Spring 2012
Get to know our new Dean of Academic Affairs. Dr. Alan Price is living proof that making your education your number one priority will shape a successful future. Warning: some of his responses will surprise you – in a good way.
What is your background? Where have you been, and what has gotten you to this point? My story is not atypical. Growing up in Southern California, I barely made it out of high school. Earning an education was not important to me. Growing my hair, chasing girls, and playing my guitar was. Between the three, I had my greatest success with my hair. That and selling out many Friday night back yard parties in the 80’s heavy metal band that I played with and thought would be my life. After high school, I worked several low-pay, highly physical jobs, which included working at a bee farm and roofing in the construction industry. During that time, I asked myself: “Do I want to be doing this type of work the rest of my life?” The answer was a simple “no.” My education has taken me across the United States and my work experiences have been rewarding. I’ve worked as an engineer for a billion dollar computer company, been part of a start up during the dotcom era, and worked as an Assistant Professor, and the Dean of the College of Media Arts and Technology and the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry University.
What advice would you give to graduating students? Education is not an end point but a journey. It continues long after you graduate. Students need to continually reinvent themselves by taking action on one simple question: “Where is the world going and how can I be part of each new change?” Graduates that embrace change will have a life that is full of opportunity.
What is your advice to new students? Students must put “first things first” and that is their education. It must be a priority over everything that is going on in their life. Education is not easy but that’s what makes it valuable. Building your value takes motivation and persistence. For each student that motivation is different. For me it was the want of a greater opportunity in life that only education provides.
Gaby Duong
Windows rolled down, music blasting and the lights of Vegas shining brightly ahead.
This 300 mile trip is a regular road traveled for the young,
social media manager. This fierce, young and aspiring designer
energetic, and ambitious artist Gabrielle “Gaby” Duong. Shortly
doesn’t waste time. When asked about a typical week she went
after graduating from The Art Institute of California – Orange
on talking about how she would be in Las Vegas one night at a
County in Interactive Media and Web Design, Gaby landed a
club networking and then would be driving to Los Angeles the
social media and photography gig giving her the opportunity to
next day to shoot two to three photoshoots and afterward would
go on tour with the bands, The Lights and Owl City. Throughout
squeeze in some time to see her parents and grab coffee with
her earlier career days, what was most important for Gaby was
some friends. Then Gaby finds herself driving back to Las Vegas
the desire to learn her own style. While other photographers
to shoot another campaign.
emulate other photographers, Gaby sees a different approach. With a crazy hectic lifestyle that she loves every second of,
“I want to figure it out on my own even if it’s going to take a little longer.” Currently claiming the four well-known companies Warner Brother Studios, Bloomspot.com, Diva Beauty and Mirage Resort and Casino as her clients, Gaby holds multiple roles and can be compared to as today’s modern Renaissance woman. On a weekly basis, Gaby travels from Los Angeles to Vegas and back to work as a photographer, web designer and
Gaby leaves aspiring students with this message,
“Don’t give up and it’s not cliché to say at all. Always dream and work towards that dream. You don’t sit around on a couch thinking that your next big client is going to hit you up. You hit them up.”
Annie Harrison On The Fast Track “I think we were in Art History together. I’m good with faces.
as opposed to expecting them. It hasn’t always been like this.
However, horrible with names!” says Annie Harrison, as she
She admits she had second thoughts about being in the right
begins to put together the pieces of her story, globe-trotting
major. “While studying I realized I was very interested in furniture
from north to south, east to west, and back to where it all
design, and the actual hands-on manufacturing components of
started: The Art Institute of California - Orange County. Annie’s
design,” she explains, “I thought I was in the wrong major and
life experiences have made her strong, yet traces of her
should have been in Industrial Design. I wondered if this was
vulnerability can be seen when she expresses how homesick
where my heart was. I had a feeling that I might want to narrow
she is. The reality is that she lives in the future: 14 hours away
it down to furniture design.”
from California, Singapore to be exact. If only Cinderella would’ve been a 23 year-old Canadian and an Interior Design
As surprising as this might be, it’s not impossible to believe
graduate, then it wouldn’t be a coincidence for Annie to relate
many students go through a similar path of self-discovery.
somehow since she summarizes her current job as a dream.
Having a clear understanding that what you’re going for relates to what you love is the clue that, as a student, you’re on the
The root of her creative inspiration and artistic childhood can be attributed to her designer parents. At a young age, she
right track. “Design is my daily obsession, joy, and torment. It is stressful being a designer - you can’t please everyone.”
learned what it took to be a designer: a risk-taking, problem solving individual with a strong desire to create opportunities
Design is my daily obsession, joy, & torment.
DRIVEN BY DESIRE PASSION RISK-TAKING OBSESSION & PROBLEM SOLVING.
Top:
Kim Nguyen Advertising
Left:
Frank Tzeng Animation
Right: Jesse Hiram Animation
Top Left:
Alex Verharst Graphic Design
Top Right
Lyudmila Zotova Photography
Left
Joe Billig Graphic Design
Top:
Joe Cabanas Animation
Left:
James Weathersby Graphic Design
Right:
Isaac Talamantes Industrial
JP Palarca
Drawing On Experience
Why a degree in Media Arts & Animation?
clients even before I graduated.” I said, “Continue to make us
I was always into illustration. I remember drawing Marvel super
proud, brother.”
heroes at a very young age. When I was in 1st grade, one of my classmates saw me drawing during recess and offered me his lunch money in exchange for the art. That’s when I realized
Why did you decide to work in Career Services? I was in the Admissions Dept. for 2 years at The Art
– not only should I sign each drawing, but also include a price.
Institute of Washington and 1 year at this campus. I transferred
I was selling drawings from my notepad at 5 years old! As far
to the Career Services Department because I wanted to help
as advice, I always tell our students to think of themselves as
our students realize the importance of marketing and self-
a brand. Being an artist with a degree in this economy is not
promotion. I wanted our students to have stronger relationships
enough. We must strive to be entrepreneurs and find, or invent
with companies out there and teach them the tricks in creating
opportunities that will help us earn money.
opportunities for themselves. I always tell students and graduates that without marketing and networking, you are simply
When I was in 1st grade, one of my classmates saw me drawing during recess and offered me his lunch money in exchange for the art. What advice would you give to a student when it comes to networking? Networking is very important. It truly changes lives. Never
an artist with a business card, a resume and an online portfolio. Your art will only exist in the professional creative world if you send your online portfolios to numerous companies a day,
be afraid to do the leg-work. Put on a nice business casual outfit
attend guest speaker workshops, walk into studios and sell
and get out there to meet people. Always have a business card
yourself, and attend networking events. You have to put a face to
ready and smile. Present yourself as someone with enthusiasm
your work.
and strong work ethic. Also remember that some of your fellow classmates may potentially become your future boss. There are a lot of go-getters in this school and the ones who start working early, always come back to hire students.
What are your best recommendations for a successful career? Work hard on your craft. Be a master at it. Put in the long hours and strive to be the best. Know your competition
Is there a specific story or student you helped that was especially inspiring? As part of the Career
and check out the portfolios of other graduates and working professionals out there. Learn the tricks on how to be productive and efficient. Don’t waste your weekends partying and sitting on your couch
Services Department, we meet
watching TV. Plan your day well and achieve something great
with each senior and ask what
every 3 hours. Most importantly, figure out what markets will
his or her plans are after graduation. I was so inspired
need your skills the most. Go out there and meet professionals in that specific industry and ask for advice, or even an internship.
by one of the grads when I asked, “So J.V., are there specific companies you would like to work for? How can I help you so we can get the job interviews you deserve?” He answered, “JP, I’m already working.. for my own company. I’ve hired 4 of my classmates since my junior year and we have a lot of paying clients already.” I asked him, “What? How did you make this happen? You’re not even graduating until next month.” He answered with a professional and business-like tone, “JP, I came to this school, not only to learn, but also to recruit my own team. My goal was to build my company and start working for
Rely on your heart and your brain to be creative. Rely on your feet, your handshake, and your smile to get you the jobs you deserve.
Kendra Gladieux’s Mac&Cheese With A Creamy Bacon Twist
3 Tablespoons Butter 3 Tablespoons Flour 1 Small Red Onion, small dice 4 Cloves Garlic, finely diced 7 Slices of Applewood Smoked Bacon 2 1/2 to 3 cups of Milk 3/4 cup (6 oz.) of Mozzarella Cheese, shredded 3/4 cup (6 oz.) of Gruyere Cheese, shredded 3/4 cup (6 oz.) of Cheddar Cheese, shredded 1 Pound of Spiral Pasta Salt and Pepper, to taste Parmesan, shaved for garnish (optional) Parsley, chopped for garnish (optional) Cook pasta in salted boiling water until it is al dente. Drain and set aside. Cook bacon until crispy, repeat with all slices. Once all the bacon is cooked, chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside. Heat butter in sauce pan over medium heat until it is melted. Add the onion and cook until it is almost transparent, season with salt and pepper and then add the garlic. Cook both for about 3 minutes and then add the flour. Whisk until the flour, butter and onion mixture creates a paste. Slowly add the milk whisking until thickened, this may take a few minutes to thicken up. Once the mixture has thickened, turn off the heat and season with salt and pepper. Add all of the cheeses, stirring until it is completely combined. Add the crumbled bacon pieces to the cheese mixture and stir to combine. Once combined, pour the cheese and bacon mixture over the noodles and stir to evenly distribute the cheese sauce. Let rest for a few minutes. Garnish with some Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired!
Enjoy!
Auto Incorrect *sigh* yup What’s the sigh for? Genital frustration. OMFG! GENERAL!!!!!! FML LOL sounds like a convo you need to have with Russ not me!
Art Director: Luke Bowman Graphic Designers: Joseph Choi, Jonathan Rechberg Photography: Alex Verharst, Natasha Lagano, Star Asencio, Lyudmila Zotova Editor: Hope Adams Creative Director: Herb Proske Writers: Kim Nguyen, Miguel QuiĂąones, Amy Omernik Special thanks to Catherine Stickel, Steve Anderson and Christian Zeiler
Take the puppies to the broiler... Put the fetus in the oven. I urinated my pants. These
Practically every Smartphone user has
are not quite the message that was meant to be sent
autocorrect horror stories, and the only people
– not even close! *Take the puppies to the groomer.
who don’t have them turned off the feature. Smart.
*Put the meal in the oven. *I hemmed my pants.
It’s extra embarrassing depending on who you’re
Ah, that’s more like it.
sending the message to, or getting it from. Like a
If you don’t know what autocorrect is, well,
parent, or child. Things can go from cute to creepy
where have you been? It’s a feature on smart
real fast. One dad wanted to say “ruv you” to his
phones that corrects (or tries to) what you type.
daughter and sent “rub you,” instead. Not okay.
It’s like spell check in Word, but tries to determine
Another dad sent “Mom and I are going to divorce.”
what word you mean by the letters you hit, the
What? Who sends that kind of news to their kid in
letters close to the letters you hit, and the other
a text message? He meant to say “Mom and I are
words around those letters.
going to Disney.” Phew! There are hundreds of
How much time have you wasted fixing your
examples like this. For some reason autocorrect
humiliating incorrect texts with that * in front
likes to change words from innocent to x-rated too.
indicating that you see your mistake. So annoying.
It’s almost like the programmers are playing a joke
The beauty of texting is that it’s a simple and fast
on us.
way to shoot off a quick message. Autocorrect was
If you want some great ways to kill time on
meant to be helpful and make those messages
your computer, check out fuautocorrect.com or
move even faster, but sometimes it seems to do the
damnyouautocorrect.com. You will literally laugh out
opposite.
loud at some of them. Here’s one of the somewhat appropriate best of the best:
how is class? Um good. Like my orgys so far, they all seem real nice. Should be a good semester. Ohhhh god…. Profs*** agh! Autocorrect! Hahahahaha ???? What does that mean Nothing. Nothing at all. Classes are great.
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