A Tribute to the SUNY Cobleskill Graphic Design Technology Class of 2021
QUESTION: How does one earn a design degree amid a global pandemic? The GDOG Seniors at SUNY Cobleskill lost 3 semesters of in person classes… a disaster for a highly collaborative discipline.
So how did they do it?
The shortest answer is, "With initiative and excellence."
The longer answer is much more involved. They were required to learn a myriad of new applications, interfaces, and means of virtual interaction. They had be be self-motivated. They had to design in a bubble. They had to learn to communicate concepts and execution via a Zoom meeting.
And, they excelled. They produced. They PREVAILED.
They produced amazing capstone projects under the tutelage of Prof. Adam Daily. They put together an amazing Senior Show:
Click here to watch the video.
GDOG Class of 2021 | Bachelor's
Nick Blom, Tyler Brado, Jovan Brown, Lindsey Coons, Devin Corey, Connor Dorsino, Fritz Herrmann, Tatianna Kansky, Hail O'Donnell, Alicia Pionteck, Kenn Riggall, Matt Ritzmann, Evan Roberts, Marina Sachs, Nate Shuart, Heidi Smith, Madison Teator, and Jake Willwerth
GDOG Class of 2021 | Associate's
Zack Amster, Avery Garcia, Jessica Jaqueway, Brooke Koerner, Cody Reightmyer, and Dylan Richards
«a student
review»
Teaching Design
After 35 years in the industry, a series of fortuitous events led me to become a Lecturer in the Graphic Design Technology Program @ SUNY Cobleskill. I love my job and am passionate about the subjects that I teach. My teaching philosophy is pretty straight forward: Learn it. Do it. Learn more. Do that. Repeat.
This might sound overly simplified, but, it is how I learned every new skill in my design repertoire. Most of my skills were self-taught or acquired through on-the-job training. Usually because a large project demanded it. Or, the company purchased new technology and someone had to learn how to operate it and make it part of the production process.
Creative Direction | Brand Management
My career in graphic design began shortly before the emergence of desktop computers. I've operated and cleaned printing presses, taught myself typesetting, platemaking, and how to paste-up mechanicals for press. I began using Apple computers as a design tool in 1986. Since then, technology has produced an ever-changing landscape. One thing that has remained constant… the foundational principles of good design.
Since the mid-nineties, the focus of my work has centered on brand development, strategy and creative direction for a broad range of industries. Specifically, the design and production of brand identity, corporate communications, marketing strategies, multimedia advertising campaigns and print collateral.
Interface Design | Development
I worked on my first corporate website for a global brand in 1996. Since then, I've been involved in site-management, SEO, interface design, and social media strategy. Results included a Best Creative Non-Fiction Award in 2008 and a Webby Award for Best Magazine in 2009. Most recently, I've focused on front-end development.
Industry Design Experience 35 years
Creative Direction and Brand Management 25 years
Interface Design and Development 20 Years
A career in design?
here's what you need to know:
Keys to Success
Follow these simple steps to pass my class.
I learned what I teach during the years I spent as a creative professional. There are three things that helped me to manage my projects and stay successful:
01.
Suit Up | Show Up
I know, that's two things. But they belong together. Participate in all BB Collaborate sessions. Come to these sessions prepared. Participate. Be creative. Contribute.
02.
Keep Up
Manage your time wisely. Keep pace with the assignments. Turn them in on or before the deadline. If you get stuck, try to work it out. Or, see Step 3.
03.
If you fall… Get Up
If you are struggling with the material in any of my courses, ask for help. I'll get you through it. I have lots of office hours. Email me to set up an appointment.
«There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW!
Wow is the one to aim for.»
Milton Glaser
«It’s through mistakes that you actually can grow.
You have to get bad in order to get good.»
Paula Scher
«The life of a designer is a life of fight. Fight against the ugliness.
Just like a doctor fights against disease. For us, the visual disease is what we have around, and what we try to do is cure it somehow with design.»
Massimo Vignelli
Contact me
Any questions?
Fill out this form. Hit the submit button. I'll respond as soon as possible.
125 Schenectady Avenue
Cobleskill, NY 12043