There is no better indicator to how a semester may go than the quality of your floor’s bulletin board. I chose to honor the best boards by walking through each Hofstra University residence hall to find the best ones and compile them. Here are my top five:
5: NETHERLANDS – LEIDEN HOUSE
Leiden House’s board is a beautifully simple piece of artwork. The use of round shapes and warm colors highlight the amazing drawing of the camel and the pointed architecture of the pyramid. Plus, the statement on the board, “Build the spring brick by brick,” is cheesy, yet authentic – perfect for a first-year dorm board. This statement, when paired with the sunrise depicted on the board, evokes themes of growth that make this one phenomenal.
4: COLONIAL SQUARE – PROVIDENCE HOUSE
This board invokes potent feelings of nostalgia for anyone who has read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Each component of the caterpillar, down to its ears, nose and eyes, is individually placed on the board, and this gives the caterpillar a stunning presence. Providence’s board cleverly blends residents’ childhood with trends of today, as the modern phrase “this semester’s gonna EAT!” joins the colorful, child-like imagery of the caterpillar.
3: CONSTITUTION HALL FLOOR 7
This semester’s boards were incredibly innovative, and this board is a perfect example of that. Though deceptively unassuming at first glance, this board becomes incredible when you take a closer look. A plain blue background with red lettering and a few cutouts of various Spider-Man iterations dominate the board, but the webbing underneath does the heavy lifting that launches this board into my Top 3. If you look closely at the flyers on the board, each is connected to the web with a paper clip, giving the impression that these posters are caught in the web. This detail organically introduces the flyers into the board which can be a major struggle, especially for the Resident Assistants in the towers. Unlike any other board, the flyers added to it are a welcoming addition that lifts the artistry.
2: NASSAU HALL FLOOR 4
This board is the most innovative one I saw because of its use of real objects and three-dimensional elements that literally pop off the board. The physical presence of the door on the left, the cardboard shelves on the right and the items on them grant this board a presence unlike any other on campus. Plus, the door on the left opens, adding an exciting interactive portion.
1: COLONIAL SQUARE – JAMESTOWN HOUSE
Hofstra’s best board is in Jamestown House in Colonial Square. This beautiful board takes your breath away the moment you see it. The plain black background contrasts the colorful stories, soaring butterflies and gorgeous stalk making each facet of this work pop.
The creativity and care taken with this board is apparent down to the slight contour of the white backing of the letters across the “J” and over the “t.” The stalk, the butterflies and the book’s pages all extrude from the board, demonstrating how a good story can sometimes fly off the page.
And, just like a good story, Jamestown’s board seems to fly off the wall and leave you with a feeling that is difficult to forget.
