Christopher Ryan Evans, 2012 Outstanding Senior

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions.  Today, we conclude our 10-part Outstanding Senior series with Media Studies major Christopher Ryan Evans.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) My final project. I am doing a stop-motion film, and it combines everything that I have learned from the structure of the story from start to finish to learning what drives a plot. It showed me that the basics and fundamentals you learn are important, including color concept, painting, drawing…everything.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) Getting stuff done on time. I always try to push the envelope and take on more then I should. I like to step out of the safe zone, and I had to learn to balance what I am supposed to be learning with challenging myself, which sometimes made deadlines difficult.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I want to work in the movie industry. This may mean I need to weasel myself from camera operator on up, but I know that’s the direction I want to go. I have been looking at motion a design firm in Columbus, and there are a couple areas in North Carolina I may go. Going to grad school at USC is also on my radar, so we’ll see.

Q) What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

A) Directing and making my own movies and being paid for my own creative work.

Q) Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

A) This school is responsible for so much talent, and it really guides every student coming in here. I think that it should be a cornerstone of everyone’s career, and it is important to give back to the CCAD family to show that.

Q) Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) When everything is done—when you finally finish a project or meet a deadline. It’s also when you work on a project and you realize that you are applying exactly what you learned in class or in your foundation year; when you look at the results and you see everything coming together, that is definitely an ‘I nailed it’ moment.

Q) What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time as a student?

A) Paint, I just envision all the paint in front of me at the studios.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) The drawing and painting. I’ll miss having all the materials sitting right in front of me and readily available.

Q) If you can describe what graduating feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

A) The first step.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

A) My drawing classes, especially with Doug Norman and Djahangir Pirasteh. They were the first people when I came here who were really inspirational to me. They brought me to where I want to be in those skills, and they taught their classes very professionally. There was no doodling with them.

Q) What did you like to do during your free time?

A) I like to spend a lot of time outdoors, and of course movies, movies, movies, movies like crazy.

Q) What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

A) Getting parking tickets—I know that’s not the fondest, but it is something I’ll remember. My first semester here I didn’t want to buy a parking pass, thinking I wouldn’t get tickets, but I did (laughs).

Q) What would you change about your undergraduate career?

A) I wish I would have found out which major and niche I wanted to pursue quicker. I didn’t know if I wanted to aim toward animation, storyboarding, or what.

Q) What is your advice to future CCAD students?

A) Find a group of friends who are focused and driven and stick with them, they will help you accomplish a lot.

2012 Outstanding Senior Jake LaBombarbe

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Senior for their divisions. Today, in part nine of our 10-part series, meet Industrial Design major Jake LaBombarbe.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) I have a lot of moments and awards I am proud of. Other then this award it would probably be my current internship at Concept Engineering; I got that based on reputation alone. Another proud moment was placing in the Akro-Mils competition. That design competition was the first time I was able to push more than one idea at a time, and it was the first time I was paid to do Industrial Design. Both of my proposals for the competition were based on shelving designs—one was at a 30-degree angle so you could see what would be placed on the shelf, and the other was the style of a garage door, where you could pull down and cover the shelving racks when needed.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) I was scared before I even got here. I was studying sculpture at the University of Toledo and I was 25 hours away from graduation when I decided to come to CCAD. My whole purpose studying at Toledo was so I could build my portfolio to apply to art school and study Industrial Design. I chose CCAD because of their partnership with Hasbro and their great reputation, but it was definitely intimidating to come here.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I just got an amazing job offer that I am really excited about. I can’t share the details now since all the paperwork needs to be signed, but it has been killing me trying to keep it a secret.

Q) What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

A) I want to go back and get my master’s, which I will probably work on while I am working full time. Having the teachers that I had here at CCAD convinced me that I would love to be able to teach Industrial Design down the road. I loved being able to help freshmen and sophomores when I was a senior. They had these itty-bitty parts, and I was able to help them flesh out a large project and fully developed idea. I would also love to be able to freelance toy designs, that is a hobby of mine.

Q) Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

A) The amount of help given to me during my time here makes me feel obligated, and I want to give back. I got a lot of financial help and assistance from the faculty as a student, and I want to extend that help to future students. The school was also there for me emotionally during my sister’s passing; they allowed me to take off a semester and come back right where I left. The school has made such an impact in my life that I want to come back and help do the same for someone else.

Q) Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) It was during one of my final projects, which is actually the centerpiece of my portfolio. I designed a web camera called the “Wubbagoo.” It is a small figurine of a guy whose eye is a webcam, and he is holding a magnifying glass up to his eye. It seemed like all the factors for that project came together smoothly. I realized I was good at this and I needed to keep doing it.

Q) What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time as a student?

A) The smell of Bondo. The smell of Bondo equals the smell of Industrial Design.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) My classmates. I made some great friends while here and I know we will all keep in touch. They say that when you are in Industrial Design your classmates will be your competition, but it never felt like that. Everyone had their highs and lows, and everyone was also there for each other. It is a really tight group of people.

LaBombarbe's "Wubbagoo" webcam design

Q) If you can describe what graduating feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

A) Relief.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

A) Structural Design with Justin Martini. The class used to be a required foundation course, and he would teach you the meticulous details of design. You would sit there with rulers, paper, and pencil, and he would say to you, “you will probably never do this again in Industrial Design and will do everything with FreeHand [software], but you need to know the foundations of what you are studying.” He was the first teacher that really left a permanent mark on me. I still pop into his classroom to ask him how he is doing.

Q) What did you like to do during your free time?

A) I enjoy cooking. I was actually a chef for close to 10 years before coming to CCAD. I went the Anthony Bourdain route and worked as a dishwasher and worked my way up to head of kitchen. My fiance Stacey and I love to go out and do different things when our schedules permit it. But I love everything about Industrial Design—I will often design and do my own personal artwork when I have time.

Q) What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

A) At the end of last semester my classmates and I all went out to Tip Top to celebrate. It was the first time everyone in Industrial Design came out, and we took up multiple tables. It was a nice, family kind of feeling to be surrounded by these people and relax.

Q) What would you change about your undergraduate career?

A) I would have finished my degree at Toledo before coming here. I was in such a rush to get started, but I missed the opportunity to have two bachelor’s degrees.

Q) What is your advice to future CCAD students?

A) When you become a senior, remember where you were as a sophomore. I help out whenever I can, and I think it is important to pay it back. Pay back all the advice and help you received when you were starting out. Another important thing in life is to be yourself…unless you can be Batman, then be Batman.

2012 Outstanding Senior Sarah McCance

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions.  Today, in part eight of our 10-part Outstanding Senior series, meet Interior Design major Sarah McCance.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) I never pulled an all-nighter. That was one of my goals I set for myself. Everyone says how you will be up all night working on projects, and I remember I went and told Martha Allison [CCAD chair of Interior Design] at the very beginning, my freshman or sophomore year, that I was never going to pull an all-nighter and she just wished me luck, and I did it. I actually went and told her [Martha Allison] when I finally finished my thesis project.

Another proud moment was finding out about being chosen as an Outstanding Senior. I was not expecting it at all, but it was really icing on the cake. I had just been offered a job, finished my thesis, got engaged, and then they told me about this!

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) The woodshop. As a freshman, I was cutting one of my 3D designs that had a really sharp edge with a band saw, which I later learned that you shouldn’t use for that type of cut. While I was cutting the blade snapped. Luckily I didn’t get hurt, but the noise and everything scared me. I am always scared to go in there now or use any power tools (laughs).

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I got a job at Wilson Associates. I interned there the spring of my junior year and again this past summer. When I came back to CCAD [last fall] I emailed the architect that I worked with there monthly, and he would send me updates on the projects I worked on. He told me he would like me back after I graduated and sent me all the paperwork and everything, so I will be going back to Dallas when I graduate. I will be working with them on a contract basis and by the end of summer I will be on board full-time.

Q) What is your ultimate dream job or goal?

A) Working for Wilson Associates, so it’s great that I am already achieving that. Whenever you look at top-rated interior design firms, Wilson Associates is always at the top of the list.

Q) Why it is important as an alumna to continue to give back to CCAD?

A) I think it all goes back to wanting to duplicate your experience for the incoming students. I want to be able to keep in touch with faculty so I can, in turn, show students that it is possible to get a job and be successful after graduation. I also think alumni who live in the area should continue to visit the school, especially to offer their help with critiques and to speak with students.

Q) What smell, word, object or whatever will always remind you of your time at CCAD?

A) Hipster.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) The Interior Design program and everyone in it. It’s a small, tight knit group of people. There are only 11 girls in my grade that are in the program, so we’re all close. I’ll remember us being in the computer lab until 4 a.m. working and listening to obnoxious music. One time we were so exhausted we got up and all did the Cha-Cha Slide. I think I will just miss that whole community and the closeness and support.

Q) Can you describe what graduating feels like in one word or sentence?

A) A relief, but also the cause of a lot of anxiety. I think it is a bunch of different emotions mixed together. We have been doing the same thing for the last four years, and now we are all moving onto something completely new, so it’s exciting and scary.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

History of Cinema. I was able to watch foreign movies, and it was nothing like any of my other Interior Design classes, so it was a nice break.

Q) What did you like to do during your free time?

A) I worked a lot. So when I wasn’t studying or working I liked to go to dinner with friends or have a night in with some girlfriends. We would go to one of our houses and watch a movie, cook dinner, drink wine. It was nice to just relax and do nothing since normally I am always busy.

Q) What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

A) Sophomore year, a couple close friends and I were all lying on this blanket studying for our history final. We were all so exhausted that we were hysterically laughing non-stop. I remember we thought everything was funny, and one of our teachers even brought us over a big bowl of M&Ms. It’s a great memory.

A) If you could, what would you change about your undergraduate career?

A) I would focus more during my junior year, I didn’t put 100% into a lot of the projects that I was working on, so I would go back and give those my full effort.

Q) What is your advice for future CCAD students?

A) I would tell them you’re an artist and a designer, and no one can take that away from you. They need to remember although there may be hard times, they are creatives, no matter what. I would also remind them to help out those who are younger than them. When I was a sophomore the seniors would help us out on projects that they did two years ago. I did the same my junior and senior years, andI think it is important to do that.

Leah Fisher, one of our 2012 Outstanding Seniors

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions. Today, in part seven of our 10-part Outstanding Senior series, we interviewed Photography major Leah Fisher.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) My proudest moment would probably be my thesis show. I did a Drive-By Shooting series that was captured while my husband drove around and I would snap pictures out the window of the car. It was the first time I was able to show my work to campus, the students, faculty, and staff. It accumulated after a year’s worth of hard work, and it was great project that I continue to work on.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) The foundation classes. They have this reputation for being really difficult, and when I would look at what students outputted from these classes it made me nervous and wonder if I would be able to do that well. The faculty was extremely helpful though in guiding students through the assignments and techniques.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I am going to continue working at the CCAD Packard Library. I work on archiving old photos that CCAD has and scanning them to help build our Flickr site. It has been a long process, but great to live through CCAD’s history and be able to make these pictures accessible to everyone. I want to be able to finish this project, and it’s nice because by working here, I also have time to work on my own projects and personal art.

Q) What is your ultimate dream job or goal?

A)I went from Columbus to San Francisco and back a few years ago, and I would love to do it again. I want to be able to take my time and drive out there, continuing my Drive-By Shooting project.

Q) Why is it important as an alumna to give back to CCAD?

A) I think it is really important to give back financially. If you have made it in your field based on the skills you learned at CCAD, you should give back to give another student the same opportunities that you received while here.

Q) Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) Working with Helen Hoffelt made me realize that. There is something to say when not only do you like your work, but other people, including faculty, have the same appreciation for it. Helen really pushed me to new limits and made my work really start to stand out and get noticed.

Q) What smell, word, object, or whatever will always remind you of your time at CCAD?

A) Think. Do.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) I’ll miss the faculty. When you are here you have someone critiquing your work and pushing you in everything you do. They are tough, but in a positive, constructive way. I don’t know if we will have someone like that in the outside world to be the person to push the boundaries of what we are outputting.

Q) If you can describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what what would it be?

A) If feels long overdue. As a nontraditional student, I was working at this for 10 years. To finally graduate is a relief and the end to a great and long journey.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

A) My independent studies with Helen Hoffelt. I was able to complete two photo projects, once focusing on coal towns and another one on national parks. It was nice to be able to work in a structure similar to that of the real world: to work on my own and create what I wanted to create without strict guidelines.

Q) What did you like to do during your free time?

A) I keep working on my drive-by series. Every Sunday my husband and I drive around Columbus so I can photograph. It is a great for us to be able to spend time together and sometimes my brother comes with us. We are able to explore Columbus and all of its nooks and crannies. We have somewhat of a routine path, but we like to change the route every once in awhile depending on what I am able to capture and what I see that day.

Q) If you could go back to college what would you change?

A) I don’t have any regrets about my time here, but I would go back and work harder in some of my first photography classes. I treated those classes like beginner photo lessons, and I wish I would have just dived right in and started working on some more serious, thorough projects.

Q) What is your advice for future CCAD students?

A) Work really hard and don’t think and dwell to much on the assignments and guidelines you are given; instead just make art.

Outstanding Senior Rachel Cass

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions. Today, in part six of our 10-part Outstanding Senior series, meet Fashion Design major Rachel Cass.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) Getting all six looks into the CCAD Senior Fashion Show. This year was a little different from past years. Each designer was able to complete six looks, and then [the looks] would be presented in front of a panel and judged to decide which would go into the show. I wanted to do as many as possible, and I am really proud of myself for getting them all in.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) Probably the pressure to perform. I am from Columbus, and I knew that CCAD had an amazing and competitive reputation. It certainly lived up to that.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I am talking to a few companies now, so I hope to get an offer from one of them—I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Q) What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

A) I would love to work for Urban Outfitters in Philly. That is one of the companies that I am talking to now, so it’s exciting. I went to Marietta College and got a degree in graphic design and worked at Anthropologie before coming to CCAD, so I have experience with their brand and style.

Q) Why is it important as an alumna to give back to CCAD?

A) I wouldn’t be here without the scholarships I received, and I think it is important, as an alumna, to continue to give back financially to the school to feed those scholarship programs and help other students study here.

Q) What smell, word, object, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

A) Coffee. I lived on coffee.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) The people and the pressure. There is good and bad pressure here, and you have this constant weight of having to perform well, but I work well off of it, and it feeds my desire to do better and work harder.

Q) If you can describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

A) Surreal. You work so hard for this for four years, and then all of a sudden it is here, and you wonder where it all went.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

Pattern making. Pattern making is the foundation of Fashion Design. You can be a great illustrator, but you have to know how to translate those illustrations into patterns so you can then create your work.

Q) What did you like to do during your free time?

A) I really didn’t have any free time, especially this last year with doing six looks for the show. When I did have a spare time though I would spend it sleeping and relaxing!

Q) What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

A) Working in the fashion labs with fellow students. We would have the music going and we would all be working together to get work done. It was nice because no matter how stressed we were we still made sure to have fun and be silly.

Q) If you could, what would you change about your undergraduate career?

A) Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything.

Q) What is your advice for future CCAD students?

A) Do not procrastinate. You just can’t do it here.

Erin McKenna, 2012 Outstanding Senior

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions.  Today, in part five of our 10-part Outstanding Senior series, meet Fine Arts major Erin McKenna.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) It would probably be the student critique group I organized. We meet once a week to critique each other’s work. We have about 15 students come down, ranging from freshmen to seniors. It is neat that they all come together during their free time and do it to become better and learn more. My goal with the group was to help underclassman talk and learn about their work outside of a classroom setting and without faculty or instructors to help them become more at ease.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) My very first day of class. I remember I had Color Concepts, and I sat in the very back of the classroom and didn’t say a word. I didn’t know anyone and I was so nervous, which is the opposite from today. Now I sit in the front and talk to everyone around me. My time here has definitely brought me out of my shell and made me more social and confident.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) Right now I work as a graphic designer for a local organization, so I know I will continue working there. I have applied to four residencies and plan on applying to three more. I would like to find a studio around Columbus so I can have the space to keep making art. Down the road I know I want to continue my studies and get an MFA.

Q) What is your ultimate dream job or goal?

A) I want to be able to teach college courses in Fine Arts. I would love to be able to teach fulltime and continually make and show my work.

Q)Why is it important as an alumna to continue to give back to CCAD?

A) CCAD is changing a lot, and a lot of people are starting to lean towards a design and business mindset, so I think it is important to continue to support the Fine Arts department here and make sure they keep kicking out the awesome work that they have been doing.

Q) Do you remember a single moment when you sat back and said, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) That moment definitely occurred during the New York Residency Program. When I studied there it was probably the hardest critiques I have been through. At one point I said I was done making art, but I got past it and realized all those struggles were worth it. I think the realization that this is what I want to be doing was cemented at that moment.

Q) What smell, object, place, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

A) The studios in AMF. I spent a lot of time up there studying, working, and hanging out with friends.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) I will miss my friends that I made here. I had a very strong support group. I’ll also miss the resources available and being able to walk into the library and wood shop whenever I needed the resources and space.

Q) If you can describe what graduating feels like in one word what would it be?

A) Terrifying. It is terrifying to think I am done with school, for a while at least. When I graduate I won’t need to go to school anymore and that’s terrifying. I love everything about school and CCAD—the facilities, teachers, just everyone.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

A) My sculpture classes, the ones taught by Michael Goodson and Matthew Flegle. I really think the teachers really made those classes for me. They were supportive and would answer any questions I had, and I learned a lot from them.

Q) During your free time what would you do?

A) I would always schedule free time for myself so I could travel. I love New York, so I would try to get out there once every other month and stay with friends in Brooklyn.

Q) What is your fondest memory of CCAD?

A) My group of friends and hanging out with them. It doesn’t matter where we were, whether it was the studio or a party, I value that time with them.

Q) If you could change anything about your undergraduate experience, what would it be?

A) I have a laundry list of things I would have liked to do. I would have loved to been able to read more about different philosophies and artists and especially contemporary art. I would have also challenged myself more and worked more in areas that scared me and were outside my comfort zone.

Q) What advice would you give to future CCAD students?

A) I would tell them to read and challenge themselves. The only way to get out of a comfort zone or not be scared to do something is to go out and do it. Don’t be scared or cautious of what people may think or say about your work, just do what you want to do.

Sara Diesel, one of the 2012 outstanding seniors

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions.  Today, in part four of our 10-part Outstanding Senior series, meet Illustration major Sara Diesel.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) I was recently chosen to be published in Spectrum 19, which is a science fiction illustration magazine. It is always great to be recognized for your work and to help get your name out there.

Q) What scared you the most?

A) Everything. Going into a career in illustration is kind of scary, because people say it is very hard to make money and be successful. I have been able to overcome that initial fear with various freelance opportunities and these recent publications.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I am from Pittsburgh, so I am going to move back home and continue to freelance.

Q) What’s your ultimate dream job? Or goal?

A) I would love to be able to start my own studio in five or 10 years. I want to be able to have a small, in-house illustration team and just be working in a creative and fun environment.

Q) Why is it important as an alumna to continue to give back to CCAD?

A) When I was a student I was always nervous about a career in illustration, but alumni who came back to talk and other visiting artists really helped reassure me. I want to be able to do the same for future students. I think it is important to come back and tell students and faculty that illustration is not a dead field and explain to them from a professional angle what the illustration market looks like.

Q) Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) I think it would be recently, seeing my work get published in various trade magazines. It is a strong reassurance that my work is paying off.

Q) What smell, word, object, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

A) I think the Triad building. I lived there when I was a freshman, and I remember how cold and everything it was. A lot of interesting memories there.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) Probably just the environment. Right now I am immersed in a group of artists and creativity, and there will probably be no other place like this unless I decide to go back to school.

Q) If you can describe what graduating feels like in one word what would it be?

A) Nerve-racking. I am trying to just not think about it and enjoy the last moments here on campus. For the last 20 years I have been going to school, so leaving will definitely be something completely new and different.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

A) My 3D Illustration class with Mr. Hazelrig. He was the one teacher who would always say anything was possible. If you would come to him with an idea that seemed impossible, he would reassure you and say “let’s make this happen,” and we would. I think that’s impressive to help students work through the creative process without any limits.

Q) What did you do during your free time?

A) What free time? (laughs) When I would work on class assignments I would watch a lot of movies. I just saw We Need to Talk About Kevin, that is definitely one of my favorites.

Q) What is your fondest memory of CCAD?

A) During my freshman year a bunch of students camped outside before class registration. In Illustration everyone was nervous they wouldn’t get the classes they needed, and freshman have to signup in person. It started out with someone saying they were going to get there before they opened, then someone said they were going to camp out all night, and it just steamrolled. I think I got there at 10 p.m. the night before, and we were all standing outside in the freezing rain.

Q) If you could go back to college, what would you change?

A) I would probably make the decision to study illustration a lot quicker. I took a lot of extra classes trying to figure out what to do, which took up time from classes I wish I could have taken.

Q) What is your advice to future CCAD students?

A) Work hard. My whole philosophy is that this is just four years of your life, and that is it. You can easily commit yourself to work hard for those years and achieve a lot. Don’t slack off or breeze on through. There is a lot to learn here from faculty and peers, so make the most of it.

Kattie Baker, 2012 Outstanding Senior

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions. Today, in part three of our 10-part Outstanding Senior series, meet Advertising & Graphic Design major Kattie Baker.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) My junior year my group and I won the Victoria’s Secret package design contest, that was probably my proudest moment. You get acknowledgement and praise from peers and faculty, but to have this large, well-known company reward you is definitely a proud moment.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) When I had to take an Adobe Creative Suite class my sophomore year. I hadn’t used any of the programs before, so I was immediately overwhelmed thinking it was an intense, scary software.

Q) What are your plans for after graduation?

A) Careerwise I want to be able to do web design or graphic design. I am also finishing up working at Fulcrum Creatives as an intern.

Q) What is your ultimate dream job? Or goal?

A) I would love to be working for a mid-sized company. I feel that at larger companies you often have to work with the same clients over and over again, and I want to have room to play as a designer and creative. A company I would love to work for is Resource Interactive, a digital marketing agency in Columbus.

Q) Why is it important as an alumna to continue to give back to your alma mater?

A) I think you need to help out people who used to be you. As an alumna, you know how hard it is and what they are going through, and I think it’s good to offer the same help and support that you had when you were a student.

Q) Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) I think it happened as early as my freshman year. I originally started out at Capitol University studying to become an English teacher, but then I realized that this side, extracurricular art class I was taking meant a lot more to me then my core classes, so I turned to CCAD. I realized then what I wanted to be doing.

Q) What smell, word, or whatever will  remind you of your time here as a student?

A) Rubber cement and quarters. In Advertising & Graphic Design we didn’t deal with too many of the smelly chemicals that other majors did, but rubber cement I will remember. Quarters became to mean so much more then 25 cents, too; we used them for printing, so if I lost one I would always think, “Oh no, there goes a print.”

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) The freedom. As a student you have faculty and staff telling you what to do when it comes to homework and such, but you really have this ultimate freedom to do whatever you want, you are your own boss.

Q) If you can describe what graduating feels like in one word what would it be?

A) Sleep. I will finally be able to sleep. If there was a carrot dangling at the end of a stick it would definitely be the idea of sleeping, finally, without any more all-nighters.

Q) What was your favorite class at CCAD?

A) It would probably be those quirky side classes that I took. For instance, the Photoshop class. We had small, fun projects, and we would learn these tiny tricks that made me think, “Wait, that was there the whole time?!” Those classes would break up the large ones where we had big, intense projects.

Q) What did you like to do during your free time?

A) When I had free time during school I would never know what to do with myself! I do like to run and ultimately be outside. I think I was supposed to live in Texas, though; this Ohio weather that is under 60 degrees doesn’t cut it. But I definitely try to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

Q) What is your fondest CCAD memory?

A) I have a memory, not sure if it is my fondest, but it would probably be my double whammy X-acto knife accident. I sliced my fingers when working one day, and in reaction I clenched my fists and pulled them onto my knees in pain, only to realize the X-acto knife was sill in my hand, stabbing my knee. Yep, only a few people know about that one, and those who were there still remind me!

Q) If you could go back to college what would you change?

A) I would be more relaxed with myself. I am a perfectionist by nature, which definitely made me stress more. They say there is a triangle model, with its three points being good grades, sleep, and a social life, and you can only pick two. Looking back, I feel like I only had the good grades portion entirely, so I would have just loosened up during my time here.

Q) What advice would you give to future students?

A) There are two sets of advice. For people like myself who are perfectionists, I would tell them to stop trying so hard and don’t fret about the details of a project or assignment. For others I would say the opposite: don’t slack off. CCAD is full of people with natural talent, so I love to see them push themselves and work hard to get amazing results.

Chavilah Bennett, 2012 Outstanding Senior

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions. Today, in part two of our 10-part Outstanding Senior series, meet Advertising & Graphic Design major Chavilah Bennett.

Q) What was your proudest achievement at CCAD?

A) One of my proudest achievements would definitely be this—being named an outstanding senior.  Another achievement would be the general growth I have undergone. Everyone comes here as a high school student, and we leave here as educated adults; I think that is a big achievement.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) It would probably be just getting a job after graduation, which is probably everyone’s fear. I didn’t have many fears while here, because everyone is so accepting and helpful that is hard to be fearful of anything.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I am going to make a big move—to California, New York City, or London. Right now I am doing some freelance work and have been working with a nonprofit company that participated in Startup Weekend here on campus, so I will probably continue to volunteer my time with them until I leave Columbus.

Q) What is your ultimate dream job or goal?

A) I want to be the creative director of a company. I want it to be in a big city, because I love the energy and life there. I want to be working somewhere that is full of creative people who have the drive to try new things and are interested in new technology.

Q) Why is it important as an alumna to continue to give back to your alma mater?

A) I think it is very important to give back and to help future artists and the future of CCAD. Most of us are attending this school because alumni have given back and we were able to receive a scholarship. Right now, I am working on the 2012 senior class gift. Since a lot of us don’t have the financial means to donate, we gave a piece to be sold at the CCAD Spring Art Sale, and those proceeds will be given to the scholarship fund.

Q) Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) All of the time. I always get that feeling, especially when I am in the middle of a really great project and someone comes up and says “great work” or offers me encouragement. I also get that rewarding feeling when I interview for jobs. For instance, I worked with American Greetings over the summer and to have Dan Weiss [senior creative recruiter at American Greetings] come in and talk to me was an “ah-ha” moment.

Q) What smells, words, objects, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

A) Ramen, “all nighter,” and burnt popcorn. I remember whenever someone would burn popcorn in the dorm we would all have to leave the dorm in the middle of the night, often after we were asleep and in pajamas, and stand outside in the cold.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) I will miss that during the time I was here I was surrounded by creatives who were all in the process of learning. Our main responsibility was to learn, and we had this freedom to do just that, learn and grow.

Q) If you can describe what graduating feels like in one word, what would it be?

A) Terrifying—it feels as though I am on the top of a roller coaster. I have worked four years to get to the top, and I am just crossing that edge where all of a sudden you are about to go down. Below you there are opportunities, and you can see everything. I feel as though I am looking down at the entire world. I have a mix of  anticipation and fear, but excitement about everything.

Q) What was your favorite class while at CCAD?

A) They all had their ups and downs, but I enjoyed my last Advertising & Graphic Design class. It was nice to be surrounded by seniors who knew that they were in the right major and going down the right path. We were able to focus on our work and really push each other to new limits.

Q) What did you like to do during your free time?

A) I like to illustrate; I definitely want to start working on my illustrations more. I also like to travel, and in June I am going to South Carolina for a trip. I have a creative side that includes dance and music. After graduation I want to make more time for playing the harp and start writing my own music again.

Q) What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

A) They are all fond memories, I don’t know if I can pick just one. Even when I was crying late at night due to the stress of a project, I still would love to go back and repeat it all.

Q) If you could go back, what would you change?

A) I would have learned where to look for research. What the school is doing now with the library and those resources is beneficial to current and future students. I wish I would have learned those resources more; it definitely would have saved me a lot of time.

Q) What advice would you give to future CCAD students?

A) The time at CCAD is a process that everyone has to go through and learn their own path. Embrace every moment, because it doesn’t last long, and it will be over before you know it.

Lian Dziura, Outstanding Senior 2012

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans present the Outstanding Seniors for their divisions. Today, in part one of our 10-part Outstanding Seniors series, meet Photography major Lian Dziura.

Q) What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

A) I honestly think it would be never failing anything. I never failed a class, and I am happy with my grades and work in every course I took while here. Another achievement that I am proud of was taking photos of Aminah Robinson. We did an IMAGE magazine story on her, and I was able to not only photograph her, but also talk to her about her work and her life.

Q) What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

A) When I first started taking photography classes at CCAD, just about everyone in the class had some sort of experience or had taken previous courses. I felt a little nervous since I didn’t have any experience, but it actually turned out better for me since I didn’t have any bad habits to break and was able to work extremely hard and learn everything on a clean slate.

Q) What are your plans after graduation?

A) I am still deciding what direction I want to go. I have a lot of opportunities, and I am sorting through them now. Currently I have an internship with McGraw-Hill. I interviewed for their paid summer position, so I am waiting to hear back from them. I also got accepted into Studio Art Centers International (SACI) in Florence, Italy, to continue my studies. I know I would like to attend graduate school to study photography and fine arts, but I am leaning towards taking some time off to work and relax before I go back to school.

Q) What is your ultimate dream job? Or goal?

A) I would love to be able to travel and do some sort of documentary photography—I want to be able to travel to a country and  live with the people of an area long enough to understand their culture and ways. I have a Fine Arts minor so I would love to be able to incorporate that into my work by doing photo collages, etc.

Q) Why it is important to continue giving back to your alma mater?

A) I know I will continue to give back to CCAD after I graduate, whether that is through volunteer work or financial means. My time here was greatly influenced and contributed to by alumni. I was helped through scholarships, teachers, and mentors. I want to be able to do the same for current and future students.

Lian Dziura, Outstanding Senior 2012

Q) Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A) I think I realized why I am an artist in my study abroad trip to Italy. I was able to study over there for three months, and I had a “this is why I am an artist” moment when I realized that not only was I abroad, working in a different environment outside of a classroom on a group of pieces that were my personal work and not assigned classwork.

Q) What smell, word, object, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

A) Rubber cement. Yep, definitely rubber cement and photo fix, and pretty much any other chemical.

Q) What will you miss the most?

A) I think it will be a mix between faculty and friends. That whole circle of CCAD family I made while I was here I am going to miss being around constantly.

Q) If you can describe what graduating feels like in one word or  sentence, what would it be?

A) It’s a perfect balance between scary and wonderful at the same time.

Q) What was your favorite class while you were at CCAD?

A) I don’t think I could pick just one. The top two would have to be my Intro to Philosophy class. I love philosophy, and it was interesting to sit in a classroom with your peers that you have had countless classes with and hear them talk about something other than art.

The second favorite class would be Photo III. Although it was one of the most difficult classes, and it was definitely a pain in the ass, it made a huge impact on me and was helpful in advancing my skills.

Q) What did you like to do in your free time?

A) What free time? (laughs) I really just spent a lot of time with my friends. We would have homework parties and hang out in the Crane Center. That and studying abroad are probably my fondest memories of CCAD.

Q) What would you change about your undergraduate experience?

A) I don’t think I would change anything, but there are parts I would like to stretch out. For instance, I would love to have been able to study abroad again, and there are so many classes that I wish I would have had time to take.

Q) What advice would you give to future CCAD students?

A) Take every opportunity possible. CCAD is filled with opportunities, and I learned that the faculty and staff are here to help you make those things happen. So don’t be afraid to ask them, and they will help you get to where you want to be!

2011 graduates and families outside The Ohio Theatre

In honor of the 200-plus students who will receive diplomas at CCAD’s 133^rd commencement, we’ll be counting down the days by publishing interviews with our 10 Outstanding Seniors and announcing the class valedictorian(s).

Grades have not yet been submitted, so we are still waiting in anticipation to find out who is at the top of our 2012 class. One thing we can tell you is the names of our Outstanding Seniors. These 10 students were selected by the deans of their respective majors. They include Kattie Baker, Advertising & Graphic Design; Chavilah Bennett, Advertising & Graphic Design; Rachel Cass, Fashion Design; Sara Diesel, Illustration; Lian Dziura, Photography; Christopher Ryan Evans, Media Studies; Leah Fisher, Photography; Jake LaBombarbe, Industrial Design; Sarah McCance Interior Design; and Erin McKenna, Fine Arts.

The commencement speaker on May 12, is Mark Kvamme, interim chief investment officer and president of JobsOhio, a private, nonprofit corporation responsible for Ohio’s economic development activities for the past year. Kvamme recently worked with CCAD’s Design Group on the redesign of Ohio’s license plates and driver’s licenses.

Check back on Monday, April 30, when we’ll introduce you to our first Outstanding Senior, Lian Dziura—we’ll publish one interview a day (on school days) through Friday, May 11.