opportunity to create sequential comic art, use high-tech camera and video editing equipment, and work with regional and national clients in rebranding initiatives as well as new strategy and marketing campaigns. During the Professional Practices course, seniors develop their portfolios and take field trips to design houses in the region. Students discuss the “business of design” including budgetary concerns, planning for internships and job interviews, and maneuvering through a new career. The standalone course educates students with all of the necessary information for surviving the first few years of employment post-graduation—the ABCs of preparing for a job, keeping a job, being promoted and perhaps even moving on to seek a better position elsewhere. Associate Professor of Art and Art Department Chair Ted Whisenhunt noted that the College has offered introductory digital arts courses ever since the bachelor’s degree in art was created—and the decision to add the graphic design degree
was largely based on the fact that many graduates have gone on to careers in this competitive and lucrative field. “We felt that we could really strengthen student digital and design portfolios if we added more focused courses specifically in graphic design and offer another option for those students who are interested in pursuing this as a career,” Whisenhunt explained. The graphic design degree enriches the Art Department by helping YHC attract and retain talented students who are interested in the applied arts rather than the traditional arts. “Our new courses benefit all art majors because they get to take more in-depth digital and design courses and interact with additional faculty and students,” added Whisenhunt. Sophomore Jack Owen, of Gainesville, Ga., chose to major in graphic design because he was “very intrigued by the idea of a profession with an endless amount of diverse opportunities.” He originally planned to study biology and pursue a
career in the medical field—but one class with Anderson changed all of that. “His digital arts course was an absolutely amazing experience,” said Owen. “I enjoyed the work I did inside of class just as much as the work I did outside of it, which is the ideal experience, I think, that anyone would look for in a college course.” Owen plans to head to graduate school to work toward his goal of working for an Atlanta-based film production company. His mentor has a lot of firsthand knowledge to impart, as Anderson’s extensive résumé includes work with companies like CNN, NBC News, Twentieth Century Fox Films and New Line Cinema. “I’m confident that I will credit YHC for the majority of any success I have in my future,” Owen said. “The people I have met—and will meet—at YHC and my experiences here will greatly influence what’s to come. This is accomplished by the overwhelming amount of support by the YHC faculty and staff, and the wonderful small college community that allows personal relationships with the teachers.” 33