designing afuture

SD City's graphic design changes perception of community college program

BY SEAN M ONNEY

Multimedia

Journalist

The work of students and professors in the San Diego City College graphic design program has not only earned the program international recognition but also built impressive portfolios that pave career paths for students

Graphic design projects produced by students at City College gained the college the first place spot in the Best Design Education Ranking of 2022/23 by the World Brand Design Society

WBDS is a nonprofit group that aims to recognize outstanding graphic design programs in colleges worldwide and City College received 17awards for student work

Natalie Holland is a City graphic design graduate whose brand project

?Heirloom?was recognized by WBDS

Now living in Charleston, South Carolina after graduating from City College in May 2022, Holland explained that the program encourages students to diversify their portfolio by branching out into all areas of graphic design

The graphic design program at City College covers everything from web design and branding to product photography and packaging

?I've been told by people up in New York and here in Charleston that my portfolio is much more impressive than local design schools that they've seen,? Holland said ?And we really have a leg up with what we're showing ?

Holland now works freelance doing branding projects for restaurants, but she had a previous career in apparel design

According to graphic design professor Bradford Prairie, the City College program is an education stop for many career transitioners and col-

Lege Returners

?They go to work every day and it's either soul-destroying, or they have this creative itch that they really need to scratch,?Prairie said Prairie explained the main focus of these students is to create a portfolio at a professional standard so they can get hired And the program helps them do that

?Portfolio classes are intensive,? said Meli Cervantes, another City College graphic design graduate ?But (the professors) really push you to revamp your projects to make them more current and what the industry is looking for ?

Cervantes is also a college returner, having previously studied interior design at San Diego State

University

Before her studies at City, Cervantes had thought of community college only as a transitory education and recalled community colleges having a bad reputation

But when the director of a design agency told her about the ?amazing projects? produced by City College, she decided to give the program a shot

After graduating, Cervantes said the academics at City College are comparable to SDSU, but with the added accessibility of a community college

Cervantes had also won a WBDS award for her brand project ?Liberty Girl,? and now works as a junior de- signer

The portfolio coursework is not easy on students, with Holland calling it a ?grueling year of school? and Cervantes describing it as a ?24/7, full-time job ?

Prairie knows the rigor of the program can put a lot of stress on students, and all the professional industry work they regularly see can add unrealistic pressure

But Prairie believes the awardwinning work produced by City College students can demonstrate the quality of the graphic design program

?To be able to produce that kind of work is something that really motivates me,? Prairie said ?And I think it's big for the students It's really humbling, inspiring and motivating ?