“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.” Albert Einstein
My name is Aidan, and I am a 21-year-old junior from outside Philadelphia currently attending James Madison University. I am majoring in Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Digital, Video, and Cinema.
Early in my time at JMU, many of my peers were focused on joining Greek life primarily for its social scene. I quickly recognized a different opportunity. I saw the fraternity as a creative funnel, an environment where I could actively develop my design and storytelling skills while making a tangible impact.
Through creating social media graphics, producing short-form rush videos, and managing the fraternity’s public relations, I carved out a role that consistently worked in my favor. I wasn’t just gaining experience and building my résumé; I was elevating the fraternity’s public image and applying my creative skills in a real-world setting. Most importantly, I was able to experiment, learn, and grow creatively with minimal risk and real responsibility.
This website, which originally served as my final project for SMAD 203, has since evolved into a personal creative platform. It serves as a space to showcase my work as a college student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree. As I continue working on small-scale projects within my community, often benefiting myself, friends, or local organizations, I aspire to eventually create work on a larger stage for some of the world’s leading brands and organizations.
I am passionate about cinematography, video editing, and digital branding and marketing. As I continue my collegiate journey, I am committed to strengthening both my creative and technical skill sets in order to help organizations communicate their purpose and drive meaningful growth through thoughtful visual storytelling and strategic design.
AIDAN HANLON 