it’s an honor to learn from all of them!