TYLER DIPLOMA PROJECT
In 2023, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture celebrated its graduating classes with a unique and meaningful gift: 500 gold vermillion Islet pins, designed and produced by alumnus Doug Bucci (MFA ’98). This exclusive pin highlighted Tyler’s tradition of presenting graduating students with a work of art created by one of the school’s esteemed alumni.
The Islet pin design reflects Bucci’s signature blend of personal narrative, artistic innovation, and technological expertise. The piece incorporates his iconic hexagonal honeycomb motif, inspired by his family history with diabetes and derived from his genetic profile. The pattern symbolizes Bucci’s journey and represents resilience and interconnectedness—a fitting tribute to the graduates embarking on their next chapter.
The gold vermillion pins, produced in collaboration with students in the Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM Program at Tyler, were crafted with precision and care, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies like CAD and casting. Each pin serves as a token of recognition, symbolizing the graduates’ hard work, creative achievements, and connection to the Tyler community.
This thoughtful gift embodies Tyler’s creative expression, personal achievement, and scholarly innovation values. The Islet pins also represent a tangible connection between Tyler alumni across generations, uniting them in a shared legacy of artistic and academic excellence.
Through this project, Doug Bucci not only celebrated the accomplishments of the graduating classes but also reinforced the spirit of mentorship, collaboration, and innovation that defines the Tyler experience.