Alternative Masks

Students of the M.AD School of Ideas are using their creative talents to help in their own way. When the M.AD School of Ideas shifted their term online, students participating in the Visual Impact course were tasked with conceptualizing real life, creative solutions to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The result: an assortment of innovative and impactful mask proposals that could help change the trajectory of the virus.
Pippa Seichrist, M.AD School of Ideas founder and instructor of the course Visual Impact, found it imperative to focus her students' energy and time towards projects that could create change.
“While the world hunts for a cure, we can do our part to support not only our healthcare heroes, but our world. And as creatives, we can play a unique role here. If we work together to harness the power of our creativity, we can produce ideas and solutions that have the potential to generate palpable change.
The brief for this assignment was simple but critical. As masks become as common as gloves and socks, let us produce compelling masks that the world will want to wear, not just have to wear.”
Students identified key demographics to target through their designs, and the results were immensely compelling.
Vic Parizzotto, a first year student at M.AD School of Ideas, saw the importance of familiarizing children to the idea of wearing masks and created “FUN-MASKS”, a mask that is not only made and sized for children, but also functions as a “coloring book" kids can draw on with washable markers. As many know, convincing children to put on their shoes can prove to be a near to impossible task, nonetheless convincing them to wear a facemask. However, by allowing them to customize their own mask the success rate could be raised in a creative yet practical way.
“We’re FUN-MASKS! We’re simple and fun, cool but responsible. We are here to make safety and health exciting for everyone, join us and make the world a more conscious and creative place. Not all heroes wear capes, but all of them wear masks. #stopthespread.” Vic Parizzotto, Art Direction M.AD School of Ideas.
Targeting a wildly different demographic, Austin Rettinhouse, a first year student at M.AD School of Ideas, took an important, yet comical and relatable, approach to his mask proposal. Feeling frustrated with the daily impacts of the virus, he developed “B!#*H Responsibly”
“We are all on the same page: COVID-19 f@*king sucks. With some creative censorship, you too can share your endless complaints with those 6 feet or further. There’s never been a more appropriate time to b!#*h and moan, so strap on a mask and B!#*h Responsibly.” Austin Rettinhouse, Art Direction M.AD School of Ideas.
Vic’s classmate Jean Lee, a first year student at M.AD School of Ideas, saw the negative impact the virus is having on culture. As an Art Direction major, the closure of all museums and galleries across the world was devastating. She wondered what the longevity of museums would be without ticket sales and feared the possibility of indefinite closure. As a result, she proposed MOD ART MASKS. The mask designs provide a fun new way for art enthusiasts to wear and promote modern art while staying safe.
“Now more than ever, we would need the help of patrons so museum doors could remain open for future generations to enjoy modern art. Patrons can show their support for modern art by wearing MOD ART MASKS. MOD ART MASKS celebrate the art of Roy Lichtenstein, Henri Matisse, and Piet Mondrian.
The masks reflect the aesthetic of Lichtenstein’s pop art influence, Henri Matisse’s terminal cut-out era, and Mondrian during the De Stjil movement.” Jean Lee, Art Direction M.AD School of Ideas.