What kind of work are you doing now? I’m a designer at Design Army, in Washington DC. I work on tons of different projects for large and small clients, like logos, annual reports, event collateral, promotional pieces, invitations, and more.
What is the best thing about being a designer? I love the variety of work I get to do. Every project I work on has to be started from the beginning so there is always a lot of concepting and brainstorming. Nothing I do is really mindless or boring, and I love the fast-paced, competitive atmosphere. It’s awesome to hold a printed piece in your hand and know that thousands of people will see it.
How did the graphic design program at SU prepare you for the real world? SU taught me how to think like a designer. I was hired primarily for my ability to come up with unique ideas that solve design problems. The program at SU teaches a variety of ways to come up with great solutions. Most design students learn just one method, at SU we learned many.
What are your best memories about being in the graphic design program at SU? I loved all of the out of school activites we took part in. Events like competitions, portfolio reviews, and designer lectrures all really helped introduce me to the outside world of design. You don’t get a true sense of the design community until you step into it, and SU helps you to do that. As a matter of fact, I got my job because Design Army saw my portfolio during a visit to SU!
What advice do you have for a student trying to select a college design program? It’s very, very important in graphic design to pick a small school where you will be able to get a lot of individual attention from your classmates and your professors. A lot of what I learned happened outside of class, because my professors took time to get to know me. I learn best one-on-one, and I know I would have gotten lost in the shuffle at a bigger place.
