Alumni Speakers, Descriptions and Responses:

Nick Swift

Art major, graduated 2009; Now runs Swift Distillery 

Nick not only the steps he took to develop his own profession, but he highlighted the different creative professions that work with him. I thought it was interesting that although he was working in a field that some may not consider art or design-centered, his life and work continuously has to interact with the visual arts in order to succeed and grow. He works with web designers, package designers, food photographers, and food and beverage PRs in order to develop the thematic concepts, the flow, and the presentation of his products.

One point of his that really stuck with me is that research and detail are highly valuable. He noted that whatever industry, in order to be a part of the conversation and sound intelligent, and build credibility, you must have knowledge of the industry and the historical details beneath it.

Rebecca Marino

Photo communications major, graduated 2010; Gallery director, artist, co-editor

I thought it was amazing that she is involved in so many areas and has so many occupations at once. This shows that a person does not have to be one slot of an occupation in a field, but he or she can balance and incorporate different parts of things in his or her life. Rebecca directs a gallery for the Pump Project, but also makes art of her own as well as acts as co-editor for an online magazine (many different hats, but all correlated and what she loves to do).

Rebecca Marino emphasized that students can put themselves into the action by volunteering (along with internships); the main thing is that students are involved. She also advised to dip your feet into things, but to not overload, and that a main objective is to find what you are interested in and where you fit in.

Alex Roka

Graphic design major, alum

Alex Roka described the atmosphere of different types and sizes of design agencies, which was interesting to me because I was unsure of the potential work environments for designers. He said that in larger agencies the role of the designer is to execute ideas and sort of compete for the final design. Working in a smaller design agency (in which he is the creative-director and co-starter) he is able to have more of a hands-on experience and vision of the work they produce.

Throughout his talk, he discussed a large variety of projects that he had worked on (identity, research-based) as well as the thought processes behind developing these projects.

One story of his that was very compelling was the one of how he was working on a personal project of his own that he put online. A company saw his work and asked them to actually create them for their company; something rose out of Alex simply sharing his own work.  Through this Alex pointed out that designers don’t have to wait to be told to do a project, but should be working on the side on what they believe to be exciting and interesting because they never know if it could develop into something larger.

Taylor Browning 

Art major, alum 10 yrs; art curator of education at Artpace San Antonio 

At the beginning of her presentation, Taylor noted all the different titles of the roles she played within different aspects of her career (ex. administrator, media representative, accountant).

She talked about her study-abroad trip and how it expanded her world view. I found it fascinating and inspiring that after painting her first piece after studying abroad (the one of the water), Hollis mentioned that she should continue to paint water. This element of water was expanded amazingly throughout her works after that.

She emphasized that artists must take any jobs and gigs they can, show anywhere they can, persevere, and keep trying.