Media Studies alumnus Nick Burkard worked on feature film Puss in Boots

Classnotes

We do our best to get most of the news you submit to us onto the CCAD News Blog, but since there are more than 10,000 of you making news all over the world, not everything can make it into the blog. We’re glad to have another venue where we can share everything with you—this newsletter’s classnotes.

You, too, can submit classnotes via the easy-to-use form on the alumni landing page. We only post career-related successes, awards, exhibitions, and publications, but we’d also love to know when you move, get married, or have children—just use that same form.

Now, without further ado, your classnotes from June 2011 – August 2011.

Jerry W. McDaniel (CCAD, Illustration, 1957) opened an art gallery and created a process video. Read more here.

Ming Fay (CCAD, Industrial Design, 1965) marked his 20-year anniversary displaying at Butters Gallery with his exhibit Full Circle.

James Markle (CCAD, Industrial Design, 1970) presented a speech about his environmental photography at the Tahoe Art League. Read more here.

Ron Miller (CCAD, Illustration, 1970) illustrates a French youth science magazine. Read more here.

Jamie Berger (CCAD 1975-1978) was featured in a HOW magazine article detailing the rebranding and success of their printing company. Read more here.

Jon Hair (CCAD,  Advertising & Graphic Design, 1976-1978) was featured in North Carolina’s Our State magazine. Read more here.

Kate Rivers (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1977) had an exhibition in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Read more here.

Michele Householder Funk (CCAD, Illustration, 1978) has released her children’s book, The Adventures of Pete and Max and the Lost Sock. Read more here.

David Groff (CCAD, Illustration, 1979) had illustrations featured in a healthcare calendar.

Matthew Kaser (CCAD, Industrial Design, 1984) and his design firm, Kaser Design, were recently awarded another interpretive planning and design job in Texas. The newest project is the historic site Presidio de San Sabá, in Menard, Texas.

Kurt Fondriest (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1985) was included in the annual Misericordia Home group show, which was visited by more than 1,400 guests. Read more here.

Jeff Preston (CCAD, Illustration, 1985) is featured in the DVD Masters of Art: Markers with Jeff Preston. Read more here.

Edward Buchanan (CCAD, Fashion Design, 1988-1991) had his designs  featured in the spring 2011 issue of France’s Blast magazine. Read more here.

Paul Hamilton (CCAD, Illustration, 1988) received the Phil Desind Award, given annually by the Butler Institute of American Art to an outstanding representational work. Read more here.

Scott Musgrove (CCAD, Illustration, 1989) launched an online show and nearly sold out in only three weeks. Read more here.

Tracy Hayes (CCAD 1990) recently moved her design firm SKUBA Designs to a new location on New Orleans’s popular Magazine Street. Read more here.

Peter Wachtel’s (CCAD, Industrial Design, 1990) invention, STAKE, is available for presale on Quirky. Read more here.

Wendy Emrey’s (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 1991) long career influenced a new pursuit. Read more here.

Julie Abijanac (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1992) has been accepted into the Studios of Key West Artist in Residency Program for the summer 2012. Read more here.

Samantha Bennett (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1995-1999) appeared on an episode of Everyday People on TLC’s NY Ink. Find out more here.

Hiroshi Hayakawa (CCAD, Photography, 1995) showed his kinetic sculptures in a Columbus gallery. Read more here.

Susan Li O’Connor (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1996) was one of three artists featured in an exhibition at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Carnegie Gallery. Read more here.

Sara Adrian (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1998) presented in September at FLASH!, an art show in Columbus.

Several CCAD alumni received awards at the opening of this year’s fine arts exhibition at the Ohio State Fair, including Andrew Ina (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2006), Corey Aumiller (CCAD, Media Studies, 2006), Amanda H. Cook (CCAD, Illustration, 1999), Eric Homan (CCAD, Media Studies, 1998), Brandon Antczak (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2007), and Adam Brouillette (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2002) . Find out more here.

Justin Shady (CCAD, Media Studies, 1998) interviewed Michael Altman (CCAD, Media Studies, 2000) in OC Weekly. Read more here.

Danielle Julian-Norton (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1999), a co-founder of Suite 42,  had an open-studio exhibition in Dresden, Germany. Read more here.

Michael Marucco (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 1999) has been promoted at Limited Brands, Inc., to senior art director of internet content for Victoria’s Secret Direct.

Damian Ward (CCAD, Illustration, 1999) illustrated a book written by Oscar-nominated writers. Read more here.

Anthony M. Nesossis (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 2000) recently completed a rebrand of various materials for the Educational Council. Read more here.

Brent Woodard (CCAD, Illustration, 2000) helped with a global anti-drug message. Read more and see the image here.

Paul Tepper (CCAD, Illustration, 2001) was recently featured on the cover of Columbus Alive! Read more here.

Nikos Rutowkski, (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2002) helped coordinate Franklinton’s Go West Festival, which featured work by several CCAD Alumni. Read more here.

Michelle Rozic (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2003) was appointed the new assistant professor of art at California State University, Northridge.

Cat Sheridan (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2003) was featured in a Wexner Center blog for her volunteer efforts. Read more here.

Michael Carney (CCAD, Media Studies, 2004) and John Malta (CCAD, Illustration, 2010) were both in the NY Times in August. Read more here.

Jen Chapman (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 2004) will be featured in HOW magazine in the fall of 2011 for her company Redsnapper Baby & Toddler. Read more here.

The alumni music trio of Beth Murphy (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2004), Adam Elliot (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2004), and Jared Phillips (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2004) performed at the Wexner Center and were featured in the Columbus Dispatch. Read more here.

Manjari Sharma’s (CCAD, Media Studies, 2004) latest project was featured on an NPR blog. Read more here.

Gabe Shultz (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 2004) created an experimental multimedia project and music album samples from the music of rock band Steely Dan. Read more here.

Elizabeth Weissbrod (CCAD, Illustration, 2004) was one of the featured artists in the June 2011 Hopkins Medicine magazine article “Illustrators of the Century.” Read more here.

Brian Scott Campbell (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2005) was invited to Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina as a visiting artist in September and will also be an artist in residence this fall at the McColl Center for Visual Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Steven Weinzierl (CCAD, Media Studies, 2005) has been named Favorite Color’s new creative director. Read more here.

Molly Burke (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2006) recently participated in a Cleveland West Art League (CWAL) exhibition with Cleveland painter Julie Morgan. Read more  here.

Andrew Ina’s (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2006) exhibition New Frontier was recently reviewed in the Columbus Dispatch. Read more here.

Melissa (Hofelzer) Spencer (CCAD, Media Studies, 2006) designed an exhibition invite and an interactive website. Read more here.

Seven alumni, including Nate Burns (CCAD, Illustration, 2010), Travis Czekalski (CCAD, Media Studies, 2010), Julie Hall (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2010) Katie Herbst (CCAD, Media Studies, 2010), Michael Lovett (CCAD, Fine Arts 2011), Alex Moore (CCAD, Fine Arts 2011), and Kevin Smalley (CCAD, Media Studies, 2006-08) teamed up to present Fringed: A Fashionably Fine Art Exhibition in Columbus. Read more here.

Nick Burkard, (CCAD, Media Studies, 2007) Dreamworks effects animator, detailed the work he did on the upcoming film Puss in Boots. Read more here.

Michelle Dick (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2008) had her first trunk show hosted by a Columbus boutique. Read more here.

Ashley K. Alexander (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2009) published her first novel. Read more here.

Cory Cantelupe (CCAD, Illustration, 2009) is currently doing work as a freelance sculptor for Hasbro, Inc.

Navy Seaman Jessica M. Pettinger (CCAD, Interior Design, 2009) recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.

Emily Spear (CCAD, Illustration, 2009) is finishing her first year as an associate product designer for Hasbro Inc.

Ian Horn (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2010) has found success with a new NYC business. Read more here.

Mallory McClellan (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2010) was featured in Columbus Alive! for the sculpture she built for Harrison Park in Columbus. Read more here.

Kartika Mediani (CCAD, Animation, 2010) was one of 40 college students across the country to receive a summer internship with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. Read more here.

Ross Caliendo (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2011) was featured in a weekly Cincinnati newspaper for his participation in an exhibition. Read more here.

Jen Hutson (CCAD, Fine Arts, 2011) has been accepted into the St. Petersburg Clay Company’s Artist in Residence Program for the 2011-2012 term.

Angela Mancuso (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 2011) was appointed as the newest art director at Peebles Creative Group. Read more on their blog.

Amy McQuillin (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 2011) was hired as the Upper Arlington’s Cultural Arts Division’s intern.

Local tech company Bluemile, ranked in 2010 by Inc. Magazine as one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, is featuring artwork by CCAD alumni and faculty in its New Albany office as one way to introduce visitors and other programs to the college. Read more here.

In Memoriam
Edmund Kuehn, (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1938). Read more here.
Charles (Chip) Kirker III, (CCAD, Illustration, 1971). Obituary here.
Dan (Danny) J. Schroll, (CCAD, Fine Arts, 1973). Obituary here.
Gerome Alexander, (CCAD, Advertising & Graphic Design, 1982). Obituary here.
Teresa Williams, (CCAD, Illustration, 1988). Obituary here.
Kathryn A. Gough, (CCAD, 1990). Obituary here.
Lacey L. Pope, (CCAD, Industrial Design, 2002). Obituary here.
Christine Salisbury, (CCAD, Media Studies, 2005). Obituary here.

Michael Carney (CCAD 2004), who won the 2011 Grammy for Best Recording Package for art direction on the album Brothers by the Black Keys, was interviewed as part of a story on how the digital revolution is affecting both record sales and album design.

Illustration alumnus John Malta (CCAD 2010) had his second illustration published in the paper. He developed the accompanying illustration to the opinion piece,  Engineering Food for All by Nina V. Fedoroff, which ran Aug. 19.

In the article The Incredible, Inevitable Shrinking Album Cover by David Browne, Carney, who majored in Media Studies,  remembers wondering if his bare-bones album cover would even be allowed by its label. The Aug. 12 article explores how album art is being reduced roughly to the size of a postage stamp due to the use of mobile devices.

Malta’s first illustration for the newspaper ran alongside Robert Klitzman’s New York Times op-ed article “My Sister, My Grief” on May 3.

Articles about Carney’s 2011 Grammy and Malta’s first NY Times illustration are on the CCAD News blog.

Alumni tell us why they love the Alumni Facebook page.

When we created the CCAD Alumni page on Facebook, all we asked was that you “like” us. What we didn’t anticipate was that you would love us.

In the few months it’s been up, the Alumni Facebook page has connected more than 1,000 alumni—you have shared everything from the best advice you ever received to the smell that always reminds you of CCAD. You’re sharing job openings and news; you’re searching for old friends and connecting with new ones. And now you’re telling us why you love the page.

From Walter King (CCAD 1981)
“For me, this site does double duty. As an alumnus, it’s where I access old photos, new information, and keep in touch with old friends. As a professor, it helps me stay in touch with all of the students I’ve taught over the past 25 years. It’s our CCAD alumni meeting place, and (since it’s already on Facebook) I can stay in touch with old friends all in one place with only one password to remember. Perfect!”

From Lisa Watson (CCAD 1991)
“The Alumni Facebook page is not only informative, but a motivating reminder of the past. All CCAD alumni hoped to make money with our talents. Reading of the success of friends and current students is good for the soul. It’s like social media stimulation for those rainy days in life!”

From Lauren Davis (CCAD 2009)
“There are certain things about social media I hate, and the main thing is the negativity (bullying, drama, games, etc.) that can stem from social media outlets. On the other hand, though, there are many things that social media is good for, one of which is connecting with fellow artists in your community or from our alma mater.

CCAD’s Alumni page on Facebook is a great example of this. My best friend (a fellow CCADer) recommended it to me, and it is amazing all of the people who do frequent the page. My favorite thing about it is being able to hear the stories, or see pictures of other people’s experiences at CCAD.

I know I haven’t been out of school long, but, like many people in my field, I work a lot just to be ‘living the dream,’ which I’m okay with, but it doesn’t leave time for going out and connecting with others. So I feel this page definitely helps me to see what is going on in the CCAD art world and with fellow artists in general. For instance, I would have never known that a fellow CCAD alumnus [Michael Carney (CCAD 2004)] is actually the one who designed the Brothers album artwork for the Black Keys. In all honesty…that is amazing.”

Want to get in on the fun? “Like” us today.

Dennison W. Griffith

What does it feel like when a college is good? Not just ok, but really good?

To be honest, at CCAD, we’re starting to think we know. Of course it’s great to have a compact, attractive campus right in the heart of downtown. Lots of new talent arriving every semester. Strong fundraising, with committed donors and dedicated volunteers. Insightful, thought-provoking conversations going on all over the place.

But what comes of all this after students graduate and leave campus? That‘s what’s making us feel extra-great this spring, so we’re putting it right up front in this issue. A college’s truest measure is the accomplishments of its alumni—and we’re ready to brag.

• Nathan Greno (Associate 1993–1996) made his feature film directorial debut with a movie that not only updated some hoary gender clichés, but also topped the box-office rankings for weeks. … more
• Package designer Michael Carney (CCAD 2004) won a 2011 Grammy. (For his work on an album by an Ohio band, no less!) …more
• Je Jung (CCAD 1998) and Rujira Lawonvisut (CCAD 1999) are pulling down raves in places like Vanity Fair as they take their fashion line global. …more
• Corey Favor (CCAD 2002) is back on campus at the center of a revival of CCAD’s Black Student Leaders Association—and he’s brought Marshall Shorts (CCAD 2006) with him. …more

Feeling really good yet? There’s more. Don’t delay, start reading!

Warm regards,

Dennison W. Griffith

President

Michael Carney with his Grammy.

While studying at CCAD, Michael Carney (CCAD 2004) designed the first three album covers for his brother Patrick’s band, the Black Keys. He admits designing the covers in addition to his schoolwork wasn’t always the easiest thing to do. “I had to do an extra semester because the semester when I should have graduated I failed a bunch of classes because I was working on a Black Keys record during finals.”

But it paid off. That album was Rubber Factory, which ended up having its songs featured in the major motion picture Black Snake Moan as well as a widely viewed American Express commercial. And now, seven years after taking that extra semester of classes, Carney has won the 2011 Grammy for Best Recording Package for his art direction on the Black Keys’ latest album, Brothers.

So how’s it feel? In a word…

Michael Carney (MC): Surreal. It is not something I would have ever expected to happen.

IMAGE: How did you find out about the nomination?

MC: I was at my apartment with my friend listening to records and hanging out when my brother called me losing his mind, telling me I got nominated and that the record also got nominated for Best Alternative and three other categories. I got about twenty phone calls in two minutes and then my friend and I went to a bar around the corner.

The Grammy winners before the ceremony, from left: Patrick Carney (Black Keys drummer/producer), Dan Auerbach (Black Keys vocalist/guitarist), and Michael Carney.

IMAGE: What’s it like working with your brother?

MC: It is really amazing. We have very similar aesthetics, and there is a huge amount of trust that makes working together really easy. I have two brothers, and we are all very supportive and proud of each others’ successes.

IMAGE: So, how’d you come up with the design?

MC: Making the packaging for Brothers was different from any project I had worked on before. They didn’t name the record until the 11th hour—I had actually started working on a different cover, which I scrapped when they told me the name of the record.

I decided that the cover needed to be text based, but I didn’t want it to just be a logo. The concept that we went with was something that I had talked to the band about a few times, but we were all basically scared to do it. Then one night I just mocked up a few options and played with layout and wording. I sent really rough mock-ups to the band and within like two minutes they both called and basically said, “I love this, but can we get away with it?”

It definitely took me out of my comfort zone because it was such a concept-driven cover and the layout was so simple. As far as my process for making the record, I didn’t just type out the layout and send it out. Doing the final cover actually took a lot longer than most people think because of the process I used to create each design element.

"Brothers" album cover

IMAGE: Was there ever that moment of “I’ve made it,” or is this that moment?

MC: I guess this is that moment. The last Black Keys album cover got voted worst album cover of the month in Vice magazine and that was pretty cool.

IMAGE: Finish the sentence. [Blank] always reminds me of CCAD.

MC: Coffee and cigarettes.

IMAGE: The best class at CCAD was…

MC: Motion Graphics.

IMAGE: If I could go back to college, I would…

MC: Get better grades.

IMAGE: I hope future CCAD students…

MC: Do it big. Work hard, and stay focused. Be passionate about your work, and stay open minded. Don’t let yourself get comfortable. Don’t sleep. Realize that every project and every person you work with is an opportunity to learn more and get better. I always try to remind myself that there are thousands of people out there that are more talented than me and that want my job.

IMAGE: What makes it all worth it?

MC: I get the occasional email from people saying how much they like my work. That is a really amazing feeling. At this point I have done about twenty-odd album packagings, and I still get a thrill when I get my copy of the finished product or when I see my work in a store.

Michael Carney's graphic design for The Black Key's "Brothers" album earns him a Grammy award.

CCAD alumnus Michael Carney (CCAD 2004) received the best recording package Grammy for his art direction on the Black Key’s album Brothers.

In addition to his work as a Graphic Designer for American Eagle Outfitters, Michael is self-employed as a graphic designer within the music industry. He has worked with popular bands, including  The Black Keys and My Morning Jacket . He has also worked with record labels Fat Possum Records, Warner Brothers, V2 Europe, and more.

The Black Keys, a blues-rock duo featuring Akron natives Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney (Michael’s brother), received Grammy Award nominations in four categories, including best alternative music album for Brothers. The single Tighten Up is in the running for best rock song and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals, while Mud is nominated for best rock instrumental performance.

Gerrick D. Kennedy of the Los Angeles Times spoke with Carney after he received his Grammy. Read the article here. View Michael’s work on his website.