New George Brown College graduate Ben O’Neil is proud to be a part of his fellow grads’ convocation celebrations. He designed the massive and colourful mural outside Meridian Hall that serves as the backdrop for family and friend pictures and selfies.
O’Neil is a 2023 graduate of the Graphic Design program. His mural was installed ahead of the first ceremony of Convocation Week on Monday, June 12. Since then, hundreds of grads and their friends and families have seen or posed in front of his work.
His bold mural sets a fun and celebratory tone for the ceremonies at the convocation venue on Front Street in downtown Toronto.
“It's been exciting to see the mural displayed during Convocation Week, and I'm so happy that my work can play a part in so many people's graduation experiences," O’Neil says.
School of Design Chair Ana Rita Morais recommended O’Neil for the project — a great fit for a student with a professional background as a freelance illustrator.
“The main idea I felt the mural should communicate was how interconnected the different programs and industries at George Brown are,” O’Neil explains. “While many of us may choose a specialized career path, the ways in which we learn to collaborate and pool our talents with others are what make cities like Toronto function.”
Sumi Shanmuganathan, George Brown College’s Associate Vice-President of Marketing and Communications, said O’Neil’s work captures the spirit of GBC.
“Ben’s design radiates authenticity and captures the excitement and essence of GBC," she says. “We are proud to showcase the work of an exceptional student during the college’s biggest celebration of the year.”
O’Neil says now that he is a GBC grad, his goal is to find work at a Toronto design studio, “hopefully with some opportunities for editorial and book design, and also continue with my own illustration and writing projects.”
