Albert Reff
As a Multimedia/Graphic Designer, Albert loves the challenge of taking a rough idea that a client has and developing it into a polished piece of work. He is most proud when he uses his creativity to build a corporate identity for a company. Albert feels the best part of his job is the knowledge gained from his clients and the networking base he has built through his business relationships.

Although Albert knows that grades are a very important part of being in school, he believes students need to remember to think outside the box and stretch their imaginations to their limits. He adds that persistence, perfection of craft and preparation are his keys to success.

Albert Reff is a Web & Graphic Designer for D-Mars
Houston, Texas
Spring 2003 Graduate

Alison Bowling McCaslin
Alison’s curiosity about the way things work and how they come to pass piqued her interest in Web Design & Interactive Media at The Art Institute of Houston. She was most interested in the final product and how someone gets there through planning, creating and implementing ideas, methods and teamwork.

Alison’s internship got her foot into the door of a company where she was able to learn things that she would never have experienced inside the classroom. However, Alison does believe that the atmosphere of the classrooms and the professionalism of the instructors at The Art Institute of Houston were an integral part of the success she’s had at Marathon Oil.

Alison Bowling McCaslin is an Integrator/Web Developer at Marathon Oil
Houston, Texas
Winter 2000 Graduate

Andrea Hennekes
Andrea started out studying fine art, but then realized that she couldn’t get a full-time job that would be rewarding to her. She was also very interested in computers, so that was the reason she enrolled at The Art Institute of Houston. The Web Design & Interactive Media program enabled her to combine her two passions into a fulfilling career.

Logo design, brochures, direct mail and business cards are a part of what Andrea works on in her job, but she is focused more on Web design, which is the part of her job that she enjoys the most. She is proud of being able to solve problems related to her job duties using the skills she developed at The Art Institute of Houston.

Andrea Hennekes is a Multimedia Designer for D-MARS
Houston, Texas
Fall 2002 Graduate

Andrew Krzynowek
Andrew does a variety of work within his job description. He designs logos, brochures, flyers and Web sites, and communicates with clients. He loves working with clients and uncovering their needs. He uses his knowledge of the design field and a client's specific industry to create something that is both artistically significant and commercially appropriate.

Andrew feels that his education at The Art Institute of Houston helped him become a confident designer — one who is able to dictate what he likes and why certain things work for him. If he were to give advice to students going through the program, it would be: “Make connections while in school, and try your hardest to go above and beyond for your portfolio. These are two things that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd.”

Andrew Krzynowek is a Multimedia/Graphic Designer for D-MARS
Houston, Texas
Summer 2003 Gradute

Chris McGuire
Chris loves his job and is excited about putting his creativity to use in a competitive way. Part of his excitement stems from the fact that Grant Harrison was recognized as one of America’s 500 fastest growing companies and Chris has had a hand in that accomplishment.

Some of his job duties include Macromedia Flash e-cards/Web banners, interactive CD ROMs made from Macromedia Director, video editing for TV commercials with Adobe Premiere and Apple Final Cut Pro, editing and mixing radio spots with various audio-editing applications, as well as being the network administrator.

The best advice he got came from JR Griffith: “There will always be another party.” And he was right; I did my work while in school and every day since graduation has been a party.

Chris McGuire is a Production Artist/Network Administrator for Grant Harrison Advertising
Houston, Texas
Fall 2002 Graduate

Clarence C. Brooks
Clarence wanted a career that would give him the opportunity to share his artistic creativity with others. He needed to find the right balance between art and structure; he found that in the Web Design & Interactive Media program. Currently his job has a dual role. As Head of Marketing, he meets all new clients and helps them make their decisions, and as Art Director he works onir Web design, commercials (TV and radio), brochures, campaigns and interactive CDs. He is most proud of his acceleration up the company ladder.

Thinking back to his days in school and the first days of his career, Clarence says it doesn’t matter what people think about you. You are in control of your own destiny, and no one can take away your ambition. His advice to others: “Don’t ever give up!”

Clarence C. Brooks is the Art Director/Head of Marketing for Forum Consulting Co.
Houston, Texas
Spring 2003 Graduate

Daniel Newell
Daniel says that the best thing about the company he works for -Six Foot Studios - is the unique combination of people that complement each other and are a true joy to work with. Six Foot Studios does a variety of computer graphics work for companies such as Compaq Computer and New Line Cinema. Daniel is the Production Artist and does most of his work in Flash and Director. He believes you should never stop learning, and you should always push your limits. He admits that feedback from instructor J.R. Griffith is one reason he has been successful. He says J.R. was very honest with him and helped motivate him to be the very best he could be.

Daniel Newell is a Production Artist at Six Foot Studios
Houston, Texas
Spring 2001 Graduate

David Gillespie
David studied graphic design before coming to The Art Institute of Houston, and thought that was what he wanted to do. Computers were foreign to David, except for word processing, so he had to learn the basics of computers and the software before he could take his creativity to another level by making his designs interactive.

If David had to choose one aspect of his education that has helped him the most in his job, he would have to say The Art Institute of Houston opened doors to the world of interactive and commercial design. It has also proven to be a great source for networking. The relationships he made at The Art Institute of Houston are the same ones that have helped him progress in his career.

David Gillespie is a Multimedia/Graphic Designer for D-MARS
Houston, Texas
Spring 2002 Graduate

Esme A. Perez
Esme credits her father (instructor Norm Engel) for her interest in the field of digital graphics/media. She has followed in his footsteps by attending The Art Institute of Houston and becoming an industry professional. She feels her education gave her the confidence she needed to interview properly and the technical skills to perform her job successfully.

When asked what part of her education has helped her most in her job, Esme replied, “The time we spent on employability skills, interviewing, working with deadlines and presentations.” The best part of her job is creating proposals for large corporations like Chevron Texaco and Viacom. Her words of wisdom to others going through the program: “Stay motivated and focused; don’t let anyone stand in your way!”

Esme A. Perez is a Graphic Designer for ENTACT
Friendswood, Texas
Fall 2002 Graduate

Gregory H. Johnson
Greg pursued Web Design & Interactive Media because of his desire to have a job that utilized his creative abilities. This program encompasses a number of things that he is very interested in and feels passionate about, including video, photography and Web and graphic design.

Greg’s primary duties include graphic design for the Web site and for clients’ online ads, HTML & XML design, posting video to the Web, and editing and publishing news content to the site. Having his work seen by tens of thousands of people daily is one of the best parts of Greg’s job. He feels the television station is well known and respected in Houston and he is proud to contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Gregory H. Johnson is a Web Designer for Belo Interactive (KHOU Channel 11)
Houston, Texas
Summer 2002 Graduate

Ilie Nimigean, Jr.
Ilie wanted to pursue a career in two different avenues in life: computers and art. He just had to find a way to do both. After much searching, he found The Art Institute of Houston, where he was able to combine his analytical mind with his desire for creativity.

He feels that getting instruction in business practices as well as dynamic design is what helped him land his job at Farouk Systems. Prioritizing and planning are skills that have helped his success. J.R. Griffith is the one person who helped Ilie get through the program, and for that he says, “Thank you for your instruction and patience.”

Ilie Nimigean, Jr. is a Web Designer for Farouk Systems
Houston, Texas
Summer 2002 Graduate

Jason M. George
Jason chose Web Design & Interactive Media because he wanted to be able to be creative and get paid for it at the same time. He feels his education gave him the knowledge he needed to be competent with his industry’s “tools of the trade.” Having those skills allowed him to focus on higher concept skills like project management, design, layout and usability.

Starting a new Web project is the best part of Jason’s job. It allows him to apply everything he learned from the previous project and gives him the chance to start fresh with an increased skill capacity. He loves the fact that he is always learning no matter how long he has been doing something. That’s what keeps him interested.

Jason M. George is a Web Designer for Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Spring 2000 Graduate

Jean-Marc Buytaert
Jean-Marc has loved working with computers since the day he got his hands on one. The computer became his passion. Seeing all of the different things a computer can do makes his creativity and imagination grow, allowing Jean-Marc to set goals for himself, like creating a movie (writing the story, filming, directing and editing) and writing and publishing books.

Catalyst Studio, Inc. is a small multimedia company, so Jean-Marc doesn’t have primary duties within his job description. All employees exchange projects and help each other out when needed. Thanks to his knowledge of video he is the person who works on the video projects. His proudest moment was at a client conference in San Francisco when he saw his work projected on the big screen for everyone to see. “It feels good to see the final project and what it is used for.”

Jean-Marc Buytaert is a Multimedia Designer for Catalyst Studio, Inc.
Houston, Texas
Summer 2003 Graduate

Jimmy Keirn
With a background in math and science, Jimmy decided to expand his horizons and balance both his logical and creative sides. After hearing a radio spot for The Art Institute of Houston, Jimmy enrolled with the goal of becoming a digital artist. With the help of his instructor, Jimmy learned to tap both his creative talents and mathematical logic to create interactive projects for video, CD-ROM and the Web. That combination of talent lead him to his current job at Media Motion. Jimmy develops interactive designs on CD-ROM to sell food products, Macromedia Flash animation that sells personal computers, and even a Web sites that stream video.

Jimmy Keirn is a Lead Developer at Media Motion
Houston, Texas
Winter 2000 Graduate

Justin Redenius
Web Design & Interactive Media was something that Justin had always wanted to learn, but he didn’t realize he would like it so much. As the Art Director for High Energy Lighting, he makes decisions about designs relating to the company, including the Web site, print catalog, convention booths and car graphics. He designed the graphics for the company Hummer.

Justin loves having the design freedom that his job gives him. He is proud of his work and enjoys seeing it used in a business. He says the education he received at The Art Institute of Houston really prepared him for the work place and introduced him to the technology he needed to use.

Justin Redenius is an Art Director for High Energy Lighting
Houston, Texas
Spring 2003 Graduate

Matthew C. Esparza
Coming from an artistic family, Matthew knew he wanted to pursue a creative career, but he also knew that fine art was a challenging field in which to survive. He loved watching movies, television, animation and surfing the Internet, so Matthew packed away his paints and brushes and decided to go digital.

During the time he spent at The Art Institute of Houston, Matthew found himself surrounded by talented people who challenged his skills and shared interesting ideas. He remembers having to read an incredibly huge book his first quarter that asked, “Would you pay yourself for the job you do at school?” The question allowed him to truly see himself from the instructor’s/employer’s perspective. He still asks himself that question today.

Matthew C. Esparza is a Graphic Designer for G2E Services, Inc.
San Antonio, Texas
Winter 2002 Graduate

Mike Shields
Having always been interested in a creative field, but having an analytical mind, Mike was able to bridge his creative interest with his systematic approach by pursing an Interactive Media Design degree at The Art Institute of Houston. During his internship, he became part of a committee to develop an employee club Web site.

Having been in this position since Fall 2002, Mike realized the importance of layout while designing, and has come back to The Art Institute of Houston’s Graphic Design program to learn the skills he needs. Currently he is a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, and he plans to join additional organizations to further network. Mike encourages students to continue their schooling, even when faced with obstacles. Mike says “It is the challenges in life that make you stronger.”

Mike Shields does Interactive Design for TriStar Web Solutions
Houston, Texas
Spring 2002 Graduate

Tom Robinson
Tom was trapped in a career that paid well but was extremely stressful and didn’t fulfill him. He says The Art Institute of Houston enabled him to find a new career that both pays well and gives him a sense of creative and professional fulfillment. Tom is the Multimedia Developer at Think Software, a company involved in the interactive media design industry. He develops both CD-ROM and Internet applications in Macromedia Director, and does extensive lingo programming in the majority of his projects. He is proud of the fact that clients frequently come to his company when other vendors have proved inadequate. Tom plans to grow with Think Software and direct the efforts of their production staff.

Tom Robinson is a Multimedia Developer for Think Software
Houston, Texas
Fall 1998 Graduate