Jessica Skavicus

Anne Alcin

Internship

Authentic Brands Group in NYC

What drew you to your major?

Having a background in fine arts, I applied for the Graphic Design program because I thought it was a stable career. I didn’t have a good idea of what graphic design really was until attending Champlain College. As a current senior, I now understand that without design theory, communication would be significantly less clear. Graphic design evokes an emotion for someone, which prompts them to take action, or makes it easier for people to digest information. For example, we stop at a stop sign because the sign is red. Red is a color that gives a sense of urgency, so a person is more likely to stop when they see that sign. If it was just a piece of paper that said “stop” in script and black and white, a person would be less likely to take the sign seriously.

Tell us about your internship.

I did an internship at Authentic Brands Group in New York City, and I was able to use the experience from my typography classes to design email newsletters and do brand research while keeping in the brand guidelines. Before being selected, they asked me to redesign one of their brands. I think my experience from my Projects in Graphic Design classes prepared me for that task.

How has Core changed your perspective?

My favorite Core class was definitely Place & Identity with Professor Buckley. It has taught me about understanding what words mean and how the context of words will vary depending on the circumstances. I’ve learned about how culture affects how people treat each other, which is something I’ll continue to think about post-graduation. This class changed my perspective on groupthink and how it’s important to listen to what others have to say instead of letting one word define a whole narrative.

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Cass Bittner

Concentrations

Marketing and Communication

Internship

Graphic Design Intern for Grafton Digital in Dublin, Ireland

When you were deciding where to go to school, why did you choose Champlain?

My top choice was always Champlain due to Division of Information Technology & Sciences engaging curriculum and beautiful campus. Also I knew as soon as I heard about the College’s study abroad opportunities as a high schooler, I had to come to Champlain and fulfill younger Cass’ dream of living in Ireland. An outreach counselor from the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) explained that Champlain offered scholarships for low-income first-generation students like myself that allow me to be here today.

What opportunities have allowed you to apply classroom learning to real-world settings in your field?

Champlain helped me become the designer I am today. I now know what can make or break a design along with many of the tips, tricks, and secrets of my field. Before college, I used to look at something and say “that doesn’t look right,” or, “something is off,” and struggled to find what it was. Now I have the ability to critique and precisely point out what about a design is not working. It’s fun to apply this to the world around us since design is everywhere. Even when I spend time out with friends or family, I find myself scanning labels on various items to see if they were well designed or have flaws. Like graphic designer “I spy” if you will.

What do you want to be ready for/ready to do upon graduation? How has Champlain pushed you toward getting there?

The best part about Champlain is that they require you to have at least one internship experience before you graduate and go into the “real world”. Because of this, the College’s Career Collaborative has a deep reservoir of connections and are excited to help you secure a job or internship. The best part is that Champlain will also help you at any point in time, even after you graduate and need a career change down the road. The people at the Career Collaborative often joke “til’ death do us part,” meaning they are there whenever you need them!. Champlain makes sure you are ready to succeed when you enter the professional world.

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Becca Boucher

Internship

Her Campus Media in Boston, MA

Favorite Class

Advanced Typography

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding?

Getting to work on my Capstone, Critical, was by far the most rewarding experience. Critical isan activism-based campaign advocating for accessible design practices to be integrated into undergraduate design programs. Getting to build up the concept, brand, and outcomes all from scratch was so much fun, but that was not even the most rewarding part. The most rewarding thing to come from the project was when a high school acquaintance reached out to me and thanked me for my work. He told me that he felt personally connected to my project, as he has two blind brothers. Of course, I knew going into the project that my intentions were to help those who are visually impaired but being thanked by someone that actually has a direct connection with the folks whose lives I was hoping to enhance was a feeling like no other.

What was your study abroad experience like?

For the spring 2019 semester, I got to study abroad in London, England. As cliche as it sounds, I really do think that studying abroad was a life-changing experience. I went through a third-partyprogram, so I got to live and study with people from all over the states and the world. I still talk to all five of the girls I lived with almost every day, and I know they will be forever friends. I got to visit my boyfriend in Dublin for St Patrick’s Day and we got to spend our spring break in Paris.I think the most valuable thing I took from studying abroad was how rich other cultures are. London has some of the most amazing museums I have ever been to, and I learned so much from going and studying the work from all around the world. My favorite museums were the Tate Modern and the British Museum!If I were to give one piece of advice to any Champlain student, it would be to study abroad. I made so many unforgettable memories, learned so much, and made some amazing friends!

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I am an Orientation Leader and the Director of Design for CHAMP. I love both of these groups,as I get to interact with so many different people! Orientation week is so much fun. We get so close with the best group of leaders and get to welcome so many new students. I love the high energy and seeing all the working parts come together. I have been a part of CHAMP since my first year, and love getting to plan the different events.

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Ariana Calder

Internship

Social Media Intern at Payverse

Favorite Class

Intro to Typography

What opportunities have allowed you to apply classroom learning to real-world settings in your field?

I did an internship over the summer, where I still work now! I manage social media and create content for a fintech company called Payverse. It’s been interesting to grow my skills in brand identity and learn a little about an industry that I had no background knowledge on before I began. It’s been wonderful to bring my typography and hierarchy skills into a space that really needs it.

Looking back, what advice would you give a new or incoming Champlain student?

My main advice for a new Champlain student is to really walk around campus and Burlington as a whole! It can be daunting coming here and having all the freedom in the world all of a sudden, and may make a lot of us (including me) just want to stay in our rooms sometimes. But Burlington is so beautiful, and while it’s a lot of walking, I can confidently say so much of my college experience has been made by discovering new places, after walking maybe a little too far.

Describe your ultimate career aspiration, job, or accomplishment in your field.

My ultimate career aspiration is to have my own graphic design business where I can sustain myself by working at home, creating my own hours, and traveling to places that I’ve always wanted to go. Of course, this comes with a lot of development and networking, so immediately after college I’d like to first find a design firm to really grow my skills in interacting with clientele. In order to become a great designer, you need to be adaptive, communicative, creative, and understanding of just how much impact your work really has. Through continuing to foster my work ethic and develop my skills, I really do believe this dream will be possible.

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Juliette Cavanaugh

Specialization

Motion Graphics

Internship

Graphic Design Intern at Burlington City Arts in Burlington, VT

How did you pick your major?

I’ve always been a creative person and graphic design seemed like a great way to express that creativity both in the classroom and in the professional field.Initially, there are a lot of preliminary steps you need to take, such as learning how to navigate certain software or how to articulate design language. Learning those skills early on has allowed me to hone my design skills and become more confident in my field.

What has been your experience with the Core Curriculum at Champlain?

While focusing on my major is obviously important, I think that being aware of what is going on around you-both locally and globally-is just as important. Especially being a graphic designer, I feel that I’m very aware of this because I know images can easily transcend cultural and language barriers. They’re universal. Because of this, it’s important to recognize who your audience is and how your work might be interpreted around the world.

Have you had any internships?

I was the Graphic Design Intern at Burlington City Arts in the summer of 2017. My duties included creating promotional materials for events and exhibitions, digital signage and social media assets, as well as printing vinyl signage for events, classrooms and office spaces. I also helped set up and run the Festival of Fools, which takes place on Church Street every summer. Seeing my designs all over Church Street was very exciting and rewarding for me.

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Erin Chaput

Internship

Graphic Designer for Champlain’s Office of Advancement

So far, what classes, projects, subjects, or experiences have been most meaningful or impactful? What action or change have they inspired?

One project that has been very meaningful was a book I had to design involving opposite concepts. I picked the subject of mental health, specifically suicide, and used this design as a opportunity to showcase the ways in which media romanticizes this very serious topic. I put this concept against the reality of suicide and Division of Information Technology & Sciences impacts on the person and families. I was really passionate about this book and even had a physical copy of it printed, and I think it is one of my more successful pieces to date. It showcases the realities of this subject and why we shouldn’t let the media glorify it the way it does.

What is something you’ve grown to be proud of while here?

Something I’ve grown to be proud of is my work. When I first started design, I was confident, but not in my work Division of Information Technology & Scienceself. I was confident in my ability to critique design and see things critically. Champlain has helped me harness and expand on that ability and has even helped me find a direction I want to go in using that skill. This has given me more confidence in my design work.

Why did you choose Champlain for studying Visual Communication Design?

When I went on a tour of Champlain, I was really impressed by the work that was up as well as the qualifications the design professors have. They have lived out long design careers and have worked with many different companies. This was extremely compelling as a student who had no idea what sort or company or position I’d want in the design world.

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Kristen Jensen

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Addie Laprey

Internship

Graphic Design Intern at the Champlain Marketing Department in Burlington, VT

Favorite Class

Visual Communication Design Capstone

Did you get the chance to study abroad?

I studied abroad in London at Central Saint Martins. It was very different from Champlain, and I learned a lot about working conceptually and independently. While it pushed me out of my comfort zone at the time, it also taught me how to approach design from an entirely different perspective and shaped how I view visual communication today.

What is the best part of the Visual Communication Design major?

One experience I have found incredibly valuable at Champlain is the emphasis on collaboration in classes—every design class involves group critique from peers. I’ve had the opportunity to work on various collaborative projects, either in small groups or with the entire class. Working so closely with my peers has helped me create a tightly knit support system of people I consider not only peers, but some of my closest friends.

Are you involved with any extracurricular activities?

I helped organize a club called In The Arts, which encourages Champlain students to become involved in the art community around town, collaborate, and share their work with each other. I have met a ton of people through this club that I wouldn’t have otherwise known. It’s inspiring and motivates me to be creative.

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Megan Milano

Specialization

Motion Graphics

Internship

Design & Communication Intern at ECHO Leahy Center in Burlington, VT

Post-Grad Job

Graphic Designer at Union Street Media in Burlington, VT

What made you choose Champlain College?

When I was looking for colleges, Champlain blew every other school out of the water by far. I could tell that the professors really cared about the students and were passionate about what they were teaching. The biggest thing that drew me to Champlain was that we could take classes in our major starting the very first semester, so I knew that Graphic Design & Digital Media* was right for me.
*This program named changed to Visual Communication Design in 2019.

Have you worked on any projects that have been particularly rewarding?

I often find myself connecting with and becoming invested in the projects that I do for my major. It is really tough for me to work on something that I am not passionate about, so being able to dive into something allows me to design it as my best self. Two projects in particular that I felt very connected with were a mantra poster I created and a typographic book that I designed.

Are you involved with any extracurricular activities?

I am the Director of Design for CHAMP (Champlain Has Activities and Motivational Programming). We plan all major campus events throughout the year to help build the community. I have been a member since the first week of my first year, and I love the positive atmosphere of the meetings. Now I’m a member of the board, and I make all the designs for the events. I couldn’t be happier that I took a step out of my comfort zone.

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Ben Van Cleave

Internship

Champlain College Marketing Department

Favorite Class

Intermediate Typography

What do you like about going to college in Burlington?

Burlington is the perfect college town. The student population here is huge, so everywhere you go, there’s always young people out and about. It also has a unique spirit and tightly-knit community, so it really does feel like home. I always recommend that people check out the local music and arts. There are always a lot of amazing shows going on in a variety of different venues across town.

What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Champlain?

I think my favorite major-specific class I’ve taken at Champlain is Intermediate Typography with Suzanne Glover. You grow so much over the course of that class, and seeing the progression from project to project is really exciting and rewarding. My favorite Core class that I’ve taken at Champlain is definitely the History of Hip-Hop with Brian Murphy, which had really interesting subject matter. It was one of the few classes that I’ve been excited to write a paper for.

How has your Champlain experience prepared you for your future career, both in and out of the classroom?

Champlain has a really strong focus on providing you with real industry standards so that you can enter the field with all of the tools you need to succeed. The people I’ve met here form an amazing community, which will turn into an amazing professional network after graduation.

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