UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
Ancil Austin Jr. (he/they) is a senior studying graphic design with a minor in art history at the University of the Arts, situated in the vibrant city of Philadelphia. Drawing inspiration from their profound appreciation for plants and nature, Ancil infuses their designs with an organic and gentle allure to captivate the eyes of viewers. Beyond the realm of design, Ancil delves into diverse artistic realms, exploring printmaking and ceramics while also harboring a keen interest in the intricacies of computer science. Their senior capstone project focuses on creating seed bombs using recycled paper to populate Philadelphia’s vacant lots with native flowering plants rather than illegally dumped trash, and to also find a direct use for the discarded paper generated by graphic designers.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
I get my inspiration from nature. I’ve always loved learning about and caring for plants from a young age. Plants are a big part of my art and they mold the way I think when it comes to design..
WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
I’m hoping to expand my horizons in environmental design, looking to bring sustainability to the world of design.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
Design school taught me how to think, even though it’s something I do every second. It teaches me how to analyze the world around me, and to ask questions..
WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING?
Reading: I’m reading Cathedral by Raymond Carver. I find his writing to be brilliant, the way he reaches into human emotion and creates room for abstraction is very intriguing. Listening: Breatharian by Mndsgn Watching: The Sopranos
