AJ Black is a man of few words. He instead lets his work speak for him. Black, a senior art major with an emphasis in graphic design, has worked on many art projects during his time here at Union, but some of his best work may be hiding in plain sight.
“I was born in Memphis, Tennessee,” Black said. “It’s my hometown.”
His mother works as an assistant director and project consultant in the IT department here at Union. It was this connection that originally drew Black both to Union and to computer technology.
“I originally came to Union as a computer science major,” said Black. “The first class I ever took here at Union was an Intro to Graphic Design. I just took it because it seemed like it was fun.”
This was one of Black’s first experiences with animation. As he began to describe the projects from this class, including his final animation project, he began to open up more and more. A grin spread across his face as he recounted the stop motion picture he made using old toys from his childhood. It’s clear that he loves this form of art as much now as he did when he first discovered that he wanted to make a career of it.
“After all that, my professors really wanted me to get into graphic design,” said Black. “After that I was like, ‘Maybe graphic design and animation is what I want to do.’”
Like most students in the art program at Union, some of Black’s projects have found their way out of the classroom. You may remember the colored tissue paper covering the windows in Cobo for a few days last semester. That was one project Black worked on for a 3-D art class.
“When you’d turn all the lights off in the cafeteria, there was only sunlight just shining through the windows,” said Black. “It was so beautiful. All the colors were overlaid on the floor and ceiling.”
Although his work with graphic design may not be as flashy, his mark can be found all over campus. In fact, you may own a piece of his work. This semester Black is working with Scott Heit in University Communications making T-shirts and logos for different departments on campus.
Along with other designs, Black designed the Family Weekend T-shirts that students will be seeing much of this weekend.
“AJ brings out the best in you, because you want to show your best to him because he’s such a solid dude,” said junior communications studies major Daniel Potts, Black’s roommate.
Black continues to work on new projects and try different styles. He’s happy to experiment with whatever works. He doesn’t want his art to be limited to something that’s only observable. He wants people to experience it in ways that are much nearer to them.
“That’s what I want to do,” said Black. “Make something you can actually interact with, not only look at.”
Not only does he want his audience to be able to interact with his art, but also to feel something from it.
“What I really want to do is make people have some kind of emotional reaction,” he said. “Whether it’s this awe-inspiring work or just something that makes you sad, something that makes you feel an emotion.”
Throughout all his work, and his demeanor as well, there’s a refreshing sense of humility that Black brings with him. His works don’t always call attention to themselves, but they speak to the dedication and love Black has for his art form.
“I really wouldn’t describe myself as an artist,” Black said as we began to wrap up our talk with each other. “Most graphic designers out there don’t really call themselves artists. We’re just designers.”