Ipek Davaz - Ode to Rock: Design for Music Appreciation

ODE TO ROCK: DESIGN FOR MUSIC APPRECIATION

Project Type

Art Exhibition

Master's Capstone Exhibit

Art Collection Display

Exhibit Design

Illustration

Poster Design

My Role

Project Management

Creative Direction

Art Direction

Production

Exhibit Curation

OVERVIEW

Music has always been one of my greatest creative influences. My master's capstone project, Ode to Rock: Design for Music Appreciation, celebrates that influence through a series of illustrated portraits and poster designs that explore the relationship between music, visual storytelling, and human connection. Created during my graduate studies in Graphic Design at George Mason University, these works are both an academic exploration and a heartfelt tribute to the musicians who have inspired my artistic journey.

CHALLENGE

For my master's capstone project, I wanted to create a body of work that authentically reflected both my growth as a designer and the creative influences that shaped my artistic voice. Looking back at the projects I had produced throughout graduate school, I realized that music had been a recurring source of inspiration. The challenge became finding a way to unify these individual pieces into a cohesive exhibition while creating new work that expanded the narrative and explored the relationship between music and visual design.

SOLUTION

I developed Ode to Rock: Design for Music Appreciation, a curated exhibition celebrating the connection between music and the visual arts. Building upon my existing portfolio, I designed a new series of posters, portraits, and illustrations inspired by influential musicians and iconic moments in music history, creating a cohesive collection that showcased my passion for illustration, typography, and visual storytelling. The exhibition served not only as an exploration of how design can deepen our emotional connection to music, but also as a personal tribute to the artists whose work has inspired my own creative journey.