Way to Gogh Award

Leslye Bourquin

Leslye Bourquin is everyone's favorite friend and our feature this week because of her continued excellence in work and attitude as both a designer and an illustrator, and her skills in comedic and tasteful punction. Leslye is a junior who is double majoring in Illustration and Graphic Design, and can be found in the art building at least 50% of the time. She also works as a work-study for the Music Department where she designs spectacular and eye-catching posters.

What inspires you to go above and beyond in your work?

(I'm a self-diagnosed obsessive compulsive perfectionist)

What was the most difficult assignment to date?

The "bookplate" project in GD 1 (my first design project in college) almost made me switch majors. This was probably because I had no idea how to use Illustrator…and the only things I could draw were cheerios with the ellipse tool. So, basically my bookplate consisted of my name + a big blue bowl + lots and lots of cheerios. (fortunately, I've progressed since then.)

What was your favorite assignment and why?

My favorite assignment is usually the one that I've just turned in. (yes, ambiguous answer.) I tend to get really absorbed in whatever assignment I'm working on, and by the time I turn it in I'm usually pretty pleased with it. (*the flip-side of this situation is that a semester later I'll look at the same project again…and think: "gosh. I turned that in? it really stinks.")

What is one of your favorite or most memorable experiences while at JBU (in relation to the Art Department)?

I love the "all-nighters." (yes. pathetic. but true) And (contrary to what professors might believe) we really don't procrastinate. It is an intentional method of project-scheduling developed for optimal inspiration.

I also got to go on the European Art tour last summer (to Amsterdam, Belgium, and London). That was definitely two weeks of favorite and memorable experiences…

Has taking on a double major of Graphic Design and Illustration been challenging? What are the benefits?

I think that the most challenging part of double-majoring has been understanding what classes I'm supposed to be taking (or running out of classes to take). But it's definitely worth it. And the benefits? I don't have to decide (yet) if I want to be a designer or illustrator.

(and the classes…I just love all of them…*and as a double-major, I get to take LOTS.)

Are you confident to go into the "real world" because of your experience in the Art Department at JBU?

Confident? (ha). I don't think I've ever been confident about anything. (*especially when it is paired with a scary phrase like "the real world") However, I do think that the classes I've had over the past 2 ½ years have been greatly influential in growing me into a better artist. The professors are so good at constantly challenging us. (and I think that the only way that I'll ever be prepared for the "real world" is to be stretched as much as possible while here at school.)