I will remember 2003 as my "Year of Accomplishment". After turning 40, you definitely go through a mid-life "reassessment" (some call it a crisis), and one of the many decisions and goals that I set forth during this time was to finish college and get a degree in the arts. So, in the summer of 2000, I enrolled in the Graphic Design and Visual Communication undergraduate program at Northeastern University here in Boston. I finally graduated and recieved my Bachelors Degree three years later, and I have acquired a great deal of applicable knowledge and skill relating to my career in design. I also scored very well on six CLEP exams and received 18 credits for prior work experience in the field.

In my final year, I was awarded two scholarships! It pays to take the time do some research because there are many funds available. The 2002-2003 H. Patricia Taylor Scholarship Fund and the Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Society Past Presidents Award covered the tuition for my last year of school, textbooks and even a few meals. I want to thank H. Patricia Taylor, Henry C. Taylor; benefactors of University College, and the Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Society for these generous gifts. I am very grateful for these contributions to my success.

I now have ambitions to teach graphic design and related subjects in part-time undergraduate and certificate programs.

During my time at Northeastern, I have written a number of research papers that I though might be cool to post on this site. So, if you are interested, here are the pieces that I have written to date... Enjoy.

A Personal Take on Red Disaster
I was drawn to this striking canvas as soon as I walked into the room. Red Disaster is a silk-screen on linen painting produced by Andy Warhol in 1963 and is on permanent display at The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. A vivid and very poignant image of twelve electric chairs suspended in a sea of red pigment, it is a piece that is charged with emotion and connotation.

Read A Personal Take on Red Disaster

ART4110: Modern Art
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Pamela Kachurin, Ph.D., 7/10/01
GRADE: A

The Impact of Poor Environmental Design on the Human Psyche
Bad architecture, haphazard suburban development and thoughtless urban planning are rapidly growing diseases that have invaded America.

I argue that, just as beautiful places inspire positive and healing emotions, ugly places do just the opposite. Their affects can have startling consequences in our society as poorly designed environments contribute to various social ills within today's urban culture.

Contents:
1. Introduction
2. What is the Problem
3. How Did We Get Here?
4. Proposed Solutions
5. Summary and Conclusion

ENG4102: Critical Writing Workshop
INSTRUCTOR: Donna Laquidara, 12/4/00
GRADE: A

How Has the Spoken Word Influenced the Spread of Christianity?
The message of Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection has spawned the growth of one of the most influential movements in the history of the world. The miraculous life and actions of a man, who in appearance was just like us, motivated many to give up everything they had—even their own lives in order to share his controversial message of salvation with others. To this day, his words live in the lives of people who have decided to follow him.

With the use of biographical accounts found in the Bible, the following pages will bring to light how the qualities of conviction and persuasion enabled the speech of ordinary people to convince others to follow Christ and change the world.

Read How Has the Spoken Word Influenced the Spread of Christianity?

CMN4101: Fundamentals of Human Communication
INSTRUCTOR: George Matson, 12/4/00
GRADE: A

Music: An Art of Persuasion
Phil Joanou’s production of Paramount Pictures’, Rattle and Hum, is a spine chilling “rockumentary” capturing the 1988 Joshua Tree tour of America, performed by the politically outspoken Irish rock band, U2.

The Buena Vista Social Club, produced by Ry Cooder for Artisan Entertainment, is a film that examines the lives of several legends of the pre-Castro Cuban music scene as they prepare for a 1998 recording and international concert tour.

This paper is an examination of the issues and concerns expressed by the producers of each film and how two different cinematic approaches are used to communicate similar political points of view equally as well to very different audiences.

Read Music: An Art of Persuasion

POL4324: Politics and Documentary Film
INSTRUCTOR: Steve Slaner, 8/16/00
GRADE: A

“What Do You Want?”
American Beauty, a film directed by Sam Mendes, is a tragic comedy that focuses on the mid-life crisis of 42-year-old Lester Burnham and his dramatic awakening from a 20 year “sleep”. It is a hard-hitting commentary on the dangers in American society of placing too high of a value on financial wealth, status, and possessions while neglecting the values of family responsibilities and personal relationships.

By comparing the outcome of the lives of Lester and Carolyn, we will see that building a loving family environment with deep personal relationships is much more valuable and beautiful than pursuing the lie that says status and “stuff” are the keys to happiness.

Read "What Do You Want?"

ENG4101: Critical Writing II
INSTRUCTOR: Lynn Dornick, 8/16/00
GRADE: A

©2007 Chris Costello. All rights reserved.