Monday, June 29, 2009

Industrial Design Student Earns $5,000 Scholarship



Industrial Design Student Candace Winer earned a $5,000 tuition scholarship in the Hurley design competition. To read more, check out the Hurley blog.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Interior Design Team Tackles Fashion Challenge

On June 10, Interior Design Academic Director Ronni Whitman and Interior Design student Toni Muhlhauser represented The Art Institute of California – Orange County at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) annual Runway event. Teams of interior designers and students had two hours to construct an outfit using only the materials available at the Laguna Design Center.

Whitman and Muhlhauser did not win but were happy to participate in this event that helped raise funds for Working Wardrobes, a nonprofit organization that provides adults career development services in order to help them re-enter the workforce.

ASID is a nonprofit professional society for qualified interior designers.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Spring 2009 Portfolio Review

Check out photos of just a few of The Art Institute of California - Orange County Spring 2009 graduates as they show off their portfolios.

Friday, June 12, 2009

American Red Cross Teams Up with High School Students to Provide Real World Job Experience

Students will design projects that promote the Red Cross at The Art Institute of California – Orange County annual Summer Studio workshop

High school juniors, seniors and recent graduates interested in pursuing a creative education have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves to work with the American Red Cross at The Art Institute of California – Orange County 2009 Summer Studio Workshop. Students will work closely with the Red Cross to find out if they have what it takes for a future in design, fashion, media arts or culinary arts.

From June 23-26, students participate in an intense four-day workshop and experience a taste of the academic programs at The Art Institute of California – Orange County. They’ll work alongside industry professionals as part of a production team creating the many design, media and culinary elements that contribute to the promotion of a nonprofit organization.

“The workshop has been extremely successful since its inception in 2001,” said Melinda Lester, Dean of Academic Affairs. “It is a life-changing, eye-opening week for most of these students and many attendees later make the decision to study applied arts in college.”

This year the workshops focus on the American Red Cross and their efforts to attract younger blood donors. The theme of the campaign elements the students will be creating is “Roll Up Your Sleeve.”

Students can choose from one of the following ten specialized workshops, depending on their area of interest: Advertising, Culinary Arts, Digital Photography, Fashion, Game Art & Design/Visual & Game Programming, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation/Visual Effects & Motion Graphics and Web Design & Interactive Media.

Any 2009, 2010 or 2011 high school graduate from the U.S. or Canada, who is at least 16 years old, is eligible to attend. Tuition is $150 and includes all classes, supplies, meals and field trips. Supervised housing and daily transportation to and from The Art Institute is available for an additional cost.

For more information or to register, visit aisummerstudio.com/orangecounty.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Fashion Marketing & Management Students Produce Their First Fashion Show

DATE: Wednesday, June 10

TIME: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

LOCATION: The Art Institute of California - Orange County (outside of building C)


Join 5th quarter Fashion Marketing & Management students as they present their first fashion show, Summer Daze. Guided by their instructor, Lucinda Miedema, students in the Fashion Show Production class secured clothing from Tankfarm Clothing and the models will be strutting down a grassy runway. So grab a beach towel and come enjoy the food, music and fashion.




Friday, June 5, 2009

Rock the Runway Video

The Art Institute of California - Orange County held the second annual Rock the Runway event on May 2, 2009. Check out clothes by Miss Me Jeans and Elmer Ave with shades by Oakley. Our student Rock Icon design competition was judged by Rami Kashou from Project Runway, Jonny Day from Elmer Ave and Lilly Sein McElroy. Saleisha, season 9 winner of America's Next Top Model, is on the catwalk.

Alumni Success: Kiel Anderson

The Art Institute of California - Orange County is always pleased to learn of the success of its graduates. Alumni success stories are often featured in the student magazine, Portfolio, and on the walls in building A. Now, alumni success stories will be a regular feature on the OC Art Tales blog. Keep reading below to learn about one of the school's first culinary graduates or pick up a copy of the Spring issue of Portfolio from the student lounge.

Five years ago, Kiel Anderson was part of the first class of culinary students to graduate from The Art Institute of California – Orange County. After graduation, Kiel landed his first job with Opah, a restaurant located in the Irvine Market Place.

“I started working in the pantry station at Opah and after two weeks I started training on all the stations,” Kiel said. “I worked the line for five months before being promoted to Sous Chef and have now worked at all three Opah locations as a Sous Chef.”

After three years of working at all the restaurants, Kiel was promoted to Executive Sous Chef and given the opportunity to be in charge of his own restaurant. With the new job title there were new responsibilities, and Kiel was ready for the challenge.

“I am responsible for the whole kitchen which includes placing all the orders, making the schedules and managing the employees,” Kiel said. “I am also responsible for coming up with daily specials, running the line every night and taking inventory.”

He worked his way up through the ranks and continued to prove himself time and time again. His continuous hard work, and responsible nature did not go unnoticed. The head chef and owner of Opah, as well as several other restaurants, was in the process of starting a new restaurant and decided to promote Kiel to head chef of this new restaurant.

“Watermarc Grille is scheduled to open in Laguna Beach in mid-April and I will be the Chef de Cuisine,” Kiel said. “I have been working with the Executive Chef/Owner Marc Cohen on developing the menu and the concept as a whole.”

At only 24 years old, Kiel is doing exactly what he loves to do and has a very successful career ahead of him. With a new restaurant on the horizon, Kiel is more than ready to make his mark in the culinary world.

Spring 2009 Portfolio is Now Available


Pick yours up today from the student lounge or stop by the mailroom.

Spring 2009 Portfolio Design Team:

Nicole Blaschke, Jeremy Godinez, Reggie Hidalgo, and Victor Lam

Every quarter, graphic design students at The Art Institute of California - Orange County compete for the chance to have their design selected for the quarterly magazine.