Margo Chase Gallery Opening

Margo Chase famed typographer and founder of Chase Design Company will be giving a special lecture for industry professionals and students at her Gallery Opening on April 16, 2010 at The Art Institute of California- Orange County. The lecture will discuss the design process from research and inspiration through strategy, art direction, and design.

Margo has designed logos for many in the entertainment industry in Hollywood including Madonna, Cher, Prince, Bonnie Raitt and others. Her company has been involved in the "branding" of prestigious clients including The WB Television Network, Cartoon Network, Belkin, Chinese Laundry, CVS/pharmacy, Target, Mattel, Nike, Reebok, Procter&Gamble, Starbucks, Nestle, Virgin Records, and Warner Bros. Records. In a recent Graphic Design USA reader’s poll, Margo was one of only two designers to make the top ten in both “Most Influential Graphic Designers of the Era” and “Most Influential Graphic Designers Today”. Chase Design Group also was voted in the top ten “Most Influential Design Firms of the Era”. She was recently featured in the celebrated show “Women Designers in the USA, 1900-2000: Diversity and Difference” on exhibition in New York City and in 2009 was awarded the AIGA Fellow award.

Scholarship Competition Offers Over $550,000 in Tuition Scholarships

For the eighth consecutive year, The Art Institute of California – Orange County offers high school seniors the chance to compete for one of nine half-tuition scholarships valued at up to $47,000 for bachelor’s degree programs.

All students are required to submit a 250-word essay, résumé, letter of recommendation and a high school transcript. Detailed entry requirements can be found online at www.ocscholarship.com.

Entries must be postmarked by Friday, April 2, 2010 and winners will be announced, Saturday, May 8 at The Art Institute of California – Orange County’s third annual fashion, music and art festival – Rock the Runway.

Debbie Millman pulls in huge crowds at The Art Institute of California-Orange County

On January 29, 2010 Debbie Millman, President of the Design division at Sterling Brands, New York, President of the National AIGA, author of four books, host of the radio show "Design Matters" on DesignObserver.com, the Chair of the new Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts, a contributing Editor at Print Magazine, a design blogger for Fast Company and an author on the design blog Brand New, spoke at The Art Institute of California – Orange County. The lecture was Why We Brand, Why We Buy and was an entertaining sociological, scientific and anthropological overview of why we buy and brand things. She spoke to a packed house of over 120 students and industry professionals. The AIGA AiOC Student Chapter and the AIGA OC Chapter, the professional association for design, also sponsored the event with the school.

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.

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.”

Alumni Success: Ryan DePaola

Associate of Science – Graphic Design
Spring 2009
Art Director – Focustribe Studios

“Give me a venue for creativity and I will knock your socks off.”

It’s this type of confidence that helped Graphic Design alumnus Ryan DePaola land the title of art director at Focustribe Studios.

“My work set me apart from my classmates but so did my networking, “ Ryan said. “I told everyone I met that I was a ‘creative designer’ and not an ‘in the box’ designer.”

Ryan met Focustribe Studios at the Portfolio Show and his interview went so well that they hired him on the spot.

“The Graphic Design program gave me the tools I needed to be successful,” Ryan said. “It helped me understand the difference between strong and weak design.”

On any given day, Ryan could be designing work for a children’s hospital or for a mixed martial arts company. The variety helps him keep his edge as a designer.

“From the moment I get in the office until I leave, my plate is full of design,” Ryan said. His advice to students: “Don’t be lazy. If you give everything you’ve got, you’ll come out on top.”

Alumni Success: Lauren Mohns

Bachelor of Science – Interior Design
September 2007
Interior Designer – Westgroup Designs

What was once Lauren Mohn’s least favorite subject is now her specialty. Lauren works as an interior designer at Westgroup Designs where she is considered the expert at space planning.

“Space planning is like working on a puzzle,” Lauren said. “It is challenging at times but so rewarding when you can make it work in an efficient yet creatively designed matter.”

Lauren felt that the Interior Design program at The Art Institute of California – Orange County has helped her be successful by giving her a solid foundation on which to continue to build her skill set.

“There is no way that school can prepare you 100% for the real world but my program gave me a little taste of everything I might encounter in my career,” Lauren said. “So far I haven’t had to do anything that I hadn’t at least heard about, but I am still learning from the experts I work with everyday.”

Even though Lauren is still learning all she can, Westgroup recognized her talent when she presented at the graduate portfolio show.

“My portfolio gave a strong sense of my design style and it happened to match theirs,” Lauren said. “It’s hard for an employer to look at your projects individually to determine if you are a right fit for them but they can get a feel for your sense of style by the overall presentation.”

Aside from developing technical skills, Lauren also learned the importance of completing internships while still in school. She said her internship helped her appreciate the skills she was learning in class because it became clear how they applied to the real world.

“My internship helped me realize what direction I wanted to take with my design career,” Lauren said. “I enjoyed residential design but realized that commercial design experience makes it easier to move from one firm to another.”

Orange County Interior Design Program Receives CIDA Accreditation

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation awarded The Art Institute of California – Orange County its highest level of accreditation

The Art Institute of California – Orange County Interior Design program has been recognized by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) for having met their high standards of post-secondary interior design education. CIDA awarded the school a six-year accreditation, which is the maximum amount a program can receive.

“CIDA is recognized as the authority in Interior Design education by the industry,” said Interior Design academic director Ronni Whitman. “Receiving this accreditation reinforces the industry-specific curriculum we’ve always provided our students.”

Accreditation requires an extensive review process that involves self-evaluation by the program applying for accreditation, a site visit from a team of trained evaluators and a review from a six-member accreditation commission.

According to the CIDA Web site, “Accreditation promotes achievement of high academic standards while making education more responsive to student and societal needs.”

The goal of CIDA is to set high standards for interior design education in order to contribute to the advanced professionalism of the interior design field.

“The Art Institute of California – Orange County and CIDA share the common goal of preparing students for entry-level employment,” said Dean of Academic Affairs, Melinda Lester. “This accreditation can give our students a competitive advantage as they prepare to enter the workforce and adds another level of achievement for our well-established Interior Design program.”

Media Contacts
Tricia Cook at tcook@aii.edu or 714.338.1303
Veronica Orozco at vorozco@aii.edu or 714.830.0221

Alumni Success: Sandra Chavez

Bachelor of Science – Graphic Design
Summer 2008
Graphic Designer – PartnerPeople

Designing a package for class is one thing; designing a package that will one day be in someone’s home is what Sandra Chavez, The Art Institute of California – Orange County Graphic Design alumna, is working on now.

Before she joined PartnerPeople as a graphic designer, Sandra learned to become a better designer through classroom critiques.

“I know how to take criticism in a positive way and how to effectively communicate my creative process,” Sandra said. “People want to know the story behind your creation.”

In addition to her communication skills, Sandra credits her diverse portfolio with helping her land her job.

“Whether it’s a potential employer or a new client, your portfolio should be entertaining and make the viewer want to see more,” Sandra said. “Your portfolio is also a reflection of you as a person and demonstrates what you care about and how you perceive things.”

Currently, Sandra is working on a new package design for a company that produces digital display and presentation equipment. Her concept was so well-liked by the client that they decided to rebrand based on Sandra’s design. She will soon see her work on store shelves.

Sandra admits that graphic design is a fun field to work in but it still involves hard work. Her advice to students is to take in as much information as possible while in school and to respect fellow classmates.

“Network with students from different programs because one day they may be the ones to decide whether you get a job or not,” Sandra said. “Oh, and don’t forget to backup your files – especially during finals week!”

Alumni Success: Joseph Reynoso

Bachelor of Science – Advertising
Fall 2008
Art Director – Innocean Worldwide

While the rest of the world is busy playing with Facebook applications, Art Institute of California – Orange County Advertising alumnus Joseph Reynoso is developing new ones.

Joseph is an art director at Innocean Worldwide where his projects also include TV and outdoor advertising. He credits a well-rounded education with helping him secure his first job out of school.

“I gained experience in Web design, photography, advertising and some film work through my classes,” Joseph said. “It showed my employer that I could think laterally across all mediums.

His most recent project was developing a Facebook application that allowed users to share their favorite hometown hot spots with people across the country.

“The Rediscover America app features a map of North America where people share the location and photos of their favorite local finds,” said Joseph. “People can share the local secrets of their own city or let everyone know about a place discovered while traveling.”

Although he already has a title many students aspire to obtain, Joseph does not yet consider himself an expert. He feels grateful to the senior level people around him that are willing to share their expertise.

“No matter how well you do in school, don’t let it go to your head,” Joseph said. “Be friendly. You will be working with the same people that you see walking down the halls.”

Industrial Design Students Show There is Art in Science

Industrial Design students presented three animatronic characters at the Discovery Science Center during the Robots & Us exhibit.

From left to right: German Gutierrez, Jackie Cress, Eric Bye, Brian Choo, Hansen Linek, Gordon Richins

On Saturday, August 8, five Art Institute of California – Orange County Industrial Design Students presented work from their Theatrical Effects and Props class to an audience of approximately 20 at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana.

The students were invited as part of the Robots & Us exhibit that runs through September 23. While the exhibit aims to explore how building artificial life can help in understanding the real thing, the students’ work demonstrated the fun ways in which robot technology can be used.

Instructor Gordon Richins provided a brief explanation of the Industrial Design program and an overview of the students’ assignment to start the presentation. Then each student briefly described their design process to the audience and guests were invited on stage afterwards to get a closer look at the students’ work.

City of Orange College Student Earns $5,000 Tuition Scholarship in Hurley Design Competition

Candice Winer designed three articles of clothing that could be transformed into several different outfits

Candice Winer, an Industrial Design student at The Art Institute of California – Orange County, may be interested in a career in consumer design but her venture into the world of fashion paid off. Winer’s innovative clothing designs earned her a $5,000 tuition scholarship in the Hurley Design competition.

Current and incoming students across all programs were challenged to design a three-piece outfit that could take a person from zip lining through the jungle, surfing in the ocean to wandering a busy market on the island of Bali. The pieces would need to be sturdy and versatile enough to endure a month-long stay.

“She was very resourceful with her designs and each look had a unique twist,” said Catherine Redmond, a designer at Hurley who judged the competition. “The style was contemporary and crossed age groups so a lot of people could wear it.”

The base of Winer’s winning outfit was the reversible bikini that with two simple snaps could become a monokini. The second piece was a wrap made of wrinkle free fabric and could be used as a head scarf, hooked onto the swimsuit to create a dress or tied around the waste and used as a sarong. The final piece of the outfit was a pair of adjustable length shorts that could be tied to fit any occasion.

So is Winer considering a switch to the Fashion Design program?

"I enjoy fashion but I'd like to come up with ideas that can apply to all facets of design, from clothing to architecture."

The Art Institute of California – Orange County partners with industry leaders like Hurley to bring students real world work experience and scholarship opportunities. To learn more about the programs and scholarships offered at The Art Institute of California – Orange County, go to www.artinstitutes.edu/orangecounty.

Media Contacts

Tricia Cook, 714.338.1303 or tcook@aii.edu

Veronica Orozco, 714.830.0221 or vorozco@aii.edu

High School Students Roll Up their Sleeves for the Red Cross at Summer Studio 2009

Nearly 100 high school students invaded The Art Institute of California – Orange County from June 23- June 26 to see if they had what it takes to be a fashion, media, design or culinary student.

The Summer Studio program gives teens a taste of what it is like to be a student at The Art Institute of California – Orange County. This year, Summer Studio partnered with the American Red Cross to bring a real world element to the projects the students completed throughout the week.

“The Red Cross is always looking for new ways to reach out to younger blood donors,” said Cynthia Lujan, Communications Specialist for the Red Cross. “We were impressed with the level of creativity the students demonstrated and the amount of work they were able to complete in such a short amount of time.”

Students were able to choose from one of 10 workshops according to their creative interests. In just four days, the students were able to produce the following:

Advertising: Developed an ad campaign complete with posters, billboards and public service announcements.

Culinary Arts: Catered the final presentation event by making a meal from scratch for over 300 guests.

Digital Photography: Captured a week’s worth of events for the Summer Studio 2009 DVD.

Fashion Design/Fashion Marketing & Management: Designed t-shirts that made giving blood a fashion statement

Game Art & Design/Visual & Game Programming: Created a simple video game about the importance of donating blood.

Graphic Design: Produced the artwork for the DVD cover.

Industrial Design: Proposed concepts for two different donation modules – special chairs that would allow people to be entertained as they donated blood.

Interior Design: Planned the space for a mobile disaster unit that could house a family that lost their home.

Media Arts & Animation/Visual Effects & Motion Graphics: Invented a Red Cross character and created a simple animation.

Web Design & Interactive Media: Helped author the Summer Studio 2009 DVD.

Check back here for information on next year’s Summer Studio.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.