I was selected into the SMU Temerlin Advertising Institute my second semester Freshman year based on my entrance exam into the program. Prior to acceptance, students must complete at least one semester and certain prerequisite courses. There is an essay component and academic review, and specifically for the creative branch, a project component. Student’s identities are kept anonymous through out the application process to aid in fairness during review. Every year, the project is based on a student’s response to a prompt given by TAI. It’s usually very open-ended and students can choose the medium in which they respond.

The prompt for my year was something to do with “hindsight, insight, and foresight”. I don’t remember the prompt because they don’t let students know before the exam and any previous prompts are not revealed either. They also retain all physical submissions, so these photos are the only evidence I have of my work.

(Above): I wanted the back of the piece to also be considered, so that is what these panels look like (the numbers are my student ID which had to be on the project for identification purposes).

(Left): I wanted something beautiful, and functional. The triptych folds up neatly and looks like that when not unfolded.

This piece is made with acrylic and pen, with cutouts made from an Exacto knife. I was inspired by how a phoenix can overcome and embody the past, present, and future via rebirth. The first panel on the left has the word “foresight” carved into it, along with the back part of the bird. The colors represent turning into ashes in the middle panel. The word “hindsight” is hidden in the smoke. Lastly, the third panel represents the phoenix’s rebirth, its head symbolizing looking forward and the fire under the blue sky representing a new day.