Fine Artist and Graphic Designer, Dan Jumanan Designs for Visual Ink
Dan Jumanan graduated from The Art Institute of California – San Francisco in the fall of 2005 with an Associate of Science in Graphic Design. Originally from the San Fernando Valley, Jumanan has a background in fine art and a unique path getting him to where he is today, “I always wanted to be in the arts. I started as an art student, then I worked at an art store, was a studio monitor, became an apprentice, then became an art teacher, and then was a student again, served some coffee, and now I’m a designer,” he says.
Jumanan is currently employed as a Designer for Visual Ink, a San Francisco based company specializing in custom visual communication products including illustration and graphic design, as well as providing on-site graphic recording to clients. Jumanan’s responsibilities as a Designer include illustration, layout design, pre-press production, and on-site graphic recording.
The combination of Jumanan’s knowledge of the traditional and digital arts has proven to be a great strength for him as a Designer. Prior to Jumanan’s employment at Visual Ink, the company’s products were mainly hand rendered. However, Jumanan was able to take the hand rendered images into a digital environment; bringing a new type of versatility to Visual Ink’s products.
According to Jumanan, the best part of his job is being able to take ownership of his work, “It feels good when you know you have become a contributing factor. Getting my own business laptop was pretty sweet too!” He also offers advice to aspiring Designers, “If you really want it, love it and know it. Don’t give up on it.”
Google Graphic Designer Embraces New Challenges
What skills must one possess in order to work for one of the most prestigious multi-media corporations in the world? Adriene Pritchard knows.
Adriene works at Google as a Graphic Designer, and attributes her success to her can-do attitude and her dedication to learning. Having a high GPA and maintaining a position on the honor roll each quarter worked in Adriene’s favor when interviewing for the job at Google.
Each day she develops collateral, print and works on production pieces. She recently won “Best Product Design Overall” for her work. In the future, Adriene hopes to continue her success by taking advantage of all professional development that comes her way.
While attaining her bachelor’s degree at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, Adriene realized that there are always more challenges waiting, and that she can learn from them and take advantage of them!
Jennifer Ingle in Graphics for Gymboree
“Do what you love, and love what you do” – universal advice one receives when searching for the perfect career. Jennifer Ingle, a summer 2005 Graphic Design graduate is undeniably living this counsel.
After graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree from The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, Ingle was hired as a creative intern at the Gymboree Corporation in San Francisco, CA.
Gymboree is an international retailer of children’s clothing ranging from newborn to early teen. As a creative intern with Gymboree, Ingle is responsible for a number of tasks ranging from creating multi-page books to designing signage for the retail locations. Developing her design, presentation, and communication skills while at The Art Institute has helped Ingle find success in her current position.
Ingle enjoys the people she works with and the team atmosphere, “Everyone works hard to do a great job while having fun,” she adds, “Working in the industry has made me more passionate than ever about Graphic Design – I love what I do and have fun everyday!”
Kris Yumul in Graphics at designTHIS!
Kris Yumul graduated in the fall of 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design. While he was in school, Kris was able to secure an internship at designTHIS!, a design studio near his hometown of Vallejo, CA. After graduation, Yumul was able to turn his internship into a full-time position as a Junior Graphic Designer. Yumul credits his Career Advisor as part of the reason for his new found success. He says, “It all started by asking Kim Diaz for an internship, and she amazingly found one very close to where I live. I did the best that I could as an intern by always showing up and producing good work, and when I graduated, I asked for a permanent position. I started working part-time for 3 months, and then I was hired on full-time. I wouldn't have gotten this job if I never asked Kim for help.”
designTHIS! is a design agency located in Napa, California that provides services including print, web, and video production. As a Junior Graphic Designer with designTHIS!, Yumul is responsible for the design of print collateral including brochures and logos and assisting the senior designers with production. Yumul admits the best part of his job is that he gets to do something that he loves everyday.
Yumul explains that the part of his education that has helped him the most in his current position is “learning the technical aspect of typography and being exposed to the latest software.” His advice to aspiring designers is, “learn as much as you can while you’re in school, because once you get a job, there's no room for error and you can't ask for help all the time. And MOST IMPORTANT, in the real world, there are time restrictions on projects, unlike school where you can put in as many hours as you want into a project. You have to work a lot faster. And also be good at explaining your work, because you'll have to convince your boss and clients that what you came up with solves the problem.”
Milton Repreza Works with Bay Area Black Graphics Frounder, Karen Perry
Milton Repreza received his Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design in the fall of 2006. Since graduation, Repreza has kept himself busy working on various freelance projects and has found steady work with Black Graphics. Karen Perry, of Black Graphics, is a long time local designer for non-profit companies in the Bay Area. Repreza took advantage of the opportunity to work with a reputable design veteran in an established company.
Repreza started as an intern through a lead from his Art Institute Career Advisor and was promoted to a paid Graphic Designer within one month. He now enjoys developing new concepts for logos, branding projects, brochures and newsletters.
Repreza values the typography skills that he polished while studying at The Art Institute, and he believes that being a team player is the most important part of being a designer.
Steven Ho is an Interface Designer for Sony Electronics Inc.
Steven Ho graduated from The Art Institute of California – San Francisco in Spring 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Now in the working world, Steven is an Interface Designer for Sony Electronics Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of electronics, video, communications, video game consoles and information technology products in the world.
Steven credits the Career Services department for setting him up with the interview at Sony. Steven attributes his employment success to the skills he picked up while attending The Art Institute.
At Sony, Steven is given the freedom to create each day, something he believes is the best part of the job. He encourages his fellow classmates to follow their dreams and be persistent. Perhaps they, too, will enjoy the job satisfaction he has experienced.
Trevor Dawson in Graphics at Levi Strauss & Co.
Trevor Dawson graduated from The Art Institute of California – San Francisco with his Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design in March 2004. Prior to graduating, Dawson worked at the Levi’s Flagship store in Union Square in downtown San Francisco as a sales associate. Upon completing his degree, Trevor continued to work at Levi’s at the retail level and soon learned of a position at the Levi’s corporate office as a Graphic Designer in Store Design and Retail Development. He jumped at the opportunity and beat out several experienced candidates for the position.
Dawson’s primary duties include producing graphics for the retail environments and windows at all Levi’s retail locations. “The best part of my job is that I am able to travel to all major cities and see my designs and artwork viewed by the public,” he said.
Dawson sees several links between his success at work and his educational background at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco. “Some schools are purely technical and some are purely conceptual,” he reflects. “I like to think of The Art Institute of California – San Francisco as the hybrid of both areas. I also really enjoyed having access to the latest software used in the graphic design industry.”
Working as a design intern also gave Dawson more practical experience to add to his resume. He completed two internships during his final year at school. The first was with internationally acclaimed SOMA magazine where he contributed photography to a fashion issue. His second internship was with Luscious Design + Research where he assisted with graphic design projects.
According to Dawson, the quarterly classes at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco parallel the reality one faces in a corporate environment. “Participating in the fast-paced, nonstop curriculum at school conditioned me for the workload I encountered my first week at LS&CO.”
Trevor enjoys channeling his creative energies into his work in the professional world of visual communication. “I’ve used art as a form of personal communication for my entire life,” Trevor said. “Five years from now, I would hope that my designs are not only recognized throughout the nation, but internationally as well.”
Trevor is well on his way. From the retail level to the corporate level, Trevor Dawson is definitely moving up the ladder at Levi Strauss & Co.
Vandor Hill secures a job at Ford Graphics
What is going to make you stand out as a potential candidate for your dream job? Vandor Hill asked himself this question as he submitted his application for on campus employment in the print shop.
He knew that working in the print shop would give him a skill set above and beyond what he was learning in school. He learned the skills needed for the job and how to successfully operate in a deadline driven, fast-paced environment while becoming more familiar with various software programs. His supervisor was able to provide a great reference letter illustrating how dedicated and persistent Vandor was at work.
Vandor’s education and employment history assisted him in securing a job at Ford Graphics, a company that provides print services to commercial clients. Vandor’s responsibilities as the CAD Engineer range from printing, binding and assisting with final products. He is extremely happy with his working environment, which consists of an easy going, friendly staff with great collaboration on all levels.
Vandor has many words of advice for future students. “Stay focused, find time for friends, but remember why you are in school. Be able to take criticism and be patient. It’s a four year process, but it will pay off in the real world.”