SWFC Digital Design Program Blog

Graduate Shane Kingery earns 2011 American Graphic Design Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:23:00 +0000

Shane Kingery, Graduate from the Southwest Florida College, Digital Design program, has earned the following award:

2011 American Graphic Design Awards
(GD USA Magazine) in the following catetories:
› Announcements, Invitations + Cards
› Brochures + Collateral
› Student Work

Click to view Shane's award-winning work, below.

http://www.swfc.edu/GraphicDesign/DigitalDesign-Disclosures.htm

About Southwest Florida College: Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning that is listening to employers and providing its students with placement assistance in today’s most demanding career fields. The college is located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Bonita Springs. The Institute of Interior Design is also located within the Bonita Springs campus. For more information, call 1-877-455-0107 or visit www.swfc.edu.

http://www.swfc.edu/GraphicDesign/DigitalDesign-Disclosures.htm. Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning that is listening to employers and providing its students with placement assistance in today’s most demanding career fields. The college is located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Bonita Springs. The Institute of Interior Design is also located within the Bonita Springs campus. For more information, call 1-877-455-0107 or visit www.swfc.edu.

Chris Kovaz, student at SWFC, will be featured at the Fort Myers Art Walk!

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:35:00 +0000

The artwork of Computer Animation and Digital Design major Chris Kovaz will be featured at the Fort Myers Art Walk. See Chris’ work Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Fort Myers.

Chris is the Director of Graphics for Underwater Planet. His portfolio is extensive and includes shots of marine life from teeny nudibrachs up to great white sharks!

For more information, e-mail Chris at chrisk@diversonly.com.

http://www.swfc.edu/GraphicDesign/DigitalDesign-Disclosures.htm

About Southwest Florida College: Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning that is listening to employers and providing its students with placement assistance in today’s most demanding career fields. The college is located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Bonita Springs. The Institute of Interior Design is also located within the Bonita Springs campus. For more information, call 1-877-455-0107 or visit www.swfc.edu.

SWFC Graphic Design: Fashion Photo-Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:05:00 +0000

This summer Tampa Bay is HOT and so are the images from the Southwest Florida College Digital Photography class.

Two exciting intersections between Fashion Photography and the Digital Design and Computer Animation Program at SWFC Tampa have recently 'developed,' allowing for some positive 'exposure' for our students.

Our students had the awesome opportunity to participate in a fashion-shoot with beautiful models against the backdrop of the sleek, modernist architecture of downtown Tampa. The inspiring structures of the new Tampa Museum of Art, and the newly designed environment of Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park was the perfect location to communicate the cool, urban feel of the shoot.

Each student-photographer was able to capture some lushly colored compositions that will prove to be valuable additions to their professional design portfolios. These vibrant photos will be also be used in advertisement projects, and as fine art prints.

SWFC Graduating Graphic Designers also had the high honor of being featured in the Artist Focus two-page spread in the current issue of the super-glossy, ultra-hip magazine BOSS: Fashion and Art. This mini-article featured images of student work, contact information, and very kind words of encouragement for SWFC and our Graphic Design Students. More than 10,000 issues of this periodical will be distributed as well as being viewable online.

The magazine features the impressively creative talents of Fritz Camille, Justin Younkman, Matthew Heckman, LaMisha Warner, Chris Rico, and Heather Alderman.

A special 'thank you shout-out to Paul Medrano for meeting with our Graduates and for providing this great creative-community connection. Check out BOSS magazine online at www.bosstampabay.com, it is worth the visit.

Become part of the action, join the Southwest Florida College Digital Design and Computer Animation and Multimedia Program. Experience the excitement of preparing for a career of the future. Take part in the creative opportunities SWFC has to offer, while you learn the skills to succeed.

http://www.swfc.edu/GraphicDesign/DigitalDesign-Disclosures.htm
About Southwest Florida College: Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning that is listening to employers and providing its students with placement assistance in today’s most demanding career fields. The college is located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Bonita Springs. The Institute of Interior Design is also located within the Bonita Springs campus. For more information, call 1-877-455-0107 or visit www.swfc.edu.

SWFC Graphic Design Tampa: Spring 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:54:00 +0000

The talented and hard working Graphic Design Students at Southwest Florida College Tampa have completed another quarter of inventive design projects. With courses in Digital Design Technologies, Interactive Media, Publication Design, Color Theory, Corporate Identity, and Computer Animation and Multimedia, our students explore the wide ranging possibilities of design media. We adapt our projects to meet the individual students needs and allow them to express their ideas with their own voice and imagination.

From traditional Drawing and Painting media to the latest inDigital Photography and Web Design Software, our students are given the tools and inspiration to succeed personally and professionally as artists and designers. We prepare them to become active members in the Creative Community through field trips to design destinations such as the Ringling Museum of Art, Print and Design Firms, The Tampa Museum of Art, The Museum of Fine Arts ST. Pete, and MOSI.

With the technological advantage of a newly updated Apple MacIntosh Computer Lab, Digital Photography Equipment such as Green Screen Technology, and Photographic Lighting Systems, our students excel in bringing there rich imaginations into reality and virtual Reality.

Our Advertising Design Class uses the latest in Photoshop techniques including 3D Effects and Digital Painting to create 3D Virtual Worlds, Photograph

based posters, and original Digital Art. Check out some of our student work below.

3D text and Digital Painting, Photoshop Brushes, and layers of Photographic Textures.

Poster Design by Juan Henriquez

3D Rendering in Illustrator, 3D Typography in Photoshop, Photographic Layer overlays.

Ad Design by Haronid Rosario

3D Typography in Photoshop, 3D Virtual World Compositing, Digital Photography overlays. Photoshop Brush Painting.

Video Game Poster Design by Ryan Alvarez

If you are interested in exploring the exciting future of a Design and Technology Career visit us at Southwest Florida College today!

http://www.swfc.edu/GraphicDesign/DigitalDesign-Disclosures.htm
About Southwest Florida College: Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning that is listening to employers and providing its students with placement assistance in today’s most demanding career fields. The college is located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Bonita Springs. The Institute of Interior Design is also located within the Bonita Springs campus. For more information, call 1-877-455-0107 or visit www.swfc.edu.

A Million Dollar Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Today in Mr. Heinrich's History of Graphic Design class, students are exploring what helps a silly product or item become a million dollar idea.

After a class discussion based on this article, Mr. H has divided the students into groups. Each group will come up with their own million dollar idea and how to market it. The success of any crazy idea, of course, is in the marketing.

I am eager to see what million dollar widget emerges as a result. More to come!

http://www.swfc.edu/GraphicDesign/DigitalDesign-Disclosures.htmAbout Southwest Florida College: Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning that is listening to employers and providing its students with placement assistance in today’s most demanding career fields. The college is located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Bonita Springs. The Institute of Interior Design is also located within the Bonita Springs campus. For more information, call 1-877-455-0107 or visit www.swfc.edu.

Cares of Virginia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:53:00 +0000

Mark Cesal, a recent graduate of the Graphic Design Program at Southwest Florida College, has redesigned the logo for the Cares Foundation of Virginia.

"Through personal tragedy, C.A.R.E.S (Community Awareness in Recognizing & Educating on Suicide) has banded together for the prevention of suicide. We are the parents, siblings, family members, friends, members of the community with a voice.

Together we are loud enough to save a life."

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit the Southwest Florida College Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at www.swfc.edu/graphicdesign or contact us at (877) 493-5147.

Portfolio Summer 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:01:00 +0000

Students prepare for their Summer 2010 Portfolio Showcase. Each term graduating seniors take part in a series of mock interviews with community leaders. Local businesses and organizations that currently employ an SWFC graduate, are looking to hire a design student, or have hired Southwest Florida College design students in the past. During the two hour event, each student has a series of 20 minute interviews with each of our corporate guests. At the end of the Portfolio roundtable, students are provided with feedback based on their interview performance and portfolio designs.

Corporate Identity Class

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:54:00 +0000

Digital Design students learn the art of vector drawing in Corporate Identity class. The class focuses on the software application Adobe Illustrator. In this assignment, the students were tasked with creating a self portrait drawn completely in the vector program using layers, gradient meshing, and advanced drawing skills.

3Ds Max Animation Project 2: 3D Logo Animation - New Skills for Graphic Designers

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:38:00 +0000

Arik S. submitted this 3D logo animation for Project 2 of "3Ds Max Modeling" class. An excellent example of using the space and camera movement while not overdoing it. This project, student explore the techniques of bringing two-dimensional logos to life by turning them into 3D scenes with depth and motion. The goal of this project is to encourage students to design a logo for a client that will "wow!" them and showcase a new range of diverse skills and talents for their portfolio, making them more attractive and capable graphic designers. - Aaron Belchamber, 3D Animation Instructor.

3D LOGO PROJECT SUBMISSION
This 3D logo animation was the perfect project to start off with. I was able to incorporate animation, camera motion, and omni light motion. The camera motion gave me the biggest test with this project in order to get the correct angle and the correct look. In my opinion I believe it turned out very good. Take a look and enjoy!

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit the Southwest Florida College Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at http://www.swfc.edu/graphicdesign or contact us at (877) 493-5147.

3Ds Max Animation Project 5: Bring It To Life Project - Exploring Video Compositing Effects

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Daniel J. from "3Ds Max Modeling" submitted this project. The challenge is simple: Bring in a photo of a surface from your home and model/animate objects that interact to make your 3D animations and models appear within the picture! Students enjoy familiarizing themselves with the basic concepts and procedures of 3D modeling and animation. What a fun class! - Aaron Belchamber, 3D Instructor

Title: Ozymandias was Here
I selected this image for the background as I found it to be a great juxtaposition for both Ancient/Modern and Destruction/Reconstruction.

References:
poems by P. B. Shelley and H. Smith
image file: "Ninth Pylon at Karnak"; location: Wikipedia; (copyright holder has released this work into the public domain)
...........this is starting to be fun now. Thanks Aaron, everybody!

SWFC Tampa Campus Design Studies Program Manager: An Interview with Mike Coldwell

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:09:00 +0000

Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) is not just for architecture – it’s also for mechanical drafting and other career opportunities! Southwest Florida College Program Manager for Design Studies, Mike Coldwell, discusses all the opportunities for design students at our Tampa campus. Learn more about the mechanical drafting, architectural design and drafting, interior design, and graphic design programs that are all available at our Tampa campus.

Start a new future today by learning more about Southwest Florida College. Southwest Florida College is a private and accredited senior college with campuses in Tampa, Ft. Myers, Port Charlotte and within the Miromar Design Center in Estero. Prepare for a career that's in high demand learn more about what Southwest Florida College has to offer you. Call us today at (888) 279-2342.

Southwest Florida College is an accredited private institution of higher learning centrally located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and includes the Institute of Interior Design located within the Miromar Design Center in Estero. The College has been providing post secondary education to Floridians since 1974 and offers programs in Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for rewarding careers in fields with high growth potential. For more information, call toll free (877) 493-5147 or visit http://www.swfc.edu/graphicdesign.

Student Poster Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Students in Advanced Concepts will be developing multiple design pieces for a single client. Their design challenge started with the selection of a local event taking place at either the Barbara B. Mann Hall for Performing Arts or the Naples Philharmonic. After selection, the students were required to complete a creative brief. The first design application of idea was for a poster advertising the event. Here is a sample of student solutions.

Digital Design Students

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:56:00 +0000

Digital Design students learn their way through the Adobe Illustrator program with skills such as live trace/ live paint, text on a path, clipping masks, and 3-d revolve. Students were tasked with creating a logo for a company, create a product for that company including label and 3d product. Here is an excellent student example of the powers of a vector program.

SBDAC and college students partner for “Race 2 the Finish” Gala

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:32:00 +0000

Fort Myers, March 16, 2010 – A group of Southwest Florida College students helped design the Official Program booklet of the SBDAC spring Gala, “Race 2 the Finish.” The March 27th event will raise funds to complete the remaining $2 million renovations on its downtown historic building headquarters.

Gala programs play a crucial role in advertising and sponsor appreciation notes. This year’s booklet was designed by Southwest Florida College students in Shell Redfern’s Publication Design class. Ms. Redfern, adjunct professor at the college, is Creative Director of the marketing group, Get Groovy, which works closely with SBDAC.

"This is a terrific opportunity for the students to learn first-hand what it’s like in the real world. From deadlines to working with budgets to last minute changes, this is the real deal. The experience gained from this project cannot be taught in a classroom," said Ms. Redfern.

The partnership benefits both sides, says Jim Griffith, Executive Director and CEO of SBDAC. "It's been a wonderful experience for all involved. The students have great ideas and contributed a lot to our event, both inside and outside of the program they designed," he said. The students will also volunteer at the Gala.

Gala Director, Kimberly Becker, explained this year’s unique approach to the Gala. “Galas tend to be high-priced, strictly black-tie events. But this year we’ve designed a gala fit for this economy. We looked for ways to involve everyone. This year’s Gala will be just what the community needs, an upscale relaxing, outdoor event to celebrate our strengths and look forward to the future,” said Ms. Becker.

Student Christine Johnson enjoyed her experience working with the nonprofit organization. "This was great! It moved us from the imaginary realm to the reality of business. Kim met with us several times and really listened to what we had to say. I saw our suggestions used in the final product - that was the best part. No, actually, the best part is that I designed the back cover!” she said.

The newest auction items include a Private Tour of the Joe Gibbs Racing Team Headquarters in North Carolina hosted by Don Meredith, executive vice president of Joe Gibbs Racing. The Gala will feature an array of cars, motor sport fundraising activities, a taste of the track, and music by Clint Wiley’s Band, None Other.

For tickets and more information, visit www.Race2theFinish.com, www.sbdac.com, or call 239.333.1933.

About The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Founded in 1997 by Jim Griffith as Florida Arts, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center holds the annual Florida Arts Festival and numerous other exhibitions, gala events, and performances. The Art Center’s mission is to nurture innovation and excellence in the visual and performing arts through these events and community outreach programs. Volunteers are needed for the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center to assist with the 2010 Gala, Race 2 the Finish and other scheduled seasonal events. Contact Kathy Robinson at 239.333.1933 for more information.

Southwest Florida College Students Design for Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center's Spring Gala.

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:08:00 +0000

A group of Southwest Florida College students helped design the Official Program booklet of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC) spring Gala, “Race 2 the Finish.” The March 27 event will raise funds to complete the remaining $2 million renovations on its downtown historic building headquarters.

Gala programs play a crucial role in advertising and sponsor appreciation notes. This year’s booklet was designed by Southwest Florida College students in Shell Redfern’s Publication Design class. Ms. Redfern, adjunct professor at the college, is Creative Director of the marketing group, Get Groovy, which works closely with SBDAC.

"This is a terrific opportunity for the students to learn first-hand what it’s like in the real world. From deadlines to working with budgets to last minute changes, this is the real deal. The experience gained from this project cannot be taught in a classroom," said Ms. Redfern.

The partnership benefits both sides, says Jim Griffith, Executive Director and CEO of SBDAC. "It's been a wonderful experience for all involved. The students have great ideas and contributed a lot to our event, both inside and outside of the program they designed," he said. The students will also volunteer at the Gala.

Gala Director, Kimberly Becker, explained this year’s unique approach to the Gala. “Galas tend to be high-priced, strictly black-tie events. But this year we’ve designed a gala fit for this economy. We looked for ways to involve everyone. This year’s Gala will be just what the community needs, an upscale relaxing, outdoor event to celebrate our strengths and look forward to the future,” said Ms. Becker.

Student Christine Johnson enjoyed her experience working with the nonprofit organization. "This was great! It moved us from the imaginary realm to the reality of business. Kim met with us several times and really listened to what we had to say. I saw our suggestions used in the final product - that was the best part. No, actually, the best part is that I designed the back cover!” she said.

Southwest Florida College is an accredited private institution of higher learning centrally located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and includes the Institute of Interior Design located within the Miromar Design Center in Estero. The College has been providing post secondary education to Floridians since 1974 and offers programs in Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for rewarding careers in fields with high growth potential. For more information, call toll free 888-279-2342 or visit http://www.swfc.edu/graphicdesign.

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Southwest Florida College's Program Manager Chip McElroy Explains the Graphic Design Degrees Available

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Southwest Florida College's Program Manager for Graphic Design, Chip McElroy, MFA explains the two associates degrees available for Graphic Design students. Southwest Florida College prepares digital design students for a successful career in both design and production through an emphasis on developing the student's capacity for critical thinking, and stimulating imagination and innovation.

The critical skills of perception, interpretation, and inventiveness are fostered as well as an understanding of digital design business practices. Industry standard software applications are used while solving design problems, planning, and executing solutions. The Students focus is to sharpen their ability to visually translate ideas of an intended message to a targeted audience.

Learn more about Southwest Florida College's Program Manager for Graphic Design, Mr. Chip McElory. His experience and knowledge are true assets for the school and its students. Visit our Graphic Design program page at http://www.swfc.edu/graphicdesign. Start a new future today by learning more about Southwest Florida College. Southwest Florida College is a private and accredited senior college with campuses in Tampa, Ft. Myers, Port Charlotte and within the Miromar Design Center in Estero.

SWFC Graphic Design Program: Digital Design Portfolio Roundtable Event

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:17:00 +0000

SWFC's 2009 Digital Design Portfolio Students

The Graphic Design Program at Southwest Florida College held Digital Portfolio Roundtable event where we invited local business leaders as our guests to hold mock job interviews with this quarter's graphic design portfolio students. Usually, it is their last class and it is up to each designer to present themselves with a clear and creative vision.

Our honored guest "employers" with Aaron Belchamber and Jan Rhonehouse from Career Services

With our 12 "employers," each job interview lasted about 4 minutes and put the spotlight on our students' creativity while providing them a challenging exercise in performing a confidence-building job hunt.

Brendan Stanley and Brian Thompson from Alliance Digital Solutions & www.CapeCoral.com interview Jarred Gaddis

According to Aaron Belchamber, the Digital Design Portfolio Instructor, "All students were under a tight deadline. In 10 weeks they had to collect the best of their materials and create new designs, produce a compelling portfolio in digital form as a stand alone website, design and print their resumes and business cards and mentally prepare for the Portfolio Roundtable Event. Mr. McElroy, myself, and all the Graphic Design adjuncts are very proud of our Graphic Design students."

Students begin another round of interviews

As a wrap-up after the event, the employers were gracious enough to spend some time providing constructive feedback for our graphic designers. This event was an incredible opportunity for our graphic design students to learn from real business people with a real world perspective.

"The roundtable"

When asked about her experience, Belinda Duclos replied: "We were all pretty nervous, but when it was all over, I felt pretty good about myself."

All students who participated received all the comments the job interviewers evaluated them on and a copy of their feedback was emailed to them. Some of the comments are worth noting:

"Her design skills are beautiful!" ~ "Great stuff, this guy is going to be a start!" ~ "Needs to be stronger at selling her work" ~ "Outstanding! Well rounded in all aspects" ~ "Student needs to use SPELLCHECK!" ~ "Needs specific call to action, has great stuff."

Here is a list of all of our "Guest Employers" who conducted the interviews. Thank you so much for your time!

Brian Thompson – Alliance Digital Solutions – (Co-owner) also owns Cape Coral.com
Nichol Blanco – Associate for Larazza Films
Daniel Herrera – Producer, Director for Larazza Films
Brendan Stanley – Alliance Digital Solutions – Creative Director
Scott Jacobs – Allstar Marketing – President
Katie Romano – Get Groovy – CEO
Jodi Hopper – G.M.P. Employers Retiree Trust/Dzine Gallery
Shell Redfern – Get Groovy – Creative Director
Manzie Lawfer – 2 Way Radio Express – Owner/President/Book Author
Denise Spence – Dunbar High School – Magnet Grant Technology
Nancy Coker – Child Care of SW Florida – COO – Early childhood services in 10 counties

A lot of the student samples can be viewed on the SWFC's Graphic Design student website at http://www.creativesouthwestflorida.com/. Special thanks to Brooke Fisher from Marketing for providing photos from the event.

Learn more about becoming a graphic designer by visiting our website at http://www.swfc.edu/graphicdesign!

Aaron Belchamber

Web Design & 3D Animation Instructor

Southwest Florida College

Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution of higher learning centrally located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and includes the Institute of Interior Design located within the International Design Center in Estero. The College has been providing post secondary education to Floridians since 1974 and offers programs in Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for rewarding careers in fields with high growth potential. For more information, call toll free 888-526-7973 or visit http://www.swfc.edu.

Graphic Design Club: Cartoon Character Animation Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:59:00 +0000

Phil Rood provided this character, Tipper the Turtle, for a basic animation workshop I am putting on at Southwest Florida College for their Graphic Design Club. We will cover character creation, proper methods, animation basics, and producing useful animations for broadcast, whether on conventional television or for the web.

In 45 minutes, Aaron Belchamber, the Web Design & 3D Animation instructor, demonstrated to students how to use source vector artwork of a character, designed in Adobe Illustrator, and brought it into Adobe After Effects and produced this animation. Students learned the basic steps to animate a cartoon character and the proper, time-saving techniques to produce impactful animations that will make them more valuable graphic designers/visual communication producers.

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at www.swfc.edu/gd or contact Mr. Chip McElroy, Program Manager, at (239) 939-4766.

Graphic Design Program: Straight From the Students

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:04:00 +0000

Southwest Florida College prepares digital design students for a successful career in both design and production through an emphasis on developing the student's capacity for critical thinking, and stimulating imagination and innovation.

The critical skills of perception, interpretation, and inventiveness are fostered as well as an understanding of digital design business practices. Industry standard software applications are used while solving design problems, planning, and executing solutions. The Student’s focus is to sharpen their ability to visually translate ideas of an intended message to a targeted audience.

Special thank you to Phil Rood, Angeli Chin-Franz, Jessica Kelly and The TJ Kelly Band! 3D animations in this video were modelled and produced in 3Ds Max by Aaron Belchamber, the Graphic Design Department's full time web design and 3D animation instructor.

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit the SWFC website at www.swfc.edu or contact Mr. Chip McElroy, Program Manager, at 888-279-2342.

Naples International Film Festival Team Up with SWFC Graphic Design Students

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Southwest Florida College Graphic Design students have teamed up with the Naples International Film Festival to design creative marketing and promotional materials for this first international film festival. Daniel Herrera was kind enough to grant us an interview as we learn more about NIFF (http://www.naplesfilmfest.com/ ) and the kinds of exciting roles our designers play marketing and helping this fledgling enterprise become successful.

SWFC wishes the Naples International Film Festival, and our outreach contact and mentor Daniel Herrera all the success for this year and succeeding years' film festival.

To learn more about becoming a graphic designer, call us today at (888) 279-2342 or visit our website at http://www.swfc.edu/gd!

Blogger 101: Students Learn Blog Fundamentals & How They Make Money

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:35:00 +0000

The Graphic Design Club will be hosting a Blog Workshop which is open to the public on Wednesday, November 4th from 5:00 to 5:50pm in Room 231. Attendees will learn everything they need to set up their own personal blog and how to set up revenue generating ads through the Blogger system.

According to animation and web instructor, Aaron Belchamber, "As a designer, you become more valuable to a client, a marketing department, or your future employer if you understand how to set up, maintain, and properly leverage blogs. All graphic designers need to not only understand how to set up blogs for their clients, but they should really be setting up a blog for themselves."

"A blog is a great marketing tool for the web. Not only is blogging a free way for graphic designers to present their work and vision in an organized way, it increases their web relevance by providing them a legitimate presence on the web. This web presence can be built with regular, relevant, and impactful blog entries about specific subject matter."

Belchamber continues, "By the very fact I am writing a discussion about blogs and mentioning topics of discussion such as Blogger.com as a hyperlink, I am increasing Southwest Florida College's, along with my own, web relevance, along with the subject and causes I am promoting in this very blog. Making regular entries into your own blog will make it easier for people to find information in search engines who enter key words that are discussed in your blog."

According to Belchamber, publishing your own blog exposes your material, designs, and ideas to the world audience, improving the chances that people in search of similar subject matter will stumble across your blog. Once someone visits your blog, hopefully the content will compel your blog visitors to learn more about you, review your design work and consider contacting you to participate in future projects or employment openings.

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at www.swfc.edu/gd or contact Mr. Chip McElroy, Program Manager, at 888-279-2342.

SWFC STUDENTS INTERN FOR NAPLES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Ten graphic design students have landed internships with Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), where they are assisting the organization in launching its inaugural event November 5-9. The interns, all top-design students at Southwest Florida College, are beneficiaries of the college’s proactive Career Services department, where professional career counselors facilitate real-life training and hands-on opportunities as an integral part of all SWFC diploma and degree programs.

“I love the atmosphere,” said Lindsey Phillips, of her experience interning at NIFF. Phillips recently graduated from Southwest Florida College with an associate's degree in graphic design. She is currently working on designing posters and advertisements for NIFF, one of which has been used in Gulf Shore Life Magazine. “I appreciate the opportunity of them giving me the offer to do this in their first year,” she said.

Phillips said that the internship gives her and all the interns first-hand access to the nuts-and-bolts of how a professional team carries out all the design elements for a specific market.

“Our interns/students are a great group of young cultured and inspired artist. We have been very fortunate to have these talented individuals among our NIFF family,” said Daniel Herrera, Director of Outreach for Naples International Film Festival and Director/Producer for La Razza Films.

“It takes institutions like SW Florida College to offer the curriculum's to refine the incubated talents of its students,” Herrera said. “I am glad to see, that distinct artistic personalities do exist in such a conservative community. I personally feel that there is no need to have to recruit from other cities like New York, Miami and or LA, when there is great talent pool here.”
The festival opens with “The Cove,” which will screen at the opening night gala on November 5 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts.

“Career Services is extremely proud of our student’s hard work and of their representation of Southwest Florida College in this important inaugural event,” said Jan Rhonehouse, Career Services Coordinator for the Southwest Florida College, Fort Myers campus. Rhonehouse worked diligently to foster the connection at NIFF to create this opportunity for the students at Southwest Florida College.

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at www.swfc.edu/gd or contact Mr. Chip McElroy, Program Manager, at 888-279-2342.

SWFC Graphic Design Department Launches Student Resources Page

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:10:00 +0000

At the top of the program page is a new button labeled "STUDENT RESOURCES" in red. This button will take Graphic Design students to the Student Resources Page, a new sortable and searchable list of hyperlinks to tutorial videos, websites, and attachments that are relevant to all the subjects and classes in the Graphic Design Program.

Enter a keyword, select a program from a pull down menu, or select the type of resource you are looking for (tutorial video, example, reference, or student work) and the list will provide you with relevant listings of hyperlinks and descriptions.

Written in PHP by Aaron Belchamber, the resident web designer and 3D animation instructor, you can use the student resource and see it in action by visiting our main program page at www.swfc.edu/gd and click on the STUDENT RESOURCES button in red!

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at www.swfc.edu/gd or contact Mr. Chip McElroy, Program Manager, at 888-279-2342.

SWFC Web Design Student Launches Portfolio Website

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Designed entirely in Flash, this Web Design student has designed a portfolio website that can be viewed at http://www.creativesouthwestflorida.com/lindseyp/.

"These digital portfolios are essential in finding a job as a graphic designer. The visual communications industry is quickly moving to more web-based platforms for pre-employment qualifications by employers." Says Aaron Belchamber, web design and 3D animation instructor at Southwest Florida College. "You increase your chances of getting a call to a job interview or to discuss freelance work if you have a solid online portfolio that is easily accessible."

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at www.swfc.edu/gd or contact

Mr. Chip McElroy, Program Manager, at 888-279-2342.

Graphic Design Club Meeting October 7th: "SELL STUFF ONLINE WITH PAY PAL"

noreply@blogger.com (Southern Technical College) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Join the Graphic Design Club, Wednesday October 7th at 5pm in Classroom 231 as we demonstrate how fast and easy it is to set up a Pay Pal account and install shopping carts and "Buy Now" buttons on ANY website.

"In less than an hour, students will understand how Pay Pal works and how easy it is to sell products or services online using the Pay Pal eCommerce system," says Aaron Belchamber, web design and 3D animation instructor at Southwest Florida College. He continues, "Knowing how to set up an online store is a valuable skill that will help advance their knowledge and become more valuable web designers."

To learn more about becoming a Graphic Designer, please visit Digital Design/Computer Animation Program website at www.swfc.edu/gd or contact Mr. Chip McElroy, Program Manager, at 888-279-2342.