side b — Dhwani Garg

Turn, flip, or rotate. The 2024 Boston University Graphic Design MFA Exhibition embraces the metaphor of “Side B” to examine the process of making without traditional constraints. The B-side of an album has historically represented an opportunity for musicians to experiment, offering a place for less predictable tracks and unique compositions. In the hands of the graphic designers featured in this exhibition, “Side B” becomes a driving methodology for creating experimental work, deep cuts, new ways of thinking, and different ways of making. The concept symbolizes a willingness to defy expectations, explore uncommon tools, and present a multifaceted expression of craft.

Side B pulls this work together in one venue, encouraging an inclusive approach to design and suggesting that visual communication is a multifaceted discipline made stronger by multiple perspectives. By embracing a porous and flexible understanding of graphic design, emphasizing its complexity and the many factors present in current practice, the 2024 GD MFA designers celebrate the promise of the B-side and the possibilities that unfold when working on the flipside.