Ahren Bonnema's Dedication Brings Success
No one can question Ahren Bonnema’s dedication to succeed. Ahren had always known that he wanted to design outdoor clothing and equipment. He graduated from The Art Institute of California – San Francisco with a degree in Fashion Design, and took his first internship at SWOBO, a company that specializes in cycling gear and equipment, in Sausalito, California. At SWOBO, Ahren was able to learn the basics of design and production. He loved his job so much that even after graduation he stayed on unpaid. For nearly six months, Ahren rode his bike across the Golden Gate Bridge every day to gain this valuable work experience.

After hearing the happy news of his wife’s pregnancy, Ahren knew that it was time for the next step. He visited the Career Services Department and stumbled upon what seemed like the perfect opportunity at JanSport. Ahren went on an interview, and the managers liked him so much that he was hired nearly on the spot. Ahren was ecstatic; this is what he had always wanted.

Ahren, his wife and child, now live happily in Castro Valley, California. He loves his job and employer, and can’t wait to discover the possibilities within JanSport. Ahren has the drive and the willingness to learn all there is to know. He won’t settle for anything less than what he wants, but knows that what he wants won’t just fall into his lap.

Chris Wan is Making Her Career Happen
Chris Wan is making her career happen, one step at a time.

During her time in the Fashion Design program at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, she completed a structured internship at LeTop, in Richmond, California. LeTop is a company that specializes in the design and production of toddlers’ clothing, something Chris very much enjoys.

Chris currently works as an Item Specialist at Macy’s Impulse in San Francisco. Her duties include brand awareness and assisting customers in selecting the perfect outfit. Her keen sense of fashion and skills in construction, patternmaking and fitting has helped Chris secure this full-time position.

After a few months of floor experience, Chris hopes to move up the ladder and eventually get into design. She hopes to eventually get back into children’s clothing and would like to design for a company such as Gymboree or BabyGap.

Chris is an example of someone who uses steady determination to accomplish her goals. One step at a time, Chris is doing what she needs to gain experience within the industry.

Eloisa Serrano's dream of being a fashion designer has come true
From the time Eloisa Serrano was a little girl, the only thing she ever wanted to be was a Fashion Designer. She wrote in her diary and school journals that she wanted to attend Fashion School. That ambition never left her, and she graduated from The Art Institute of California – San Francisco with a degree in Fashion Design in 2006.

Eloisa now works as the Design Development Coordinator and Design Assistant for IGIGI, a contemporary women’s plus-size company based in San Francisco. Recently, the company gained international recognition, when many celebrities were spotted wearing IGIGI attire, including actress Nikki Blonsky, comedienne Mo’Nique and American Idol contestant LaKisha Jones.

Eloisa’s passion for fashion led her down her career path, and ultimately, helped her to secure her position at IGIGI. She started at IGIGI as an intern, and worked tirelessly for months and months until she was offered a permanent position in the company. “Passion for what I do has brought me success,” Eloisa says, “and I can’t help but to look forward to what the future has in store for me.”

Eloisa attributes much of her existing skill set to her time at The Art Institute, saying, “The Art Institute prepares you with the design and technical skills you need everyday on the job.” Eloisa knows that everyday is a new challenge and that there are always new things to learn. Now that her dream of being a fashion designer has come true, she can’t wait for her career path to continue to unfold.

Fashion Design Graduate Lisa Boesch Puts Skills to Work
Graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design in September of 2002.   Assistant Designer for Austin Horn Collection company in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.


1. Why did you pursue your field of study?

You know, I'm not really sure exactly how I got into fashion. I was going to a university right out of high school, and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Within three semesters at the university I changed my major seven times. I went from architecture to interior design, and I even wanted to be a wedding planner for a while! I wasn't satisfied with any of the programs, and for some reason I said, "Hey, maybe I'll give fashion a try." Since I wasn't one of those people that was sewing since the age of two, I wasn't sure I'd be good enough, but I'm really proud of myself in how far I've come, and I know that fashion was the right choice.

2. Did you do an internship? What do you think is the link between being a graduate of The Art Institute of California - San Francisco and the success you are enjoying now?

I did do an internship, but not until after I had graduated. I worked with Koret of California for three months, and it was my first taste of the industry. I had a good time there, I still talk to the designers I worked with, but the $9 an hour was rough! I graduated with so much confidence that I didn't have going into the program. I felt like I had gotten the best possible education, and that I had so many people rooting for me that there's no way I could be anything but amazing with my new degree. I think the thing I loved most about The Art Institute was that I was encouraged to think creatively and be original in my designs and ways of thought.

3. What part of your education helped you the most in your job?

Doing my portfolio. It was by far the hardest part of my three years at The Art Institute, but definitely the most valuable. Although the portfolio itself has proven extremely important, the actual act of putting it together, under extreme pressure, has helped me tremendously. I had to be so creative and really think out side of the box when I was making it. When I got the interview at the company I'm currently with, I was living in Michigan and had to fly out for it. My portfolio was ready, but I really wanted the job, and I knew I had to stand out from all the other applicants. I only had three days, so I researched the company and found out what their product was like. Then I did two presentation boards with fabric swatches and drawings of beds that I "would design if I worked there." My boss was so impressed that she hired me on the spot. I really feel that I couldn't have done that if I hadn't already had practice with the 'crunchtime' involved in doing a portfolio.

4. What are your primary duties? What is the best part of your job - of what are you most proud?

I work with the owner of the company and another designer to assist them in whatever they need. My duties range from sourcing trims, and packaging, to cutting fabrics for production, to preparing marketing tools and helping to set up our showrooms in other states. I have also done some designing that I am very proud of. During my first few weeks I worked on designing nightlights, and I am currently designing a large number of 'Tabletops' for the store, "Tuesday Morning." (My mom is the most excited about that one, something to brag to the bowling girls about. :))

5. Where would you like to be, professionally, five years from now?

Retired. Just kidding. I want to be a designer for a large well-known company in New York. I've been seriously thinking about slowly starting my own company next year, as a side venture, and hopefully that will take off. It's also really important to me to keep learning.

Megan Hindsdale in Charge of P.S. by Sweet Potatoes, Inc.
Megan Hinsdale graduated in the winter of 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design. Prior to graduation, Megan was able to secure an internship with Sweet Potatoes, Inc., a children’s apparel company located in Berkeley, CA.

After graduation, Hinsdale was able to secure a full-time position as a Design Assistant and is now in charge of her own line called P.S. by Sweet Potatoes. Hinsdale’s duties also include graphic design work as well as planning window displays for the retail locations. “The best part of my job is having all of the creative freedom that I do. I am very proud of how my designs have affected sales!” she says.

Hinsdale has a lot to be proud of. Her advice to upcoming designers is, “it always pays to have a good attitude!”

Monica Tafoya working at Goorin Brothers
During her last quarter in the Fashion Marketing & Management program at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, Monica Tafoya worked as a Student Assistant in the Career Services Department and, as a result, saw the benefits of working hard to achieve results. Shortly thereafter, Monica was on the look out for industry experience of her own.

She obtained an internship at Goorin Brothers, a local underground hat designer; family owned and operated since 1895. Monica’s internship consisted of e-commerce merchandising and maintaining the back end of Goorin.com. She was responsible for all website updates, new features, managing inventory and online marketing. After three months of hard work and dedication, Monica was able to secure a permanent position in the company. Three days before graduation, Monica was offered a full-time position at Goorin.

Proving that Monica was diligent and willing to learn, she went into the task with a can-do attitude. Her drive and determination has made her successful in her chosen career path. Monica has since been promoted to the E-Commerce Manager and now has interns of her own.

Terra Mendes, Specification Technician at JanSport
From the time Terra Mendes started in the Fashion Design program at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, she knew that practical experience would help her gain employment in the competitive San Francisco Bay Area fashion industry.

During her studies, Terra took on several internships to develop the experience she would need to help her succeed. Her first internship was with a local designer at Speecees. Working at a small company meant that Terra would gain a better understanding of all aspects of the industry. After Speecees, Terra went on to do some work for another local designer at Swirlspace, a hemp clothier in San Francisco. During this internship, she was able to travel to MAGIC, a bi-annual fashion convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her work at Swirlspace peaked her interest in technical design, and when she was ready to move on she had already done her research. Visiting the Career Services Department helped Terra determine the path she would choose, and when an opportunity at JanSport came along, she wasted no time.

Terra is now a Specification Technician at JanSport in San Leandro, California. She thoroughly enjoys her job and the company she works for, and plans to become a designer within the next six months. Terra believes that nothing is ever handed to anyone. Terra saw opportunities, and chose to take them.