The Business of Fashion recently interviewed famous art director Fabien Baron, whose work has probably influenced you if you’ve read the fashion glossies over the course of the past 20 years. 

Considered a modern-day icon whose design aesthetic has influenced the high fashion publishing industry at large, Baron has designed for Italian and French Vogue, served as creative director of Harper’s Bazaar and is currently the editorial director of Interview magazine. Baron is one of many art directors whose work is discussed in FIDM's  Graphic Design program in classes like Publication Design.

Read the full interview here.

Image: Harper’s Bazaar cover designed under the creative direction of famous art director, Fabien Baron.

Read more about this topic on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

Never Underdressed, a startup fashion magazine out of the UK, is being touted as the first full-on glossy to bypass print and go directly to the web. Starting with a multi-million dollar investment and a staff of 14 including former Elle and Vogue digital editors, what sets this concept apart is the lack of a brand name—and the fact that all of its content will be freshly created for multiple electronic platforms including mobile.

As editor Carrie Tyler, former digital director of Elle UK explains to Fashionista: "Magazine brands save their best content for print, while their websites are given little budget or full time staff to fully develop creative, engaging and unique content."

Above: Fashion photography by FIDM Graphic Design Alumna for Bianca Lowkeen.

Photographer and graphic designer Bianca Lowkeen has been a busy freelancer since graduating with a Graphic Design degree from FIDM. Since graduating in June 2009, Lowkeen has worked as a graphic designer for nonprofit organization What a Pair; as a photo assistant, retoucher and photo shoot project manager for leading action sports brand Volcom; and as a digital painter and retoucher for video game company Yoostar (where she worked alongside FIDM Digital Media Alumni Ryan Sommerville and Andrew Persing). 

At her most recent job as an in-house photographer at contemporary women’s fashion brand ANGL, Lowkeen quickly took on additional creative responsibilities. Read more about Bianca on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

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Videos of the Week including Disney’s Innovative “Paperman” Animated Short, a Flipbook Take on Gangnam Style, “World War Z” Super Bowl Spot and More

Catch up on your pop culture news in online videos you may have missed last week, from Disney’s ground-breaking Academy Award-nominated short, “Paperman” to the chilling “World War Z” Super Bowl spot.

Above: Walt Disney Animation Studios debuted its Academy Award-nominated short film “Paperman” online, which Wired writer Graeme McMillan suggests, could be indicative of the future of animation with its blend of hand-drawn and computer-generated imagery. It’s six and a half minutes of Disney Animation at its best with a touching storyline, set in a minimalist black and white mid-century New York that will convince you of its hand-drawn authenticity. Watch our other videos of the week on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

Trend Watch: Stylesight Notes Quirky Characters in Prints and Graphics at the BRIGHT F/W 13 Streetwear Trade Show

European streetwear brands are taking on cartoonish characters reminiscent of those seen in ’90s Nicktoons animated series like “Doug,” “The Ren & Stimpy Show,” and “Rugrats” for Fall/Winter 2013. Leading trend forecast and analysis company Stylesight visited Berlin for the 16th annual BRIGHT trade show featuring more than 300 skateboarding, streetwear and action sports brands to take note of upcoming prints and graphic design trends.

Stylesight noted “Quirky Characters” as an upcoming graphic design trend in its BRIGHT Prints & Graphics F/W 13 report stating “character tees are given a humorous and artistic look.”

Above: 1 Men’s graphic tee concept for Toby Clothing by FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Justin Hellwig // 2 Bananadap T-shirt concept by FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Josh Mandap // 3 Astro – White T-shirt by Dephect // 4 IC Backbone T-shirt by Billionaire Boys Club // 5 Sody Surf T-Shirt – White by Stussy //  6 “Sombrero Toast” Women Scoop Neck Tee by Cleptomanicx

Read about this graphic design trend and more on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

 Above: “NFL Total Access” by Capacity

While most of our digital media posts are dedicated to topics like theatrical and video game advertising, short films and motion graphics, we can’t overlook the enticing visual graphics that dominate the sports marketing industry.

We’ve dedicated this week to sports marketing in anticipation for Superbowl Sunday, including this round-up of the best NFL motion graphics, title graphics and digital media spots.

For sports graphics enthusiasts, Graphics Mafia is a great site for your visual inspiration, founded by creative director and 2D/3D animator Brian McCauley.

“A lot of people get into sports motion graphics as stepping stone to other types of digital media, which is great, but I want everyone to know that you can make a great career out of sports motion graphics,” says McCauley in an interview with FIDMDigitalArts.com. “Just like any career, with passion and discipline you can truly create great art.”

Watch the rest of our picks for the best NFL motion graphics, including McCauley’s sports graphics reel on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

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Trend Watch: Varsity Lettering, Pocket Details, and Pattern Infills Spotted in Athletic-Inspired Casual and Streetwear Apparel

Above: 1 Small Check Pocket Tee by Huf // 2 Metallic Paisley Boxy Tank by Brothers Stret Luxri, owned by FIDM Graphic Design Student Joshua Lirio // 3 Win T-shirt (back) by Password Athletics, owned byFIDM Alumnus Miguel Urias// 4 Supreme/Champion® Parka (back) // 5 Stussy+80 Tee by Stussy 

With Superbowl Sunday approaching this weekend, it’s no wonder that athletic-inspired apparel graphics are catching our attention this week for Tuesday’s Trend Watch. From streetwear brands to men’s casual wear labels, design elements that hint at traditional sports uniforms are dominant.

Leading fashion trend forecasting and analysis service WGSN cites “super-minimal typography and bold numbers” in simple colorways as key design elements for men’s casualwear, street and denim brands.

“Moving away from multicolored and pictorial influences, designs are simple, referencing the classic varsity style for single color typographic designs,” states Alice Clarkson of WGSN.

Check out more examples about this athletic-inspired streetwear trend and more on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

Four Vintage-Inspired Superbowl Sunday Graphic Designs: Typographic Posters, Unique Tailgate Invites & More

As much as we love the slick on-screen animations and motion graphics that dominate the visual landscape of Superbowl Sunday, these vintage-inspired graphic design pieces caught our attention for their unique, organic qualities.

Above:  Custom “San Francisco 49ers” and “Baltimore Ravens” Typographic Posters by August Park Creative

Check out the other four vintage-inspired Superbowl graphics on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

When it comes to Valentine’s Day for the digital media or graphic design enthusiast in your life, forget the flowers. We’ve rounded up some design-y gear worthy of typography lovers and aspiring film makers’ approval.

Above: 1 “I Love Typography a-z” T-shirt by TypographyShop.com // 2 Lorem Epsom necklace by Plastique // 3  “Celebrate Order” CMYK Pop Art Poster Series For the Modern Graphic Designer by Neue Modern Press via Etsy // 4  2013 POLAROID Camera Illustrated Desk Calendar via Etsy // 5  Love Story: The ’60s poster by TypographyShop.com // 6 Pewter Film Strip charm via Etsy // 7  Big Lebowski throw pillow designed by Ale Giorgini and Stormwalking throw pillow designed by Gareth Payne via Society6 // 8 You + Me = Really Good Films venn diagram card via Etsy

For more inspiring graphic design and digital media inspiration, visit the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

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Seven Inspiring Motion Graphic Infographic Short Films that Educate and Entertain

Educate the Heart

By digital media and motion graphics artist Giant Ant.
On the Topic of:  Emotional and social skills-conscious education for the Dalai Lama Centre.
Fact you might not know: A study of more than 270,000 students found that social and emotional learning programs strengthened overall attitudes and behavior and led to an increase in academic scores by 11 percent.

We are witnessing the rise of compelling animated infographics, videos that translate complicated facts and figures into digestible, visually compelling short films using motion graphics and digital media.

By editing fluid visuals seamlessly with powerful music and sounds in short films, motion graphics artists are skilled at our capturing our attention long enough to learn something new. FIDMDigitalArts.com compiled seven amazing videos for your digital media inspiration, including the one posted above.

Watch six more inspiring motion graphics short films on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

Above: Pretty Foo Foo mobile app, one of the projects that FIDM Digital Media Charlotte Hodgson has contributed to. Images courtesy of Charlotte Hodgson and 1boxapps.com

It’s been less than a year since Charlotte Hodgson earned her Digital Media degree at FIDM and she’s already begun a dream career as a Mobile Applications Developer and freelance videographer/editor.

“There’s not just one thing that I love about my job. I love the team I work with, I love editing CSS, and I love being able to design something knowing that it is going to be live for thousands of people to see,” says Hodgson, a 2010 graduate of Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, California.

As a Mobile Applications Developer at 1BoxApps in Temecula, California Hodgson works with Photoshop, Illustrator, HTML and CSS to design and develop smartphone apps for iPhone and Android.

Above: FIDM Digital Media Alumna Charlotte Hodgson ('12) is a Mobile App Developer & freelance videographer.

In addition to Hodgson’s newly discovered interest in HTML and CSS, she continues to pursue her passion for digital media, video editing and videography.

“In this field, I kind of get to incorporate things I learned while I studied digital media. I still get to be creative and express my creativity in a way that I enjoy,” she says. “And I still do freelance videography and editing on the side!”

Read the full interview with Charlotte about her career path on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

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Tuesday Trend Watch: Spring 2013 to Bring Feminine Whimsy & Organic Illustration to Apparel Graphic Design 

Despite the plethora of digital design tools available for modern day graphic designers, it seems that organic forms and imperfect lines are favored over structural elements for Spring graphic designs this year, according to leading trend forecasters.

In its Springtime Stitch: Original Graphics – Women report, leading fashion forecast and trend analysis company Stylesight cites “a fresh series of original graphics, depicting hand stitched portraits and floral illustrations, with loose and delicate lines” for Spring 2013. Read more details about this trend on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

Above: 1 Bridget watercolor fashion illustration by Cate Parr // 2 Fashion illustration by FIDM Graphic Design Alumna Lucile Lesueur // 3 Dance Studio with Glitter print by Paper Fashion // 4 Fly Your Own Kite fashion illustration by RoEnArt // 5 Bird Illustration Giclee Print by FIDM Graphic Design Alumna Julia Walck // 6 The Owl and Cat Frank art print by Sonnenzimmer

VH1 is kicking off the new year with a much needed update to their logo, stripping the colors away from its former 10-year-old mark and replacing it with a modern monochrome icon.

Designed by New York-based graphic design firm Gretel and announced on VH1′s Blog and the channel’s social media outlets, the new logo incorporates a plus sign to correspond with a new #plussed Twitter hashtag and advertising campaign. Read more about VH1’s new look on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Above: VH1 logo before and after. Image courtesy of design blog, Brand New.

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Go Behind the Scenes of Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" with SoundWorks Collection

Dedicated to “profiling the greatest and upcoming sound minds from around the world,” SoundWorks Collection is constantly introducing compelling short film interviews with sound designers and other digital media professionals– and the site’s sound profile for The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey is no exception.

The SoundWorks Collection crew went all the way to Park Road Post Studios in Wellington, New Zealand to capture interviews the pros behind The Hobbit‘s amazing sound design including Re-recording Mixer Michael Hedges, Re-recording Mixer Chris Boyes, Re-recording Mixer Michael Semanick , Co-Supervising Sound Editor Brent Burge, Co-Supervising Sound Editor Chris Ward, and Dolby Atmos Re-recording Mixer Gilbert Lake.

Sound and audio design is just one facet of video post-production that  FIDM Digital Media Students study. Read more about SoundWork Collection’s The Sound of the Hobbit on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Graphic Design Trend Report: Urban/Streetwear T-Shirt Brand Roundup

We’ve come to expect consistent high-fashion and packaging trend reports from Stylesight, but every once in a while the fashion forecast and trend analysis company releases some great urban street style reports, like their most recent trend forecast Brand Watch: Graphic Tees S/S 13. 

Stylesight inspired us to gather some of our favorite urban streetwear-inspired T-shirt designs by recent FIDM Graphic Design Graduates. Some of the trends we’re seeing from these young up-and-coming designers include:

• “Secret society” inspired icons,
• Play with graffiti
• Bold athletic-style typography and
• Illustrative motifs.

Check out the selection below:

Above: “Be Classy” T-shirt by IN//BEINHABITED, FIDM Graphic Design Alumna Bana Bongolan’s brand  // 2 “Depict” T-shirt design concept by FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Martin Murillo // 3 “Grind” T-shirt design concept by FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Glen Sese // 4 “Stay Sharp” T-shirt design concept by FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Brandon Lozano // 5 T-Shirt design concept by FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Danny Osterman // 6 Graphic design T-shirt concept by FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Ryan Beckman.

Read more about this trend and more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Brooke Baron

Major: Digital Media

Where did you go to school?

Mira Costa H.S., Manhattan Beach, CA

How did you choose FIDM?

I knew I didn’t want a community college and I looked at the options. This was the best one.

What do you love about your major?

I enjoy coming to design school and I really like being in downtown L.A. But I love what I am doing in my classes.

With access to industry trend reports at the FIDM Library, one of the largest specialized fashion libraries in the United States, FIDM Students stay current with upcoming trends for fashion, color, graphics design, and more.

In its Prints & Graphics: Packaging Highlights Holiday 2012 report, leading fashion forecast and trend analysis company Stylesight pinpoints organic illustrative techniques, letterpress-inspired typographic treatments and more in upcoming holiday prints and packaging this year.

Above: 1 Christmas Cream Ale packaging design by graphic designer Forrest Causby // 2 Typographic Christmas-themed playing cards by New Zealand-based firm Dashwood, photo courtesy of LovelyPackage.com  // 3 Holiday cards for Bao Vo Creative, Inc. by FIDM Graphic Design Alumna and graphic designer Melissa Bergen // 4 “Christmas Spirit” packaging by design firm Stranger & Stranger, photo courtesy of LovelyPackage.com

Read more details on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog here.

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Third Installment of "One Day on Earth" Film was 12-12-12, Inviting Thousands to Film “A Day in Your Life” for Documentary Project

Did you participate?  On Wednesday, December 12 (12-12-12), thousands of people from all over the world simultaneously filmed a day in their life in the third installment of the global film event One Day on Earth. The general public was invited to participate in this unique and extraordinary event in which personal documentary footage from people all over the world will serve as an archive for future generation.

"Together, we are showcasing the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph that occurs in one day. We invite you to join our international community of thousands of filmmakers, hundreds of schools, and dozens of non-profits, and contribute to this unique global mosaic," states the project organizers on www.onedayonearth.org. "One Day on Earth is a community that not only watches, but participates."

Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog here.

Amoeba Hollywood's Windows Feature Amazing Album Cover Art by FIDM Graphic Design Instructor Graham Moore

If you’re in Hollywood any time soon, don’t miss the window display at the renowned Amoeba Hollywood music store, which is currently splashed with amazing vinyl album cover collages by Graham Moore, a FIDM Graphic Design instructor.

Amoeba posted an interview with Moore about his designs currently on display at the Ivar Street window of Amoeba Hollywood where Moore visits weekly to acquire new vinyl for his art pieces.

“My process is employing techniques that I use and teach in my design classes, techniques I learned in art school, applying the basic elements and principles of design and the technique of collage,” says Moore.

Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog here.

With holiday shopping season in full-swing, it comes as no surprise that leading retailer Target (known for its amazing brand marketing) is delivering top notch graphics with its gift cards, some of which even double as interactive toys, games and puzzles.

With so many unique illustrations and graphic designs, we thought it would be fun to track down one of the graphic designers behind the gift cards that keep us so entertained and inspired.

Graphic design/illustrator duo Don and Ryan Clark of Invisible Creature have tackled several design projects for Target, including environmental graphics and several gift cards, including the company's most popular WOW gift card of 2011, a Lego 3-in-1 (which sold 350,000 copies). Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

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Design Inspiration from Around the Globe: Get Lost in Herman Miller's Film Series "Why Design" by LA-based Firm "Hello Design"

The design team at Los Angeles-based interactive design agency Hello Design recently embarked on a unique design-focused journey for Herman Miller’s Why Design film series that will keep you captivated and, perhaps, ready to invest in a Herman Miller chair.

Visiting eight cities, the Hello team captured 7,268 photos and wrote 600 lines of code, according to AIGA/Los Angeles (who toured Hello last month), to capture the spirit of legendary Herman Miller designers including surfer Yves Béhar, paper sculpture artist Irving Harper, the company’s original graphic artist Steve Frykholm, and more.

No matter what type of design interests you, whether it’s industrial design, architecture, interior, graphic design or digital media, Hello’s amazing digital storytelling ability will help you discover new creative inspiration from these amazing designers from around the world. Watch one episode here and more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

Packaging Design Trends: Playful, Interactive Novelty Packaging for Food, Beverage & Holiday

Leading fashion forecast and trend analysis company Stylesight cites Novelty Packaging as an emerging trend in a recent Packaging Highlights Report, stating “playful concepts are breathing new life into food and drink packaging.” Read more about this fun packaging trend on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

Above: 1 Conceptual design for Annie’s Instant Oatmeal by FIDM Graphic Design Alumna Kathy Calderon // 2 Delilah interactive chalkboard coffee packaging designed by Lun Yau // 3 Three-inch Sweet Relish Dunny packaging designed by Sket One // 4 Corporate holiday chocolates self-promotion packaging for Daines & Associates Architects by Think Packaging // 5 Bzzz Armenian Honey packaging designed by Backbone Studio

It’s been less than six months since Bana Bongolan earned her Graphic Design/Branding degree from FIDM and already she’s engrossed in the streetwear apparel graphics industry as product designer for a major label, and also as an entrepreneur.

Prior to graduating, Bongolan had already been hired as a product development assistant and graphic designer for the popular urban lifestyle brand Crooks and Castles, where she designs women’s and men’s T-shirts, and occasionally hats, and develops the garments’ patterns and tech packs.

In addition to her full-time job at Crooks and Castles, Bongolan has been focused on building her own streetwear lifestyle clothing brand IN//BEINHABITED along with FIDM Visual Communications Student Caitlin Berger, IN//BEINHABITED’s art director and co-owner.  FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Daniel Foster recently joined the team as a photographer and web designer, while FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Colin Nesbit serves as a regular model. Currently Berger and Nesbit work alongside Bongolan at Crooks and Castles, while Foster interns for another leading streetwear label Hellz Bellz. Current FIDM Digital Media Student Justin Enriquez has also been involved as videographer and editor of the line’s most recent lookbook teaser for the brand. Read more about Bongolan and her streetwear brand on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog here.

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Filmmaker Friday: Rhyming Illustration Inspiration & the Roots of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" Poster by Studio Canoe

Temujin Doran of Studio Canoe is an illustrator and filmmaker based in London who developed the clever short film below that pinpoints the history of the ever popular “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster design that have become so widespread that several parodies have emerged. Watch more videos and read more about Studio Canoe on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog here.

Stylesight Foresees Graphic Design Prints Inspired by The Golden Ratio for S/S ‘14

Intricate geometric patterns and detailed structures are design elements that will be prominent in activewear prints and graphics for Spring/Summer 2014, predicts leading trend forecast and analysis company Stylesight. Read more about this trend on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog here.

Above: 1 Logo for France-based company that specializes in designing new zoo parks and services relating to wildlife animal housing by Jan Zabransky // 2 Personal branding for FIDM Graphic Design/Entertainment graduate C. Brennan Woo // 3 Golden rectangle design by Carl Kleiner // 4 Branding for a Greek cosmetic production company Philab by Chris Trivizas

After more than a quarter century spent representing commercial photographers, bi-coastal talent agency Sharpe + Associates is welcoming a new breed of creative talent under its wing--motion graphics artists. FIDMDigitalArts.com is thrilled to share an exclusive interview with founder/president John Sharpe who gave us insight into his views on the future of digital media, the qualities that set you and your motion graphics reel apart from the crowd, and his passion for infographics. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

S+A Artist: Giant Ant 2012 Reel

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Logo Lounge Extracts 15 Graphic Design Trends from 32,000 Logos in its 2012 Logo Trend Report

Logo Lounge has released its tenth annual logo design trend report that identifies several distinct graphic design trends for 2012. Find out which logo designs have been “done to death,” and what’s trending for 2013. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

FIDM Graphic Design Student Spotlight: Danielle Heer Combines her Passion for Beauty Marketing with Entertainment Graphics

Graphic Design Student Danielle Heer has a dynamic background in film editing, photography and beauty, which have shaped her graphic design work in FIDM’s Graphic Design/Entertainment program. Read FIDMDigitalArts.com’s interview with Heer about the designers and photographers that inspire her work and her interest in photo retouching.

Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

After hearing about FIDM from a friend, Australian native Katie Bender enrolled in the Digital Media Program, where she dove into the world of post-production. She landed an internship at Trailer Park, the world's leading motion picture marketing firm, and eventually worked on numerous award-winning motion picture movie trailer and television campaigns for clients such as Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Disney, and Sony.

"Everything I'd learned at FIDM prepared me to communicate and speak the language of the digital world," explains Katie, a retired professional athlete who competed in Artistic Gymnastics and Aerial Skiing. "FIDM was a perfect experience for me as an international student because it offered me subjects that weren't available in Australia and supplied me with an invaluable skill set.

Katie recently returned to Australia where she is producing her first feature film documentary on Lydia Lassila, the 2010 Olympic Champion of Aerial Skiing. "Lydia is an ex-teammate of mine so I am very close to her story," she adds. "We are set to document her lead up to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia where she will defend her Olympic title and the enormous pressure that elite athletes experience daily.

FIDMDigitalArts.com congratulates many Digital Media and Graphic Design Alumni and industry partners of FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising selected as finalists in The Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards.

Below, read details about FIDM Digital Media and FIDM Graphic Design/Entertainment Alumni and the leading entertainment advertising agencies for which they work selected as finalists this year. (Follow the links to read a list of full trailer/campaign credits).

Create Advertising’s Premium Rush “Thrill Domestic Trailer 2” is a finalist in the Motion Graphics category, while their humorous “Huggins Online theatrical trailer for The Campaign is a finalist in the Online category. Several FIDM Digital Media Alumni work at this leading firm, including senior motion graphics artist Mario Hernandez, motion graphics producer Ryan Verseman, motion graphics artist Justin Hamilton and creative director for motion graphics Jonathan Gitlin. Read more about these Alumni here.

FIDM Digital Media Alumni Kyle Brosius and Kyle Thorsen, lead animator and lead motion graphic designer, respectively, at Greenhaus GFX worked on the domestic trailer for Anonymous, a finalist in the Motion Graphics category.

Leading agency The Ant Farm has been recognized for several pieces including: theatrical trailers for George Harrison and Footloose, game trailers for Aliens: Colonial Marines (teaser) and the Assassin’s Creed 3 “Revolution: In-Cinema Trailer,” along with Campaign nominations for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and for the Disney Epic Mickey 2 billboards in the Print & Print Technique medium. FIDM Digital Media Alumnus Jay Trumbull is a games capture director at The Ant Farm.

PETROL, which employs numerous FIDM Alumni, is a finalist for Single Standard Packaging for Xbox's Metro: Last Light; Billboard, South Park: The Stick of Truth; Illustration, Darksiders II; Illustration, Metro: Last Light; Building Wrap Campaign, Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

The 2012 Key Art Awards will be held in Hollywood on October 17th. Read more on this story at the FIDMDigitalArts Blog. 

Browse recent highlights from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog below:

New Portfolios by FIDM Grads Offer Fresh & Inspiring Film & TV Marketing Campaigns

FIDM Graphic Design/Entertainment portfolio by Joseph Macri. Key art movie poster design and extended marketing campaign concept for "Drive."

At a leading digital media college like FIDM, it comes as no surprise that students are not only immersed in creative inspiration in the form of video content, but creating it as well. The FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog is thrilled to publish a brand new web series called FIDM 360, a campus "news show" that dives into topics like on-campus fashion trends, student activities, and industry updates from the entertainment, graphic design and digital media industries, produced by FIDM's Digital Media Department.

Watch the first two episodes of FIDM 360 below:

FIDM Design Students Rave about Adobe CS6

This episode of FIDM 360 captures the excitement of new and returning FIDM Students who were thrilled to receive their own copy of Adobe CS6. Get more tips about new features in the Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master Collection on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog at blog.fidmdigitalarts.com/fidm-360-adobe-cs6.

“Chernobyl Diaries” Music Composer Diego Stocco Discusses the Language of Sound on FIDM 360  

FIDM guest lecturer Diego Stocco is a music sound designer for films Chernobyl Diaries, Into the Blue, Crank, and Takers known for his unorthodox approach to music composition and custom-built instruments. Visit blog.fidmdigitalarts.com/fidm-360-diego-stocco to read an exclusive Q&A with Stocco about his musical influences, instruments and advice for aspiring filmmakers, designers and musicians.

More from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

The Top 10 Count Down of Everything You Need to Know about Graphic Design

 A follow up to our Top 10 Count Down List of “Everything You Need to Know about Digital Media,” FIDMDigitalArts.com has rolled out the Top 10 Count Down List of “Everything You Need to Know about Graphic Design.” Whether you’re a graphic design novice or pro, can you guess nine famous graphic designs or five infamously overused typefaces? Test your knowledge here on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

 FIDMDigitalArts.com caught up with Graphic Design Alumni at Career Connections to ask what advice they had for graphic design interns. Click here to read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

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Geeking out Over the Primetime Emmy® Awards' Key Art & Best Commercials Nominees

FIDM Museum & Galleries is currently exhibiting its 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design, featuring more than 75 costumes from a variety of Primetime Emmy® – nominated shows including Boardwalk Empire, Downtown Abbey, Game of Thrones, Once Upon a Time, Pan Am, Smash, and Magic City.

As Graphic Designers and Digital Media Artists who appreciate the art of entertainment graphics, we found ourselves geeking out over other Emmy®-related design, like the key art and Outstanding Commercials nominees. Read more here.

Eight Trends Shaping the Creative Team of the Future (Tip: Brush up on your Video Skills)

Leading staffing agency The Creative Group (TCG), which specializes in recruitment for the creative and advertising industries, recently collaborated with the American Advertising Federation (AAF) to pinpoint eight major trends influencing the advertising and design industries in a report, “The Creative Team of the Future.”

The eight trends, which includes “Video blurs the boundaries between online and TV” demonstrate future possible career opportunities for those earning their Graphic Design degree or Digital Media degree at FIDM. Read more here. 

Above: Breaking Bad key art by PETROL

From Call of Duty: Black Ops to Breaking Bad, Get Inspired by Leading Agency, PETROL

Leading entertainment advertising agency/design firm 

PETROL recently updated their motion  graphics, advertising and interactive reels packed with tons of inspiring creative work.

Employer of several FIDM Alumni, PETROL’s range of work includes print marketing, outdoor advertising, trailers and other video projects, and interactive online marketing for films, television shows, UFC and video games.

PETROL's Motion Graphics Reel

Click here to watch more reels by PETROL on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Packaging, Applied Branding and Portfolio Leave Behinds Designed by FIDM Graphic Design Students 

Graphic design involves more than computer software skills in programs like Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. Students earning their Graphic Design degree at FIDM learn hands-on skills like measuring, trimming and mounting for presentation boards, which translates to construction for packaging using die lines, projects with hard-cover book covers and multi-page layouts, and more.

Above: Applied branding project by FIDM Graphic Design Student, Calvin Bu

Browse examples of packaging, portfolio leave-behinds and applied branding projects of FIDM Graphic Design Students.

NBA Careers, Gaming Consoles, Bigfoot & More – Infographics by FIDM/SF Graphic Design Students

Graphic Design can evoke emotions, communicate complicated ideas, and ideally, do both. Infographics (a.k.a. information graphics or graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge) represent graphic design at its best.

Students earning their Graphic Design degree at FIDM San Francisco got the opportunity to tackle their own infographic project last quarter. Design II Instructor Kyle Chan at FIDM San Francisco challenged her students to select a topic of their choice and illustrate information about their topic using their own photographs.

Click here to see more infographics designed by FIDM Students.

FIDMDigitalArts.com recently highlighted the exciting work of Create Advertising, which has created movie trailers for The Amazing Spider-Man and Tim Burton's Frankenweenie. Create Advertising in turn blogged about FIDM, calling the college "one of the top design schools in the nation" and mentioning that many of the artists who work for Create are FIDM Grads.

Graphic Design Firm Lo Siento Creates Amazing 4D Letter Sculptures

Combining their appreciation for architecture and lighting with typography, Barcelona-based graphic design firm Lo Siento developed an amazing set of sculptural letters that may be read from virtually all angles. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Featured Portfolio: FIDM/San Francisco Graphic Design Award Winner, Stephanie Kim

FIDM San Francisco recognized Stephanie Kim as the 2012 Graphic Design Student of the Year Award at graduation this year. Selected by the senior creative director for Impact Unlimited, Bill Smith for her impressive range of work, Stephanie's versatility is what set her apart from her peers. Check out Stephanie's final portfolio and read more here.

Check out more portfolios by FIDM Graphic Design grads on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Motion Graphics Inspiration: Four Quick Title Designs by Multimedia Firm, Digital Workshop

Digital Worshop’s team of directors, producers, animators, illustrators, and graphic designers describe themselves as “a concept driven production company,” specializing in a variety of multimedia and app development services. Watch more inspiring motion graphics videos by Digital Workshop on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

FIDM’s Graduation Ceremony is right around the corner!

To celebrate grads everywhere, the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog is running a special graduation editorial series. Articles include:

WORKING BEFORE WALKING: a special focus on graduates who are working full-time jobs in the creative field of their choice before they walk the stage during FIDM’s Graduation Ceremony. Check out these three inspiring stories:

Working before Walking: FIDM Grad is a Jr. Graphic Designer for Lakers' Player and a Creative Agency

Working before Walking: FIDM Grad is a Digital Media Designer for Warner Bros' TV Marketing

Working before Walking: FIDM Grad is a Full Time Graphic Designer for SOCIETY Clothing

Other graduation articles include:

ADVICE FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS: from job-hunting tips, to career advice and words of encouragement; hear what FIDM Graphic Design and FIDM Digital Media Alumni and other professional organizations have to share with new graduates. Read Advice for 2012 Grads: Resume & Interviewing Tips from VP of Art Direction & Innovation at BrandingIron Worldwide on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog here.

WE BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: read about what makes FIDM’s Graphic Design and Digital Media programs unique and the opportunities that the graphic design and digital media industries have to offer. 

THE FIDM EXPERIENCE: hear about what FIDM Graphic Design and Digital Media Students have to say about their FIDM experience and what it feels like to earn their degree.

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS AND PHOTOS: relive some of the moments that have made the FIDM Graduation ceremony memorable in the past, including photos of the notoriously decorative mortarboards designed by FIDM Grads.

Read these stories and more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Check out what’s new on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

World renowned composer and music sound designer Diego Stocco will be presenting the Digital Media Student of the Year award at this year’s graduation. Stocco is known for his innovative approach to music-making and sound design, developing incredible music scores for film and television, often using nothing but his custom built instruments and organic sounds. Stocco collaborates with FIDM often as a guest lecturer for Digital Media Students, and was featured in FIDMDigitalArts.com’s Take 5 web video series.

Diego's music graces the silver screen in Warner Bros.’ thriller, Chernobyl Diaries, debuting in Los Angeles this weekend. You may also hear Diego’s music in films Into the Blue, Crank, and Takers; and TV shows The Tudors and Moonlight; and he has worked with pros like Academy Award® winning composer, Hans Zimmer.

Below, check out Diego in action for a special promo video called ‘Music from Nature,’ developed by Burt’s Bees to celebrate Earth Day. Read more about this video on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

The deadline has been extended for the FIDM Facebook Graphic Design Challenge! FIDM is giving YOU the chance to design the next cover image featured on the official FIDM Facebook page. Anyone interested in art and design is eligible to enter and the new deadline is Sunday, May 13 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, visit the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

A+D Museum to Exhibit Work by FIDM Graphic Design Students in Annual Design Exhibit "EMERGE"

Five Graphic Design Students who are members of the FIDM AIGA Student Group The Red Dot have submitted work in an annual design event showcase, EMERGE, hosted at the A+D Museum by AIGA, the professional association for design.

Nicole Antonian, Sam Arias, Marianna Holguin, Grayden Kough and Jessica Threde, have submitted samples of their graphic design work to be on display. Read details here.

Visit the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more graphic design and digital media-related headlines.

Name: Devonte Glover

Campus: Los Angeles

Major: Digital Media

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am an inspiring digital media artist specializing in photography, motion graphics, editing and videography. A San Diego native, I just moved to Los Angeles about a year ago.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far?
My proudest accomplishment so far is landing my internships with FIDM Fashionclub.com as well as my internship with Mandate Records, which is based in San Diego. My team, The Creative Captivators, won the recent YouTube challenge at FIDM, which meant getting to work with youtube and google +. I was also very proud that my video for the challenge, which, in fact, was my first time ever shooting and editing video, received over 1100 views within the first week it was posted.

What made FIDM right for you?
Actually, I didn't know FIDM was right for me until I got here and actually started my major. Once I began to get deeper and deeper into the program, I discovered that I really had an undiscovered talent in the Digital Media industry. I also realized I had a unique style that would be greatly needed in this industry.  

What is your favorite class and why?
My favorite class is my photography class, because my main passion is photography. I love being able to tell a story through one picture.

Are you interning/working in the industry?
I'm working with Mandate Records as a photographer, videographer, and motion graphic artist intern. I'm also working with FIDM FashionClub.com as an editor.

What are your career goals?
My career goals as of now are to ultimately work as photographer and videographer for live events, as well as get into post production for a major network.

One of the many perks of studying at FIDM is continuous access to the latest and greatest innovations in design technology. This Summer, FIDM has announced that all new and currently enrolled students will receive a licensed copy of the latest version of the Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design & Web Premium.

The suite, which is set to release in June, includes Photoshop CS6, Illustrator CS6, and InDesign CS6, among many others. In addition to this, all students in the Graphic Design and Digital Media programs will also receive the Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master Collection which includes Adobe Premiere Pro CS6, After Effects CS6, and Flash Builder 4.6,  just to name a few.  These suites will be included in the students' supplies and will help properly equip them to perform at a professional level.

"This software is at the heart of what we do," explains first year FIDM Digital Media Student Devonte Glover, from El Capitan High School in San Diego. "Now we'll have access to everything we need to work on projects for school and our career anywhere, at anytime."

Check out what’s new on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

FIDM is giving YOU the chance to design the next cover image featured on the official FIDM Facebook page. Anyone interested in art and design is eligible to enter the FIDM Facebook Graphic Design Challenge. The deadline is Sunday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, visit the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

FIDM Alumni Focus: Graphic Design/Branding Grad, Kathy Calderon, is Lead Graphic & Web Designer at Beverly Hills Salon

Since earning her Graphic Design degree from FIDM /Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in 2011, Kathy Calderon has been working as a Lead Graphic and Web Designer at Cristophe Salon in Beverly Hills, where she works on everything from packaging to Web design, photography and video editing. Read more about Kathy on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

Featured Digital Media Contest: The "VIEW SOCIAL CONTEST" for CG Students & Pros

View Conference– Italy’s leading digital media conference, is calling for design and digital media projects focused on current social themes for the VIEW Social Contest. Read more about this contest on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Visit the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more graphic design and digital media-related headlines.

Just Accepted Digital Media Student Daniel Franco was attracted to FIDM's curriculum and atmosphere. He liked the fact that his major would be a priority "from the get-go."

"So far, my proudest accomplishment has been recieving an award from AAA for a PSA I did in school. Out of all of southern California, my video was one of the 25 best. To think that someone thought my work was worthy of being top anything was an honor."

Read the entire interview at FIDM's FashionClub.com Daily Blog.

Two FIDM Alumni are finalists in a national contest called “This is Retail,” sponsored by the National Retail Federation.  Merchandise Marketing Alumna Carla Santiago and Apparel Industry Management Alumnus Miguel Urias submitted videos about their personal experiences in the retail industry. They have been selected as two of 20 national finalists and they need your help to win up to $25,000!

Visit www.RetailMeansJobs.com/vote now to vote! You may vote up to 10 times for Carla and 10 times for Miguel every day. The first round of voting is April 3 - April 8.

Click here to vote for FIDM Alumna Carla Santiago who works at Brighton: http://ow.ly/a3xVr

Click here to vote for FIDM Alumnus Miguel Urias who works at Password Athletics: http://ow.ly/a3y2k

Carla, a buyer at Brighton, and Miguel, founder of Password Athletics and a Marine who served two tours of duty, worked with two FIDM Digital Media Students H.J. Chong and Bobby Cohen to film, edit, and develop the videos for the contest. The first place winner will receive $25,000, the second place winner will receive $15,000, and the third place winner will receive $10,000.

If both videos continue to be selected among the top 10 and top five finalists, there will be THREE different voting periods. Make sure to check back to see if Carla and Miguel continue to be selected as among the top 10 and top five finalist.

Read more about this contest on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Check out what’s new on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

It’s portfolio week on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog and we're showcasing new portfolios by FIDM Graphic Design/Branding and Graphic Design/Entertainment Graduates! Check out the FIDMDigitalArts.com portfolio gallery here.

Graphic Design/Entertainment Grad Nicole Antonian Designed Live-Action Movie Posters for her Favorite Disney Films

Graphic Design/Entertainment grad Nicole Antonian presented her final portfolio last week. One of her favorite projects was a modern day, live-action entertainment campaign she developed for five of her “all-time favorite” Disney films: Tinker Bell, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleeping Beauty. Read more about Nicole on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

FIDM Students Get 50 Percent Discount for "Sounds Like Music," An Event for Digital Media Students & Pros on March 25

Known for his innovative approach to sound design and music composition, sound professional Diego Stocco will be conducting a special presentation along with composer, Nat Evans, at an upcoming networking event hosted by The Art of Music– an event series dedicated to the “criminally overlooked specialty of music for film, TV, video games and other media.”

FIDM Students get a 50 % discount on tickets (original price is $20.00) using the promo code “FIDM” at checkout.  Read more about this great event on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

New Portfolio: Graphic Design/Branding Grad Lauren Corallo Hired as Jr. Graphic Designer upon Graduation

While earning her Graphic Design degree with an emphasis on Branding at FIDM, Lauren Corallo also worked as an intern at Undefeated Creative, a creative studio founded by FIDM Alumni in downtown Los Angeles. The firm specializes in graphic design, digital media, branding, marketing, e-commerce, photography, and social media management with a focus on the fashion and entertainment industries.

Read more about Lauren on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog: 

FIDM Museum & Galleries Hosting Q&A with Movie Poster Pros for Students, Alumni & Faculty (3/3)

FIDM Museum & Galleries is hosting this private event, a Q&A with Movie Poster Pros, for FIDM Students, Alumni and Faculty, on Saturday, March 3. Find out what it takes to sell a major blockbuster movie from film industry professionals who design spellbinding movie posters for blockbusters like Priest, Real Steel, The Rise of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men: First Class, Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D, The Woman in Black, Iron Lady and Water For Elephants. 

The event helps celebrate FIDM Museum & Galleries’ 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibition. Read more here.

Director for Blink-182, Cage the Elephant, and Manchester Orchestra Talks Music Videos with FIDMDigitalArts.com

Directing music videos for bands like Blink-I82, Cage the Elephant, The All-American Rejects, Pistol Youth, and Manchester Orchestra, Isaac Rentz has built a reputation for his highly stylized, quirky approach to film-making. His videos have earned as much airplay as they have acclaim, and Rentz’s career has only just begun.

Watch the exclusive, one-on-one interview with Rentz on FIDMDigitalArts.com’s Take 5 web series as he talks about his personal experience working with major record labels and musicians, the impact of social media on the music industry, and his advice for aspiring creative professionals. Read more here.

Special Feature: jcpenney's New(est) Brand Re-Design is Catching our Attention

It has been less than a year since mega retailer jcpenney unveiled a re-designed logo–the first change made to the mark in 40 years– but they’ve done it again. Read all about jcpenney’s new look and why its brand strategy campaign is being used as an example of effective marketing in FIDM Merchandise Marketing and Graphic Design classrooms. Read more here. 

Stunning Fashion, Scenic and Food Photography by FIDM Graphic Design Students

The FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog has updated its Gallery section with stunning photography captured by students who are earning their graphic design degree at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Read more here. 

Follow FIDMDigitalArts.com on Twitter (@FIDMDigitalArts).

Visit FIDMDigitalArts.com and the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more Digital Media and Graphic Design related content.

Read the latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

Get Inspired by Colorful Illustrations & Apparel Graphics by FIDM Grad, Ryan Beckman

It takes more than a quick glance to fully appreciate the subtle design details of recent Graphic Design/Branding graduate Ryan Beckman's portfolio.

Ryan completed FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's Graphic Design/Branding program last month and incorporated his unique, colorful illustrations into his portfolio– from packaging, to brand identity design, music packaging, posters, and apparel graphics. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog. 

Browse more portfolios by recent FIDM Graphic Design graduates on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here. 

Entertainment Design Wed: The Sound & Music of "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

SoundWorks Collection, a site dedicated to profiling the "greatest and upcoming sound minds from around the world," recently published a video featuring the industry professionals behind the sound and music effects for Columbia Pictures' feature film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo directed by David Fincher.

Sound design is one of the exciting courses that FIDM Digital Media Students study. Watch more inspiring interviews with industry pros on FIDMDigitalArts.com’s Take 5 series here. 

Typography Tuesday: Luca Barcellona's Amazing Hand-Lettered Type Treatment for D&G, Carhartt, and More

Luca Barcellona is a Milan-based freelance graphic designer known best for his elaborate, hand-lettered calligraphy and typography. His clients include UK retailer Carhartt, Nike, Dolce&Gabbana, Sony BMG, Volvo, and Universal. Read more here.

Visit FIDMDigitalArts.com and the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more information about FIDM's Digital Media and Graphic Design programs.

Alexander McQueen shoes are on this year's Christmas wish list at FIDM, but Richae's (Digital Media) platform moccassins are the Betsey Johnson collection!

Check out the latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

Special Feature: Finals are Here! Read Six Portfolio Tips from HOW Design & The Creative Group

It’s the end of another quarter here at FIDM, which means it’s almost time for the FIDMDigitalArts Blog to showcase new portfolios by FIDM Graphic Design/Branding and Graphic Design/Entertainment graduates! 

To celebrate portfolio week, we wanted to share new information published in HOW magazine, in collaboration with creative staffing agency, The Creative Group (TCG), about perfecting your creative portfolio. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

(Above:  Graphic Design/Branding portfolio by FIDM graduate, Kristal Lindo)

Typography Tuesday: Dexter Ads Designed to Mimic Magazine Covers... Guess Them All

A series of ads was created in Showtime's Dexter series in 2008 to promote the premiere of its third season, and demonstrate how typography can define the "personality" of a publication. The mock magazine covers were designed by Showtime's internal creative team, Red Group, and ran in Details, Esquire, Interview, Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Times Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Wired, according to the New York Times.

Can you guess which magazines each of the ads were published in- and what type of audience being targeting based on the design elements? Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

Motion Mondays: Stunning Short Videos by LA-based Royale for Nike, Apple, MTV and More

It's difficult to find agencies as talented as Hollywood-based Royale for our weekly posts dedicated to motion graphics. Naturally, we were excited read about the launch of motion/production company's new Website on Motionographer (who also posted a great interview with the firm here) to scope out their new creative projects. Watch Royale's new reel above, and watch more on the FIDMDigitalArts Blog.

Follow FIDMDigitalArts.com on Twitter (@FIDMDigitalArts).

Visit FIDMDigitalArts.com and the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more information about FIDM's Digital Media and Graphic Design programs.

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

November is the month for video game releases so it comes as no surprise to see game trailers, banners, and other interactive ad campaigns flooding the Internet during this time of year. Ever wonder how these trailers are made?

FIDM Digital Media Alumnus, Justin “Jay” Trumbull,  is quite familiar as a Games Footage Capture Coordinator at leading entertainment advertising agency,  The Ant Farm. Trumbull oversaw the production for two trailers for the Assassin’s Creed: Revelations game that debuted this week. And, yes… Trumbull gets to play the video games before they are released to the public! Read more about Trumbull here.

Did you know that every Monday is “Motion Monday” on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog? Check back every week for motion graphics and digital media  inspiration.

Industry Feature: The Birth of New Brand- Tips from a Creative Director on Design & Strategy

It takes more than great design to develop a brand’s identity. In an interview with FIDMDigitalArts.com, a Vancouver-based graphic designer, creative director and brand strategist, Neel Singh, provides insight into the development of a new brand called U RISE.

“Remember a brand never starts with a logo or an identity. If you are asked to design an identity for a client, be sure they clearly understand who their brand is, why it matters and what its message is,” says Singh. Read more here.

Follow FIDMDigitalArts.com on Twitter (@FIDMDigitalArts).

Visit FIDMDigitalArts.com and the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more information about FIDM's Digital Media and Graphic Design programs. 

On November 2, 2011, the full-service digital marketing and technology firm Digitaria presented, "Digital Trends in Design, Entertainment, and Social Media" at the San Diego campus. The successful event drew Alumni, Students, Faculty, and industry pros.

From the Digitaria blog:

"Digitaria’s hip headquarters is the 12th floor of DiamondView Tower in downtown San Diego, but the third floor of our building, home to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising’s San Diego campus, is hands down the building’s trendiest. Bright colors, open design, plush comfortable furniture, a library and large outdoor seating area -- what’s not to like?"

World champion boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao hired Column 87 creative director and FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Mark Wood to design the labels, packaging, print marketing materials, and more for Pacquiao's fragrance line, MP8: Scent of the Champion.

In the latest video from FIDMDigitalArts.com's  In the Lab web video series, Wood comes back to where his graphic design career began at FIDM to talk about his experience designing for the internationally renowned, record-breaking, eight-time world champion boxer. Read more about Mark Wood and Manny Pacquiao's MP8 fragrance line here.

In the Lab is a web series that takes you behind the scenes with Digital Media and Graphic Design Students and Alumni at FIDM. Check out these young designers and film-makers, who share who share their stories and their best practices on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog at http://blog.fidmdigitalarts.com/in-the-lab.

Read the latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

Branding 10,000 Lakes, One Logo and One Day at a Time

Add Branding 10,000 Lakes to your list of daily reads- it promises to be active for the next three decades. Why that long? Twenty seven years is how long it will take for graphic designer Nicole Meyer to accomplish her public goal of re-designing 10,000 logos for each of Minnesota’s lakes. Read more about this innovative graphic designer here.

Motion Graphics Inspiration: Reel by “Spilled Karma” Featuring Nike, Target and More

If you appreciate the highly visual, fast-paced motion graphics often depicted in action sports ads, you can't miss the work of director/designer/animator, Linas Jodwalis, who specializes in VFX design, motion and photography. Formerly of Motion Theory in Venice, CA, and Digital Kitchen in Chicago, Jodwalis has worked with clients like REM, HP, Reebok, Beck, SciFi Channel, Velvet Revolver, Nike, and Hasbro. Read more here. 

Major Web Design News: Adobe Acquires Web Typography Innovator, Typekit

By now you've probably heard the news that Adobe has acquired Typekit, a hugely influential web font company, dubbed "a leader in the delivery of hosted, high-quality fonts for use on Websites." We couldn't be more thrilled. (Yes, the sound you hear is our inner typography/Web design nerd alarm ringing). Read more here.

Visit FIDMDigitalArts.com and the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more information about FIDM's Digital Media and Graphic Design programs.

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

Landing a Creative Internship- Advice from Two FIDM Digital Media Students

With the beginning of a new quarter, many FIDM Students find themselves on the hunt for open internship positions in the design and entertainment industries. Two FIDM Digital Media Students shared with FIDMDigitalArts.com advice about how they landed digital media internships at high profile companies (Warner Bros. Studios and NBC Universal) and about the exciting experiences they gained. Read more here.

Art Director, Menachem Krinsky, Shares Industry Advice with FIDMDigitalArts.com

Menachem Krinsky is a Los Angeles-based art director and digital artist whose highly visual movie posters caught our attention at FIDMDigitalArts.com. Working with a variety of clients, from non-profit organizations to large agency campaigns, Krinsky co-founded Visionary+Flock (V+F), a boutique design shop focused on developing iconic print creative. Read more here. 

Student Spotlight: FIDM Graphic Design Student, Van Do, Explains the Constructivism Design Era

Students in the Graphic Design program at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising understand the importance of studying the history of design, delving into the art and design movements which helped to shape the current creative industry. Last quarter, current FIDM Graphic Design/Branding Student, Van Do, wrote and designed a report on the Constructivism design movement. Read more here. 

FIDMDigitalArts.com Recognized as Gold Winner in the W3 Awards

FIDMDigitalArts.com was recognized as a Gold Winner in the Website Features – Visual Appeal category in the sixth annual W3 Awards by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. Receiving more than 3,000 entries this year, the W3 Awards honors outstanding Websites, Web Marketing, Web Video, & Mobile Apps created by some of the best interactive agencies, designers, and creators worldwide. Read more here.

Visit FIDMDigitalArts.com and the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog for more information about FIDM's Digital Media and Graphic Design programs.

Next summer, twin sister and brother Jamie Hoopes and Mike Hoopes will attend FIDM to study Merchandise Product Development and Digital Media. Speaking about their career goals, this dynamic duo says,

"Jamie: There are so many options! But I would really love designing under a surf/skate/snow company. I am a beach lover and a snowboarder so it would fit the lifestyle I have perfectly. One day, if the opportunity came my way, you might see some designs under my own label!

Mike: My career goal is to be part of the process in which movies are produced, directed, and edited. I wish to make powerful films that will leave the viewers begging for more."

Read the entire interview at FIDM's FashionClub.com Daily Blog.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Today Show featured a story about musician Diego Stocco, who makes music from unusual things and places. FIDM Digital Media Students shot Stocco's "Music From a Dry Cleaner" video.

Ninety FIDM Graphic Design and Digital Media alumni met on Saturday, August 13th, for a networking picnic and tour of the Tim Burton retrospective at LA County Museum of Art (LACMA). Organized and hosted by Bill Cliatt and Carrie Shay of the FIDM Alumni Relations Office, the event was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon—networking with industry friends and viewing Burton's art. Chair Marlene Morbitt-Dunn and Directors Gene Le Brock and Steve Reaves were on hand to greet alumni.

 
Read all about motion graphics designer Kyle Brosius, and lead motion graphics designer Kyle Thorsen, two FIDM Digital Media Alumni who work for leading design firm Greenhaus GFX. As motion graphics artists, they design typographic titles, contributing to movie trailers for films like Priest, Battle Los Angeles, Conan the Barbarian, The Taking of Pelham 123, The Other Guys, and The Karate Kid for film studios like Sony Pictures, Columbia, Warner Bros., Universal, Screen Gems and Relativity.

Greenhaus GFX's executive creative director and founder, Helen Greene, shares her experience working with FIDM Digital Media Alumni.

“I saw that [they] went to FIDM, and that made a big difference to me. That will stick with you– if you have a good experience with certain people from different schools,” she says. “FIDM graduates don’t take [criticism] personally, they have really thick skin. That’s one of the most important things that you have to have. This is not fine art, this is advertising.”

(Photos above, from left: FIDM Digital Media Alumnus Kyle Brosius, executive creative director and founder of Greenhaus GFX Helen Greene, FIDM Digital Media Alumnus Kyle Thorsen, and Greenhaus GFX creative director Jason Doherty.)

Read the entire article on the FIDMDigitalarts Blog now.

For more inspirational work by FIDM Digital Media Alumni, visit www.fidmdigitalarts.com.

FIDM Alumna Katie Bogue Miller has launched the new website LovingEco.

"LovingEco 's mission is two-part: to contribute to the movement towards a healthier planet, and give people the opportunity to be "conscious consumers." To do this we are working with innovative companies who are truly trying to improve the way products are created and will bring their products (fashion and accessories, beauty care and products for moms and children) to LovingEco members in private sales at discounted prices (up to 70% off retail). And, best yet, three percent of net proceeds will go to support an environmental or social cause.  Each week will yield new vendors with 72 hours sales beginning on Monday and Thursday, so hurry up as sales come and go!

Also, each week we will have "Tastemaker Picks," which will bring in favorite brands and tips for going green from "celebrities, entrepreneurs, designers, actors, leaders and stylish women and moms."

LovingEco has already been featured on InStyle.com.

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalarts.com Blog:

FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Designs Packaging for World Champion Boxer, Manny Pacquiao’s new Fragrance “MP8 : Scent of the Champion”
Imagine being hired for someone who is idolized around the world to design the look of their logo and branding. Mark Wood, a Graphic Design Alumnus from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is familiar with the excitement, hard work and even the stress involved in this process as the packaging designer behind the MP8: Scent of the Champion men’s cologne developed by world-class boxing champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao.

Four FIDM Digital Media Alumni work at Create Advertising, a Creative Entertainment Powerhouse, Developing Movie & Video Game Trailers
Read all about Create Advertising where FIDM Alumni Jonathan Gitlin, Justin Hamilton, Mario Hernandez and Ryan Verseman work in the Motion Graphics department. Some of their work includes trailers for film studios Universal, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros., Disney and 20th Century Fox; and video game distributors Sony PlayStation, NAMCO, Square Enix, Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft and Konami.

Q&A with FIDM Alumna Bri Emery, the Graphic/Web Designer Behind Lauren Conrad’s New Blog, The Beauty Department
FIDM Graphic Design Alumna Bri Emery takes on some amazing projects as the art director of Rue Magazine, and as a freelance graphic designer. Her most recent endeavor? Designing the graphics for The Beauty Department, a Blog dedicated to all things beauty-related by Lauren Conrad.

 It’s Not Too Late! Don’t Miss Fender® Guitars Designed by FIDM Students at the Grammy Museum
There are only a few weeks left to visit the Grammy Museum’s “Graphic Guitar Designs that Rock” exhibit, featuring custom-designed Fender® guitars created by FIDM Graphic Design Students.

 Featured Competition: “Young Guns 9″ from ADC/Art Directors Club for Creative Pros Under 30
Attention young creative professionals! Here’s a chance for you to align yourself and your work with other inspirational and pivotal designers in the ADC Young Guns 9 Competition, “the only international, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that identifies today’s vanguard of young creative’s."

 26 Graphic Designers Reinterpret the Alphabet in “Getting Upper” at Pasadena Museum of California Art May 15 – Sept. 4
Get a glance into the upcoming exhibit, Getting Upper, at the Pasadena Museum of California Art that explores what happens when 26 graphic designers reinterpret the letters of the alphabet in their own style.

FIDM Graphic Design Student Re-Imagines Logo and Branding for Virgin Blak Apparel Line
Virgin Blak, a contemporary clothing line based in Seoul, South Korea with a burgeoning Internet following, caught the attention of FIDM Graphic Design Student, Kristal Lindo who loves its apparel, but feels that its logo doesn't reflect the company’s chic image. Check out Kristal's rendition of the logo, which she developed in Logo/Symbol Design, taught by Kevin Reagan.

Check out www.fidmdigitalarts.com for examples of work developed by FIDM's Graphic Design and Digital Media Alumni!

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

Know Your Design Roots: Read About Joseph Christian Leyendecker in a Report Written and Designed by FIDM Graphic Design Student
Meghan Cornejo, a Graphic Design/Branding Student at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising wrote and designed a report about prolific illustrator, Joseph Christian Leyendecker, also known as J.C. Leyendecker. “The way he illustrated people was amazing, and his techniques were so reflective of the time period, it was really interesting,” she says.

Pivotal Punk Rock Photographer, Edward Colver, Visits FIDM’s Graphic Design Portfolio Presentation
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising was honored to host Edward Colver, a pivotal photographer who captured the spirit of the punk rock subculture in California during the late 1970s and early 1980s, as an industry guest during Winter finals week.

Attention Animators, Motion Graphics Aficionados: You Really Can’t Miss “Motionographer”
Be forewarned: if you appreciation animation, motion graphics, or just plain good design, Motionographer just may consume the next couple of hours of your time if you haven’t yet discovered this little gem of a Website.

FIDM Graphic Design Students Preparing for European Study Tour to Florence, London, Paris and Rome
As the Winter quarter comes to a close and FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Students are preparing to relax during a two-week break, a group of 19 FIDM Students, including four Graphic Design Students, are gearing up for their trip to Europe for the annual FIDM European Study Tour.

Get Inspired: Movie Frames Condensed Into Movie “Barcodes”
Check out this ingenious concept: MOVIEBARCODE takes every frame from feature films and condenses them into a single image or “bar code,” creating a unique piece that reflects the overall mood and aesthetic of the movie through color.

Submit T-Shirt Graphic Designs to Help Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Japan
This Shirt Helps, a clothing company dedicated to social consciousness, is collecting T-Shirt designs (for pay) to aid victims of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11.

 Two Articles to Help You Avoid Graphic Design Clichés
Read the “do’s and don’ts” of the use of script typefaces by Ilene Strizver, owner and founder of The Type Studio, and also a discussion about avoiding design clichés such as using predictable typefaces to provide a sense of ethnicity by Dan Mayer of Smashing Magazine.

Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog here.

Riverside native and Just Accepted Student Michael De Avila is a talented and accomplished singer and actor, but he also has a passion for Digital Media. The 18 year-old is a member of the International Thespian Society, sings the Star Spangled Banner for his school, and hopes to one day be a top editor for Pixar.

"I thought FIDM was just a fashion school, but when I took a tour of the Los Angeles campus and talked to some of the teachers to see what the Digital Media program had to offer, I knew this major would be perfect for me. I still wanted to go to a University of California college, so I looked at all the UC schools to see which one had the best program for what I wanted to go into. Sadly nothing came close to what I wanted. What I saw at FIDM was what I wanted and that's when I knew I needed to go to FIDM."

Read the entire interview on FIDM's FashionClub Blog.

Featured Competition: The 90th Annual Art Director’s Club (ADC) Student Design Awards

Attention design students! Registration for the 90th Annual Art Director’s Club Awards is open. Read more here.

Four Great Articles Written by Industry Professionals about Your Creative Portfolio

The FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog is introducing a new section featuring the creative portfolios of FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Graphic Design and Digital Media’s most recent graduates! To celebrate the launch of the new portfolio section, we bring to you four articles, written by industry professionals with advice on how to develop an effective creative portfolio. Read more here.

FIDM/San Francisco Graphic Design Students Design Logos for Vespa SF

Not many design students get the opportunity to work with real-life clients while in school, so imagine the added feelings of excitement and nervousness, and industry experience that FIDM Graphic Design Students gained while designing logos for Vespa San Francisco for three months. Read more here.

Congratulations! FIDMDigitalArts.com Interviews Recent Graphic Design Graduate, Giselle Blanco. 

Often seen sporting mutli-colored hair and spunky fashion choices, Giselle Blanco’s personal style is not unlike the vibe of her graphic design portfolio, which combines a mixture of bright pops of color and grungy typographic choices on her T-shirt designs, skateboard and surfboard designs, and magazine covers. Read more here.

Featured Competition: "Doodle 4 Google" (K-12) 

Google has launched the fourth annual Doodle 4 Google competition, inviting K-12 students to use their artistic talents to think big and redesign Google’s homepage logo for millions to see, around the theme of “What I’d like to do someday…” Read more here.

FIDM launches the Spring 2011 Issue of The Mode,  a Student Publication. Meet the Staff. 

Many of the students in FIDM’s Graphic Design program are members of The MODE staff, a FIDM Student publication. Students of all majors collaborate to organize and execute photo shoots, art direct the layout of the publication, conceptualize and write articles, and develop their overall skills as future graphic designers. FIDMDigitalArts.com caught up with some of The MODE student staff members at the Spring 2011 launch party, hosted at a rooftop venue, 1010 Wilshire, in downtown Los Angeles. Meet the staff, read more here.

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

SPD (Society of Publication Designers) Announces 2011 Student Competition Details
Every year, SPD (Society of Publication Designers) holds a professional competition to find the best editorial design out there and the SPD has officially announced the details for the 2011 Student Design Competition. Entries are due Monday, March 7th, 2011 at 5pm. Read more about it on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

FIDM SF Graphic Design Students Redesigning Logo for Vespa/SF

Graphic Design Students at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco have been given the exciting opportunity to design new logo for VespaSF. “The client is looking for an updated logo that does more than just mix the iconic VespaSF logo together with the words ‘San Francisco,’” says Lisa Hoffman, the Graphic Design Department Coordinator for FIDM/San Francisco. Read more about it on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog now.

Poster Gallery for Lost TV Series from Mattson Creative
Check out these great posters for the TV series Lost by Mattson Creative. These posters were developed by Ty Mattson, principal of Mattson Creative and a long time fan of the show who created these as a personal side project to invite his friends to a series finale watching party at his home.  His designs were noticed by HOW Magazine who featured the posters in its September 2010 issue, and also by the ABC television network. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog now.

FIDM Alumna Authors, Designs and Illustrates a Vegan Cookbook
From designing a stage set out of duct tape for a United Kingdom based band, to Websites for models, boutiques and actresses, and now a self-published book, Melissa Bergen’s organic hand-illustrative style of graphic design is picking up momentum since graduating from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising just two years ago. Don't miss The Kitchen & Garden Patch cookbook release party on November 6, at 6:00 p.m. at ME&Blue (566 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA 90291) Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog now.

The Latest Events from AIGA/LA and AIGA/SF
Stay in touch with the design industry through the AIGA (the professional association for design). By attending events hosted by the AIGA, you not only get the opportunity to learn about your industry, but also to network and promote yourself as a design professional. Check out the latest events from the AIGA/Los Angeles and AIGA/San Francisco on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog now.

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog:

Gap Changes Its Logo... then Switches It Back. Check Out other Brands that (Successfully) Refined Their Look.
Last week, apparel company Gap, Inc. introduced a new logo on its website, integrating a san-serif logotype with a gradient blue box set behind the “p” against a white background in lieu of its original logo, a blue box with knockout white serif letters. Visit the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog to more about Gap, Inc.'s logo re-design and view other brands' before-and-after versions of their logos as they evolved over time.

FIDM Graphic Design Alumna is Art Director of Rue Magazine, a New Online Lifestyle/Interior Publication
It’s sunrise and while most of us are likely sleeping, FIDM Alumna Brieanne “Bri” Emery is probably glued to her computer, working on her latest project, which could be anything from designing a logo, to laying out the pages in a magazine. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Bri graduated from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in December 2007 in Graphic Design/Branding, learning various aspects of print design, including logo development, corporate identity, product branding and licensing, packaging, and publication design, an education that has aided Bri in translating her passion into a career as a graphic designer. Read more about Bri Emery's career as a graphic designer and Art Director on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

An Article You Can't Miss: "The Art of Film Title Design Throughout Cinema History," from Smashing Magazine
If you get inspired by movie title design as much as I do, check out this article written by Julia May at Smashing Magazine entitled “The Art Of Film Title Design Throughout Cinema History." May outlines the history of title sequences (a.k.a. the motion graphics that you see in the beginning of feature films) from silent movie films to current day box office flicks, and incorporates lots of great photos and movie clips so you gain a thorough understanding of the movie-title design evolution. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

FIDM SF Graphic Design Student Travels to NYC as the Third-Place Winner in a National Design Competition
Maggie McCormick, a Graphic Design/Branding Student enrolled at FIDM's San Francisco campus, was selected as the third-place winner in a national design competition sponsored by the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) trade association. Maggie traveled to New York City during the Summer Quarter break to attend the 2010 ICMAD Young Designers Dinner where the top three winners of the competition were announced. Read more about Maggie's experience on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

"The Dieline" and HOW Magazine Join Forces to Present a One-of-a-Kind Packaging Design Conference
The Dieline and HOW are pleased to announce the development of The Dieline Package Design Conference – Presented by HOW, a new design conference addressing the challenges and opportunities unique to packaging designers. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

The latest headlines from the FIDMDigitalArts.com blog:

FIDM Graphic Design Alumnus Operates Successful Design Firm 
It was more than 10 years ago when Ryan McKay, after losing a baseball scholarship due to a broken arm during his senior year in high school, began considering an alternative career. Fortunately, McKay was not only a skilled baseball player, but also a fine artist, canvas painter, and illustrator. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, he’d heard about FIDM from a speaker at Mountain Ridge High School and decided to pursue a degree in Graphic Design. Today, it looks like an unfortunate incident in McKay’s life has turned out to be a fortunate one for Arizona’s design industry. Read more about Ryan and his company, RECREATE Media, on the FIDMDigitalarts.com Blog.

Get Inspired: “A Better Bullseye for Target” by Motion Theory
Check out this advertisement developed by Motion Theory, a multi-faceted design/advertising firm located in Los Angeles. This dynamic and charming commerical was overseen by Motion Theory Director Chris Riehl and CG/Animation Supervisor and Character Lead Danny Zobrist,and themed ”A Better Bullseye” for Target. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

FIDMDigitalArts.com Featured on Communication Arts!
FIDM's Graphic Design & Digital Media website, FIDMDigitalArts.com (www.fidmdigitalarts.com), was featured on Communication Arts'  in the“Webpick of the day” section on October 6. Communication Arts Magazine is "the premier source of inspiration for graphic designers, art directors, design firms, corporate design departments, advertising agencies, interactive designers, illustrators and photographers—everyone involved in visual communication." If you haven’t already explored the multiple exhibits of FIDM student and Alumni-designed work on FIDMDigitalArts.com, check it out now (click here). Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Congrats to New FIDM Graphic Design Graduate, Natasha Ramay
With a prior degree in Textile Design from Karachi University in Pakistan, FIDM Graphic Design graduate Natasha Ramay’s passion and influence for textile design is evident in her final graphic design portfolio, which she presented in September. After working in textiles, Natasha chose to switch gears to focus on graphics due to its ever-evolving platform in communication, she says. Read more now on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

FIDM Digital Media Alumnus Chris Mumford Embraces Photography
Whether he’s filming movies or taking photographs, FIDM Alumnus Chris Mumford has an eye for capturing moments from behind a lens. As a graduate from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Digital Media Program in December 2009, Chris is well-educated in the various aspects of film-making, from digital composition and motion graphics, to editing and sound design. And now, he’s utilizing some of those skills and focusing his attention on another passion: still photography. Read more now on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog.

Contribute to FIDMDigitalarts.com!
Are you a current student or graduate from the Graphic Design and/or Digital Media departments at FIDM? We’d love to hear from you! FIDM is always looking for Blog ideas, links, comments and feedback regarding the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog. Email all comments and suggestions to Blog Editor, Mani O’Brien at mo’brien@fidm.edu. Read more on the FIDMDigitalArts.com Blog now.