FIDM Street Style!

Christina | Merchandise Product Development

Kelly | Visual Communications

Just Accepted Graphic Design Student is an Award-Winning Artist

Full Name: Quinn Palmer

Age: 18

Hometown: Concord, NH

Year in School: 12

FIDM Major: Graphic Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: San Francisco, Fall 2012

Admissions Advisor: Jennifer Roach

Tell us a bit about yourself. I'm a self-taught digital artist and have been learning the trade for the last few years essentially from the internet. Two years ago, a friend of mine offered to buy a print of one of my pieces, and that sparked the proverbial lightbulb glowing brightly above my head: people would pay money for my artwork!

The next week I set up a website and began selling prints, and from there my website has evolved into having tons of products available to get the artwork printed on. I update the website every week with new artwork and new products whenever I can.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Winning first place in the nation in a scholastic art competition with my piece, Cold Fury. Out of thousands of entries, mine was chosen to win not only a gold circle, but was selected as the best piece submitted overall.

What made FIDM right for you? Because I'm working on my artwork with a spin towards the business aspect, FIDM really stood out to me as a graphic design school that's very up-to-date in the industry and could also train me in the aspects of business I need to make my company really take off.

Describe your entrance project. My entrance project was also based around my business. I created a magazine cover for it, a large page advertisement, and a bag design with my logo on it. All of these designs featured my artwork.

What are your career goals? To continue my business on the side at the very least, if not as a
full time job, and to make a career for myself in the graphic design industry.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? A much better grasp of the aesthetics of graphic design and publicity.

Visit THESKI.IN to learn more about Quinn's digital art.

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student is a Talented Artist

Full Name: Dina Dennaoui

Age: 18

Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

FIDM Major: Fashion Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: I'll have classes in both the  LA and OC campus starting in the summer of 2012.

Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers

Tell us a bit about yourself. I basically consider art as my life, I’ve been drawing for about six years. I 'm very passionate about creating unique and original pieces, such as clothing, jewelry, or illustrations. I’m detailed-oriented, and often times, I notice the smaller components of the whole. I try to look for beauty in the most unexpected things whether it be the most most elegant or flat out bizarre.

And because I value these little things, I find inspiration from my surroundings. I tend to save various things that I find unique to look back on, and take different aspects and create them into something from my own imagination. I fell in love with fashion because I feel like it gives the freedom of expression to create.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I'm most proud  of the decision I made to teach myself how to draw. I dedicated the majority of my free time on experimenting with different styles and mediums and taught myself how to use illustration software to create my digital illustrations.

My artwork has made a huge impact on my life throughout the years. I've learned and discovered a lot of important things about the world around me and myself personally, and its helped me connect with and meet people who are very dear to me. It led me to be accepted into FIDM!

 

What made FIDM right for you? I chose to apply to Fashion Design College because, I believe, given my interests and dedication that FIDM is an ideal school for me. I'm passionate about fashion design and no other school has really captured my heart as much as FIDM did. I was impressed with how actively the school encourages students to be dedicated to their field of study through all the wonderful opportunities, and the many connections the school had with the actual fashion industry. I truly felt that this would be the best school for me.

Describe your entrance project. My entrance project included an inspiration page and six fashion illustrations. The inspiration board consisted of some of my favorite fashion photography, my six illustrations were based off of styles I had on my board, which was a mix of Japanese fashion, couture dresses, and a hint of vintage. I created digital versions of my designs as well. It took a lot of extra time but was very enjoyable to do.

What are your career goals? To be able to work in Japan as a  successful fashion designer and to eventually create my own brand and open a high end boutique in Shibuya and Harajuku. I've always loved/been inspired by Japanese street fashion and being able to incorporate my own designs into that industry would be a dream come true.

I would also love to be able to participate in overseas fashion events/shows and collaborate with people from different industries on big projects to sponsor my brand. All in all I want to inspire others to strive for their dreams and to express themselves through fashion.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I'm very excited to start FIDM , and meet a lot of creative people who share similar interests as me.  I expect to learn all the fundamentals I need to be able to advance in the industry and pursue my dreams.

View Dina's artwork on Flickr

Dina is on Twitter @KikuKikuchu

Attend FIDM's Open House and "Little Black Dress" Exhibit

FIDM welcomes all 2011 and 2012 accepted students to join us for our Summer Open House on August 13, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meet faculty, current students, and alumni and enjoy the "Little Black Dress" exhibition, which is currently on display at the Los Angeles campus in the FIDM Museum & Galleries.

FIDM Student Activities is hosting a pre-Open House student mixer with light refreshments at 10:00 a.m. before the Open House event (only at the LA campus). Please RSVP to your Admissions Advisor to reserve your spot for the pre-Open House Mixer (at 10 a.m.) and the Open House event.

Just Accepted Graphic Design Student is Already a Working Designer

Name: Hugo Daniel Salvadore

Age: 19

FIDM Major: Graphic Design

Campus: Los Angeles

Start Date: Summer 2011

Hometown: Buena Park, CA

Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman

Tell us a little about yourself. I am the fifth of the six children my mom had and the only boy. I grew up drawing on just about anything and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I started drawing around three and I was always into cartoons. I could remember freeze framing my favorite cartoon of all time, DRAGON BALL Z, and tracing the characters right on the TV.

Now that I'm older I have started a graphic tee company called Aemles "aimless" clothing. I enjoy any type of expressive activities like playing music and even skateboading. I've been skating for almost 12 years now.

How did you discover FIDM? I had never heard of FIDM before, but my friend of 12 years Gerarod Pena had one of my t-shirts on the day he went on his campus tour at FIDM and Roxy noticed it. Gerardo began to tell her about me and gave her my contact information. I chose this school because it is one of the best Graphic Design Schools.

How did you pick your major? This major is very diverse and it allows me to use my creativity in many ways. It's not resticted to one type of business, I could work on anything from business cards to movie posters.

What are you most excited to learn at Graphic Design College? I really look forward to learning more complex techniques and methods of working with Adobe Production Studios and getting into the philosophical aspects of designing.

What do you expect to gain at FIDM? I expect to gain perspective of what I need to do and who I need to become if I want to be a great artist.

What are your goals/dreams for the future? My goals are to work with the companies that I loved growing up such as Vans, Enjoi Skateboarding, Girl Skateboards, and The Cartoon Network.

We hear you are already working as a junior designer. Yes I've been working as an artist for a screen printing shop and I am also a freelance artist. I am about to start working with a clothing company called Pocket Bois, but I'd really like to thank my high school teachers Mr. Aaron Eide and Ms. Holcomb. Mr. Eide let me fool around on Adobe Illustartor most of the time so that I would be able to teach it to myself. and Ms. Holcomb was such motivator for me and she encouraged me and my goals.

L.A.'s Museum of Contemporary Art Hosts "Levi's Film Workshop"

The Levi's Film Workshop recently opened at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) in conjunction with the graffiti and street exhibition, Art in the Streets. Those interested in Digital Media College will appreciate the workshop's free resources such as a green screen, editing software, library of scripts, DVD's, and more (the museum is just up the street from FIDM's L.A. campus).

The denim brand has also collaborated with the museum to create limited-edition Levi's Trucker Jackets featuring artwork from the likes of Lady Pink, Chaz Bojorquez, KR, and Shepard Fairey (pictured above). Visit the Levi's Film Workshop site for more information.

Graphic Designer Bri Emery is Art Director of Rue Magazine

FIDM Graphic Design College Alumna Bri Emery is one busy gal. She's art director for the amazing online shelter magazine Rue, she runs the inspirational blog Design Love Fest, and freelances as a graphic designer for companies like ban.do and Bash, Please.

FIDMDigitalArts.com's Blog has an in depth story with Bri where you can read all about her job at Rue, her work, and how she gets inspired. “FIDM brought me real world experience while I was studying there, and taught me that the design world is not always going to be fun and exciting, but it is what you make of it,” Bri says.

And if you want more, there's a great Q&A with Bri at Design*Sponge.

Photo by Bonnie Tsang

Tools To Cultivate Creativity in 2011

If you haven't already seen it, check out Luxe List this month on FC. We're focusing in on cool tools to inspire creativity, for those of you interested in pursuing careers in the design industries. We love this list because everything's so aspirational. Wouldn't you love that Nikon D7000 or a front row seat at the Chanel show during Paris Fashion Week!

But you don't have to spend a ton of cash or be an international fashionista to really dive into the world of style and creavity. We show you the same basic tools you can use, for less!

1. Canon S90
This point and shoot is pretty great, recommended by a photographer on our staff!


2. Los Angeles Fashion Week
Check FashionWeekLA.com for a calendar of events.

3. Free Admission to L.A. Museums
Did you know that many museums always offer free admission—like The FIDM Museum & Galleries. Plus, some museums have certain days where admission is free.


4. Women's Wear Daily Online
OK, so you don't get everything that's in the paid subscription, but you can read the top business stories of the day. Invaluable resource.

5. Sketch Book
Sure, a Smythson notebook is exquisite, but a journal from Chronicle Books is pretty amazing too.

6. Drawing Pencils
Utrecht makes a great set of 24 color pencils for $19.99.

7. Sewing Machine
Look for a used sewing machine in good, working condition.

8. Paint Set
Experiment with acrylics.

9. Table Easel
An easel is essential if you're going to work with paints.

We'd love to know your plans to inspire creativity in 2011. Leave a comment!

Is a design-oriented profession in your future? Learn more about fashion design, graphic design school, and interior design degree programs at FIDM! 

Top Fashion Illustrators are Showcased in L.A. This Weekend

On April 3, 2010, Gallery Nucleus (located just outside L.A.) will showcase the work of more than 20 fashion illustrator as part of Line of Style: Fashion Illustration Spanning the Globe. These artists have collaborated with everyone from Marc Jacobs to Jean-Paul Gaultier and their work has been seen in Vogue, Elle, and Nylon, among others.

Check out the exhibition features more than 50 works, live model drawing, runway shows, and free raffle prizes. Admission is totally free and some of the artists will be on hand to inspire you fashion school students! The exhibition will be online so check back if you can't make it in person.

Illustration above by Naja Conrad Hansen.

College Night at the Getty Center in L.A!

On Wednesday, April 7, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Getty Center in Los Angeles invites local college students for a night of free art, music, food, and live performances! Enjoy exclusive tours of exhibitions, meet artists, hear special guest speakers, and enjoy a live band and DJ. Snack from carnival-themed food stations and pose with friends in a photo booth.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary. Just present your college ID upon arrival. All students will receive a free raffle ticket and may win items from the Getty Museum store! For more info and to make a reservation visit College Night at the Getty Center!