Tiffany Leilani models a gown designed by Adrianna Diaz, a Fashion Design student at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. The Fashion Design and Fashion Retail Marketing programs at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire prepare students for exciting careers in the fashion industry.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – “If you want to see the world, fashion is a great industry to be in.”
So says Academic Director for Fashion Sherry West, who oversees The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s fashion programs. There are two programs of study within this discipline, Fashion Design and Fashion & Retail Management.
“You would spend three to four years in a Fashion Design program to obtain a position as an assistant fashion designer,” West said. “That is only the beginning. There are hundreds of opportunities within this field.”
Every level of fashion, from discount to luxury, relies on designers, she pointed out. And within each level there are men’s, women’s and children’s clothes. Designers create clothing from swimming suits to evening gowns to theatrical costumes, as well as accessories like belts and purses. They also create the designs for patterns (i.e. floral) and trims seen on clothes.
“You could pick a brand and go for it,” West said. “
“I don’t recommend anyone go straight from college to having their own fashion line” West said. “I think they should get the experience, travel and see their creations made and successfully marketed, without the pressure of being responsible for the overall success as a business owner.”
An ability to draw is one skill a fashion designer must possess, according to West. “They have to be able to convey their ideas in an illustratable form,” she said.
Another must is a love of travel. The fashion capitals of the world are Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Milan, West explained.
Ontario’s Anchor Blue is one of several fashion designers in the Inland Empire, and there are many others farther away from Los Angeles or New York. Still, these designers will need to travel, she said.
There is another side of fashion that’s just as exciting as design work, according to West. That’s the marketing side, and these are the careers for which the Fashion & Retail Management degree program prepares students.
“Fashion & Retail Management is an exciting program for our area retailers,” West said. “The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire has determined this area is a prime location for this program.”
“The Inland Empire area needs a qualified labor force in the fashion marketing industry, said Phyllis Clark an Art Institute of California – Inland Empire fashion programs instructor and member of the programs’ advisory board. “There are a growing number of large, upscale retail centers in the two-county area. A few of these are Victoria Gardens and the Ontario Mills Outlet Mall in the west San Bernardino Valley, the Galleria at Tyler and Riverside Plaza in Riverside, and the Cabazon Outlet Mall in Cabazon and El Paseo in Palm Desert.”
Fashion Design & Retail Management can prepare students to work as merchandise or store managers in these high-end malls or major department stores in the Inland Empire.
“We want them to aim high,” she said. “And to do that, most will have to leave the Inland Empire.”
Fashion advertising is another career field for which this degree prepares students, West said. Some of these people work for fashion magazines; others create brochures and catalogues used to market new fashions.
People with bachelor’s degrees in Fashion & Retail Management might also work in a design firm’s marketing or product development departments, as a human resources manager for either a design house or a retail chain or as a “visual merchandiser,” according to West. A visual merchandiser is a person who sets up creative marketing displays to help persuade either the wholesale or retail consumers to purchase fashions.
While the career paths for which The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s fashion programs prepare students are different, they are closely related, West said.
“Fashion designers need retailers to sell the clothes they design,” she said. “Retailers need fashion designers to have clothes to sell. I teach these students to work together.”
“There are entry-level opportunities for fashion designers and fashion and retail marketers with Bachelor’s degrees,” West said. “But they have to obtain an education. It is such a fast-paced industry they will need as much knowledge as possible. The more knowledge they have, the more marketable they are.”
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin May 14 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information or a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Charles “Boola” Robello will tell how he balances his duel roles as a character animator and father of two in a 12 noon presentation Saturday, April 18 at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.
Robello, who works with the Los Angeles animation studio Rhythm & Hues, most recently did character animation for Disney’s movie “Bolt.” He also worked on Monster House, Spiderman 3, The Incredible Hulk and I Am Legend, as well as many other films.
“He’s one of the top animators in the industry,” said Santsosh Oommen, academic director for Animation & Media Arts and Game Art & Design. “He worked in traditional animation and now does character animation by computer.”
The presentation is open to the public at no cost. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by calling Santosh Oommen at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or (800) 353-0812.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin May 14 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information, or to arrange a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.
While this is a well-attended holiday dinner, The Salvation Army feeds nearly 200 people six nights a week at its Hospitality House. It will have some help doing so when The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire partners with The Salvation Army for its National Week of Service, April 19-25. During that week, instructors and Culinary Arts students will serve a meal at Hospitality House. Throughout the week, all students will collect cans. After displaying a “can sculpture” at its April 25 open house, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will donate the cans to The Salvation Army.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Bring lots of cans.
That’s the message The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire has for everyone the week of April 19-25, as it partners with The Salvation Army for a canned food drive. It’s conducting this drive as part of the National Week of Service, a project in which most campuses of The Art Institutes schools are participating.
These cans collected by The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will provide nourishment to the more than 200 people The Salvation Army feeds every day at its Hospitality House shelter on Fifth Street. But first, they’ll be used for what The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire does best – create art.
“Our students will create a sculpture with the cans,” said Thomas Bustamante, dean of student affairs. “We will then display this creation during our open house on Saturday, April 25.”
Hospitality House dinner guests will actually benefit from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s community service project twice during the week. A second project calls for Culinary Arts students and staff from all departments of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire to prepare and serve a dinner at the Salvation Army’s Hospitality House shelter one day during the National Week of Service.
“The goal in both of these projects is to positively affect the Inland Empire, and to show the importance of service to our students,” said Emam El-Hout, president of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. “This is our opportunity to have an impact on all of our communities.”
The public is invited to visit The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at its San Bernardino campus during the April 25 open house, at which the “can sculpture” will be displayed. The campus address is 630 E. Brier Drive.
The open house, which begins at 10 a.m. is an opportunity to learn more about the school’s programs, discuss educational goals, tour the facilities, learn about tuition scholarship opportunities and gain a first-hand look at how a creative education from an Art Institutes School can be the preparation for an exciting career.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin May 14 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information, or to arrange a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire .
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu ), a system of over 40 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
Tracy O’Bannon, a recent graduate of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s Interior Design program, showed her portfolio at the recent Winter Graduate Portfolio Exhibit held at the Riverside Art Museum. Manny Otiko photo
(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) New graduates received some help entering the job market when The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire hosted its Winter Graduate Portfolio Exhibit recently at the Riverside Art Museum.
Cindy Jones, director of career services, said The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire hosts a Graduate Portfolio Exhibit each quarter. One of the main goals of the exhibit is to introduce students to industry experts who can offer critiques and feedback on their work.
“Apart from educating students for careers in the creative field, the school is also responsible for providing them with skills that will help them succeed in the workforce,” said Jana Rawling, academic director for Graphic Design.
“I want to make sure that all of our students are hirable, and have the ability to get and keep a job,” Rawling said. “It’s important that students know how to dress up and show up in a professional manner.”
Another important part of the exhibit is helping students develop important ties with key members of their industry. “Some industry members are looking for future employees, while others are trying to figure out where the industry is going,” Rawling said. “The best way they can learn that is by talking to students, who are the future of the industry.”
Rawling said the exhibit featured work from interior design, culinary arts and graphic design students. Rawling said students are required to produce a portfolio before they graduate. Tracy O’Bannon, an interior design graduate, was one of the students who displayed her work at the exhibit. “Creating a portfolio is a great way to keep track of all the work you have done during your degree program,” O’Bannon said.
“You sum up everything you have learned at school. My portfolio contains all the work I have done over the last three years,” O’Bannon added. “You don’t know how much you have done until you sit down and compile everything.”
O’Bannon said she talked to several potential employers at the exhibit who gave her great feedback. “They were very impressed with my graphic design work,” she said. “Most of the feedback was positive.”
Cesar Bahena, an interior design graduate, said the Graduate Portfolio Exhibit allows students to rub shoulders with industry experts and learn about the job market. He said he met several industry professionals and explained his design concepts to them. “They gave me great feedback on my 3D design work, and they liked my concepts,” Bahena said.
Bahena said that interior design graduates can pursue employment with design firms, architecture firms or do freelance work. They are often employed to redesign restaurants, office buildings and homes, Bahena noted.
Bahena also added that the Graduate Portfolio Exhibit is a great way for students to showcase their work to the public and industry professionals. “It gives us an opportunity to show everyone what we are capable of,” Bahena said.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin May 14 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information or a tour, call (909) 915-2100.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
At the Inland Empire Art Institute of California, culinary students are learning how to stretch food dollars by making meals mainly from cans. According to Executive
By Lori Corbin Some people are turning to canned food to cut costs at the grocery store.
At the Inland Empire Art Institute of California, culinary students are learning how to stretch food dollars by making meals mainly from cans. According to Executive Chef Eyad Joseph, that can be a great way to cook and save.
“Very affordable, healthy, you can make it taste great and it’s something new that a lot of people haven’t experienced,” said Chef Joseph.
At a recent fundraiser, called the “Canstruction Luncheon,” Joseph competed against other seasoned chefs in a challenge to create great meals from canned cuisine.
“And we were told we were going to make a dish out of a canned item and make it look great, taste great, and affordable,” said Chef Joseph.
One chef made an English salmon curry made of canned salmon, coconut milk, sweet peas and white beans as the main ingredients.
“Another chef used a chicken item that he incorporated with canned tomatoes and canned beans and other vegetables like canned asparagus and water chestnuts and made a beautiful salad out of it,” said Chef Joseph.
Chef Joseph, who was raised in the Middle East, created dishes like a simple pizza, tuna salad, hummus and baba ganoush. Joseph chose meals where vegetables played a major role on the plate and cost as little as 80 cents to make.
Fresh food loses its nutrients the moment that it is picked. Then there is the time it takes for the food to get to the warehouse and then to the market. Finally, food may lose even more nutrients depending on when the food was purchased, and then consumed.
“From factory to farm you’re talking less than a day and the reservation of the nutrients is incorporated into that, so you don’t lose a lot of flavor or nutrients,” said Joseph.
It is important to know that fresh produce is usually picked before its prime so that it holds up well at market. Canned food is allowed to ripen longer, then immediately canned, preserving freshness.
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English Salmon Curry Yield: 3 Chef Brien Clements Omakase 3720 Mission Inn Ave. Riverside, Calif. (951) 788-8820 12 oz coconut milk 1/4 lb butter, unsalted 12 oz salmon, canned, skin and bone removed 12 oz peas, canned 12 oz tomatoes, diced and no salt added 12 oz white beans, canned and rinsed 1 tbsp curry powder 1 oz lemon, cured in salt and sugar, white pith removed tt salt, kosher tt pepper, black and fresh ground
— In a large saucepan, combine the coconut milk and butter and bring to a boil. Continue to simmer until a nice thick glaze forms. — Add all remaining ingredients, heat for another 2 minutes, or until warmed through, thick and well-coated. — Serve immediately.
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Chicken Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
Luis Martinez, CEC/Executive Chef Riverside Marriott Hotel Riverside, Calif.
1 12-oz can of chicken breast 3 oz of canned Mandarin oranges 2 oz of roasted cashews 2 oz of crispy Chow Mein noodles 2 strawberries cut in quarters 1 oz of toasted sliced almonds 7 oz of spring mix salad
In two 12-inch pasta bowls, place equal parts of the spring mix salad and top with the chicken, Mandarin oranges, cashews, almonds, noodles and drizzle about 3 oz of the strawberry dressing.
Strawberry Vinaigrette
1 cup of fresh strawberries 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup rice vinegar 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice 1 teaspoon of fresh lime juice 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon of fresh chopped garlic 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard 1 cup of olive oil 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh basil 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh tarragon 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh parsley
In a blender add the strawberries, honey, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, orange juice , lime juice, salt, garlic, Dijon mustard, basil, tarragon and parsley. Blend in until puréed consistency. Add the olive oil slowly to emulsify the dressing.
Dressing must be used with in 72 hours
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The costs of the items prepared on the show were as follows:
All the dishes’ pricing was valued at four servings. For these recipes, please e-mail: Eyad Joseph, ejoseph@aii.edu It’s getting tougher to make ends meet these days, and ABC7 On Your Side is a campaign to help you save money. Watch Eyewitness News for money-saving tips and freebies to help stretch your dollar.
Click here for more headlines from ABC7 Eyewitness News
Founding Art Institute of California – Inland Empire President Byron Chung and current President Emam El-Hout were as proud as the graduates on Friday, March 27 when the campus’s first students received Bachelor’s and Associate degrees. Photo by Robert Swapp.
The first graduating class of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire received degrees on Friday, March 27. Photo by Robert Swapp. Students are: Associate degree in Culinary Arts recipients Ronnell Lawson and Roberto Pulido-Vasquez: Associate degree in Graphic Design students Regina Cortez, Elizabeth Horn, Christopher Kujawa, Nicole Lee, Richard Macias, Marcia McClellan, Alyssa Mees, David Monge, Jhanelle Ocampo, Salvador Vasquez Jr.; Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design students Raysa Cerna, Michelle Cossota, Anthony Guevara and Rachel Makowski; Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design students Cesar Bahena, Bob Chen, Alysha Cintas, Marissa Loudon, Tracy O’Bannon and Paige Petersen and Bachelor’s degree in Web Design & Interactive Media students David Dresner, Mary Nina Gonzales and Raymond Heredia.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Graduation is always a milestone for students.
A graduation ceremony held Friday, March 27 was also a milestone for the school sponsoring it, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. It was the school’s first graduation ceremony.
“This is a big night for our graduates and their families and friends,” said founding Art Institute of California – Inland Empire President Byron Chung. “But it is something I have dreamed about for four years.”
That’s longer than any of the new graduates were enrolled in the school, as it didn’t open until January 2006. Although some of the bachelor’s degree recipients got head starts by attending other schools in California within The Art Institutes system of schools, many of the students finished early by taking advantage of the school’s year-round programs.
Chung, who is now president of The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, was given the job in 2005 of starting the Inland Empire campus. His work that year included hiring the rest of the executive team and the first term’s instructors as well as finding a building in San Bernardino the college could call home.
When The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire opened its doors to students in January of 2006 there were only 40 students. The college has since grown to about 1,200 – minus the 26 who received degrees in the recent ceremony.
One of those graduates, Alyssa Mees, actually completed her Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design and left The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire in March 2008. Mees got hired at FiveTen, a Redlands manufacturer of rock-climbing apparel and sports shoes. As part of the company’s art department, she is designing packaging, t-shirt illustrations, logos and advertising layouts.
Over the ensuing year, more students completed their degree requirements. In December 2008, some of the first students completed their bachelor’s degree requirements and more did so in March.
As these students completed their degrees, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s executive team determined the number of graduates would be more than two dozen in March 2009.
It has also determined that subsequent terms, starting in June, will have substantially larger numbers of graduates. Therefore, the team determined it should honor its small, but formidable, first graduating class at the end of the Winter 2009 term, which was March 27.
“They have worked hard at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire for three years,” said Emam El-Hout, the current president. “Today is very special for them, and for us.”
El-Hout determined that because Byron Chung had done so much to help these graduates during their enrollment and first two years of study, Chung was the perfect choice to address them as the graduation’s keynote speaker. Many people at the graduation agreed, as he received a standing ovation.
“Wow!” Chung said. “It’s good to be home.”
He recalled some earlier times at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire such as an animated haunted house the first-year students sponsored at Halloween 2006 that took up most of the small original campus; ordering pizza from Costco for the entire school (the school still has pizza parties, but they’re now created by the Culinary Arts Department); and celebrating with students as they won awards for their work.
“Statistics say that about one half of all college freshmen who start with the greatest intentions never finish,” Chung said to the graduates. “But you have what it takes. You have worked hard while others played, and you have stayed focused while others rested. Others gave up half-way up the mountain. But as a result of your hard work, you have reached the top. I now celebrate with you as the first graduates of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.”
Marissa Louden, a Bachelor of Science degree recipient in Interior Design, was named the class valedictorian. She also addressed her fellow graduates and encouraged them to take this moment and move forward with what it meant.
“We have had success, not just in our individual programs of study, but also in learning to be focused and organized in life,” she said. “What does that mean for us? No doubt, a better life.”
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management.
Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin May 14 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information, or to arrange a tour, call Richard Green at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire), a system of more than 40 locations throughout North America, providing an important source
of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
-end-
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
McKenzie Perez, Human Resources Coordinator at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, recently received certification as a Professional in Human Resources.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) To deliver quality instruction, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire begins by hiring instructors and talented support people. McKenzie Perez, who, as the human resources coordinator at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire helps make these great hires happen, recently earned certification as a Professional in Human Resources. Perez, who lives in San Bernardino but grew up in Moreno Valley, has served as The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s human resources coordinator for two years. Working with Michele Ferren, director of human resources, Perez conducts orientations for newly-hired employees, administers benefit plans, coordinates special events for training and employee recognition and processes and verifies the employee payroll. She also assists with prescreening of, and background checks on, job candidates. “We are incredibly proud of McKenzie’s accomplishments,” said Michele Ferren, Director of Human Resources for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. “She is a consummate professional, and a great asset to our campus.” The certification, awarded by the HR Certification Institute in Alexandria, Virginia, signifies that Perez passed a rigorous examination to qualify as a professional in the human resources field. To become certified an applicant must pass the exam and demonstrate a strong background of professional human resource experience. “Certification as a human resources professional clearly demonstrates a commitment to personal excellence and to the human resources profession,” said Mary Power, executive director of the HR Certification Institute. The HR Certification Institute is the credentialing body for human resources professionals and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resources profession. The purpose is to promote the establishment of professional standards and to recognize professionals who meet those standards. The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management.
Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin May 14 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information, or to arrange a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire), a system of more than 40 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
The Art Institute of California –Inland Empire’s interior design team B.L. VENTIV (Belen Martinez, Liyi Martinez, Vickie Anaya Evon Arredondo, Natalie Ustariz, Tracy Ho, Ivan Valles and Veronica K. Gonzales) with Capt. Stephen Ball of The Salvation Army. This team designed a media/study room and a computer room, which will likely be part of the remodel of the Tenth Street shelter The Salvation Army plans to begin in April.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The Salvation Army, San Bernardino Corps has embarked on a big project, the remodeling of the former Adult Rehabilitation Center into a place homeless women and their families can call home.
Two of the most important rooms in this remodeled shelter will be a media/study room for children, and a computer laboratory for teens and adults. To design these rooms, The Salvation Army relied on some outside help from Interior Design students at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.
The team designing these rooms, all students in the Winter 2009 Human Factors Course at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, was known as B.L VENTIV. These are the initials of the first names of each student, and also symbolize their goal, to “be inventive.”
Students were Belen Martinez of Colton, Liyi Martinez of Rialto; lead designer Vickie Anaya of Fontana, Evon Arredondo of Temecula, Natalie Ustariz of Moreno Valley, Tracy Ho of Rancho Cucamonga, Ivan Valles of Fontana and Veronica K. Gonzales of 1000 Palms.
“Carl Dameron of Dameron Communications, who is an Advisory Board Member for The Salvation Army, contacted us to develop a new and exciting place for the children,” Anaya said. “We worked on this project for 11 weeks, meeting with Capt. Stephen Ball, the director, and his staff several times.”
After these meetings, the students developed computer renderings of how they thought the two rooms should look. They also made recommendations for furniture, computers and even decorative murals for the rooms.
They offered these recommendations to Capt. Ball in a presentation held Friday, March 20 at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Included in this presentation is a 19-page, full-color bound report highlighting all their recommendations.
“I am excited about having these ideas become a reality in five to six months,” Capt. Ball said. “I have presented this information to the Salvation Army Advisory Board, and we look forward to beginning work on this project in two to four weeks.”
At Capt. Ball’s request, the team developed an interior design concept based on nature. Different parts of the two rooms focus on different areas within nature – the desert, the forest and the ocean.
“The desert is where many of The Salvation Army’s clients may think they are,” Gonzales said. “It looks like all hope is lost, but really the desert is full of life, and there is much hope for them.”
“The forest signifies branches,” she continued. “Like the forest, these people will branch out into new opportunities.”
“And the ocean is a beautiful place, full of life,” she said. “As these children gain knowledge, they have the possibility of creating a much better life for themselves.”
The rooms’ color schemes take cues from the three ecosystems.
“These colors are harmonious, and they will reflect the many options the people using these rooms have before them,” Valles said. “They also will promote stability and productivity.”
Most of the study room, as visualized by the team, focuses on the desert. Walls, carpet and furnishings are in brown tones, symbolizing the sand and rocks that dominate the desert.
This room features comfortable children’s seating around a television set. In this part of the room, children from preschool to middle school will watch educational videos. Another part of this room is set up with a table and sturdier chairs for studying.
Yet another part of this room takes on the “forest” scheme, with everything designed in shades of green. It will have smaller chairs, a low “chalkboard” table and artists’ easels, all designed to stimulate the creativity of the shelter’s younger children.
The adjacent room, which will be designed in shades of blue for the “ocean” scheme, will house 10 computers. The multi-colored computers, and a red desk for tutoring, will represent the many life forms in the ocean.
The computers will primarily be for older students to use for research in their school projects, but also for adults to use in searching for employment, building household budgets and other applications.
“We wish to thank The Salvation Army for giving us the opportunity for designing this space for these children,” Anaya said. “We know they will benefit from it.”
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin April 6 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information or a tour, call Richard Green at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
Michelle Cossota, graphic artist for K-FROG radio station, took on the challenge of obtaining a second bachelor’s degree while working full-time. She felt the training in graphic design would help her to do her job better. She will receive this degree from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire on Friday, March 27 as a member of the school’s first graduating class. She’s with Jana Rawling, academic director of the Graphic Design program at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Manny Otiko photo
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Highland Resident Michelle Cossota already had a great job and a bachelor’s degree, but she wanted to do her job even better.
She started with The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire in April 2006, already working full-time as a graphic artist in the Marketing Department of K-FROG Radio Station. Now, that hard work has paid off, as she will be receiving a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts on Friday, March 27.
When she enrolled, Cossota said convenience and flexibility were two of the most important factors in choosing The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. As it turned out, it was only because of her own and many other people’s flexibility that she is now graduating.
“I was able to balance full-time enrollment and full-time employment due to the wonderful support I received from my instructors and advisors at Ai, my employer, K-FROG, and my husband and family,” Cossota said. “It was the encouragement, understanding, and many times the flexibility from all entities involved that helped me get through the program.”
Some quarters, Cossota was able to take advantage of online, night and evening courses. During other quarters, with the support of her supervisors at K-FROG, she took classes during the day but was given leeway by Art Institute instructors if a K-FROG project interfered with her ability to attend class.
“This was extremely important because I work full time and my job is a priority,” she said.
Cossota, who also has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of La Verne, has worked for K-FROG for more than six years. Her duties include putting together event proposals and designing presentation materials, flyers, banners and posters.
“It was because of K-FROG that I went back to school,” Cossota said. “I had been doing a lot of the artwork for the station during my first three years there and in 2006 they gave me the title of Graphic Designer. I wanted to feel like I deserved that title and knew the only way I to accomplish this was to gain the knowledge and technical training.”
Cossota said Art Institute instructors are veterans of their various industries and bring that expertise to the classroom. This was important to her from the beginning, and became even more important as she interacted with them for three years
“They were able to provide students with real world situations and share their experiences,” she said. “The staff has a passion for what they do and what they teach. When I was overwhelmed, it was their passion and encouragement that reminded me of why I am doing what I am doing and reminding me that the stress I might have now is going to pay off in the future.”
Jana Rawling, academic director for Graphic Design, is one of the many Art Institute instructors who has helped Cossota improve her graphic design skills. She’s especially proud of Cossota for her work designing an invitation to the first Graduate Portfolio Review, a quarterly event allowing new graduates an opportunity to showcase their work before potential employers.
“Michelle is a great designer because she understands all of the research and development so her work continues to improve faster than the average student,” Rawling said. “My goal is to enhance her position in the industry so she can get the job she dreams about and move anywhere she wants. I am sure she will do well when she graduates.”
Cossota said that after graduation she wants to continue learning her craft and refining her skills. “It is important for me to love what I do — design,” she said.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin April 6 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with 42 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals. For more information about The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, call (909) 915-2100 or visit www.aii.edu/inlandempire.
Rachel Makowski, a December graduate of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire displays some of her graphic design work at the first Graduate Portfolio Review. Carl Dameron photo.
A. Majadi, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino, reacts with pleased surprise to information Tamara Stephens, lead designer for the Fall 2008 Human Factors class at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, presents about the kitchen remodel Stephens’ class had created for the Boys & Girls Club. Carl Dameron photo
Chef Laurent Ballion with a spread of fresh fruit, similar to what his students at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will serve with breakfast creations to guests at Meet The Creatives on April 22.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)– High school administrators and other education leaders will receive their own introduction to The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at the semi-annual Meet the Creatives gourmet breakfast Thursday, April 22.
“This presentation was created to give high school and community leaders an opportunity to see the creative education opportunities available at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire campus.,” said President Emam El-Hout. “We would also like to share our creative majors, show our work in the community. Our goal is to facilitate a partnership with these administrators as key players in academic excellence and in the creative growth of the Inland Empire’s youth.”
The breakfast is prepared by students attending The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, which oversees the Culinary Arts and Culinary Management programs. After breakfast, participants will take tours of our campus, hear presentations from the school’s academic directors about the programs offered and also learn about career services and student affairs at the San Bernardino school.
Articulation (the methods by which high schools ensure their students are adequately prepared for various colleges) and the $150,000 in scholarships The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will offer this year will also be discussed, as will Summer Studio 2009.
Summer Studio is an opportunity for students who will be in high school that fall to work with The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire to design real work for a non—profit organization. Each year, The Art Institute chooses a different non-profit organization with which its Summer Studio participants will work.
“We will show how we impact our community and the role that we play in transitioning our students from high school to active, viable working professionals in the creative community,” El-Hout said.
For more information, educators should call Carl Dameron at (909) 888-0017. To confirm attendance, call Veronica Cordova at (909) 915-2100. The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is located at 630 East Brier Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin April 6 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information, or to arrange a tour, call The Art Institute at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire), a system of more than 40 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
Tiffany Leilani models a gown designed by Adrianna Diaz, a Fashion Design student at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. The Fashion Design and Fashion Retail Marketing programs at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire prepare students for exciting careers in the fashion industry.
