In Memory of Robert McCullough
By Ben Scott
20 Aug 2009
As a student of the graphic design program at Old Dominion Univeristy (not an art school), I like to think we were fairly close knit for the simple fact that we own a mindset of trying to prove that we didn't have to go to arch-rival Virginia Commonwealth University (an art school) to be great graphic designers. I could be wrong in making that generalization, but those are my personal feelings, and you find out quickly in the graphic design program at Old Dominion, to leave your personal feelings at the door.
The moment I reach into my memory cache of Robert, the first thought I have is, "Grizzly Bear". I think I was scared at first. Past students telling tales of embarrassment in front of their peers at the hands of Robert. Robert was blunt, and he would let you know if your assignment was horrible in front of everyone. I remember seeing this rough guy wearing a blaze orange zip-up hoody and jeans, looked like he just walked out of the woods, probably just finished drinking an entire pot of scalding hot coffee, heck, probably right out of the pot. He was brutal, and you better never pull that line, 'My tuition pays your salary..blah, blah, blah' not on him, not in his class. He was harsh, yet if you opened your mind you would gain a well of knowledge.
Another memory is when I printed an 8.5" x 11" assignment on the large format printer because I thought the glossy paper would earn me a better grade. Not thinking of all the paper I was wasting in the process of printing my small image on large paper, I came back to find the final print-out pinned to the wall in the graphic design studio with Sharpie scribbled over the entire print and the message, "DO NOT USE FOR 8 1/2 X 11!!!". Well, at least I didn't have to confront him face to face...but wait, I stepped outside the studio only to run into Robert in the hallway, he yelled something to me that to this day I'm not sure what he said, I responded with something, or just ducked my head and ran for cover, but either way, I survived crossing Robert and I felt okay for now.
The longer I was in the graphic design program, I gained more respect for Robert. I saw that he was rigid for a reason, and I was able to have conversations with him and then I found out that he was a funny guy and would talk to me any time and that he actually owned a smile. Later I found it funny when he chewed-out some new freshman for not spray-mounting their assignment completely to the black matte board, or that they didn't measure the exact amount from each side, precision isn't that hard to accomplish is it? I had respect for Robert, I appreciated what he did for me, and I appreciate what he did for others. There are a lot of people who don't know what he did for them, never will, so thanks for them...
I couldn't make it back in time for the memorial service, so I thought I would at least stop by and pay my respects in my own way.
The halls were empty.
The push pin boards were empty.
His name was still on the old directory...The letters didn't know he was gone.
I wonder if he cared that the letters weren't kerned properly. If it was on the wall in his classroom, then yes. But probably not on this stupid sign.
But I hope his name stays there, and someone can tell a story when a new student asks who he is, maybe they'll say he was a grizzly bear, or maybe they'll say he was a teddy bear with a hard exterior coating. Either way, thanks for making me a better graphic designer.
And even though there is this emptiness, our hearts and minds are full of memories and thoughts of Robert giving every day to the graphic design community.
I wanted to shoot images that had meaning and allowed time for reflection. I wanted to show this old directory board, because anyone who has been an art student at ODU has looked at this a million times and can see the letters aren't all the same size and it has this really aged look and the color is faded, but it is a nice tone. I photographed his name and the subject he taught. I love how all the letters are working on the board against the color of the board itself.
I shot a photo of the tack on the wall because any graphic design student knows you have to pin your assignment to the wall in that room for critiques. I wanted to show the stains on the cloth and to focus on the single tack to evoke thoughts of reflection. Many times when contemplating death and life we are alone in our thoughts.
In the image of the halls was shot again to make people reflect on themselves and to see how there is a community of people who live and breath in these halls. Lockers have names and stickers on them to show ownership, but at this moment in time, I am alone. I exist in these halls alone, and at one time Robert was in these halls alone and thinking of lesson plans and thinking of students and students are thinking of him.
2 responses
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Shane Butler gave props (20 Aug 2009):
well said
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Sonia Adam Murray gave props (20 Aug 2009):
What a genuine and good tribute, too bad he never got to hear your thoughts.
