Jenny Craddock

Jenny is a Virginia Beach native whose love for the arts has spanned her entire lifetime – from picking up colored pencils at five, all the way to earning her BFA in Graphic Design & Studio Art in her early twenties. Currently Jenny combines her artistic vision with designer sensibilities to create sleek, psychedelic illustrations and paintings. Her inspirations include the natural world, eastern philosophy & lore, music, and the likes of many artists & designers such as Dali, Alphonse Mucha, and Shepard Fairey.

What inspires you/your work?

Nature of course! I've lived by the beach, and in the mountains, and both have shown me what incredible things the natural world is capable of.

How do you network yourself and your art?

Online platforms, such as my personal website and Instagram, and through community outlets– by participating in volunteer events, supporting other artists at events, and participating in community/artist talks and gatherings.

How did you hear about MCAD?

Instagram

Why did you choose to earn an MA at MCAD?

Affordability, flexibility, and the uniqueness of the program

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?

Design is not just about creating "products", selling to people, or making things pretty. As designers we have the capability to do more good when we're allowed a seat at the right tables.

Where were you located when you completed the program?

Virginia

What was the online education like?

Highly flexible and manageable, although somewhat siloed. There is opportunity for global collaboration but it still lacks the intimacy of classroom/place-based experiences.

How has the MA impacted your career/your life?

I have yet to see the fruits of the MA experience career-wise, but it has changed my outlook on the future of my life and career greatly.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your everyday life? What advice do you have for others to do the same?

I try to be a responsible consumer, or better yet to shift my mindset from consumer to maker; I also try to be mindful of my personal waste production. When I'm able I compost kitchen scraps, reuse scrap paper instead of recycling it, and opt for non-packaged goods when grocery shopping. My advice for others to live sustainably is to do whatever you can– you don't have to do it perfectly, you just have to do something.

What would you tell students considering pursuing an MA degree in Sustainable Design?

You do not need a design background to pursue Sustainable Design. All you need is an open mind, critical thinking skills, and a desire to do better for people and planet.

Lastly, do you have a favorite interview question we didn't ask?

I find myself in a unique position trying to work in both fine art and design; the two seem so at odds with each other sometimes. Through the MASD program I've found even deeper connections between the two that not only make both viable together, but make them a strong, positive force within our world today.