Ringling College of Art and Design: 100 Success Stories

Ringling College sets you up for a lifetime of success.

Our graduates are leading and shaping creative industries all over the world, and defining what excellence means.

In this book, we’ve compiled 100 real stories from real students and graduates who are doing amazing things, and showcasing some of Ringling’s exciting experiential learning projects. Take a look—get inspired.

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STORIES №01 TO 52

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Ringling College Alumni

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We are genuine, creative, passionate, dedicated, curious, versatile, diligent, determined, unique, adventurous, honest, consistent, optimistic, quiet, insatiable, passionate, resilient, thoughtful, humble, hardworking, fierce, energetic, loyal, insightful, heartfelt, relentless, generous, understanding, quiet, kindhearted, focused, introspective, driven, enthusiastic, strong, unapologetic, fun, conscientious, kind, collaborative...

Read our stories.

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Iana Prakheeva Business of Art and Design, ’20 Producer Make Visual, Minneapolis, Minnesota Originally from Cheboksary, Russia

→ Is the Ringling name well known in the motion design and animation industry?

A Ringling diploma is highly valued and respected.

The holistic approach to storytelling and the quality of animation are the main ways Ringling graduates stand out. → What are the most important attributes that have helped you in your field?

The ability to dive into different aspects of production, ideation and strategy, working with the design team in the early stages of developing an idea, and honest communication with the upper management team at the company. → What is it like working with other Ringling graduates?

It is always easy to work together since we have a similar understanding of the production pipeline, story, and design development. It is especially smooth during the critique sessions.

Ringling graduates tend to have a more honest and direct approach to giving feedback, which helps greatly.

LEARN, DISCOVER, DEVELOP.

STORY №01 ALUMNI

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02+ 03 Brianne Gagg Motion Design, ’18 Product Visualization Specialist Facebook, Seattle, Washington Originally from Sarasota, Florida

100 SUCCESS STORIES

→ What was the biggest lesson you learned at Ringling?

To think and see the world through a creative lens. Anyone can learn technical skills, but it is very hard to learn how to think like a visionary without determination and direction from a mentor. Ringling has a tough curriculum that truly over-prepared me for what was to come, which included getting organized, delivering multiple solutions to creative problems, and having a relentless passion to continue growing.

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STORY №02 ALUMNI

→ What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career?

Imposter syndrome. There is a phase in every creative person’s life when the work you’re making isn’t as good as your ambitions. I often compared my success to others and I later understood the path to success isn’t linear. Greatness comes in time. You have to fail, and fail a lot, to be good at what you do.

INSIGHTFUL, CURIOUS, RELENTLESS.

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Hamilton Lewis Computer Animation, ’09 Visualization Supervisor The Third Floor, Los Angeles, California Originally from Larned, Kansas

→ What does a visualization supervisor do?

I’m basically a cinematographer, animator, and art department all rolled into one. I’m a visual storyteller. I run and manage a team of animators and artists who design interesting and dynamic shots, sequences, sets, and effects to help turn the director’s vision into images on the screen. → How did you end up working at The Third Floor?

My Computer Animation thesis was nominated for a Student Academy Award, which propelled me into a previsualization job at DreamWorks Animation working on How to Train Your Dragon.

I spent seven years at DreamWorks and worked on nine projects before I was asked to switch over to The Third Floor to work on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame as a lead visualization artist. I’ve been supervising projects here ever since. → Did you have a job lined up before you graduated and if so, how did that feel?

I was so thankful that we had a senior portfolio class. It absolutely helped me gather all my work from my time at Ringling and not only helped me organize and put my best work forward, but also showed me how to present the work with confidence. A large portion of an interview isn’t actually about your work. It’s about how you present and carry yourself, and that is something that I think a lot of other schools don’t teach.

When the time came to present my work to recruiters, it was like second nature.

DRIVEN, INDUSTRIOUS, HUMBLE.

Nicole Gavrilles Graphic Design, ’12 Senior Product Designer Squarespace, Brooklyn, New York Originally from Canton, Massachusetts

→ What’s your job all about?

Helping makers build their small businesses on our platform and giving our customers the tools to tell their brand’s story. → What’s the biggest challenge you face?

Obtaining the trust and respect from your company and your clients that you are capable of doing the work you were assigned to.

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STORY №04 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Earlier in my career, as a woman in the design agency world, the majority of my clients and team members were men. It was challenging to present myself and the work I’ve accomplished to gain the same amount of trust and respect that my fellow male team members received.

THOUGHTFUL, HUMBLE, SIMPLICITY.

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“”

e Ringling taught m how to strategize and think more deeply in the f discovery phase o to my projects, how d present myself an my work, and how h to collaborate wit . s r e n g i s e d f o m a e at

Athena Torri Photography and Imaging, ’11 Self-Employed Artist Beacon, New York Originally from Ecuador

→ How did Ringling prepare you for your current career?

Photography changes so rapidly. At Ringling, we were encouraged to gain technical skills in digital work spaces, analog photography, and video. Just because of that, I had a huge advantage when I entered the field which is actively redefining itself.

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STORY №05 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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GENUINE, DEPENDABLE, CREATIVE.

P/ 13 Game Art, ’20 Associate UI Artist Santa Monica Studios, Los Angeles, California Originally from Land O’ Lakes, Florida

→ Why is collaboration important in designing games?

Everyone has a different visual library and collaborating with others can point you to resources and ideas you wouldn’t have found yourself. Some of my professors at Ringling were like walking encyclopedias. It was awesome to ask them for resources or inspiration and be shown something you didn’t even know existed.

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AMBITIOUS, OBSERVANT, CRITICAL.

STORY №06 ALUMNI

Jasleen Rehsi

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Vanessa Cunha Bundschu Visual Studies, ’18 Visual Coordinator, HSN; Owner, Lovely Services Tampa, Florida Originally from Miami, Florida

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STORY №07 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

→ What do your jobs entail?

For HSN, I coordinate products for our shows and collaborate with producers, directors, the floor crew, hosts, models, and guests to make the show come together. For Lovely Services, I discuss a client’s needs with them, then do pre-production, film, edit, and deliver the product. → How did Ringling get you ready for all that?

Ringling taught me to work efficiently and to always meet your deadline. I also learned that it’s important to work the most in the beginning and then finalize the details toward the end of a project.

ORGANIZED, CLEVER, INTUITIVE.

P/ 15 Film, ’15 Production Coordinator ABC, Memphis, Tennessee Originally from New York, New York

→ What made you want to study film?

It was a fluke, really. I visited a senior’s thesis film set during my sophomore year and the next Monday I began the process of switching majors. → What was the program like?

From weekends on set working in each crew position, to classes teaching union and guild specifications, to hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, Ringling prepared me. It showed me the industry in an up-close and personal way.

The environment encouraged creative collaboration. I had the opportunity to work with students in other departments and that has translated into working with them again in our professional lives. Staying connected and seeing what past classmates, staff, and faculty are working on now is inspiring. I met people with many different backgrounds, visions, skills, and goals.

PASSIONATE, DEDICATED, CURIOUS.

STORY №08 ALUMNI

May Todd

Steven Walker Computer Animation, ’06 Art Director Wacky World Studios, Holiday, Florida Originally from Kissimmee, Florida

→ How did Ringling prepare you for your career?

Ringling emulates a studio environment which makes the transition from school to career very easy. Ringling also helped me become a better collaborator and taught me how to network with other artists. Some of my favorite projects were the ones where we worked together as a team. I also learned how to be a better storyteller and I still approach every project like we are trying to tell a story in the spaces we design.

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STORY №09 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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CREATIVE, PASSIONATE, PEOPLE-ORIENTED.

P/ 17 Creative Writing ’20 Creative Director & Content Creator Siesta Key, Florida Originally from Blacksburg, Virginia

→ How did Ringling support you as a student?

Ringling allowed me to create my own path in Creative Writing. With a focus primarily on screenwriting, I was fortunate enough to be able to work with the film department and was one of the first students to write a screenplay for my thesis. The school provided me with the resources to obtain a degree in Creative Writing while honing my craft through fundamental writing courses, screenwriting courses, and allowing me to have a say in the path I wanted to forge. → How did Ringling help you in your career?

The great thing about Creative Writing was that we had the Visiting Writer’s Forum, where established authors would come to the campus, read their work, and answer questions. It was through these sessions, and that I was able to learn more about publishing and what my first steps as a writer should be.

10 HONEST, INVENTIVE, EFFICIENT.

STORY №10 ALUMNI

Courtney R. Jones

Sarah Kambara Business of Art and Design, ’14 Independent Producer Cleveland, Ohio Originally from Charleston, West Virginia

→ Is your career what you thought it would be while you were at Ringling?

Yes. I aimed to be a producer for animation when I was a Ringling student. Within four years after graduating, I was blessed to become just that. → Do you consider yourself innovative?

I do. I consider myself innovative because when I gain a skill or quality in my life, I apply it to all facets of my life. I see and live beyond a workspace or social construct.

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STORY №11 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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STRONG, ENCOURAGING, DETERMINED.

P/ 19 Illustration, ’96 Freelance Photographer for Television and Films Los Angeles, California Born in Florida and raised in Memphis, Tennessee

→ What was your first impression of Ringling?

I was immediately surrounded by super-talented artists which made me realize I wasn’t as good as people had been telling me my whole life.

It was a refreshing wakeup call to go through brutal critiques and it helped me have thicker skin and get better. The massive attention to art history also helped. Having a broad knowledge of art, along with detailed instruction from teachers who demanded we think outside of our comfort zone, allowed me to go places where I wouldn’t have gone otherwise.

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ARTY, VISUAL, HUMOROUS.

STORY №12 ALUMNI

John P. Fleenor

Nancy Nyström Graphic Design, ’15 Senior Art Director Huge, New York, New York Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

→ What tips do you have for current students?

I had an internship lined up and that turned into freelancing as an art director when the internship was over. It felt amazing to seamlessly transition into a mid-level role. I highly recommend interning every single summer of your college experience. You will not regret it.

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STORY №13 ALUMNI

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FLEXIBLE, DETAIL-ORIENTED, POSITIVE.

P/ 21 Graphic Design, ’16 Interim Product Design Lead DAZN Group, London, England Originally from Foggia, Italy

→ Do you feel like you are innovative?

It’s at the foundation of the work that I do. Any time you’re faced with a problem you haven’t encountered before, even if there are best practices you can follow, the only way to solve it is with innovation. I like to push boundaries any time I can. → Have you had a chance to collaborate with other Ringling graduates?

Yes. They’re everywhere. The College is small, but the network is quite large once you get out of school.

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PASSIONATE, ADAPTABLE, OPTIMISTIC.

STORY №14 ALUMNI

Flavio Vincenti

Brittany Shively Game Art, ’16 Computer Graphics Generalist Netflix, Los Angeles, California Originally from Tampa, Florida

→ Did you have a job lined up before you graduated?

I was fortunate enough to have a job lined up at Sony Pictures Animation prior to graduating. It was a big relief because it allowed me to move to the West Coast and be closer to where most of the work in the industry is located. It was also exciting knowing I was going to work with a studio that has made movies I’ve watched since I was a kid. → How did that connection happen?

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STORY №15 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

I started having meetings with Career Services when I was a freshman and they helped me in many different ways during my four years at Ringling. They helped me with writing and updating my resumé, as well as doing mock interviews. They also teamed up with companies visiting the College to coordinate on-campus interviews for the students.

PERSEVERANT, OPTIMISTIC, ENTHUSIASTIC.

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Doug Alberts Motion Design, ’20 Director Hornet, New York, New York Originally from Chicago, Illinois

→ What’s your job like from day to day?

I usually check in in the morning to see what my art director has to say about my current project and whether there have been any changes. From there, I’ll jump into styleframes, animation, or any other part of the project they need help on.

It’s days like these when I feel like a Swiss Army knife. One day, I can be designing, the next I can be doing 3D, and the next I can be in After Effects. This keeps it fresh and fun. → What was your favorite part about your time at Ringling?

Being surrounded by friends who are all so passionate about this art form, walking around the campus, and seeing all the alumni names on the walls and their projects. Very often I would walk around the campus and just get inspired by all the amazing artwork, from all the departments. Going into the Computer Animation labs at midnight and seeing how hard everyone is still working, only pushed me to work harder.

It was four amazing years I will never forget at a really special place.

GOOFBALL, PERFECTIONIST, OPTIMIST.

STORY №16 ALUMNI

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n a c e r e h t , t n e d u t s a As d e h c a t t a y r r o w h c be so mu r e t f a b o j a to finding g n i l g n i R t u b , n o i t a u d , gra s r e t i u r c e

­— Doug

y n a m o s attracts e v a h o t t o n d r a h t s o m it’s al . p u d e n i l g somethin Alberts

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17+ 18 Liron Topaz Computer Animation, ’09 Animation Department Chair DreamWorks, Los Angeles, California Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel

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STORY №17 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

→ Did you ever envision yourself in the position you’re in now?

Not at all. All my life, I wanted to be an animator.

That’s basically where my expectations ended.

I never expected in my wildest dreams to write and direct, not to mention to be the department chair for such a big studio. I never thought I’d be overseeing the long-term goals for the animation department, to oversee technological and artistic initiatives for the studio, or to be in charge of communication with upper management. Even today, this is all very surreal. → How did you grow at Ringling?

I came to Ringling to study animation. I was so focused on being an animator, nothing else mattered to me and nothing else interested me. But in one of the first classes I had, the teacher talked about the importance of the story. I was confused. What does telling a story have to do with animation? Slowly, I started to understand. Instead of just studying animation, Ringling gave me the tools to tell good stories and to understand design, film language, and cinematography.

PERSISTENT, PERSISTENT, PERSISTENT.

P/ 27 Film, ’11 Travel Manager New Regency Productions, Los Angeles, California Originally from Niceville, Florida

→ Do you consider yourself innovative?

I truly could not work in my role without being an innovator. Building travel programs from the ground up requires locating the problems colleagues are experiencing and collaborating with vendors and the information technology team to create new tools and processes for a seamless experience. Time is money and when everyone is running at the speed of light, any way to use technology to work for us is gold. → How did you get your foot in the door in the film industry?

During my junior year at Ringling, I worked on a local production at The Ringling Museum of Art. When I moved to California after graduating, I did not have a job lined up, but, thanks to a contact I made while working on that Ringling production, I got a job working on the Emmys within two weeks of landing in L.A. Little did I know, that first job would launch my career in the industry.

CREATIVE, LOYAL, HONEST.

STORY №18 ALUMNI

Kate Fail

Alek Dante Betancourt Illustration, ’15 Digital Automotive Sculptor General Motors, Warren, Michigan Originally from Miami, Florida

→ Is your current job in line with what you expected when you were a Ringling student?

Not at all. Which isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes life surprises you. I never thought I’d be doing 3D modeling of American car brands of all things and I was constantly surprised by my freedom at first. I don’t have someone micromanaging me. An employee here manages his or her own schedule and time. That’s important to me. → What are the most important characteristics someone has to have in your field?

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STORY №19 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

You have to be malleable and adaptable. New forms of engineering, or methods of producing quality models, or manufacturing requirements are all factors that come to mind when taking on new projects. I can’t remain in stasis forever.

LAID-BACK, QUIET, FOCUSED.

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Christian Sampson Fine Arts, ’98 Artist Los Angeles, California Originally from Bradenton, Florida

→ What do you like most about being an artist?

Every day is a new puzzle or challenge in the studio to solve or create. As an artist, I’m always experimenting with new boundaries and dimensions of art making.

CURIOUS, MISCHIEVOUS, LOYAL.

STORY №20 ALUMNI

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Kiyoon Nam Motion Design, ’18 Creative Director Imaginary Forces, Los Angeles, California Born in South Korea and raised in Bradenton, Florida

→ What’s your job like?

I’m usually making design choices and doing development on pitches for things like title sequences and commercial spots. It’s stressful, but fun. → How did Ringling prepare you for your career?

Ringling forces you to sit down and focus on the problem at hand. It’s almost like boot camp.

It really toughens you up and helps you get thicker skin.

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STORY №21 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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FOCUSED, CREATIVE.

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Savannah Magnolia Fine Arts, ’19 Artist Tampa, Florida Originally from Fort Myers, Florida

→ How did you grow creatively while at Ringling?

I transferred to Ringling from a pre-med program, so I was taking a leap of faith that things might work out in the arts. I honestly never thought it would be possible to have a lucrative or successful career as a full-time artist, but the Fine Arts community at Ringling helped to change that mindset. All of the growth I have experienced now is because my mentors believed in me as an artist before I had the artistic confidence to believe in myself.

Ringling prepared me for a career by placing an emphasis on confidently understanding and talking about your artwork, and talking about your work within the greater context of the art world. While most fine arts programs focus primarily on the technical skills of painting, drawing, etc., I loved that the Fine Arts department at Ringling focused on how to have a career as an artist.

DRIVEN, PASSIONATE, CONSCIENTIOUS.

STORY №22 ALUMNI

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Erica Beall Lynch

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100 SUCCESS STORIES

Illustration, ’11 Senior Artist Kohl’s, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin Originally from Bradenton and West Palm Beach, Florida

→ What’s the most important part of your job?

Trend research. I work as a senior artist for Jumping Bean Girls, which is the Kohl’s inhouse clothing brand for kids. Having a sense of humor and a positive attitude helps, too. → What are your favorite activities on the weekend?

I like to get away from the computer and get outside. I mountain bike with my family, camp, and work in the garden. Having a good work-life balance is important to me and being outside helps rejuvenate me mentally.

DEPENDABLE, OUTGOING, CONFIDENT.

P/ 33 Graphic Design, ’10 Creative Director Mad Dog Mail, Jacksonville, Florida Originally from Jacksonville, Florida

→ How did the Ringling community help you?

I was able to establish lasting relationships with other creative people across many artistic mediums and backgrounds. I have been able to work with these people since graduating and I also reach out to them for advice, both professional and artistic. → What about your classes?

Ringling helped me adjust my work process so I can work as fast and as effectively as possible within tight timelines. I also learned how to stick out from the crowd with bold typography, icons, colors, and photographs.

CREATIVE, ACTIVE, COLORFUL.

STORY №24 ALUMNI

Lauren Renfrow

Ignacio Guajardo Game Art, ’14 Senior Environment Artist Respawn Entertainment, Austin, Texas Originally from Viña del Mar, Chile

→ What advice do you give to people trying to pick a creative career?

Make sure you are having fun with what you are making, continue learning and always be a student, and sometimes question the normal way of doing things to come up with ways to make the results better.

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STORY №25 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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DETERMINED, ADVENTUROUS, CONSISTENT.

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“”

I had a job right out of school in the industry which initially I was very excited about.

However, soon after I wanted a different role that suited my passions more and thanks to the strength of my portfolio, I was able to switch to that role—which I enjoyed a lot more and that took me to where I am today.

Andrés Bronnimann Business of Art and Design, ’18 Independent Film Producer and Director France, Canada, and the United States Originally from Costa Rica

→ How has your career evolved?

In trying to direct my own films, I also had to become a producer. My work now includes development and fundraising, as well as production and distribution. The Business of Art and Design program gave me a lot of knowledge about business practices, terminologies, and structures which has helped me immensely when it comes to managing my projects. → Did you feel accepted at Ringling?

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STORY №26 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

I was never scared to express myself in any way.

That’s a freedom we sometimes take for granted.

CREATIVE, RESILIENT, IDEALIST.

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Russell Mank Graphic Design, ’15 Art Director Arc Worldwide/Leo Burnett, Chicago, Illinois Originally from Lakeland, Florida

→ What does an art director do?

We take ownership of all the visuals related to a campaign or program, such as motion, illustration, photography, and merchandise.

Every day, I borrow from my experience at Ringling’s Design Center to balance all these elements and collaborate with retouchers, illustrators, and production artists to bring our vision to life. → How did you land a job with Leo Burnett?

I finalized an internship well before graduation.

Thanks to on-campus recruiting, I was able to meet representatives from companies face-toface and forgo rounds of phone interviews that other interns went through.

ENTHUSIASTIC, THOUGHTFUL, INVENTIVE.

STORY №27 ALUMNI

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Matt Sullivan Computer Animation, ’12 Rough Layout Artist DreamWorks, Los Angeles, California Originally from Sharon, Massachusetts

→ What do you like most about your job?

I like the fact that my department is part of the early development process, when lots of creative decisions are still being made.

You tend to get more time with the director because a lot of the sequences are still being figured out. → Did the Computer Animation department prepare you for that?

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STORY №28 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

The program creates a great foundation for understanding the animation pipeline and gives you familiarity with the studio environment.

CREATIVE, PASSIONATE, PEOPLE-ORIENTED.

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Steve Biggert Motion Design, ’18 Designer and Animator Netflix, HBO, Apple, Los Angeles, California Born in South Africa and raised in Eswatini

→ What is your job all about?

I mostly work on opening title sequences for television series and films. One of my favorite things about it is the opportunity to craft little stories, symbols, and imagery that work to prepare viewers for the larger story they’re about to watch. How can we engage viewers and help them enter the world of this film or series in a way the director intends? That’s fun to me.

On the flipside, the hardest thing so far has been detaching myself from my work. Not every project has to be a reflection of my abilities and not every project can be everything I want it to be. There are so many variables: time, budget, the client’s objectives, etc. It’s difficult to not take the project home and dwell on it more than you need to.

ALL. IS. GOOD.

STORY №29 ALUMNI

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100 SUCCESS STORIES

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STORY №42 ALUMNI

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of programs and quality of Ringling’ s facilities ar e outstandin g and every a rt and desig n student sho uld be so luc ky to graduate from this amazing sch ool .

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Sharon Harris Motion Design, ’13 Motion Lead Google Maps, Brooklyn, New York Originally from Arecibo, Puerto Rico

→ Did you have a job set up before graduation?

Sort of. I managed to secure an internship that ended up turning into a full-time job just a few months later. It felt very reassuring to have that opportunity lined up and that’s what set me on the right track to grow in my career. → What are your top priorities at Google?

We focus on our users and all else will follow.

I’m also committed to ensuring we maintain an emotionally safe space so my team can perform at its highest level.

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STORY №30 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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COLORFUL, POSITIVE, EXPRESSIVE.

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Justin Harder Illustration, ’03 Founder Claus, Las Vegas, Nevada Originally from The Woodlands, Texas

→ Did you feel accepted when you arrived at Ringling?

I visited the campus when I was 12 and fell in love with it and knew I’d eventually go there. But going away to college is tough on anyone. I was coming from Texas having never been away from home much at all. Ringling was ideal for me.

The sun, the beach, and the atmosphere were all things I knew I wanted in a college. Such a charming campus—really, a special place. → Did your education help you when you founded your own design studio?

The education I received at Ringling definitely helped me carve out my own niche in the motion design community. As the industry continually shifts toward 3D, I feel like being someone who does cool 2D illustrations and bold graphic design only helps me. Illustration and design are at the core of the strongest studios and individuals out there.

HARDWORKING, RESILIENT, DETERMINED.

STORY №31 ALUMNI

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E. Sweat Graphic Design, ’14 Experience Lead Kids2, Atlanta, Georgia Originally from Atlanta, Georgia

→ Are your current responsibilities similar to what you expected when you were in college?

Not at all, and that’s kind of the point. Truly excellent colleges prepare you for any career scenario and Ringling’s strength was preparing us to be as flexible as possible by giving us tools to anticipate new trends and movements.

RESILIENT, COMPETENT, ENTHUSIASTIC.

P/ 45 Illustration, ’00 Manager of Merchandise Development Pokémon, Everett, Washington Originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama

→ What’s most important to you to be successful?

I think we as artists have to keep a sense of learning and exploration in our daily lives.

That’s the key to keeping our imaginations fueled to create new stories and worlds. I’ve been a big kid for a long time and playing games, creating imaginary worlds, or getting lost in the woods for a day are a few ways I recharge my creative energy. → What did you do after you graduated?

Before graduating, I had found a position with a local landscaping firm working on landscape design. I learned a lot about Florida plants and how to design yards and spaces. It definitely wasn’t the art job I expected, but it felt really good to go from school straight into a position that provided for me and my wife. → What was Ringling like?

Going to Ringling was like stepping into a sandbox of imagination.

CHILDLIKE, EXPLORATIVE, FUN.

STORY №33 ALUMNI

Michael Noland

Hadar Pitchon Photography and Imaging, ’09 Photographer New York, New York Originally from Clearwater, Florida

→ What do you like most about being a photographer?

First and foremost, it's about creating images you love for yourself, finding a subject matter that drives you, and then constantly creating. → What did you enjoy most about going to Ringling?

It was a chance to really find yourself and explore different ideas and identities, as well as make some lifelong friends. → Did Ringling give you a boost in your career?

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STORY №34 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

I have had Ringling friends who helped me find freelance gigs. It was wonderful to reconnect and share those memories again.

PASSIONATE, UNIQUE, CREATIVE.

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Miguel E. Elasmar Graphic Design, ’04 Product Designer Huddle Health, Sarasota, Florida Originally from Bogotá, Colombia

→ What was your Ringling experience like?

From my first day as a freshman, I felt like the College was an electric place full of immensely interesting people. I never thought I could be part of a place where everyone was an artist like myself. It was truly magical. → Is your current job similar to what you expected your career to be like?

Yes and no. I’ve been a product designer for almost 20 years but I never thought I would have spent half that time in health care. But I love it.

CREATIVE, TECHNICAL, AUTHENTIC.

STORY №35 ALUMNI

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Matthew Holler Photography and Imaging, ’11 Freelance Fashion and Portrait Photographer Sarasota, Florida Originally from Buffalo, New York

→ What was it like going to Ringling?

My favorite part was entering an institution full of creative kids like myself. High school can sometimes make creative youths feel left out.

Ringling provided me with a sense of belonging and an atmosphere in which I felt understood.

And I still feel that way, because of the incredible professors and students who became lifelong friends and colleagues. → What do you like most about being a professional photographer?

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STORY №36 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

I love the collaboration. I am constantly working with makeup artists, hair stylists, art and creative directors, and incredible talent in the visual and performing arts worlds. But my favorite part is the sense of pride in holding your first magazine cover or seeing a commercial project you photographed “living” in the world.

CREATIVE, DETERMINED, NOSTALGIC.

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Misty Bell Stiers Illustration, ’98 Creative Director of Inclusive Design Citi, New York, New York Originally from Salina, Kansas

→ How did Ringling change your career trajectory?

When I first went to Ringling I had an eye on Disney, but then I took a painting class and my whole world changed. I just loved holding that paintbrush so much.

But then I also started sketching websites for an internet company and I fell into that. I found that I enjoyed digital design because the rules changed every day. The creative part of me was never allowed to rest and get too comfortable. → What’s your job with Citi like?

It’s a dream come true. I am helping a major global corporation formalize and implement inclusive design practices across all their digital products. It’s something my whole career has led up to and yet I never would have planned it.

EMPATHETIC, CURIOUS, HOPEFUL.

STORY №37 ALUMNI

36+ 37

Meike Groh Computer Animation, ’13 Head of Development Echo Bridge, St. Petersburg, Florida Born in Germany and raised in Florida

→ What helped you most at Ringling?

You could say that Ringling teachers acted as clients and I had to be my own project manager, director, coordinator, and artist. Having to adjust and listen to teachers and fulfill certain guidelines was definitely a useful skill to learn.

→ What was the Ringling community like?

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STORY №38 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Ringling attracts all kinds of talented individuals from different cultures at different stages of their lives, but there is one thing they have in common and that’s that they are focused on doing the best art they can, regardless of their major. It can be competitive and it inspired me to push myself.

PROFESSIONAL, ATTENTIVE, SKILLFUL.

P/ 51 Graphic Design, ’02 Chief Creative Officer Push, Orlando, Florida Originally from Orlando, Florida

→ How did Ringling help you grow?

The Ringling community has been by my side ever since I took a tour of the campus as a senior in high school. They helped me convince my family that being a creative was a “real” job and an extremely valuable one. And when I walked into orientation as an incoming freshman, I met best friends who are still by my side to this day. Ringling was there as I started to build my agency by helping recruit the most talented alumni to join our team. The community at Ringling is like no other. It truly is a special place—a creative playground filled with amazing people and a community that feels more like a family.

39 PASSIONATE, CURIOUS, RESILIENT.

STORY №39 ALUMNI

Mark Unger

“”

P/ 52

At Ringling, I gained the ability to communicate my ideas and realize where I would like to put my energy as a maker and artist.

P/ 53 Visual Studies, ’19 Operations Manager Urbanite Theatre, Sarasota, Florida Originally from Sacramento, California

→ What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working at the Urbanite Theatre gives me a direct link to art and performance. Being able to work with contemporary plays allows me to get a firsthand look at how performance can influence people, and tell stories from marginalized communities that can be used for change and awareness.

As the operations manager, I run the box office and company management, as well as digital design and programming. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is the conversations that come after a performance. It is not uncommon for patrons to have a massive takeaway and to be able to see something from a different perspective that they might have never been faced with otherwise.

40

RESOURCEFUL, ADVOCATE, IMPASSIONED.

STORY №40 ALUMNI

Jess Pope

Michael Knapp Illustration, ’95 Production Designer Netflix, Los Angeles, California Originally from Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

→ What did you like most about the Illustration department at Ringling?

The department was relatively small and I got to know almost everyone to some degree.

The teachers were always supportive and my colleagues were dedicated and a lot of fun. It was a vibrant creative community that I still cherish and miss to this day.

On the educational side, I learned a lot about visual problem solving and storytelling and building and shaping an aesthetic. I learned how to break down a style and understand how to shape my own design sensibilities. This became invaluable as I became a staff artist jumping from show to show and eventually helping curate and create new styles.

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STORY №41 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

41

OPTIMISTIC, CURIOUS, INSATIABLE.

P/ 55 Game Art, ’11 Technical Artist Epic Games, Raleigh, North Carolina Originally from Troy, Michigan

→ What are the three most important parts of your job?

Problem solving, communication, and flexibility.

Most of my job involves solving a wide range of technical and process problems and most of those require novel solutions. It’s usually not a straightforward answer. A huge part of my job is then communicating the problems I’ve solved to a wide audience in a way that’s understandable.

And I have to be flexible. New problems arise every day. No day is ever really the same.

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TOO VERBOSE TO SUMMARIZE.

STORY №42 ALUMNI

Matt Oztalay

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s a w g n i l g n i R f o t u o t o g I t Wha s l l i k s l a c i n h c e t n o n e h t all s e f o r p a n i n o i t c n u f o t needed ; n o i t a r o b a l l o C . g n i t t e s l a n sio m e l b o r p e v i t a e ation; cr

Matt

communi I s g n i h t e h t l l a s a w t I . g n solvi e h t h c r a e s t could no . r o f t e n r e t n i Oztalay

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James Heredia Motion Design, ’14 Motion Design Art Director and Photographer Portland, Oregon, United States Born in Miami, Florida. Grew up between Cochabamba, Bolivia, and Miami, Florida

→ How did you grow as an artist while at Ringling?

When I started, I lacked discipline. I don’t think I had the mental capacity to do self-guided learning at the time. Ringling created a setting where the expectations were very high, but there was still room to make mistakes and learn from them. The faculty treated us as equals and held us accountable for deadlines, same as in the real world.

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STORY №43 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

43

VERSATILE, DILIGENT, EXTROVERT.

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Ally Sage Business of Art and Design, ’16 Production Coordinator Netflix, Los Angeles, California Grew up between Seoul, South Korea, and Severn, Maryland

→ How did you end up working in animation?

At Ringling, I started in Motion Design and then transferred to Computer Animation before ending up in Business of Art and Design.

Each major really shaped me. Learning the insides of animation helped me be a better and more understanding production teammate in the projects I’ve been able to work on. And the Business of Art and Design classes helped polish my organizational and communication skills. All three have made me realize that storytelling is very important to me and have shaped my dream of creating my own animation studio.

GENEROUS, DETERMINED, KINDHEARTED.

STORY №44 ALUMNI

44

45

Nicole Azzopardi Game Art, ’20 Associate Environment Artist Rockstar Games, San Diego, California Originally from Malta

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STORY №45 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

→ How did you find out about Ringling?

I was attending high school in Switzerland. At the time, I knew I wanted to pursue art, but wasn’t sure what specific career I wanted. Once I discovered that being a game artist was a possible career path, I began looking up the top schools that game studios hired from. Ringling was at the top and I knew that I had to apply.

It was a big decision for me—moving halfway across the world on my own to follow my dream.

But after visiting the school and getting a closer look at the Game Art program, I knew Ringling was a perfect fit. → What was it like coming to Ringling from another country?

As an international student, Ringling helped me through each step of my visa, walking me through all the rules and requirements so I could be prepared when applying for my job.

GRATEFUL, EXPERIENCED, PASSIONATE.

P/ 61 Illustration, ’02 Author and Illustrator Lenexa, Kansas Originally from Simpsonville, South Carolina

→ What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome as a creative person?

Like a lot of artists, I’ve had to figure out year after year how to support myself and my family with the things I make. Part of that is gaining a deeper understanding of my particular brand and how to leverage it. Over time, that brand evolves and changes, so a constant challenge for me is not becoming complacent and seeing myself as more of an entrepreneur and storyteller, rather than just an image maker.

46

OBSESSIVE, HEARTFELT, INTROSPECTIVE.

STORY №46 ALUMNI

Daniel Miyares

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STORY №47 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

47+ 48

Thomas Ramey Graphic Design, ’13 Product Designer Funko Games, Seattle, Washington Originally from Pasadena, Texas

→ How did Ringling prepare you for the board game industry?

Ringling taught me adaptability, quick iteration, and design system thinking. The industry is constantly changing, and you have to be able to adapt designs to those changing needs and concepts.

OUTGOING, COMPETITIVE, KIND.

P/ 63 Motion Design, ’18 Designer and Animator Nickelodeon, New York, New York Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi

→ What was it like going from student to professional?

Ringling stays up-to-date with how the industry is evolving, so the transition from classroom to the real world is seamless. → What do you do outside of work?

Whether it’s stepping away from the computer to enjoy a day in nature or picking up a new creative skillset over the weekend, I am always thinking about how my next step can help me grow as a creative.

OUTDOORSY, ENERGETIC, ORGANIZED.

STORY №48 ALUMNI

Hannah Khalid-Segraves

Keith Nielsen Business of Art and Design, ’15 Freelance Costume Designer New York, New York Originally from Connecticut

→ Is innovation an important part of your field?

Absolutely. I am always evolving some method, technique, or process. As a department head, I oversee many things, from managing the budget to communications with producers. Each project presents its own challenges and opportunities and I am always shifting and reacting to the needs of many areas.

In the design realm, I am always finding various items and using them not in the way in which they were designed. This comes in handy because, as a costume designer, I find myself in very unexpected situations with sometimes limited resources. → What was it like studying in the Business of Art and Design program?

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STORY №49 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Learning about management, leadership, marketing, and finance has allowed me to have a deeper understanding of the costume department overall, which has helped me excel.

FIERCE, CONFIDENT, UNAPOLOGETIC.

P/ 65

Jeff Fowler Computer Animation, ’02 Director Paramount Pictures, Los Angeles, California Originally from Wheaton, Illinois

→ Did you expect to be where you are now while you were at Ringling?

I never would have imagined working with crews of 300 to 400 artists, actors, and crew members.

It’s been a dream come true to work with so many talented people from so many different backgrounds and with so many different skillsets. → What was your time at Ringling like?

Ringling surrounded me with the most talented artists in the world and inspired me to push myself as far as I could go. It has a rare and remarkable creative culture.

MOTIVATED, COLLABORATIVE, APPRECIATIVE.

STORY №50 ALUMNI

49+ 50

Jake Ferguson Motion Design, ’16 Senior Art Director and Computer Graphics Lead Long Beach, California Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana

→ What do you like most about your job?

I’m constantly working on different projects and my creativity and input are highly valued among my clients. Ringling really prepared me for this role in two ways: first, Ringling taught me the right questions to ask, and second, Ringling taught me how to be self-sufficient and helped me gain the ability to teach myself.

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STORY №51 ALUMNI

100 SUCCESS STORIES

51

CREATIVE, FLEXIBLE, COLLABORATIVE.

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Martin Pohlmann Graphic Design, ’20 Designer Ogilvy 485, Chicago, Illinois Originally from Hamburg, Germany

→ What advice do you have for current students?

It’s OK and important to make mistakes and learn from them. Ringling is a safe place for creatives to be themselves and learn from other people, make friends, and have life-changing experiences.

CREATIVE, RESILIENT, IDEALIST.

STORY №52 ALUMNI

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STORIES №53 TO 87

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Ringling College Students

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We are curious, joyful, determined, social, supportive, understanding, even, reasonable, calm, compassionate, kind, efficient, motivated, eccentric, passionate, perfectionistic, fun, insatiable, caring, collaborative, weird, adventurous, chill, independent, eclectic, friendly, imaginative, driven, dedicated, hardworking, bold, feisty, energetic, committed, inventive, generous, colorful, encouraging, critical, versatile, tenacious...

Read our stories.

53+ 54 Ellie Winslow Business of Art and Design, ’21 Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

→ What made you choose Business of Art and Design as a major?

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STORY №53 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

I am a business-minded person with a passion for creativity. I knew if I went to a traditional business school, I would be giving up my passion, and if I went to a traditional art program, I would be giving up a part of who I was. So Business of Art and Design was perfect for me. From the moment I learned about it, I knew I was meant to be here. → Have you worked as an intern?

Throughout my senior year, I have been working in strategy and content at a creative agency in Sarasota. Three days a week, I am researching, conducting interviews, brainstorming, strategizing, copywriting, interacting with clients, and applying everything I have learned at Ringling. From soft skills, such as learning how to work collaboratively, to the nitty gritty business skills of writing a situational analysis, I am using everything Ringling has taught me to do my best work for a company I love. I am qualified for, and am excelling in a position in my field of interest even before I officially graduate.

AMBITIOUS, DRIVEN, CONFIDENT.

P/ 71 Fine Arts, ’21 Caguas, Puerto Rico

→ How has Ringling supported your studies?

I am able to participate in gallery shows and club events where we share and swap skills. I’m also fortunate to have a studio space and labs like the printmaking studio, the letterpress studio, the sculpture studio, and the woodshop—places where I’ve been able to see my work grow in a way I never would have imagined before. → Do you work much with others?

The growth that working collaboratively has sparked in me is unreal. Collaborating with other people has made me realize that no project is too small and that anything is doable with a good support system. It’s also made me a better communicator and I’ve developed a lot more patience. I’ll forever be grateful for that.

PERSEVERANT, CREATIVE, CARING.

STORY №54 STUDENTS

Alé Salamán

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u o y h c a e t t ’ n s e o d g n i l g Rin , n o i t s e u q y r e v e o t r e w s n the a e h t e v a h o t u it teaches yo e h t t u o e r u g i f o t e c n e d i conf s n o i t s e u q tions to the

low

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sol g n i e b m a I . w o you don’t kn e l b a r u s a e m h t o b n i d e r a p e r p . s y a w e l b a r and immeasu

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55+ 56

Emily Ehlen Illustration, ’21 Miami, Florida

100 SUCCESS STORIES

→ What made you pick Ringling?

I visited Ringling on one of its Preview Day events and instantly fell in love with the lively atmosphere. The campus felt perfect, like it was the right fit for me.

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STORY №55 STUDENTS

→ What do you enjoy most about studying at Ringling?

Engaging in the creative environment.

Participating in project critiques has helped me see different perspectives and insights to improve my art. Ringling’s community is rich in skills and individuals. It’s fun having people’s ideas bounce back and forth and then transform and take on a life of their own.

PASSIONATE, CREATIVE, OPTIMISTIC.

P/ 75 Graphic Design, ’21 Vila Real, Portugal

→ How has the Ringling community helped you grow?

Despite the challenging projects and competitive atmosphere at Ringling, I’ve always felt like there was space for me to make mistakes and learn from my failures. The class atmosphere is very collaborative, welcoming, and friendly. I am constantly learning from my instructors and, more often than not, from my peers, as well. We bring each other up. → How has doing professional work helped you with your studies?

Industry work is often more restrained than classwork. While conceptual class assignments are an opportunity for experimentation and exploration, client work allows me to apply my creative skills and strategic thinking within the limitations of the real world. As one of my professors says, "the smaller the box, the easier it is to get out of it." Real world limitations can be a great breeding ground for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

FEISTY, ENERGETIC, UNAPOLOGETIC.

STORY №56 STUDENTS

Beatriz Patarata

57 Esty Loveing-Downes Creative Writing, ’22 Sarasota, Florida

→ How is Ringling preparing you for a literary career?

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STORY №57 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

By teaching foundational literary truths paired with commercially viable techniques, Ringling’s Creative Writing teachers have helped me understand the many ways I can make a career out of doing what I love best—writing. I feel seen as an individual, with my own brand, and my professors have guided me in directions I lean toward, finding ways for me to capitalize on those strengths. The faculty want me to achieve my own dreams and goals, and I know they’re in my corner. I’ve also made valuable industry connections and feel ready for the next step. → What has been your favorite part of your Ringling experience so far?

The Visiting Writers Forum featuring notable authors is a crown jewel in Ringling’s Creative Writing program. In addition to a robust writing curriculum, these lectures and Q&A’s with award-winning writers enriches the program and myself personally by offering inspiration, encouragement, and introduction into the literary world. Many grad schools offer such programs, but Ringling’s intimate nature affords students a chance to connect with authors in the rarest and most valuable of ways.

TENACIOUS, NURTURING, RAVENOUS.

P/ 77 Game Art, ’21 Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China

→ What’s your favorite part of being at Ringling?

The artistic atmosphere. I can easily focus on my work when I go to the labs. → Do you get to collaborate much at Ringling?

Working with talented peers has been one of the best experiences at Ringling. The mixture of ideas from the different minds is amazing.

58

FLEXIBLE, JOYFUL, CALM.

STORY №58 STUDENTS

Zhengyu Ye

Joseph Janssen Virtual Reality Development, ’22 Hartland, Wisconsin

→ What made you want to come to Ringling?

When I heard that Ringling was introducing a brand new major in VR Development, I knew this was a field of study I wanted to be at the forefront of. Coming from a STEM background, this major allows me to combine my technical skillset with art and design. VR technology is becoming mainstream across various industries —the medical field, architectural visualization, entertainment, and more—which means I can multiple explore career paths. → How is Ringling preparing you for the industry?

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STORY №59 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Ringling has provided incredible opportunities for personal growth and they’ve helped me build a professional network of clients. While working on the client-based project with the Moffitt Cancer Center, I worked alongside doctors and researchers in the field. Opportunities like this provide the perfect exposure to a professional, real-world setting and delivering a final product to a client on time, and on budget.

CREATIVE, MOTIVATING, FOCUSED.

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Gabby Scianna Photography and Imaging, ’21 Youngstown, Ohio

→ What is your ideal job?

To be shooting magazine covers, fashion campaigns, or music artists. I would love to work with celebrities and take portraits of them in ways that are very intimate and down-toearth. I love photographing people and making them feel as comfortable and as beautiful as possible in their own skin. Being able to do that for people who are icons and role models would be amazing. → How is Ringling helping you get there?

From bringing in real models for our photo shoots to having professional critiques, hearing from real working artists and so much more. Every day, it feels like I am working in the industry while I am here, in the best way possible. Dealing with deadlines, coming up with concepts, making mood boards, finding models, etc.—all of that makes it feel like a real-world experience.

DEDICATED, CARING, HARDWORKING.

STORY №60 STUDENTS

59+ 60

Allyssa Ellis Graphic Design, ’21 Jay, Maine

→ What have you liked most about Ringling?

My favorite part has been the journey to become a better person, both professionally and personally. The support of friends, faculty, and alumni has enabled me to grow immensely over the years and has conditioned me to crave critique and improvement.

For the most part, yes. Ringling gives you the tools to create a really strong work ethic, portfolio, and mindset that can be applied to a career. Since it is so multidisciplinary, we are skilled in many different areas of design rather than just one, which is great because we can choose a career path that best suits each individual person.

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STORY №61 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN DESIGNER

→ Do you feel ready to enter your field?

AMBITIOUS, PLAYFUL, COMPASSIONATE.

Business of Art and Design, ’22 Engelthal, Germany

→ What’s the best part of studying at Ringling?

People coming together. For me, magic happens when a group of creatives end up in one room and fuse their perspectives to create something much bigger than anyone could have imagined by themselves. Ringling makes that happen. → What are the teachers like?

Ringling’s faculty is driven by one priority, the students, and it really shows. Their support is unmatched. → What is collaboration like at Ringling?

Well-managed complexity is golden. Here at Ringling, I have had the privilege of working with many creatives from all over the world on many industry-based projects. The variety in backgrounds can interrupt a project on many levels. However, if such chaos is structured, there is an invaluable synergy that blooms.

DRIVEN, COMMITTED, BOLD.

STORY №62 STUDENTS

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Sophie Schönbach

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN DESIGNER

61+ 62

“”

P/ 82

As a senior, I am working collaboratively on my animated short film with my thesis partner. It has given us both the opportunity to build our teamworking skills, while having fun and making friends.

P/ 83 Computer Animation, ’21 Destin, Florida

→ Outside the classroom, how has Ringling helped you?

Ringling supports me academically with its amazing Career Services department, which is available to me even after I graduate. They are also committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, and they have many mental health resources.

63

SPIRITED, DRIVEN, PASSIONATE.

STORY №63 STUDENTS

Sam Durkin

64+ 65

Amanda Godreau

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STORY №64 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Motion Design, ’22 Cayey, Puerto Rico

→ Have you had any internships while at Ringling?

I’ve been able to intern every year in studios specific to my industry. My responsibilities freshman year ranged from helping creative directors and art directors with pitch decks and client materials, to crafting social media posts. My sophomore year, I was able to create, design, and animate projects for clients such as Etsy. Both of my internship experiences were vastly different from one another and my biggest takeaway from interning has been that working in multiple environments is necessary to find where you fit and thrive the best. It’s allowed me to have a better picture of what I want to do and where I want to go.

AMBITIOUS, PERSISTENT, DRIVEN.

P/ 85 Graphic Design, ’21 Niterói, Brazil

STORY №65 STUDENTS

Caio Arias

Being around the hard-working people here gives me immense motivation and a drive to push myself as much as I can to create great and meaningful work. With the support of the faculty and the many programs available for us to express our creativity, I always feel supported and encouraged to build new things and seek new challenges. → What are you most proud of?

The best projects I’ve done here were with a team, when I knew I could count on my team and that my team could count on me. Not only was the work exceptional, but the overall experience was also incredibly valuable. Working with pleasant people in environments that foster collaboration is essential to having a rich and rewarding learning experience.

POSITIVE, CHARISMATIC, ENERGETIC.

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN DESIGNER

→ What is the Ringling community like?

Brooke Allen Visual Studies, ’22 Gainesville, Florida

→ How did you learn about Ringling?

I’ve heard about Ringling my whole life, but it wasn’t until I attended the PreCollege program that I realized what a well-regarded school it is. → What made you choose Visual Studies as a major?

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STORY №66 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

My direction after high school was nonlinear. I studied in Europe for a while, but I kept circling back to Ringling and how at-home I felt on campus. I did some research and found the Visual Studies program. It was a perfect fit for my needs. I can hand-pick my classes to tailor my education around curation. The program allows me the freedom a non-traditional student like myself needs.

PARTICULAR, FANTASTICAL, INQUISITIVE.

P/ 87

Timber Robert Virtual Reality Development, ’22 Wichita, Kansas

→ What are your plans after you leave Ringling?

Working collaboratively with my peers and other departments has helped me understand the creative process and what I am able to do with it. I plan on immediately jumping into the entertainment industry so that I can find my true passion.

FRIENDLY, PATIENT, UNDERSTANDING.

STORY №67 STUDENTS

66+ 67

s

till s n i g n i Ringl

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Rin

s

ame ian, pic G Gabr E y , l r i e Em cruit or Re Seni

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le b i d e r c n an i in c i h t e k wor and s t n e d their stu at job re g a s e o d for m e h t ng prepari orld. w the real Executive D ire

STORY №87 STUDENTS

Ken Maruyam a, ctor, Sony P ictures Imag eworks P/ 89

ngling’s qual ity of work a nd the conceptu al developme nt behind it is a t a very high professional level. The gen uine passion for c reativity her e is at a higher leve l than any ot he r school that w e recruit from .

68+ 69

Entertainment Design, ’23 Fort Myers, Florida

STORY №68 STUDENTS

→ How did you become interested in entertainment design?

I have been wanting to be a theme park designer for as long as I can remember, but didn’t know how to break into the industry or what to study. Then, finally, Entertainment Design came along. Every semester, I have a moment when I think back a year or even a semester ago and laugh about how much I didn’t know. We’re constantly learning new skills, programs, and ways of thinking.

P/ 90

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Tiffany Beckler

CURIOUS, EXHAUSTED, GOOFBALL.

P/ 91 Illustration, ’21 Austin, Texas

→ What made you pick Ringling?

I felt like I would be able to really grow here.

Surrounded by amazing professionals and talented peers, I hoped to evolve in my own work. → Has that happened?

I’ve been prepared for the industry by my supportive professors. They’ve created classes for professional practices and made a point to bring up different pieces of advice in other classes. There’s always something to learn when you’re around a Ringling professor.

BOLD, FUN-LOVING, CURIOUS.

STORY №69 STUDENTS

Brooke Brogan

Joseph Woods Motion Design, ’21 Ocala, Florida

→ What made you choose Ringling?

Art became a cornerstone of my interests, personality, and life as a young child. When I was 15, I met a graphic designer who mentioned Ringling as a possible place where I could refine my talents. I began to research the school and I fell in love. → What was it like when you came to Ringling?

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STORY №70 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

It seemed at first like I was in over my head. I was overcome with awe when viewing the works of students and graduates, and I began to wonder if I could ever keep up. But after a while, I learned to recognize my own potential, not only as a student, but as a professional.

VERSATILE, TENACIOUS, IMAGINATIVE.

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Kaileia Kostroun Creative Writing, ’22 Scotch Plains, New Jersey

→ What is it like studying creative writing at Ringling?

The faculty are incredibly supportive, professional, multi-talented, and open-minded.

In my first class on my first day at Ringling, I teared up because my professor spoke with such passion in her voice. I felt a deep resonance that I had only ever experienced from books, movies, and music. The artists here are art themselves and there is so much to learn from everyone. The energy of Ringling College is magnetic. It keeps me in my creative flow and encourages me to infuse my projects with my own unique passion and purpose.

INTUITIVE, IMAGINATIVE, COMPASSIONATE.

STORY №71 STUDENTS

70+ 71

72

Sophie Ruiz Entertainment Design, ’23 Miami, Florida

I’ve always loved tinkering with, and building things and have always been fascinated by how things work. At first, I wanted to be an engineer, but I wanted a more creative path. I was looking for a way to bridge the gap between design and engineering and I genuinely thought it didn’t exist—until I heard about Entertainment Design at Ringling.

STORY №72 STUDENTS

→ How has your work changed since coming to Ringling?

I feel like I see the world in an all-new way. I’m able to think like a professional designer and creative problem solver. I’ve learned technical skills on software that helps us visualize our ideas and understand architectural elements, and I’ve also learned how to display my ideas through design intent documents which include ready-to-fabricate blueprints. I’ve even learned how to fabricate things by working in the woodshop and in the Makerspace.

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100 SUCCESS STORIES

→ What made you want to come to Ringling?

CREATIVE, CURIOUS, INVENTIVE.

P/ 95 Film, ’21 Sarasota, Florida

→ What do you like most about studying film?

The first is being on set. Ringling does a great job of teaching us how a set is run in the professional world and we get to put that to the test with our own films that we make. The second thing I love is the Studio Labs program.

Visiting artists come to Ringling and work with students. I was able to work as a production assistant with the director Kevin Smith and he told me I was one of the best production assistants he’s worked with. It felt so reassuring to know I’m headed in the right direction.

73

PASSIONATE, COLORFUL, WEIRD.

STORY №73 STUDENTS

Erika Jessen

Nicole Constance Motion Design, ’21 Punta Gorda, Florida

→ What do you like most about Ringling?

At Ringling, your community expands past your major. It is campus-wide. Everyone here is so supportive and willing to help one another. I have become friends with so many people outside of my major and we have been able to share knowledge with each other, which has helped to improve our work and creative thinking.

I have learned how to work with clients and creative directors. There are certain soft skills these experiences help you develop that are necessary to become a valuable team member.

I think the most important one I have learned is how to be a clear and concise communicator.

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STORY №74 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN DESIGNER

→ What do you get out of working on industry projects?

PASSIONATE, DETERMINED, CARING.

Graphic Design, ’21 Petrinja, Croatia

→ What has been your favorite part of being at Ringling?

Hot fries and long dinners, design history, the coldness of the 3D classroom, lengthy critiques, design brainstorm breakthroughs, meetings that are supposed to last 15 minutes but actually take 45, evening walks home, a friend’s singing and humming, Zoom accidents, Friendsgiving, evening gatherings, spontaneous karaoke, conversations with friends that last three hours but feel like 20 minutes… all that and much more have made my experience at Ringling unforgettable. → What is the Ringling community like?

I am lucky to be surrounded by a group of the most extraordinary and remarkable people who give me constant encouragement and a drive to never settle, to face new challenges, and to push myself beyond what is expected. In these four years, both my peers and mentors have inspired me to think more holistically, to be mindful, inclusive, and thorough. More importantly, though, they are the ones who showed me that failure and mistakes are just another stone in the path to success.

DILIGENT, TENACIOUS, OBSERVANT.

STORY №75 STUDENTS

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Petar Pirizovic

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN DESIGNER

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Alex DiGiacomo Photography and Imaging, ’21 Wellington, Florida

→ What do you like most about Ringling?

My favorite part so far has been the community I have had the privilege to be a part of. Being surrounded by so many creatives sparks a drive you can’t get anywhere else. Not only do you get to learn from the amazing professors here at this school, but you learn from your peers.

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STORY №76 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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DEDICATED, HARDWORKING, UNIQUE.

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Leila DeMarchi Visual Studies, ’21 North Port, Florida

→ What’s your dream job?

I’d love to go into comics, tabletop gaming, or the video game industry to write, illustrate, or do concept art. I think keeping my options open but still focusing on things that make me happy is ultimately my goal. → How is Ringling helping you get there?

There are company talks with industry professionals, in-class projects that are tailored to build up your portfolio, and out-of-class opportunities for jobs and internships that are posted and emailed to us. Some teachers will even take you under their wing if you show the drive and passion in their classes, and I’ve gotten some really cool experiences from that.

IMAGINATIVE, DRIVEN, FUNNY.

STORY №77 STUDENTS

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My favorite thing about Ringling is that it has turned my passion into a profession by building up my skills and value as an artist. I’m grateful for the opportunity that this College has given me, with its top-of-theline faculty and state-of-the-art equipment, to pursue my dreams.

P/ 101 Game Art, ’21 Miami, Florida

→ What made you want to come to Ringling?

My family and I visited to check out the campus and we stumbled upon the computer labs. I had never seen an art college before, let alone one with an animation lab. To me, someone who just drew periodically on the side, it was the moment I realized that my hobby didn’t just have to be that. And when I imagined myself sitting at those desks, doing art as a career, I got excited. → How have you grown since arriving at Ringling?

Working with others has given me inspiration and ambition. When you hang out with dedicated, passionate, and talented people, and especially when they have accompanied you throughout your journey as close friends, they push you to be the best person and artist you can be through good times and bad. It has taught me that even when things get tough, that doesn’t mean I’m alone.

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PASSIONATE, CURIOUS, FRIENDLY.

STORY №78 STUDENTS

Angel Campo

Cheyanne Witter Visual Studies, ’22 Pensacola, Florida

→ How did you find out about Ringling?

I actually discovered Ringling by just Googling “film schools in Florida,” which is funny, considering I switched majors to Visual Studies.

Switching majors has definitely been the best decision I’ve made for myself here. Having the freedom to do whatever I want and choose my own path has been my favorite thing about the Visual Studies major.

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STORY №79 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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INDEPENDENT, ECLECTIC, CHILL.

P/ 103 Entertainment Design, ’23 Boca Raton, Florida

→ What got you interested in Entertainment Design?

Growing up, I often visited theme parks and marveled at the way designers could bring impossible, imaginative worlds to life. When I heard about Ringling’s program, I knew this would be my opportunity to make my dream a reality. → Do you feel like you’ll be ready to join the industry when you leave?

Not only does Ringling’s Career Services office help students prepare for the professional world, but our faculty all have ties to the industry which allows them to present real-life experiences as the basis for design scenarios in class. We also have lots of guest speakers whom we meet with via video, which allows us to understand the bigger picture and map out our career plans.

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COLLABORATIVE, ADVENTUROUS, FUN.

STORY №80 STUDENTS

Brendan Assaf

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Marc Mil lspaugh, Vice Pres ident, Ha sbro

I love com ing to Ring ling because th e people w e have hired are amazingly talented and well p repared to work in the "real w orld."

It is alwa ys a pleasure to visit Ringling— th genuinely e faculty ca career pa res for the th of

man, Amy Klig rk ll t, Ha ma Strategis Creative

he t h t i w p i onsh i t a l e r r u ds l O e i y y l t n e sist n o c l o o h c k's s r a m l l a H for t n e l a t t e a m i t gre l l u f d s an p i h s n r e t n i our f o e n o s i ng i l g n i R . s e for s l hir o o h c s o o-t very few g e recruiting. colleg o

Heather Abood, Talent A cquisitio n, Unive rsal Orla nd

f their students, and the projects w e see from students t always ex he ceed our expec tations!

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Kristen Yuan Computer Animation, ’21 Ann Arbor, Michigan

→ What is Ringling doing to prepare you for your career?

While other schools have students specialize, Ringling’s Computer Animation program pushes its students to learn the entire pipeline. It’s a lot more work, but it’s the reason Ringling graduates are so sought after.

Animation is a highly collaborative industry.

People who can understand more than just their own forte are the ones who go on to be directors.

And, as an aspiring director myself, I feel very lucky to have this training. It also gives me so many options for the future. My current focus is storyboarding, but I also have the skills to move into character animation or visual development if I want to.

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STORY №81 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

81

PERFECTIONIST, ADVENTUROUS, JOYFUL.

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Markella ParadissisWagner Creative Writing, ’22 Sarasota, Florida

→ What are the Creative Writing faculty like?

They challenge me to be the best I can be when it comes to my craft, providing me with one-on-one attention and support. I can’t count how many times I’ve communicated with my professors outside of class for specific questions, assistance with a personal project, or just to say hello. → What has your internship with Tiny Fox Press been like?

It’s been one of the best experiences of my life. I evaluate query letters, write edits for upcoming books, and organize and share my notes for weekly meetings. My responsibilities there feel exactly like what I do in my creative writing classes at Ringling, but on a larger scale. → What are you learning at Ringling?

As much as I let my creativity run wild as I study storytelling, I’m also learning how to conduct myself as a professional and navigate the business side of being a writer.

MOTIVATED, ECCENTRIC, KIND.

STORY №82 STUDENTS

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Blake Morris Game Art, ’21 Ellicott City, Maryland

→ What was your summer internship with Xbox like?

I worked remotely with the look development team on the Forza franchise. My classes at Ringling had prepared me well because many of my responsibilities were closely mirrored by the Game Art curriculum. My biggest takeaway was that everything you do in a studio involves many people. Communicating with them, having fun, and making great work are so important to your productivity and personal happiness.

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STORY №83 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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CALM, COMPASSIONATE, EFFICIENT.

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Having an internship was a big confidence booster that made me work even harder, because then I knew it was possible for me to get the job I wanted after graduation!

Kiron Binsworth Robinson Motion Design, ’22 Trelawny, Jamaica

→ How does Ringling support you as a student?

The faculty are invested in your learning and do their best to make sure each critique is tailored to the specific direction a student is growing in. The culture of Ringling is based around professional support and your peers collectively aid your growth as a student. → Do you feel prepared for the career you want?

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STORY №84 STUDENTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Ringling holds me to a standard that is on par with the industry and judges me based on those standards. And the constant flow of work replicates what work can be like in the field.

Ringling also stresses professional practices and procedures that can’t be covered in a YouTube tutorial or a surface-level class.

EVEN, REASONABLE, CALM.

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Ally Caitlin J. Entertainment Design, ’23 New Jersey

→ What is it like studying at Ringling?

I’d compare the teaching style to more of a mentorship. Information is passed along from our faculty from their time in the field and from industry experts and we’re not always told exactly how to use that information. We have to figure out how to apply those tips and ideas into our own thinking and processes. It’s all about discovery and communication. The teachers do such a wonderful job guiding us through our collective and personal journeys.

IDEALISTIC, REALIST, UNDERSTANDING.

STORY №85 STUDENTS

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Konrad Losiak Graphic Design, ’21 Orlando, Florida

100 SUCCESS STORIES

→ What made you choose Ringling?

Our family was on vacation near Sarasota and I convinced them to tour the campus with me. All of the amenities and labs at Ringling, like the letterpress studio and screenprinting studio, where students could freely work intrigued me.

The high-tech labs and desks where students could work and collaborate with each other showed me a creative environment I knew very few places in America could offer.

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STORY №86 STUDENTS

→ What is life on campus like?

Ringling has a wonderful staff and faculty.

They are there to help me with my career path, finances, health, fitness schedule, clubs, and safety. It lacks none of the necessities and they are always listening to students who speak up. Unlike at other schools, Ringling’s smaller student body makes me feel like more than just another number.

SUPPORTIVE, DETERMINED, WANDERER.

P/ 113 Illustration, ’21 Germany

→ Do you feel prepared to enter the field you want to be in?

Ringling has provided me with a great range of technical skills. Thanks to that, I can adapt to different environments and can adjust my art to what is needed. My teachers have helped me find my strengths in my art and Career Services has taught me how to professionally present myself to clients and employers. → Where do you want to end up?

I would love to be a children’s book illustrator or book cover designer, and eventually I think I’d like to teach. Overall, though, I am very open to whatever opportunity presents itself to me because what is most important is that I’m having fun.

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CURIOUS, JOYFUL, SOCIAL.

STORY №87 STUDENTS

Emily Fromhage

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STORIES №88 TO 100

100 SUCCESS STORIES

Industry experience

Ringling College and The Patterson Foundation partnered in 2012 with the shared goal to strengthen the creative workforce of tomorrow. INDEX (Industry Experience) continues the legacy of this partnership by aggregating the myriad experiential education opportunities the College has long offered.

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Ringling students don’t wait until after graduation to get industry experience.

From the moment they step onto campus, they’re presented with exciting opportunities to sharpen their professional skills.

Students tackle actual client projects during their coursework, working with fellow classmates, professors, and professionals to design and pitch creative projects.

Here are 13 awesome projects our students worked on.

See Industry Experience work credits on page 134.

Collaborating with other creative thinkers was very invigorating, more than I had imagined. I’m an entrepreneur, but the experience at Art Ovation helped me realize that I really enjoyed the synergy of collaborating in a creative work environment. We all went home charged up and inspired for the next day.

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Zen Zaahir, Visual Studies, ’22

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Sarasota boasts many stylish, boutique hotels, but Art Ovation stands apart for its commitment to connecting and collaborating with artists providing an interactive experience for their guests. The goal of this project was to increase local visitation by promoting quarterly themed dining experiences within the hotel restaurant and lobby bar.

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STORY №88 PROJECTS

Art Ovation Project

Porter Wine Now in its eighth year, this annual competition challenges students to design a wine bottle label for Barre Azure, a premium Napa Valley wine from Porter Family Vineyards. Porter has an array of other wines all boasting beautiful labels, but this specific selection is the only one showcasing student art. This competition has been a campus favorite since 2014.

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STORY №89 PROJECTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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No one is ever excited about standing in line at the airport...until now! Two of our Motion Design students created an entertaining yet informative Transportation Security Administration video for Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The goal was to turn a straightforward screening procedure into something more friendly and engaging. With the addition of the video, people now have something fun and informative to watch until it's their turn to go through security.

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STORY №90 PROJECTS

SRQ Airport TSA

Newtown Alive Exhibition To recognize the brave members of Sarasota’s Black community who fought to integrate the city’s public beaches from the 1950s to the 1970s, Ringling students worked on an exhibition to highlight this extraordinary local history. Students designed illustrations and produced short films that were shown to the public and posted online for all to see, creating what one student called a “love letter” to Sarasota’s Black community.

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STORY №91 PROJECTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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Students jumped at the opportunity to work directly with a professional artist on the design and production of a limited edition publication.

Jessica Spring—the founder of Springtide Press, creator of Daredevil Furniture, and co-founder of the Dead Feminists poster series, collaborated with students on the project. She spoke about her experience and provided guidance and insight to each student, who developed and produced their own independent publishing project during the course.

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STORY №92 PROJECTS

Artist’s Publications

Glitch Out VR Selected students from almost every major joined forces to brainstorm, fabricate, construct, manage, and design a virtual reality game demo, as well as a physical event space to prepare to launch it at SXSW. Game Art students focused on the virtual build of this multi-level game, in which artificial intelligence has gone haywire, while other students worked to construct the physical play space and marketing materials.

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STORY №93 PROJECTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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Working on real world projects is an amazing experience for me as faculty.

Bringing together students from different majors is incredibly rewarding.

Students bring their talents to the table and work together to come up with innovative solutions to challenges. It feels like a professional working studio.

Jamie DeRuyter, Faculty, Enter tainmen t

Design

FELD Entertainment For this project, Business of Art and Design students assessed the Monster Jam brand in a holistic way and provided feedback from a design-thinking perspective. The comprehensive approach focused on research and brand strategy, as well as uncovering challenges and opportunities across the brand platform.

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STORY №94 PROJECTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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Patriot Plaza is a 2,800-seat amphitheater located at Sarasota National Cemetery. The venue hosts events that honor veterans and inspire patriotism in the community. Ringling students, working with faculty and staff at the Cemetery, filmed an 11-part series about the Plaza and its mission.

They are handling every aspect of the production from cinematography to editing, sound design, direction, and post-production.

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STORY №95 PROJECTS

Documenting Patriot Plaza

Moffitt Cancer Center Virtual Reality Development students and the acclaimed Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa teamed up in 2019 to develop creative content for digital healthcare technologies, including virtual reality (VR), animations for patient education, and training videos for physicians. Patients receiving radiation treatments, for example, are now able to immerse themselves in a VR experience to better understand and prepare for their treatment.

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STORY №96 PROJECTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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This company’s goal was to transform the traditional men’s suit into something more modern that younger men would proudly wear.

An entire course was dedicated to creating a new wedding brand and accompanying promotional materials for an updated suit.

The project included creating social profiles, lookbooks, and a brand new website.

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STORY №97 PROJECTS

Eisenberg International

Lewis Charitable Foundation The Lewis Foundation is a nonprofit that supports research into transparency in business and culture. Ringling students worked with the organization to create three game ideas and realistic design documents for all three games.

Students also developed a unique art style guide for each of the fun, fully playable games, with professional-level stories and art.

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STORY №98 PROJECTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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10 Illustration students created a series of biographical sketches for the Smithsonian American Art Museum based upon the lives of ten women artists whose work is featured in the Museum’s collection. Working closely with the client team, the students completed client deliverables as short comics composed of 12 to 16 frames to convey the story of the ten women artists. Each winning student received a $1,000 award and the honor of having their work featured in the renowned Museum’s special project.

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STORY №99 PROJECTS

Smithsonian American Art Museum

General Motors The General Motors Speed Form course was a semester-long class in which students worked with a GM sculpting mentor one-on-one for 15 weeks. At the conclusion of the course, the GM team critiqued student projects in person and although Ringling does not offer courses in auto design, many of the students who participated landed jobs with GM.

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STORY №100 PROJECTS

100 SUCCESS STORIES

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The mentors from GM realized that Ringling students possess a remarkable ability to think and apply creativity at a very high level. The fact that GM hired numerous students from the course is an ideal outcome for Ringling and demonstrates our commitment to experiential learning for our students.

Jeff Schwartz, Associate Vice Presid ent for Academic Aff airs, Dean of Undergradua te Studies

Sche a tou dule r

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To plan your visit, contact our Admissions Office at 941.309.0195 or admissions@ringling.edu.

Schedule a tour online at www.ringling.edu/plan-a-visit.

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Feeling inspired?

You could be the next Ringling success story.

Plan a visit to campus to meet our students, speak with an admissions counselor, and tour the campus and studios. We’re just five minutes away from Sarasota Bradenton Int’l.

Airport and near airports in Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida, as well.

Produced by Ringling College Design Center Jennifer Mumford Brady, Director Holly Antoszewski ’98, Associate Director Published by Ringling College of Art and Design, Office of Admissions Concept Beatriz Patarata ’21, beatrizpatarata.com Petar Pirizovic ’21, pirizovic.com Design Petar Pirizovic ’21, pirizovic.com Cover Design Vanessa Landin Editorial Cooper Levey-Baker @LeveyBaker Copy Editors Gail Knight, Chelsea Garner-Ferris Photography Matthew Holler ’11, matthewholler.com, Rich Schineller *Campus photography taken before enforcement of COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Industry Experience Work Credits Project Participants included students across majors: Art Ovation Entertainment Design Porter Wine Graphic Design, Illustration, Visual Studies SRQ Airport TSA Motion Design Newtown Alive Exhibition Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Visual Studies Artist's Publications Graphic Design Glitch Out VR Business of Art and Design, Entertainment Design, Game Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Virtual Reality Development FELD Entertainment Business of Art and Design Patriot Plaza Film One Heart Capital Campaign Graphic Design, Illustration Eisenberg International Business of Art and Design, Graphic Design, Photography and Imaging Lewis Charitable Foundation Business of Art and Design, Fine Arts, Game Art, Illustration, Visual Studies

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Save our Sea Turtles Graphic Design, Illustration General Motors Computer Animation, Game Art, Motion Design, Illustration, Visual Studies

P/ 135 Accreditation Ringling College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Notice of Non-discrimination Ringling College of Art and Design does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, gender, color, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law, in its programs or activities.

Ringling College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities, or in the context of employment. Sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. (See Ringling College Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy).

Title IX requires that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving financial assistance.

To view these policies, visit www.ringling.edu/policies-andprocedures. For inquiries and reporting, contact Dr. Tracy Wagner, Executive Vice President, Title IX Coordinator (941.359.7595) (twagner@ringling.edu); Darren Mathews, Assistant Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Deputy Title IX Coordinator (941.359.7619) (dmathews@ ringling.edu); or Dr. Tammy Walsh, Vice President for Student Life, Deputy Title IX Coordinator (941.359.7610) (twalsh@ringling.edu) at Ringling College, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234. ©2021 Ringling College of Art and Design.

All rights reserved.

Every attempt has been made to portray accurate information. We apologize for any errors or omissions.

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