Mike Tracy Exhibits his Art @ Brewery ArtWalk

Mike Tracy, Media Arts & Animation instructor at The Art Institute of California – Orange County will be showing is artwork at Brewery ArtWalk on Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25. Be sure to stop by and check out his artwork.

Surfrider Foundation Selects Graphic Design Student’s Work as 25th Anniversary Logo

When Jeremy Godinez walked into his Design Team I class last fall, he had no idea that one of his designs would be seen on t-shirts and sweatshirts and sold all over the world.

The Surfrider Foundation partnered with the class through The Art Institute of California – Orange County Community Arts Resource Exchange program (CARE). Through CARE, students are paired with nonprofit clients to provide pro bono design services and gain real world experience. Students were asked to design a logo for Surfrider’s 25th anniversary.

“When I saw that there was a chance to design the Surfrider Foundation logo, I knew that was the project I wanted to land,” said Jeremy. “Surfrider liked the initial concept I pitched and then I spent 13 weeks refining it.”

Jeremy had to compete against his fellow classmates for the chance to design the logo. This type of healthy competition is designed to replicate the real world experience of preparing a proposal to win a new client.

“Nothing feels better than knowing your design is appreciated, especially when it is being sold as a limited edition apparel and print graphic,” said Jeremy, who graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design in Spring 2009. “This assignment was the key reason I landed the job I have today and the experience of seeing my work published for the very first time is something I’ll never forget.”

Students, if you’ve had a great experience with the clients you’ve worked with in Design Team I or Design Team II, please contact Tricia Cook at tcook@aii.edu to share your story.

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for pro bono design work can learn more about the CARE program here.

Graphic Design Students Donate Their Time and Talent

Art Institute of California – Orange County Graphic Design Students gave up a few hours of their weekend on September 26-27 to help get kids excited about science by helping them make their own skateboard.

The nonprofit organization that developed this program is CreateASkate and the event was part of South Coast Plaza’s annual Festival of Children celebration which takes place every weekend in September.

Over 100 elementary school children signed up to decorate a skateboard and the Graphic Design students were there to provide tips on color combinations or just to help fill in a pattern.

Check out footage of the Graphic Design students decorating their own boards or visit our Facebook fan page to see more photos.

Culinary Arts Instructor Donates His Skills in the Annual Signature Chefs Auction

On Thursday, October 15, Chef Corey Vuu will be one of the featured guests at the Orange County March of Dimes annual Signature Chefs Auction. Chef Vuu, a Culinary Arts instructor at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Orange County, will prepare two signature dishes. Guests can enter the auction for the chance to have Chef Vuu cook for them at their homes.

Check out the March of Dimes Web site for more information.

Media Arts & Animation Alumnus Returns to Help Students with Their Portfolios

Not every student who graduates from The Art Institute of California – Orange County dreams of coming back to teach, but many alumni are open to stopping by occasionally to share a few words of wisdom with current students.

During summer quarter, Felix Urquiza, who graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Media Arts & Animation in 2007, hosted a lighting workshop for current Media Arts & Animation and Visual Effects & Motion Graphics students.

Felix works as a 3D visual effects artist at Hydraulx, the visual effects studio that has worked on such films as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Wolverine and the soon to be released 2012.

After showing the students a demo of the studio’s work, Felix spent a few hours walking the students through several rendering and lighting techniques. He also took the time to look over individual student work and offer pointers.

Workshops like these offer alumni a chance to give back to the school, and current students get to see what they can accomplish after graduation. Alumni interested in contributing to a workshop are encouraged to get in touch with their academic program director.

What to Wear Fashion Workshop Featured in OC Register Style Blog

Candice Shih from the Orange County Register came to The Art Institute of California - Orange County for the What to Wear fashion workshop on Wednesday, September 30. She wrote a great post on some of the tips the designers and stylist shared. Check out her blog, Style Binge, for more photos from the event and other great fashion news.

Fashion Academic Director Featured on Fox 11 News

Fashion Design And Fashion Marketing & Management Academic Director Mary Ann Gale was featured on the Fox 11 10 o'clock news on Wednesday, October 7. The interview was filmed at The Art Institute of California - Orange County sewing lab. She shared tips on how to shop for clothes that will last.

Graphic Design Students Featured on KTLA

Allie MacKay from the KTLA morning show stopped by The Art Institute of California - Orange County to talk about an event for CreateASkate that our Graphic Design students were volunteering at. Special thanks to our students from AiGA who were with us by 4:30 a.m. that morning and still had the energy to be creative and decorate skateboards.

Graphic Design Students
Katie Williams
Mark Edwards
Jessie Arvizu
Anthony Vallejos
Larry Gonzalez
Joey Lopez

Three different segments aired. Click on the times below to watch all of them.
7 a.m.
6 a.m.
5 a.m.

Advertising and Graphic Design Students Visited by Saatchi & Saatchi Creative Director

On August 26, Art Institute of California – Orange County Advertising and Graphic Design students had the opportunity to meet award-winning Saatchi & Saatchi creative director, Andrew Christou. Christou’s most recent work includes the Toyota Prius campaign that can be seen in print, television, the internet and outdoors.

“I was so intrigued with the concept and execution of the Prius ad campaign that I had to find out who was responsible for its creation and how ideas like this evolve,” said Advertising and Graphic Design Academic Director Catherine Stickel. “I reached out to Andrew and he was happy to come share his expertise with our students.”

Chistou spent several hours with the students discussing his career in advertising, the clients he has worked with, and what it takes to make it in the industry. He also showed samples of work he had done with clients like Pepsi, Nike, Coca Cola and Reebok.

During the Q&A segment, he eagerly fielded questions from the students. Here are some highlights:
· It takes commitment and passion for the creative process to make it in advertising.
· Having an understanding of the importance of branding and a compelling story behind a campaign helps the consumer to connect with the product/company.

“I can’t wait to see what Andrew and his team come up with next," Stickel said. "The students and I will be happy to welcome him back next year.”