Art School Grads Meet the Pros

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) continued its annual tradition of granting industry professionals exclusive access to its industry-ready graduating seniors.

This year’s Industry Open House was held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at LCAD’s Big Bend Campus in Laguna Beach, CA.

“Industry Open House is an event that fosters interaction between companies seeking new talent and LCAD students poised for professional success,” said Robin Fuld, LCAD’s Director of Career Services. “We’re proud that, through our close relationships with major companies and with our art and design curricula, this event ushers students to industry-specific jobs upon graduation.”

Participating students are carefully selected by jury to meet with representatives from 43 Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County based companies that included Ben Eine, Blizzard, DC Entertainment, Disney Animation, The Jim Henson Creature Shop, M Creative, McGillivray Freeman Films, Nickelodeon, Obsidian Entertainment, Stance and The Consortium Design Agency. Company reps met with students for a firsthand look at their portfolios, conducted casual interviews and provided valuable career advice.

Taylor Blue, a recent LCAD Illustration alumna, admitted the competition to be included in the open house was intense. “I was up against other extremely talented students whose work I respect and admire,” she said. “My goal is to learn from the industry professionals I meet at the open house.”

Blue’s senior portfolio includes visual design for mobile games, action sports design apparel and visual development for book designs.

“LCAD students prepare for this event the moment they begin their freshman year,” Fuld said. “Students accepted to IOH know that they will be introduced to the companies they’ve always dreamed of working for, and they know those same companies are looking for the talents and skills they gained at LCAD.”

Students at LCAD’s 2015 IOH will represent the following visual communication degree programs: Animation, Design + Digital Media, Game Art and Illustration.

Photo credit: LCAD Design + Digitial Media Manager, Chris Sommers

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About Laguna College of Art and Design

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Design + Digital Media, Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting), Game Art and Illustration, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in Drawing and Painting. Named by NIKE as one of the top three design schools in the world, LCAD is closely partnered with industry leaders. These partnerships have resulted in a 90% employment rate for LCAD’s visual arts graduates. Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation, DreamWorks, FOX, Hurley International, NIKE, VANS, Warner Brothers Animation and more employ LCAD visual arts alumni. LCAD Fine Arts alumni are accepted to the most prestigious graduate programs and go on to become internationally recognized artists and educators who shape dialogue with renowned collectors, museums and gallerists. The Dennis and Leslie Power Library at LCAD houses invaluable historic archives that include The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers.

For more information about LCAD admissions, news, events and Annual Fund, visit www.lcad.edu. Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa