FIDM Magazine

FIDM Graphic Design Students Develop Unique SPIRIT Campaign "Stunt"

 

 

Lionsgate Films selected nine art and design schools across the United States to design local advertising campaigns for their upcoming film The Spirit.

Students Alex Kapustin, Lesley Leong, Martha Walker, and Hector De Leon from FIDM's Graphic Design department were inspired by the construction happening in Downtown L.A. They created a 20' x 30' hanging banner which incorporates a crane that will hold the piece aloft and viewable from Interstate 10 until midnight tonight. The banner will then be on display in the FIDM lobby. --Kim

Pictured: FIDM Students making the original presentation  to Lionsgate FIlms, the actual banner located at 1020 S. Figueroa Street, The Spirit website.

Eco-Friendly Grads Help Make Green the New Black

The eco-friendly Green Movement is in full swing and FIDM Alumni are doing their part to contribute to the health of our planet. In June, Interior Design and International Manufacturing & Product Development Grad James Saavedra, who was a designer on the second season of TLC's Clean Sweep and writes the Décor Fellow blog, and his partner Kelly LaPlante launched JAK a new Art Deco- and Hollywood Regency-inspired handcrafted furnishings line with an environmentally sustainable twist.

"Our motivation is that when we took a look at the existing green furniture available to designers we recognized there was something missing," says James. "I believe it is imperative, now more than ever, for us to take a good hard look at our habits and how they are effecting the world in which we live."

One of the first FIDM Graduates to work in the green industry, Alison K. Pollack, started Earth Friendly Interior Design the same year she graduated, with a goal of creating a healthier environment by using alternative materials. (Pictured at right, one of Alison Pollack's interiors.)

“For the first time there is a connection being made between planet sustainability, health issues with chemical overload, and climate change,” says Alison, who also designs Suite Baby, an organic nursery line. “The amazing sense of gratification that the contribution I made, no matter how great or small, preserves something greater than myself.”

Other FIDM Alumni are also making waves in the movement. Fashion Design Grad Karen Kananen founded Raw Earth & Wild Sky, a sustainable style company that features handmade clothing. Based in L.A., the eco-friendly label uses 100% organic cotton and low impact dyes.

Fellow Fashion Design Alumni and friends Rebecca Eliason and Debra Weaver launched Re-Dewin, a line of recycled vintage clothing, this year. (Pictured at left, a vintage look from Re-Dewin.) And this year, Product Development Graduate Tika Shenghur ‘04 launched Teek Design Studios, a line of creative and contemporary green stationery.

New Interview: Graphic Design Student Jocelyn Goode

FIDM Graphic Design Student Jocelyn Goode, in her second year on the San Francisco campus, recently won JCPenney's national Reusable Bag Contest. The bag, featuring her signature, will be sold in JCPenney stores next spring. In our latest Style Scoop Interview, find out how this busy student stays inspired! --Kim

Graphic Design Student Wins JCPenney Reusable Bag Contest

FIDM Graphic Design Student Jocelyn Goode, in her second year on the San Francisco campus, is one of the three winners of JCPenney's national Reusable Bag Contest. Jocelyn's bag, featuring her signature, will be sold in JCPenney stores next spring. --Kim

Graphic Design Students Help Re-energize Surf/Sport Brand FRINGE

 
FIDM Graphic Design Students Amanda Robinson, Nathalie Mendoza, and Gen Asaki were asked to develop a new look and brand for San Francisco Bay Area action sports company FRINGE. They created the t-shirt and board designs pictured above (click the image for a closer look). Now a FIDM Grad, Gen, who was just hired as at BCBG, is still doing freelance work for FRINGE  and his "Santa Cruz" design is their bestseller.  --Kim

FIDM Grad Designs U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Outfits

FIDM Graphic Design Grad Anthony Badami designed the Asics brand outfits for the men's and women's U.S. Olympic and U.S. National Wrestling teams. Click here for more photos. --Kim

FIDM Graphic Design Student Creates Symbol for SF's Ethnic Dance Festival

FIDM Graphic Design Students from the San Francisco Campus were given the exciting opportunity to submit their designs for a new symbol to commemorate the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival's 30 Anniversary. At a special luncheon on campus, Wilkes Bashford, the event's honorary chair, and Susan Somaya from World Arts West announced the winner, FIDM Student Lauren Robinette. "Wilkes had the final say in choosing the winner and he said it was a really tough choice once he had narrowed it down to his three favorites," reports Graphic Design Department Coordinator Lisa Hoffman.

On Saturday, June 7th the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival celebrated the opening of their 30th year with a gala event at the Palace of Fine Arts. Lauren was honored during the reception with an introduction by Don Sanchez from ABC7 news and her symbol was used on the tote bag that were given to important donors and participating dancers. 

Find out more about FIDM's hands-on Graphic Design Program and get the details on the ongoing Vespa Design project and the electrifying Fender Guitar project. --Kim

FIDM Student Wins Hollywood Reporter's Publisher's Award

FIDM Graphic Design Student Sarah Neyhart won the highly coveted Publisher's Award at Hollywood Reporter's Key Art Student Awards reception held at the FIDM Museum & Galleries last night. Students from all over the United States, and as far away as Greece, took part in the magazine's competition which called for entrants to submit either a movie poster one-sheet or a movie trailer.

Contestants were asked to choose from among the movies 300, Knocked Up, and Dreamgirls. Sarah's winning movie poster for the film Knocked Up clearly impressed Hollywood Reporter publisher Eric Mika (pictured above with Sarah). Sarah had the opportunity to go to college because, as she puts it,  "A complete stranger stepped in, got me through school, and completely changed my life to give me this opportunity."

In addition to winning the Publisher's Award, Sarah was one of three FIDM Students who were finalists in the Key Art Awards Student Competition. "Of the twelve finalists in the Trailer division, FIDM took two places and in the 'one sheet' or poster division, we took one spot among the twelve," reports FIDM Department Chair Marlene Morbitt-Dunn (also pictured with Sarah). Congratulations to Sarah as well as FIDM Digital Media Students Samantha Young and Michael Asmus!

All the one-sheet entries and trailers are on exhibit in the FIDM Museum and Galleries Tuesdays - Sundays from 10am-4pm through June 19th.  --Kim

FIDM Students Are Finalists In Hollywood Reporter's Key Art Awards Student Competition

FIDM congratulates Digital Media students Samantha Young and Michael Asmus and Graphic Design student Sarah Neyhart, finalists in the 7th Annual Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards Student Competition. "Of the twelve finalists in the Trailer division, FIDM took two places and in the 'one sheet' or poster division, we took one spot among the twelve," reports FIDM Department Chair Marlene Morbitt-Dunn.

"The competition this year increased by approximately 62% more entries in the poster division, and 50% more in the trailer division. Stiff competition!" Marlene continued. Stephanie created a trailer for the feature film 300, while Michael's trailer was for Dreamgirls. Sarah created a poster for the comedy Knocked Up.

The reception and the announcement of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category will take place on May 29th at a reception in the FIDM Museum & Galleries. Watch the video and see the posters from the FIDM Students who won last year's competition. --Kim

FIDM Instructor Featured in Gallery Show (L.A.)

Freelance Graphic Designer and FIDM Instructor Cameron Tiede, well-known for his hugely popular line of hip collectible vinyl toys, will be showing two pieces at the "Everything but the Kitschen Sink" group show March 7-30. Find out more about Cameron Tiede in Faculty Stories. (Pictured: Thermal Hullabaloo by Cameron Tiede)--Kim