Cynthia Berkshire

Cynthia is an artist working as a graphic designer, video artist, performer/choreographer. She began typesetting to support her MA work in> dance. As a child, she had loved the tools on her grandfather’s drafting table, and eventually followed both paths of performance and graphic design. Working as a designer at DDB Worldwide, NYC her projects include an original> concept for a Hershey booth at Fashion Week and an icon for Lipton tea; other clients include Georgia Pacific, Merck and United Technologies. She has designed ads for Bloomingdale’s and her work has sold at the Walker Art Center; always, she seeks to expose content, energy and freshness.

Cynthia came to New York to dance with experimental choreographer Kei Takei, living and traveling with Kei’s family in this country and abroad. Interested to combine the elements of reality with the haze and twists of the inner world in her performance work, Cynthia’s theater and dance background evolved into making short digital films. ‘Delphie takes a breath’, a recent project, premiered as a film at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and has had many manifestations, including a commissioned wall installation and performance with film at Joyce Soho and Dixon Place. Currently she is working with a new character, IRIS, and learning the interactive application Isadora, which is used for installation, live performance and video effects.

concept used for York Peppermint Patty booth at Fashion Week. Capturing visitor’s response to the candy was used in photography in the final booth. A separate video was also incorporated into the display.

reactions of fashion week attendees

beach card: assembled from postcard imagery.

icon: designed for Lipton tea, promoting Theanine, an ingredient which creates a response of energy and relaxation. The yin/yang image captures this concept. The icon, intended for use on all Lipton Tea boxes, was put into consumer testing.