Whittell grad the creative force behind Festival of Trees artwork

Nicole Byer, a 2012 graduate of Whittell High School, is the artist behind the Barton Festival of the Trees posters and Gala invitations.

Currently a senior at the School of Art Institute of Chicago, Byer made contact with organizers of the Festival last year and offered her services for their artwork needs for this year's Festival of the Trees.

Over the summer she met with Kindle Craig and Sara Conrad of the Barton Foundation, the organizers of the annual holiday program.

"They mentioned the possibility of my creating an illustration for the Festival of Trees poster and it was a really great opportunity," said Byer. "Most of my previous out of school design work had been creating logos and app layouts for people, so it was really great being able to work on an illustration for such a big event."

She is working on a dual-degree in Chicago, a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies as well as a Bachelor of Fine Art in Visual Communication Design.

"When I first started at this school I had come in as a painting and drawing major," said Byer. She realized that graphic design and illustrations was what she wanted, so she and a friend both transferred into the Viscom department.

Nicole and Conrad worked together on getting the right tones and design to fit what Barton was looking for.

"I really wanted to make something that was modern but whimsical at the same time, which is why the illustration was created using organic shapes that were overlaid with a flat rich color," Byer said.

After graduation, Byer said she hopes to continue to learn through experience and get more opportunities to work along side other designers and artists.

"I plan on staying in Chicago," Byer said. "Iit really is an amazing city that offers so many opportunities and my time living in Moscow and Tahoe have prepared me for the harsh winters! I may relocate if I find the right job ideally I would continue living in Chicago."

Nicole is the daughter of Keith and Vika Byer of Glenbrook.