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Dedicated to
my beloved mother, Debra I. Gonzalez
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Desk Pale
“...I would like you to see the overall item first, then detect how I represented the shadows...�
This item was drawn on a tabloid size
document. This is the standard for the assignment, and I attempted to fill the entire page with the item to the best of my ability. The brush swatches are set to a certain color so it’s easier for the viewers to understand the 3D shape that the item makes. The item has a different amount of white, grey or dark grey simply because the shadows and value appeared differently on each. The darker areas on the images are there to represent the shadows that were casted onto them while I was completing each drawing. Looking at this piece I would like you to see the overall item first, then detect how I represented the shadow, and this will allow viewers to understand the 3D shape.
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The software used to create this value
drawing is Adobe Illustrator. I opened a tabloid sized document. I then went into brushes and chose the third one from the right, and then I went into swatches and picked a medium gray color. At this time I made sure I selected the brush tool located on the tool bar to the left of the screen. After this I set my stroke to 3 points. Once I had all these settings complete for the item, I sat the item next to my monitor studied it for a little and first begin to make the top of the item. To draw the item out, I used the bamboo pad and pencil which is provided in the mac lab. It was easier to make a 3D shape if I started to make the item from the top rather then the bottom. I crafted the entire item with the initial grey color that I picked, and after this I changed my swatches to different colors to represent the value and shadow present in the item.
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French Press “...I would like them to focus on the detail, the representation of value, and the hues chosen to render the particular item..�
The image was created using Adobe Photoshop, a bamboo tablet, and pen.This image was drawn on an 8.5 x 11 inch document. I placed this item to the left of the computer monitor, and began rendering the item from the top and worked my way down. To draw the item, I used the pen on the brush setting in Illustrator. Once I created the base of the item, I then decided to pick different shades of the swatches to represent value. I added additional swatches until I felt comfortable that the image rendered the item as closely as I could make it.
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The initial compositional decision I made was to place the item in the middle of the document. With this approach the audience cannot mistake anything else as the main subject. The hues I chose to create the image, were selected because I thought they would be pleasing to viewer’s eyes without being too loud, or blinding. Some of the darker areas that are present on the image either represent value, or helped to render some of the designs that created the external appearance of some of the image. I would like viewers to first see the outer shape of the image to understand what they are looking at then secondly I would like them to focus on the detail, the representation of value, and the hues chosen to render the particular item.
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The image above was created using Ado-
be Photoshop, a bamboo tablet, and pen. This image pictured to the left was created on an 8.5 x 11 inch document. I used several different swatches and brushes in the construction of this drawing. Being that this is a lined image, it was composed rather quickly. This drawing is composed of solely horizontal lines. I placed the item next to my monitor and studied it for a bit before attempting to render it. To draw the item, I used the pen on the brush setting in Illustrator. Once I created the base of the item, I then decided to pick different shades of the swatches to represent value. I added additional swatches until I felt comfortable that the image rendered the item as closely as I could make it.
For this work, I would like the overall
Coffee Pot This drawing is dedicated to my love for coffee
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image to be focused upon first. Once viewers define the object that is being rendered based off of their first glance, I would then like focus to be directed towards the representation of value. The various hues of blue that I used are to create a 3D effect. The smaller details that are included in the coffee pot are to be seen by the viewers last, this also helps to create the overall shape of the item.
The lined drawing is of a
coffee pot that I have in my home. I also decided to focus on drawing this item because I have a slight addiction to coffee, and what else is better to draw then something you love. I’ve combined the best of both worlds in my eyes.
“I have a slight addiction to coffee, and what else is better to draw then something you love...�
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Line
I created all three of these vessels by simply using lines. Two are created with vertical lines, and the third drawing was composed of horizontal lines. Using adobe Illustrator, a bamboo tablet, and the correlating pin, I simply sketched these drawings on 11 x 17 inch documents. The idea is to never recreate a line, if a mistake is made; you simply make other lines to create the shape you desire. In doing this, I sketched over 100 lines. I set my stroke, which is the thickness of the line, to about 2, which as viewers can see produces thin lines. I made all three of these images on the same document in order to gain practice drawing with simple lines.
l e s s e V s g n i w Dra
When looking at these line drawings, I would like my
viewers to focus on their construction. Each of the drawings has a unique method in which they were made, which creates an interesting visual composition. Instead of the traditional drawing that contains no white, these are created in a way to look like a rough draft of a drawing. I would like viewers to look at the drawings from top to bottom, to understand how important the construction of the top was for the shape of the overall bottles. Every line is important to each drawing, and I would like viewers to make sense of why when studying each item. I chose a black swatch for two of the bottles because they were the first drawings I created simply with lines, when I became comfortable with the function and construction of line drawings I decided to change my swatch to a more eye grabbing color.
These three drawings are an exploration of the function of line drawings. I obtained all three subjects from my classroom. Many of my peers have the same drawings, and they are all a bit different, based on how each one of us went about executing the bottles’ recreations.
Exploring the use of lines to create masterpieces.
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“Every line is important to each drawing, and I would like viewers to make sense of why when studying each item.”
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Texture Drawings
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“I would like them to relate how well the two hues that I chose compliment one another...�
These images were created using Adobe Illustrator,
a bamboo tablet, and pen. They were each created on an 8.5 x 11 inch documents. The two images were made with different swatches, and different brush sizes. In order to create the background I chose a symbol to use. Once I picked a symbol or a figure, I chose a color, and I went into the color option in Illustrator to change the hues of the color to make darker and lighter versions. For this specific project I chose the number 8 as my symbol. First before I began rendering the objects, I covered the background of both documents with the number 8 in various forms, whether it was changing the stroke, or changing the hue. Once I felt that the document was completely saturated, I began to work on the item, but instead of using horizontal or vertical lines to render the objects I chose to use the symbol 8 to create the images. I began rendering each item from the top and worked down. I made sure to choose two hues so the background and the item would not be the same color.
For these textured drawings I chose the
symbol 8 because it was such a fluid figure, and I think that it would help to make rendering items easier. Some of the darker areas that are present on the items either represent value, or helped to render some of the designs that created the external appearance of some of my selected items. For these drawings I want the viewers to take in the piece as a whole, which is why both the background and item are so heavily saturated. Of course I would like the first view to focus on the actual item in the middle, which would give the viewers the opportunity to figure out what I attempted to render. Second I would like them to look closely at the texture to see what made it that way, and hopefully studying it for a couple minutes would allow them to figure out that the texture is created from the number eight. Finally, to take in the image as a whole, I would like them to relate how well the two hues that I chose compliment one another.
The first drawing is a perfume bottle in my dorm
room that I thought would be interesting to render. The curves in the bottle posed a challenge that I felt I wanted to take on with the texture drawing method. The second drawing is a simple wine bottle that my peers and I studied while learning the techniques of texture drawing in class.
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A Taste of Chicago
Although I don’t agree with the idea of horse drawn carriages, I was able to connect with the horse long enough for this beautiful photo.
I captured these photographs using a canon rebel camera. In order to transform these photos to black and white, I used Adobe Photoshop. Once I opened each one of the photos in Photoshop I simply applied the black and white setting that is available in the adjustments window. I masked these photos, and chose one object that I wanted to be colored, and carefully colored it in using a small brush size in order to stay within the shape of the figure. The image of the Chicago Theater is significant to
“I was focused on capturing things that represented Chicago.”
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me because I stood on State St. for about fifteen minutes to capture the perfect shot. The photo of the horse has to be my all time favorite, not only because it’s a beautiful animal, but also because everything else in the background was a blur. I was lucky to obtain this photo. It was a cold windy day in the downtown area, so each picture was captured with a different degree of struggle.
In the image involving the lights, the original image was filled with bright colors. I wanted to make it more interesting, and while I was out taking the photo, I was focused on capturing things that represented Chicago. So I knew, to make this image a bit more dramatic and to catch my viewer’s eyes I could highlight “Chicago” while making the rest black and white. Within this particular image the rest of the photo in black and white is moved from focus and importance, and my decision to make “Chicago” pop with color shows its significance, and makes it the subject of the photo. The photo of the horse is simple and straightforward. We see the background is dull and in black and white, and the main subject is the horse. By choosing to give the horse color I feel that it makes the horse somewhat pop out of the frame. Of course, I want my viewers to focus on the horse, look at the veins present popping under its skin. By using color for this item, detail is inevitably increased.
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lly efu nes” r a c i as 100 l w ly em h it ing on c a us “E wn a r d
100 Line Drawings To create these images I
used Adobe Illustrator and a Bamboo drawing pad and pen. I decided to choose 5 different items in my dorm room that I knew could be created using lines, and brought them in. I placed each item in front of me, and studied the shape and allowed my pen to go to work. Each item was carefully drawn using only 100 lines either vertical or horizontal, at times I lost count because I
wanted to perfect some of the lines, and this caused me to restart some of the images. I set my stroke at about 3 points because I didn’t want the lines too thin being that I only had 100 lines to create in some cases fairly large objects/containers. This was also a good point because they weren’t too thick, if the line had been too thick I would have created the image using way less then 100 lines.
With each different image, I
decided which would be an easier starting point, deciding between either the top or the bottom. In all cases it was easier for me to begin each piece starting at the top. The top shape of each item allowed me to form a general idea of each pieces general shape, and this helped me to create a lined image that would result to look very similar to the subject. I chose to use black because it would be easier on the eyes of my viewers, and being that the images are so abstract no loud or attention getting colors needed to be used. The images are to be focused on because of their shape not their color. I began sketching each image in the middle of the tabloid size page in order to let viewers know that the item in the middle is the main subject. The pieces are simple, and I believe that the positioning makes it clear that the lined images are what’s important to my audience.
The point of the 5 images are
to recreate them as similar to the real items as possible. This had to be done with a limitation, using only 100 lines, which create and interesting and challenging task. The first drawing is of a Malta bottle, which is a hispanic malted beverage. The next drawing is of a white out container. The next drawing is a replication of a loose tea steeper. The next image is a drawing of a elmer’s glue bottle. Finally, the last drawing is of a liquid lip gloss container. I believe the assignment allowed one to understand that lines make up almost everything, as simplistic as lines seem they are everywhere around us.
Lines make the world go round.
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Louboutin World
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The shoe is in the center of the page, because that is how
the original photograph appeared. I think that keeping the background the original color, which were quiet and calm grays, also helped to allow viewers to focus solely on the shoe instead of it’s surroundings. I wanted my viewers to see the main shape of the overall shoe, first, and then pay attention to the heel, and how I rendered that as accurately to the real item as possible. Next I wanted viewers to focus on the details, and finally become aware of it’s surrounding, and realize it’s in the corner of a room.
“...these heels are very
trendy at the moment.” First I outlined the item that the shoe is sitting on,
and then began completing the background corner. After creating these two items using my pen tool, I used the eye dropper tool to get the closest color possible. Once this was completed, I began to render the shadows that the shoe casted onto the item it was resting on with my pen tool, and again used the eye dropper tool in order to mimic the color of the shadows. I then made the actual photo layer invisible so I could fill in any missing spots that I may have missed when tracing. Now I moved onto the heel, this was the smallest part of the overall image, and I wanted to be sure I rendered it as accurately as possible. Before beginning to trace the heel, I made a new layer, and I did this so it would be easier to make changes later, and it helps with organization. I first began with the basic outline of the heel, which was made all black, and then began to trace the signature part of this designer shoe, which is the infamous red bottom. As I trace with my pen tool, this actual item becomes more then one or two shapes, but about 10. Next, I created a new layer and I traced the shape of the entire shoe with the pen tool, and made this the darkest black that was represented on the photo. From here, I then turned off certain
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layers within this layer in order to render the individual shades, and values that were represented on the shoe. Once I completed this section, I moved onto the inside of the shoe, where the foot slides in. I created a new layer again, and traced the largest area, and colored this entire section beige/tan. Once this was completed, I moved to the rim of the interior. This was black, but in the original photo it’s shiny in some areas and dull in others which distinguishes it from the rest of the shoe. Finally, the last area I render, is the bottom lining of the shoe located right above the sole. There was a rope design that needed to be rendered in order to distinguish it from the rest of the shoe, again with my pen tool, and eye dropper tool I created this aspect as best as I could. When I felt I completed all of the surface area of the shoe, I turned off the photo layer, and used my quick selection tool to relocate some lines so no white was showing from the background document. At this time, I also used the convert anchor point tool to round some of my pointy edges, so the shadows, and parts of the shoe are rounded appropriately.
I was trying to successfully render a Christian Louboutin bootie that I found using the google search engine. The shape drawing is a recreation of a designer heel, and these heels are very trendy at the moment. I also have a high interest in this shoe, and the signature red bottom design, which is why I decided to focus on this particular shoe for my shape drawing assignment.
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To create this image first I selected a
Catching the Eye
picture, the picture was taken of a heart made of coffee that I placed on a pink plate. I knew that I wanted to cut the heart off of the plate as accurately as possible so first I unlocked the layer so that I was sure to make the background transparent. I first used the marquee selection tool because I found that this method would be the easiest to get most of the background removed. I also used the lasso tool to get rid of the larger areas of the unwanted background as well. With some of the edges I decided to use the eraser tool to obtain a clean edge, and I also used the magic wand tool because it captured most of the pink that was released from the space the plate occupied. Now that I had the image cut out as well as
I could, I started to copy them to create my collage. Instead of using the same size of hearts I decided to enlarge some. To enlarge some of the hearts without distorting their sizes, I pressed shift while selecting the outside diagonal arrows, and pulled up or down. In total I had five hearts. I moved the hearts around using the selection tool. I moved the hearts around to make sure all the white background of the document was covered. I then decided that I wanted to make one of the hearts stand out so I decided to change its hue. I went up to the image menu, and selected adjustments, I then selected the hue/saturation option. I played with the value and made it lighter. I then played with the hue a little towards a shade of yellow and was satisfied.
This collage shows my love for coffee,
which is represented by the shape of the item, and also because the entire page is covered with the hearts to show how much it appears in my life.
I decided to catch the viewers eye by making one of the hearts noticeably brighter.
“This collage shows my love for coffee..� page 22 Liv, Love, Art
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Patterned Bridge This photo was taken with a canon rebel
camera. I was simply walking down the street, my friend and I came to this bridge and I thought the pattern was awesome. I took various shots, and was finally satisfied with the one featured. To create the black and white image, I opened the photograph in Lightroom. In Lightroom I accessed the developer tab in the software, and changed the treatment setting to black and white. I adjusted the fill light, and recovered the photo. I also improved the clarity by increasing it a couple levels.
I would like viewers to focus on the pattern on the bridge. I thought how it connected was very unique, and I would like my audience to focus on that aspect. Because I shot this photo in the middle of the afternoon the sun played a large role in making the photo a bit more interesting. The way the light is shining on the bridge produced a beautifully natural lit photo, and this is also something I would like my viewers to focus on. I was hoping that these photos would interest viewers in going downtown to find this bridge.
I was downtown for an entire day taking photos of different patterns. When I came across this bridge, I knew this was the perfect shot. There is nothing better then the perfect natural lighting when a photographer is outside taking photos. Although the specific pattern is present because of the architecture’s idea on constructing a safe bridge, I viewed the simple construction as a work of art.
“There is nothing better then the perfect natural lighting when a photographer is outside taking photos.�
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It Was Always Her Dream... To create this image, I took my mother’s
anniversary ring that she received from my father to one of the instrument practice rooms on my university’s campus. I rearranged the ring numerous times, but finally settled on placing it in the center of the piano, and captured the photo with a canon rebel camera.
Dedicated to Debra I. Gonzalez
I composed the photo in this way to send a message. I want other’s to look at the ring, and come up with reason’s why it’s in the middle of the piano. There are several interpretations that can come from this photo, and I would like all my viewers to take a moment and attempt to understand the significance of the two items I have decided to couple together.
I composed and captured this photo in memory of my mother who passed away in October of the year 2006. It was my sophomore year of high school, and soon after she passed, I began to remember all the things she wanted me to do while she was alive, specifically playing the piano. She always told me my fingers were long, and I would be a great pianist, but I was too focused on getting A’s in school, and I told her I didn’t want my attention directed anywhere but on my academics. Now, almost 6 years later, I find myself pondering, why didn’t I just try for her? I’ve put piano lessons on my list of things to do in life, and I know when I finally learn she’ll be smiling in Heaven.
February 6, 1958-October 9, 2006 “I know when I finally learn she’ll be smiling in Heaven.”
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This photo is significant to me because it was
taken at one of my first programs I hosted being a first year Resident Assistant. I worked with several other RAs to propose this idea, and it was shot down many times by our supervisor. We all worked together to make this event possible, and the turn out was less then we expected. It was a learning experience personally, and in regards to my new leadership position. It taught me that no matter how hard you work to construct a cool program, some students are simply not interested, but you must keep the ideas flowing for those who enjoy participating.
I captured this picture of my co-RA Jordan with a canon rebel camera. He just finished a game of paintball, and was thirsty. I was lucky and captured this pose with just one attempt. I wanted to extract one color from the photo that popped, and it was his bright blue vest. I opened this photo in Photoshop, adjusted it to black and white. I then created a mask over my layers, and carefully brushed over the vest, which caused the blue hue to separate from the black and white. The original photo is displayed below.
A Splash of Color “I wanted to extract one color from the photo that popped, and it was his bright blue vest.�
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Meet Edgar...
“T h he is is a da lwa my v y.” i ys ten vaci ds ous to br resid igh e ten nt, my
This is my vivacious resident, who plays over 5 different
instruments. He always tends to brighten my day with small talk about our shared experiences with Puerto Rican culture. While taking photos for one of my digital photography classes, he was my most flexible model, which is evident through the images displayed. His personality is represented through each photo I took of him, it’s fun, goofy, and uplifting.
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So Live a little...
Introducing Brandon Gentry
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These photos are a result of my first photoshoot
that I took part in for a digital photography class. My previous instructor, Professor Gerlach, took my camera, told me to live a little, and suggested I ask my classmate to take his shirt off. I was very opposed to the idea until I took the first photo displayed on the left. These photos are the product of a very successful, surprising photoshoot. I was proud because I started a trend, and several of my peers started to think outside the box. Taking part in this photoshoot changed my idea and perception on photography. I look at it as learning for life, you never know what you like until you experiment with it. I’ve broaden my horizons, and find myself taking more photos now then I ever have before.
“I look at it as learning for life, you never know what you like until you experiment with it.”
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Learning Through Music
Marvin Fourte is a resident in my assigned resident hall,
but of course more then a “resident.” He’s a musician, he plays the harmonica better then I’ve ever heard. Walking through the hallway when his door is open is always a joy, because you feel as though your walking through a musical time capsule. He spends a majority of his free time learning new songs to play on his harmonica. He’s also a teacher; he openly plays different genres of music to purposely pull people into his room. He wants his peers to explore more then the popular music. Marvin also educates his peers on older voices, everyone is accustomed to the Beyonces and Lady Gagas, but he knows there is more to music then them, and he wants to help his peers understand. There’s a reason they are where they are, but people aren’t aware because they are so obsessed with the present, they completely forgot about the past.
Living Through Music
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Encourage, uplift, & love
Sydney Bennett, is one of the most encouraging people I have yet to meet on Saint Xavier’s campus. Often times I’ve mentioned to her that she’s a blessing in disguise to most people, including myself. We are both currently studying in the same field, and I think having her in several of my classes has helped me in mysterious ways. She uplifts with simple words, or looks. She’s always offering to help others in the community. Meeting her my freshman year was God’s way of showing me that anything that attempts to hinder me can and would get conquered, and she’s a living testimony to this. We laugh, we joke, we may not be close, but our relationship has lasted, and I have an idea that it will last a lifetime. Syd loves hard, in several different ways, but she loves, and I know her future is worth a thousand words.
“She has a unique eye for fashion” page 36 Liv, Love, Art
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Beautifully Pink
It’s very predictable to picture the flower in the
“...as I was gazing upon it I began to hear wedding bells.”
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middle of your shot when taking a photo, but I couldn’t help but fall victim because of it’s vibrant color. I couldn’t believe anything this bold and beautiful was on campus, I was also surprised because I’m not fond of pink. I captured this photo not only because of it’s beauty but as I was gazing upon it I began to hear wedding bells. From that point the flower took me on a journey to find a nice photo, to daydreaming about a fairytale wedding.
I promised myself that when the time came I would find these flowers, and it would always be a reminder of my college life.
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My Love Story
Meet Raheem... Unlike, many love stories I can only faintly remember the first day I laid eyes on him. He tells me the story over and over about the first time he met me in the quad during a program we attended, and every time he tells it I enjoy watching his face light up. The impressions he made on me for the rest of the Fall semester, however, I will never forget. I think we took a ride on a thin line between love and hate because we were terribly mean to each other within the first few months of our acquaintance. I remember walking past his room while on duty, and holding a straight face attempting to maintain my composure and give him little attention. Soon I knew that I would eventually have to give up the act and eventually act on my emotions. He was probably the most pleasant person I’ve met that was interested in dating me, he made my eyes twinkle, he tickled my stomach, and he made me feel fuzzy and warm. When we finally identi-
fied our attraction for one another he made sure to keep me smiling, he made me smile so much my jaws hurt from time to time. He’s brought out a different side of me that hasn’t been able to come out in any of my undergrad years. No matter where life takes us, God had a plan to connect us to one another, we come from the same hometown, but never met until we crossed paths at Saint Xavier. College has become a foundation for a lasting relationship, and I think we’re both ready for the journey ahead.
est. November 4, 2011
“I think we took a ride on a thin line between love and hate...”
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About the Author
I’m Olivia Gonzalez, I hope you enjoyed my artwork. I am from the North Eastern part of Illinois, and I decided to attend Saint Xavier University to have a home away from home that was still close. I’m currently a second semester Junior studying Mass Communications, and minoring in art. The journey to my current institution was not easily decided because I aspired to go to school in New York, but my father did not want me that far away from home. Currently, I am on the Dean’s list at Saint Xavier, and I will be sure to continue to work appropriately to
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maintain this academic standing. I am also a resident assistant in Regina Hall, which is one of the first year halls, and this is now my second semester holding this position. Specifically, I am studying Mass Communications at SXU to later work in the Broadcast Journalism industry. As my experiences are growing here at my institution my interests in computer graphics and photography are as well, but for now I am dedicated to establishing a career in Broadcast Journalism with the hopes of working with ABC 7 Chicago, or CNN.