Student spotlight: Olivia Childress, Studio Art B.F.A.

Forough Sehat is the Eskenazi School's 2024-25 communications and marketing intern. A graduate student in the Arts Administration program at IU's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Forough has a background in graphic design and sculpture from Tehran University of Art. This year, Forough will be introducing us to Eskenazi students in a series of profiles. 

A senior Graphic Design student from Indianapolis, Olivia Childress brings her love of nature and hands-on creativity to everything she does, from designing festival posters to experimenting with printmaking. As she wraps up her senior year, she’s exploring letterpress conferences and considering her future career in graphic design. Her advice? Embrace every opportunity, try new disciplines, and let your curiosity guide your creative path! 

Forough: Can you tell me a little bit about your background? What led you here to IU's Eskenazi School? 

Olivia: I have always been interested in graphic design and knew that it was what I wanted to do, both my mom and my stepdad are IU alums and that had a great influence on my decision to come here. I was very interested in the Eskenazi program, and I am happy with my choice. There are many opportunities for growth here at IU and Eskenazi. Being at a large school in a smaller town allows you to experience the community differently, and being a part of the IU community has been a great experience. 

Forough: How did you realize you wanted to pursue graphic design? 

Olivia: I've been interested in art and drawing since I was a kid. In high school, I took different art classes and fell in love with printmaking. When I got to IU, I was torn between graphic design and printmaking, and I was lucky to find a program that allowed me to explore both. Although I’m officially in the graphic design program, I’m also taking printmaking classes, which is something IU really encourages—trying out different disciplines to widen our skills.  

Forough: You designed the First Thursday Festival poster for October. Can you tell us about your creative process and how you come up with your ideas?  

Olivia: For me, the creative process involves a lot of back-and-forth between digital and physical creation. I don’t like to rely solely on the computer, so I often start with pen and paper before moving on to my iPad and Adobe programs. I also draw a lot of inspiration from the resources we have here, especially the type shop. I love experimenting with antique wooden and metal types, blending physical techniques with digital tools. 

Forough: What are some things that inspire you? 

Olivia: Nature and the outdoors definitely inspire me the most.I'm an avid camper and backpacker, so much of my personal and schoolwork ties back to my experiences in nature. Even when I’m not consciously thinking about it, nature finds its way into my projects. I recently created a poster about Indiana cryptids like Bigfoot. I also find inspiration in the work of late 19th-century American illustrators, as well as from the typeshop here, where I get to interact with graphic design in a much more hands-on way. 

Forough: Are there any projects you're particularly excited about right now? 

Olivia: Right now, I’m wrapping up a few projects, which feels great!  I am also going to Wayzgoose, a letterpress conference [held November 8-10 at Hamilton Wood Type and Museum] in Wisconsin. Both my professors [graphic design faculty Alexander Landerman and Taekyeom Lee] are either speaking or volunteering at the convention this year, and several other students are attending. One of the big events is the print exchange in which you give your posters to another artist in exchange for theirs. So, I will be making posters for the exchange, I am not sure yet what it's going to look like, and if anyone is interested, they can check out my Instagram for updates! 

Forough: As a senior in your program at Eskenazi, what challenges have you faced during your studies? 

Olivia: Well, the program has gone through many changes since I started. I’m now in my fifth year, and since my first semester as a sophomore, the curriculum has shifted quite a bit. Adjusting to this new direction was challenging, but it has been interesting to see how our approach has become more interdisciplinary. Working with students in sculpture or ceramics was an opportunity I wouldn't have had otherwise. Usually, you find yourself confined in your department, but this interdisciplinary focus has allowed me to gain valuable experience with different faculties and students. Although I was nervous at first, it turned out to be a positive change.  

It helped a lot to talk about these changes with other BFAs and students in different disciplines to see how these changes were affecting their departments as well. It more felt like a change in the entire school rather than a separate department change.  

Forough: Since you have moved to Bloomington, how has your experience been so far?  

Olivia: I love Bloomington, and I actually plan to stay here after graduation. My two younger siblings also attend IU, and my hometown isn’t too far away. I want to stay connected with the community and school even after finishing my degree. 

Forough: Where are the places in Bloomington or the school that you like to visit or spend most of your time?  

Olivia: Definitely in the studio! I find myself in the studio most of the time. If I am not in the studio or at home, I like to go to Bryan Park, it has big open fields and it’sa great place to unwind outdoors. It might sound dull but being in the studio takes up most of my time and I enjoy being there, and a good Dagwood's sandwich!  

Forough: What are your plans after graduation, and how do you think your experiences at Eskenazi will shape your path? 

Olivia: Well, I have plans to stay in Bloomington and definitely continue being involved with the print community here. I also work at a print shop in town called White Rabbit, and I plan to keep working there as we continue to grow our business and reach out to more local businesses in Bloomington to do design and print work for them. I have also my own business where I sell my artwork, and I want to continue to do that and participate in local events like First Thursdays and Bloomington Handmade Market. I will probably leave Bloomington at some point in the future, but I hope to continue making prints and designing with print wherever I end up, whether it is letterpress printing or digital printing. 

Forough: What advice do you have for students considering graphic design or thinking about coming to IU?  

Olivia: Take advantage of all the assets and opportunities that are offered here on campus! Like all the equipment that is here in the Mad Labs or any other print bases, or the faculties that always help you and are available to answer your questions and could talk to you about their program. Try a bunch of different classes before you decide what you want to do.  If I hadn’t taken printmaking or ceramics classes, I might not have discovered my true passion. The most successful students at Eskenazi are often those who explore a variety of fields before finding their niche.