Kelsey Hall is a 22-year-old graphic designer with a passion for animation and theater. Their creative interests include set design, video game design, and television animation. Growing up in Macon as the youngest of three siblings, Kelsey spent much of their time watching their siblings play video games, something that sparked their early interest in art. They were consistently supported in pursuing their creativity, especially after being hospitalized and becoming disabled at a young age. As they grew older, Kelsey was further inspired by their sister, who studied art at Georgia College & State University, motivating them to follow a similar path.
Project Statement
Being a Graphic Design and Theater student, I wanted a way to bring the skills I have gained in both disciplines together for my Capstone. Through GCSU’s Theater Department, I have been given the opportunity to design the set for the play Exit, Pursued by Bear and take part in the process of bringing it to life. In addition to designing the set, I contributed to painting and prop construction, engaging in multiple stages of production. Because theater is inherently collaborative, I worked alongside a team of artists and contributors who helped transform the design into a fully realized environment. This collaboration allowed my vision for the show to evolve and take shape through shared effort. To incorporate my background in Graphic Design, I created the ground plans and elevations through sketches, then digitally refining them using Adobe Illustrator. My final display combines both digital and physical elements, including drafted designs, a 3D scale model, and a video that documents the creative process as well as the completed set.
Artist Statement
From a young age, I’ve been drawn to art. I always enjoyed the process of making and seeing my ideas come to life through my own effort. When it came time to decide on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I knew that I wanted to pursue the arts and I chose graphic design. Graphic design is far more expansive than people often assume. I am interested in exploring the full range of what design can be, with set design standing out as one of the many directions I’m drawn to. I am inspired by my peers, music, television and most media, which pushes me to keep experimenting and expanding the ways I create. I don’t want to confine myself to one specific role or medium. To me, design is a broad and flexible field, whether that means working in marketing, social media, animation, or beyond. What matters most to me is staying engaged in work that feels meaningful and fulfilling. I don’t always think of myself strictly as an artist, but rather as a maker. Someone who gets into the process embraces the mess and builds something from the ground up. I want to create work that challenges me, inspires me, and pushes me toward more ambitious ideas. That drive to keep growing is what matters most to me.