Alex Sommerville receives the What's Next Grant from AIGA Chicago

Recent UIC Master of Design graduate, Alex Sommerville, has been awarded a grant from AIGA Chicago to continue work on, SUEÑO, her graduate thesis project that explores what it means to be third generation Mexican-American. Sommerville plans to continue work on the development of custom patterns and textiles for the domestic environment that is inspired by her cultural heritage and in response to the resurgence of mid-century modern design.

As she describes, "I’m hoping that the layering of the patterns in personal, inhabitable spaces will provide a holistic and adaptable identity that allows third-generation immigrants to create unique spaces and visual identities that support their personal narratives."

Competition judges cited the success of a publicly-accessible design approach that touches on personal and cultural identity as well as the successful integration of design and photography throughout the project and process.