Rant

Portfolio Magazine

(Art Institute of California - Orange County, Spring 2009)

A president's first days in office can be defined by landmark victories - or memorable failures. President Barack Obama's optimistic campaign rhetoric had a great deal to do with why he got elected, but it has yet to be seen whether or not he will deliver on his promises of change for America. We are living in a time of great uncertainty, and most of us in this country have very legitimate reasons to be worried about the future. The economy is at a low that it has not seen in decades and we are fighting multiple unpopular wars that might even be putting us at a greater risk for further terrorist attacks. Change is indeed necessary, but it is also only a word. The only thing that can bring about real change is action. Not the actions of one man on a podium, but the concerted effort of an entire society.

Let's talk about the economy. The truth is that it is such a complex and nuanced topic that very few of us actually understand how it works and how we got to the state we are currently in. However, one thing is certain. We cannot continue living the same wasteful and extravagant lifestyles that many of us have grown accustomed to. Whether you are a millionaire or a struggling student, it is almost certain that you have been affected negatively by the current economic situation. The president can give out tax breaks and stimulus packages until he is blue in the face, but what really matters is what we do with the extra bit of cash. Instead of a new pair of expensive jeans, why not invest in a night class that will make you more of an asset to your employer or company? Until we as a nation can adopt a more selfless world-view, change will not happen and we will only fall more deeply into debt.

There is no question that change is something that needs to happen sooner than later in this country, but it is also just as evident that it is not something that can come about overnight while we as a nation do nothing to bring it about. While inspirational speeches and rhetoric are certainly helpful to improving morale, they are meaningless if we just sit back and wait for change to happen to us. Rather, we as a society need to get out into the world, grab opportunities, and actively participate in being part of the greatest nation in the world.

How Did He Do That? Interview with: Gerry Hernandez

Portfolio Magazine

(Art Institute of California - Orange County, Winter 2009)

With the heavy work load and demanding schedules we have here at The Art Institute, it’s hard to imagine finding the time to pursue creative projects outside of school, but Web Design and Interactive Media student Gerry Hernandez makes it look like a piece of cake.

Gerry’s jobs outside of school have varied from general photo shoots to full-scale video productions over the last three years. He is currently working with Roland ASD (Advanced Solutions Division) to produce a few promotional tutorials for some of their more popular equipment lineup. “It’s been a rather large job between that and trying to graduate,” Gerry says, “but I still find time to squeeze in smaller jobs when I have the time.”

About a year into the Web Design and Interactive Media program, Gerry began the process of starting his own business. “In summer 2004, I picked up a real video camera and found that combined with my knowledge of photography and design, I had the potential to really make great steps in the direction of my interactive media business,” he says. Gerry started Indigoverse Productions in late 2004 with his business partner David Paul Paige and eventually became official in August 2006. “Ever since, with the help of friends and fellow students, we have worked on a multitude of projects for both the school and industry based clientele.”

As part of his multiple extracurricular ventures, Gerry has had the opportunity to travel all over the Western half of the U.S. as well as New York in the name of various projects. His international projects have taken him to the U.K., France, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand. When asked how travelling has benefitted him, Gerry says, “Travelling both locally and abroad has expanded my absorption of the world both creatively and influentially. It has definitely given me much larger goals to shoot for.” So how can the rest of us start preparing for exciting, creative careers? Should we begin working creatively while still in school? “Yes!” Gerry would say. “You should be doing that from day one. It builds your confidence as a seeking professional in your field and most importantly, it constructs networks which are the mainstay and foundation to your new future. If you have difficulty finding these opportunities, then make your own projects outside of school. It will only make you better at what you love and ensure a much heavier portfolio.”

Alumni Success: Larry Charles

Portfolio Magazine

(Art Institute of California - Orange County, Winter 2009)

Fifteen years ago, Larry Charles was just playing video games and now he's working for one of the most well known developers of RPG's (that's role playing games for you non-gamers). As an assistant producer at Obsidian Entertainment, a privately owned independent game developer based in Santa Ana, Charles is getting the chance to apply the skills he attained as a Game Art & Design student at The Art Institute of California - Orange County. "Every day, when I walk down the hall and realize what it is that I am actually doing for a living I still get overwhelmed," he says. "I am doing what I love, and on top of that, every few weeks I get paid for it." Right now, Charles is producing a video of Aliens game footage that was sent to upper level executives at Sega for review. His team created a game-play trailer complete with story, rising action and a cliffhanger conclusion. Eventually, charles hopes to become an executive producer, but before he gets there, he knows that he will have to overcome many obstacles along the way.

"My personal goal while I am here is to learn," Charles says. "In my position I am given a smaller realm of management responsibility where I am able to try and succeed or try and fail as long as I get better. This environment will help me learn the production strategies which are most effective for me and it will help me build experience and enhance my on-the-fly problem solving."

For current students, Larry recommends finding a niche and perfecting it. "Pick a focus and then focus on it," he said. "Take your greatest strength and sharpen it as much as you can before you leave school and you will be better off."

Art Institute Students Re-Mix The Fox Brand

Portfolio Magazine

(Art Institute of California - Orange County, Winter 2009)

Half fashion show, half night club, the Re-Mix, Re-Design and Re-Construct Fox Fashion Challenge finals were a unique experience for anyone who attended. Deep house beats flowed from the speakers, guests enjoyed gourmet food and the V.I.P.'s relaxed upstairs as they looked over the crowd below. Nearly 300 people showed up to see the runway debut of ten aspiring fashion designers including four from The Art Institute of California - Orange County. For four weeks, the contestants had been working on developing at least two complete head-to-toe looks by ripping and tearing apart the Fox fall line and then sewing it back together into an outfit that best represented Fox fashion.

Daniel Magaña, a second quarter fashion student at The Art Institute, was declared the winner and walked away with a $500 back-to-school wardrobe and an internship with the Fox Girl design team. "What stood out about Dannie's work and set him apart is that we could have taken a lot of his designs and put them right into the line," said judge Tony Sanchez, Fox Director of Merchandising - Men's. "He did a good job of taking what is Fox and making it wearable and right for our customer." The other two finalists were also offered an internship with the Fox Girl design team. Jocelyn Ramos, a student at Saddleback College, took second place and Katy Lasco, a recent graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, was awarded third place.