Spring 2012

Get to know our new Dean of Academic Affairs.Dr. Alan Price is living proof that making your education your number

one priority will shape a successful future. Warning: some of his

responses will surprise you – in a good way.

What is your background? Where have you been, and what has gotten you to this point? My story is not atypical. Growing up in Southern California, I barely

made it out of high school. Earning an education was not important to

me. Growing my hair, chasing girls, and playing my guitar was. Between

the three, I had my greatest success with my hair. That and selling out

many Friday night back yard parties in the 80’s heavy metal band that

I played with and thought would be my life.

After high school, I worked several low-pay, highly physical jobs,

which included working at a bee farm and roofing in the construction

industry. During that time, I asked myself: “Do I want to be doing this

type of work the rest of my life?” The answer was a simple “no.”

My education has taken me across the United States and my work

experiences have been rewarding. I’ve worked as an engineer for a

billion dollar computer company, been part of a start up during the dot-

com era, and worked as an Assistant Professor, and the Dean of the

College of Media Arts and Technology and the College of Engineering

and Information Sciences at DeVry University.

What advice would you give to graduating students? Education is not an end point but a journey. It continues long

after you graduate. Students need to continually reinvent themselves

by taking action on one simple question: “Where is the world going

and how can I be part of each new change?” Graduates that embrace

change will have a life that is full of opportunity.

What is your advice to new students? Students must put “first things first” and that is their education.

It must be a priority over everything that is going on in

their life. Education is not easy but that’s what makes it

valuable. Building your value takes motivation and

persistence. For each student that motivation is different.

For me it was the want of a greater opportunity in

life that only education provides.

Gaby Duong

Windows rolled down, music blasting and the lights of Vegas shining brightly ahead.

This 300 mile trip is a regular road traveled for the young,

energetic, and ambitious artist Gabrielle “Gaby” Duong. Shortly

after graduating from The Art Institute of California – Orange

County in Interactive Media and Web Design, Gaby landed a

social media and photography gig giving her the opportunity to

go on tour with the bands, The Lights and Owl City. Throughout

her earlier career days, what was most important for Gaby was

the desire to learn her own style. While other photographers

emulate other photographers, Gaby sees a different approach.

“I want to figure it out on my owneven if it’s going to take a little longer.”

Currently claiming the four well-known companies Warner

Brother Studios, Bloomspot.com, Diva Beauty and Mirage

Resort and Casino as her clients, Gaby holds multiple roles

and can be compared to as today’s modern Renaissance

woman. On a weekly basis, Gaby travels from Los Angeles to

Vegas and back to work as a photographer, web designer and

social media manager. This fierce, young and aspiring designer

doesn’t waste time. When asked about a typical week she went

on talking about how she would be in Las Vegas one night at a

club networking and then would be driving to Los Angeles the

next day to shoot two to three photoshoots and afterward would

squeeze in some time to see her parents and grab coffee with

some friends. Then Gaby finds herself driving back to Las Vegas

to shoot another campaign.

With a crazy hectic lifestyle that she loves every second of,

Gaby leaves aspiring students with this message,

“Don’t give up and it’s not clichéto say at all. Always dream and work

towards that dream. You don’t sitaround on a couch thinking

that your next big client is going tohit you up. You hit them up.”

Annie Harrison On The Fast Track“I think we were in Art History together. I’m good with faces.

However, horrible with names!” says Annie Harrison, as she

begins to put together the pieces of her story, globe-trotting

from north to south, east to west, and back to where it all

started: The Art Institute of California - Orange County. Annie’s

life experiences have made her strong, yet traces of her

vulnerability can be seen when she expresses how homesick

she is. The reality is that she lives in the future: 14 hours away

from California, Singapore to be exact. If only Cinderella

would’ve been a 23 year-old Canadian and an Interior Design

graduate, then it wouldn’t be a coincidence for Annie to relate

somehow since she summarizes her current job as a dream.

The root of her creative inspiration and artistic childhood

can be attributed to her designer parents. At a young age, she

learned what it took to be a designer: a risk-taking, problem

solving individual with a strong desire to create opportunities

as opposed to expecting them. It hasn’t always been like this.

She admits she had second thoughts about being in the right

major. “While studying I realized I was very interested in furniture

design, and the actual hands-on manufacturing components of

design,” she explains, “I thought I was in the wrong major and

should have been in Industrial Design. I wondered if this was

where my heart was. I had a feeling that I might want to narrow

it down to furniture design.”

As surprising as this might be, it’s not impossible to believe

many students go through a similar path of self-discovery.

Having a clear understanding that what you’re going for relates

to what you love is the clue that, as a student, you’re on the

right track. “Design is my daily obsession, joy, and torment. It is

stressful being a designer - you can’t please everyone.”

Design is my daily

obsession, joy, & torment.

DRIVEN BY

DESIRE

PASSION

RISK-TAKING

OBSESSION &

PROBLEM SOLVING.

Kim Nguyen

Left:

Top:

Right:

Frank Tzeng

Jesse Hiram

Advertising

Animation

Animation

Alex Verharst

Top Right

Top Left:

Left

Lyudmila Zotova

Joe Billig

Graphic Design

Photography

Graphic Design

Joe Cabanas

Left:

Top:

Right:

James Weathersby

Isaac Talamantes

Animation

Graphic Design

Industrial

JP PalarcaDrawing On Experience

Why a degree in Media Arts & Animation?I was always into illustration. I remember drawing Marvel super

heroes at a very young age. When I was in 1st grade, one of

my classmates saw me drawing during recess and offered me

his lunch money in exchange for the art. That’s when I realized

– not only should I sign each drawing, but also include a price.

I was selling drawings from my notepad at 5 years old! As far

as advice, I always tell our students to think of themselves as

a brand. Being an artist with a degree in this economy is not

enough. We must strive to be entrepreneurs and find, or invent

opportunities that will help us earn money.

What advice would you give to a student whenit comes to networking? Networking is very important. It truly changes lives. Never

be afraid to do the leg-work. Put on a nice business casual outfit

and get out there to meet people. Always have a business card

ready and smile. Present yourself as someone with enthusiasm

and strong work ethic. Also remember that some of your fellow

classmates may potentially become your future boss. There are

a lot of go-getters in this school and the ones who start working

early, always come back to hire students.

Is there a specific story or student you helped that was especially inspiring? As part of the Career

Services Department, we meet

with each senior and ask what

his or her plans are after

graduation. I was so inspired

by one of the grads when

I asked, “So J.V., are there specific

companies you would like to work for? How can I

help you so we can get the job interviews you deserve?” He

answered, “JP, I’m already working.. for my own company. I’ve

hired 4 of my classmates since my junior year and we have a

lot of paying clients already.” I asked him, “What? How did you

make this happen? You’re not even graduating until next month.”

He answered with a professional and business-like tone, “JP, I

came to this school, not only to learn, but also to recruit my own

team. My goal was to build my company and start working for

clients even before I graduated.” I said, “Continue to make us

proud, brother.”

Why did you decide to work in Career Services? I was in the Admissions Dept. for 2 years at The Art

Institute of Washington and 1 year at this campus. I transferred

to the Career Services Department because I wanted to help

our students realize the importance of marketing and self-

promotion. I wanted our students to have stronger relationships

with companies out there and teach them the tricks in creating

opportunities for themselves. I always tell students and

graduates that without marketing and networking, you are simply

an artist with a business card, a resume and an online portfolio.

Your art will only exist in the professional creative world if you

send your online portfolios to numerous companies a day,

attend guest speaker workshops, walk into studios and sell

yourself, and attend networking events. You have to put a face to

your work.

What are your best recommendations for a successful career? Work hard on your craft. Be a master at it. Put in the

long hours and strive to be the best. Know your competition

and check out the portfolios of other graduates and working

professionals out there.

Learn the tricks on how to be productive and efficient.

Don’t waste your weekends partying and sitting on your couch

watching TV. Plan your day well and achieve something great

every 3 hours. Most importantly, figure out what markets will

need your skills the most. Go out there and meet professionals

in that specific industry and ask for advice, or even an internship.

When I was in 1st grade, one of my classmates saw me drawing during recess and offered me his lunch money in exchange for the art.

Rely on your heart and your brain to be creative. Rely on your feet, your handshake,

and your smile to get you the jobs you deserve.

Kendra Gladieux’sMac&CheeseWith A CreamyBacon Twist

3 Tablespoons Butter

3 Tablespoons Flour

1 Small Red Onion, small dice

4 Cloves Garlic, finely diced

7 Slices of Applewood Smoked Bacon

2 1/2 to 3 cups of Milk

3/4 cup (6 oz.) of Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

3/4 cup (6 oz.) of Gruyere Cheese, shredded

3/4 cup (6 oz.) of Cheddar Cheese, shredded

1 Pound of Spiral Pasta

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Parmesan, shaved for garnish (optional)

Parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until it is al dente. Drain and set aside. Cook

bacon until crispy, repeat with all slices. Once all the bacon is cooked, chop the

bacon into small pieces and set aside. Heat butter in sauce pan over medium heat

until it is melted. Add the onion and cook until it is almost transparent, season

with salt and pepper and then add the garlic. Cook both for about 3 minutes and

then add the flour. Whisk until the flour, butter and onion mixture creates a paste.

Slowly add the milk whisking until thickened, this may take a few minutes to

thicken up. Once the mixture has thickened, turn off the heat and season with salt

and pepper. Add all of the cheeses, stirring until it is completely combined. Add

the crumbled bacon pieces to the cheese mixture and stir to combine.

Once combined, pour the cheese and bacon mixture over the noodles and stir to

evenly distribute the cheese sauce. Let rest for a few minutes.

Garnish with some Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired!

Enjoy!

Auto Incorrect

Art Director: Luke BowmanGraphic Designers: Joseph Choi, Jonathan RechbergPhotography: Alex Verharst, Natasha Lagano, Star Asencio, Lyudmila ZotovaEditor: Hope AdamsCreative Director: Herb ProskeWriters: Kim Nguyen, Miguel Quiñones, Amy OmernikSpecial thanks to Catherine Stickel, Steve Anderson and Christian Zeiler

*sigh* yupWhat’s the sigh for?Genital frustration.

OMFG! GENERAL!!!!!! FMLLOL sounds like a convo you

need to have with Russ not me!

Put the fetus in the oven. I urinated my pants. These

are not quite the message that was meant to be sent

– not even close! *Take the puppies to the groomer.

*Put the meal in the oven. *I hemmed my pants.

Ah, that’s more like it.

If you don’t know what autocorrect is, well,

where have you been? It’s a feature on smart

phones that corrects (or tries to) what you type.

It’s like spell check in Word, but tries to determine

what word you mean by the letters you hit, the

letters close to the letters you hit, and the other

words around those letters.

How much time have you wasted fixing your

humiliating incorrect texts with that * in front

indicating that you see your mistake. So annoying.

The beauty of texting is that it’s a simple and fast

way to shoot off a quick message. Autocorrect was

meant to be helpful and make those messages

move even faster, but sometimes it seems to do the

opposite.

Practically every Smartphone user has

autocorrect horror stories, and the only people

who don’t have them turned off the feature. Smart.

It’s extra embarrassing depending on who you’re

sending the message to, or getting it from. Like a

parent, or child. Things can go from cute to creepy

real fast. One dad wanted to say “ruv you” to his

daughter and sent “rub you,” instead. Not okay.

Another dad sent “Mom and I are going to divorce.”

What? Who sends that kind of news to their kid in

a text message? He meant to say “Mom and I are

going to Disney.” Phew! There are hundreds of

examples like this. For some reason autocorrect

likes to change words from innocent to x-rated too.

It’s almost like the programmers are playing a joke

on us.

If you want some great ways to kill time on

your computer, check out fuautocorrect.com or

damnyouautocorrect.com. You will literally laugh out

loud at some of them. Here’s one of the somewhat

appropriate best of the best:

Take the puppies to the broiler...

how is class?

Um good. Like my orgys so far, they all seem real nice.Should be a good semester.

Ohhhh god…. Profs*** agh!Autocorrect! Hahahahaha

???? What does that mean

Nothing. Nothing at all.Classes are great.

We offer programs in the following areas:DESIGN MEDIA ARTS FASHION CULINARY

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