Graphic Design Interview

Sandy Skoglund has been in the forefront of contemporary art in the United States, as well as overseas, for nearly two decades. Her dramatic impact to the art world didn’t begin overnight. After sheer dedication to art education she received her BA degree in Studio Art in 1968 from Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Upon getting her BA, she pursued further education at the University of Iowa where she received her MD. With her remarkable educational background, Skoglund decided to expand her horizons by teaching. Her teaching career grew at a rapid pace and she found herself teaching at the University of Hartford from 1973 to 1976. In late 1976, she was offered a position at Rutgers University, New Jersey,

She spoke to a friend who was attending Sheridan College for illustration and she saw what amazing works being done by students. Life drawings, painting, all the foundational skills to becoming an artist were being covered, as well as students being permitted to use all sorts of mediums to express themselves.

By winter, unsure if they wanted to take on another full-time employee, her hours were cut and she put together an illustration promo to get freelance work. That promo ended up landing me an illustration rep and a job for one of her heroes; she migrated to Brooklyn to work for her. After two and a half years of very little sleep and a lot of lettering, freelance work began overwhelming her life and her desire to do side projects became too much to bear. She ventured out on her own and embarked on a little project that would end up changing her career and earning the title “That Drop Cap Girl”.

I met Jason Estala, a costume designer, at the University of California, Riverside my first quarter of my first year in college and immediately felt a connection with him. I recently conducted an interview with him about his life and what lead up to where he is today and I was moved by his responses. Through his journey of receiving his education and traveling to different states, he found his purpose in life. His drive for his passion has affected not only him but his students, like me, as well.

We have created a home here and built a studio nestled in the woods where I make drawings, paintings, and sculptures inspired by my experiences and the surrounding nature. In the last couple of years, I have been invited as a guest artist to critique final presentations of the BFA and MFA students at SUNY New Paltz. My ongoing dialog with the students and faculty have sparked the desire to dig deeper into my artistic and cultural lineages in a stimulating setting where my ideas are challenged and debated. I have decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Fine

Since my enrollment in the Graphic Design Program at Ferris State University, I have confronted many challenges and have faced many adversities, all of which have helped me grow and develop my skills as a young designer. One of the many challenges I have been handed is gaining the financial stability to provide for my education. Although working while being a full-time student is helpful at times, it does not go without difficulties.

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others” ("A Quote by Salvador Dalí."). This quote has great meaning to me because inspiring people is something that I would love to have the opportunity to do every day. A career such as Multimedia Art and Animation would allow me to do just that. Multimedia Artists and Animators create visual effects for several different forms of media such as television, movies, and video games (“Summary”). This career interests me because it incorporates several things that I enjoy, programming, video games, and art. It is important for me to understand the education, training requirements, skills or talents needed, salary and benefits offered, and the duties of my chosen career.

After researching to find a career field; using a career cluster and pathway; I was able to make a decision on what I want to do for a career. I found graphic design would be best as my career of choice. If I were to become an employed as a graphic designer, I would have to create visual concepts using computer software. Another option would be to take a more paper and pencil style approach. I would also have to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate the consumer. A graphic designer also develops the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.

Throughout high school and college thus far, I have been a part of the TRiO program, which is suitable for first generation and low-income students. Being a first generation college student , it allows me to succeed above the boundaries by parents were not able to do. This allows me to further my education and without it, I would not be achieving my BFA in Design. My heart’s desire is to get my BFA in Design and continue visually communicating the properties of good design. In my beginning art courses, I had trouble opening up and getting out of my comfort zone, but by gaining that knowledge from my freshman level courses, I got to broaden those concepts.

The interviewee, Kate Soderberg, graduated from high school in 1983 and later earned her Associate of Arts degree. She then went to a community college in California and further transferred to a state university in the same area. She admitted that she received education all over the place however gained a lot from the experience. She learnt how to make a living independently. In the state university, she first fell in love with psychology but there was a heavy workload. The academic advisor talked her into social work, in the field of which she has been working for thirty years. She finished school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.

Today started out like any other day. I had been working at the Charlotte Fine Art Gallery for over 6 months now. Before my College Graduation I had worked for the Fine Art Gallery as an Internship the previous summer when they asked me to consider a full time curator position upon graduation. Debra Collin, owner, of the prestigious gallery wanted a fresh new eye for up and coming artists locally and nationally. She was a tough, sophisticated North Carolina socialite who had a passion for art but a stronger desire to control those around her. She sported short, cropped, black hair, pale porcelain well maintained skin and every day she wore a new couture black dress. Debra walked with a confidant and cool demeanor. Her reputation for demanding perfection and deeply over critical nature preceded her. However, when the curator position was presented to me, she assured me my creative eye and instinct for finding new raw talent with innovative techniques would not be hindered. Debra would allow me full creative control. I was thrilled at this prestigious opportunity and couldn’t wait for Graduation.

I lead a robust career in business development and recruiting across many industries, from the time I left high school. In my last position, I was working for Sport Haley, a woman’s golf apparel brand. I enrolled at the Art Institute of Colorado to further align my education with the experience I was attaining towards the pursuit of a creative career. When the company eliminated the inside sales team, I chose to dedicate myself to my education full time to complete my degree.

The samples illustrating my graphic design skills derived from group projects at the Missouri School of Journalism and practice during my internship in New York.

Pokeyar is an excellent example of a passionate artist and experienced designer with a wide variety of skills. I have found her personality to be very friendly and talkative, and she has a very entrepreneurial mindset towards art and design. I am certain I can reflect her personality and mindset in this article and artists across Iowa could take some inspiration from Pokeyar. My personal relationship with Pokeyar, her husband, and members of the community would allow me to conduct in-depth interviews with pertinent sources.

On the second day, I went to a Burger King that was nearby and proceeded with greeting the cashier whom took my order. I interviewee a young man by the name of Brandon who is 24, and lives with his mother and 2 younger siblings. Brandon informs me that he has a bachelor's degree majoring in art because he loves to draw and he's interested in