For this Senior Showcase, we spoke with Erica Sellers. Coming from New York, New York, Sellers concentrated in Glass as a complement to her Industrial Design degree. Through her work, Sellers hopes to synthesize her fine arts background within the context of functional design, alongside exploring technical glassblowing, and experimental processes using glass.

Why did you decide to become a designer?

It wasn’t really much of a choice… it was a more like an accumulation of all my artistic endeavors that led me to think of producing objects that not only express what I’m feeling, but also resonate interest in other people. I want my work to speak to a larger audience than just my subjective interests, that is, for me, was expresses quality. We’re living in a society where many things have gone corporate, digitized, and we no longer really want to repair what we already own… instead people want to distinguish themselves through products, and more than that, always the best new thing. I want to be a active participate in this shifting society, and that means creating things that visually and/or functionally appeal to a larger population while still staying true to my personal interests and moral values.

Motion using Glass

What inspires your designs?

Reading as many designer magazines and blogs as possible to see what’s out there. Museums, concerts, traveling, living daily life, and trying to bring back all that experience and enthusiasm back to the studio. I’m always interested in new places and experiences (like everyone is) and feel like I gain a lot of insight from taking risks outside of studio, and trying to convert those situations into fuel for my art in design. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But whenever I’m in a design funk I try to take a breather, and read up on some inspiration quotes from favorite artists and designers. It always makes me realize that everyone else is in the same designer-funk-boat as I am at times, and that sometimes you just have to go with the flow, and accept it, before heading back to the grind–I mean studio.

Glass inspired by Japanese Aesthetics

What was your favorite course that you’ve taken?

First: Glass casting hands down. It was probably one of the most invigorating, intellectually stimulating and physically enduring class I’ve ever taken at RISD. The surprise factor from every successful glass cast, and seeing what you were about to make a week or two after it comes out of the kiln is always a fantastic prize. Also the teacher (Adrianna Evans) is exceptional.

Third: Metals II is hands down the best class I’ve taken in the I.D department. Anyone who thinks they won’t like it because they took Metals I and hated it (kinda like me…) is ultimately wrong–I actually think the class should be mandatory for ID majors, that’s how much I liked it. The machines, such as the bridgeport and the metal lathe, are great resources to have, especially in college. And knowing how to work those machines to a tee makes one look not only really smart, but pretty badass.

What is the best thing you’ve learned at RISD?

This is a loaded question. And something I don’t know I can quite answer still being a student here… But, what I can say RISD has taught me at this moment in time is discipline and awareness and finding ways to apply these terms in action. The laborious techniques and skill sets we learn here are uncanny to other institutions. How many students outside of art school know anything about how to make bent laminated wood? Or machined parts on a metal lathe? These skills are really unique and very important. I also have come to realize that sometimes success is about falling on your face when your art or designs don’t work out, and just getting up and trying again until it does. Sometimes talking about it is important to, and expressing what it was that you were trying to convey will help others respect and understand you better. Communication between visuals and words helps unite the larger picture. I don’t think I would have come to any of these conclusions before RISD or another college.

The Unseen pt. 1

What advice would you give to ID sophomores and juniors for their next few years?

Don’t be a afraid to venture out of the major and see what other departments are doing. This can really inform you on what you want to focus on. It’s also nice to get some unique and outside perspective and bring it back int I.D, teachers really respect that outlook too. Furthermore, let go of the losses sometimes, but don’t ever lose yourself. Functionally is not everything, and neither is nice aesthetics. We all know that product/object needs to be the right balance to be successful but it’s harder than it sounds to come by. And true industrial design, in my opinion, is a project that does not only demand investment and change but shows that heart and desire in the final outcome.

The Unseen pt. 2

What are your plans beyond graduation?

Hopefully continue making, designing, making, and going through that process for the rest of my life. It’s pretty ideal for me. I have an artist-assistant job for the summer, and then I’m working at a glass school in Seattle, and then who knows! I might be working abroad on a large-scale glass project, or move back to New York for a year. The versatility in what I can do is exciting to me, and I hope to keep that passionate and adventurous outlook no matter where my work takes me.

Casting Darts

Good luck, Erica! It was a pleasure getting to know you and I will always admire your strong will and determination for doing what you want and making it work.

Posted by Carly Ayres | Date Posted: 17 April, 2012