It was a lot of hard work, but I finally graduated!
It was so exciting to see everyone at the Art Institute of
Phoenix portfolio show that took place at the Phoenix Art Museum! We
were all running
around, getting everything finalized, staying up for 48 hours and
running on a
three hour catnap. It's been quite the adventure. It felt so surreal to
be
graduating. Looking back from when I first began up until now I can see
how
I’ve grown not only as a designer but as a person as well. From once
being a
shy kid afraid to come out of my shell, to a tenacious confident person.
From once playing around in photoshop, to now taking ideas from sketches
and
turning them into reality through sophisticated software. From once
thinking
that my life was OK, to now knowing that it’s great.
My mom had the chance to see me at the show, even
though she
had to use a walker (she broke her ankle not long ago). But there is
another person that I wish would have made it. It is exactly one year to
this
month when my dad passed away from a massive heart attack. He would have
been
so proud. Everything that has been
going on, he would have been so proud. Being a guy that grew up on a
farm and
worked as a trucker, he didn’t understand design or what I did exactly.
But
every time I got good grades or received awards he would always give me a
great
big bear hug, pat my back and say congratulations. I so wish he could
have been
there to see me at portfolio, to see me win the ADDYS, become a board
member
for AIGA Arizona, to meet my amazing girlfriend. His loss is deeply
felt.
I am proud to be one of the talented designers that graduated. I had some amazing talented people beside me. Over the past years we’ve been together through thick and thin. We’ve helped each other in class, traveled together to New York, and formed a bond that will carry through for the rest of our lives. I have no doubt that some of my colleagues will excel and make me proud to know them and be their friend.
It's an exciting time to be part of the Phoenix
design community. We
have such an amazing group of leaders here that are moving Forward to
newer and better things. The passion from our design community is
fueling
Phoenix to truly rise out of its ashes and shine like an inferno. You
and I are
writing the future history of this great city, and I for one am very
pleased to
take part in it.
Thank you all for your support, encouragement,
prayers, and
a little butt-kicking!
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