{"id":208710,"date":"2025-09-05T11:27:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/art-and-design\/?p=208710"},"modified":"2025-09-05T11:29:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:29:41","slug":"illustration-and-journalism-students-collaborate-to-celebrate-montclairs-unsung-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/art-and-design\/2025\/09\/05\/illustration-and-journalism-students-collaborate-to-celebrate-montclairs-unsung-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"Illustration and Journalism Students Collaborate to Celebrate Montclair\u2019s Unsung Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Students from the Department of Art & Design\u2019s BFA in Illustration program<\/a> and students from the College of Communication and Media\u2019s<\/a> Journalism and Digital Media program recently partnered on a collaborative storytelling project that brought campus stories to life through both narrative and visual expression.<\/p>\n

The project was initiated by Tara George<\/a>, Associate Professor of Journalism and Digital Media, who reached out to Christina Rodriguez-Unalt<\/a>, Assistant Professor and Head of the BFA Illustration program, whose leadership made the collaboration between the two departments possible. Titled “Unsung Heroes<\/em>,” the project paired students from Professor Clay Rodery\u2019s senior Editorial Illustration class with students from Professor Tara George\u2019s Advanced Journalism Seminar. The goal was to spotlight faculty and staff at 星空无限传媒 University who make meaningful yet often unrecognized contributions to the campus community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Professor George first reached out to me to come to her class and discuss the relationship between journalism and illustration, we immediately recognized that this discussion could be a bigger partnership between our programs,\u201d said Professor Rodriguez-Unalt. \u201cI connected Professor George with Professor Rodery, realizing that our Illustration seniors are craving to see their work published, and what better way than connecting them with advanced Journalism students, who will hopefully find themselves collaborating in the professional field. Getting The Montclarion<\/em> involved was the icing on the cake and we hope to continue all working together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the two classes met separately, students were required to coordinate with their partners outside of class time, mirroring real-world editorial practices, where illustrators and writers frequently collaborate across time zones, schedules, and mediums.<\/p>\n

Journalism students were tasked with identifying an unsung hero on campus and crafting a profile based on interviews and research. They then worked with their illustration partners to conduct follow-up interviews and sketching sessions. The illustrators used interview transcripts, photos, and rough drafts to create expressive portraits that captured both the likeness and spirit of the subjects.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the experience, journalism student Meagan Kane said, “Working with illustration students taught me a lot about teamwork. I learned how to communicate with others, delegate tasks, report problems, and set boundaries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Christina
Christina Dilkes in her office by Meagan Kane of the The Montclarion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cLikeness isn\u2019t always the primary goal when making a comprehensive portrait of somebody,\u201d said Professor Rodery. \u201cThe priority in this assignment, as in professional practice, is to communicate the subject\u2019s story in a way that makes the reader feel like they\u2019re authentically meeting this person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several of these illustrated profiles were selected and published by The Montclarion<\/em>, 星空无限传媒 University\u2019s independent student news organization. Located in the School of Communication and Media, The Montclarion<\/em> has been a trusted student-run source for campus and community news since 1928.<\/p>\n

“Student journalists are finding it harder and harder to get people they interview to pose for photographs for their stories,\u201d said Professor George. \u201cI wanted my students to explore the option of using illustration in place of photography, and experience the pleasure of working with creative students. The results were hugely successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

This innovative collaboration between disciplines highlights the value of cross-departmental partnerships and reflects the professional realities students will encounter after graduation.<\/p>\n

Participating Illustration Students:<\/strong>
\nCrystal Aguero Chavarria, Alex Allen-Walden, Amelie Barritas, Joe Corredor, Haley Feimster, Thomas Fischer, Sky Frias, Palina Kavalchuk, Koen Kuscan, Jeremy Malabuyoc, Tyler Massey, Devin Murray, Cassie Ortiz, Priya Patel, Amber Paulino, Angel Rodriguez, Ashauntee Silver, and David Solon<\/p>\n

Participating Journalism Students:<\/strong>
\nAdarlin Batista Nunez, Cameron Carmen, Nino DeNino, Joseph Espinal, Rebecca Feuerstein, Bryan Jaimes, Meagan Kane, Sean Kuhn, Dani Mazariegos, Vincent Pinto, Ivana Ragusa, Arieana Rodriguez, Jennifer Sanchez, Alondra Santiago, Joshua Spears, and Alysa Toledo<\/p>\n

\"Feature
Feature Illustration image by Amelie Barritas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To view the published profiles, visit The Montclarion<\/em> online at:<\/strong><\/p>\n