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Art & Art History
University of Mississippi

Q&A with Lindsay Martin (BFA Graphic Design)

Introduce yourself.
My name is Lindsay Martin. I am a Senior BFA in Graphic Design.

Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Napa Valley, California.

What attracted you to the Department of Art & Art History?
I have always been creatively inclined and wanted to pursue a career where I could use my creative abilities. The Department of Art and Art History seemed like the best way for me to reach my goal.

Photo of Lindsay Martin

Could you explain your process?
My process is not extremely methodical. Music has always been an important aspect for me as an artist because it helps me find inspiration for my work and continues to inspire me as I work on a current project. I often start a project by brainstorming some ideas, then I look for inspiration and create some sort of mood board. From there I begin to create some sketches and then start developing my work digitally.

Which artists do you look to for inspiration?
Some artists that I admire and find inspiration from are Joshua Vides and Adam Bosley. Both artists are so creative in their field and constantly finding new ways to further their work.

Which professors inspired you the most?
I have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing professors here at Ole Miss, but Mr. Barnes has been one of the most influential professors for me. He was one of my first professors at Ole Miss and has helped me grow pretty much from the ground up as a graphic designer. Another professor that helped me grow and inspired me would be Ginny Chavis. She always encouraged me to push my work further and was so wonderful to have as a mentor. Both Mr. Barnes and Ginny have helped develop me into the artist that I am today and I couldn’t have made it this far without either of them.

What has been your favorite class during your years here?
That is a tricky question because I have taken so many amazing classes. One of my favorites would have to be Printmaking with Lauren Cardenas. I loved that I was able to combine my graphic work with physical work. Drawing and creating using pen and paper is what made me want to become a Graphic Designer so being able to combine the physical creation of my work with the digital was always so fun for me.

Future Nostalgia Skateboard Mockups

Could you describe a favorite memory here in the department?
One of my favorite memories in the Art Department would be being able to walk through Gallery 130 and look at all the amazing artists and their displays of work. Now that I am going to be one of those artists is one of the craziest and most exciting things for me.

What does the Department of Art & Art History mean to you?
The Department of Art & Art History has been so pivotal for my college experience. I have loved being a part of the department because it allowed me to have a close relationship with my professors and peers.

Do you have any advice for incoming art students?
The best advice that I could give for incoming art students would be to take it in as much as you can. Your four years at Ole Miss will fly by quicker than you can imagine so, take as many classes as you can and don’t be afraid to push your creative limits.

What type of music do you listen to while you create art?
I tend to enjoy a wide variety of music so it really depends on the mood I am in that day, but generally, I drift towards alternative music.

What are you binge-watching while being a couch potato?
Recently my go-to binge-watching show has been Yellowstone. It definitely lives up to the hype.

Do you have any hobbies outside of the art department?
My hobbies outside the art department include going on walks on a nice day, hanging out with my friends, listening to music, working on my barista abilities, and reading when I have time.

What is your favorite thing about Oxford or the University?
There are so many things to love about Oxford and the University. I love the community and school spirit. Deciding to attend Ole Miss is one of the best decisions I could have made for myself and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

What is your favorite restaurant in Oxford?
Some of my favorite restaurants in Oxford are Oxford Grillehouse, McEwans, and Phillips Grocery.

Can we find you on social media?
My Instagram for my graphic design work is @lsmartinart.

Do you have any plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on moving back to California and hope to land a Graphic Design position where I can continue to further my career as an artist.