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Success Stories
At O'More College of Design, we know our reputation for success is built on one thing: the continuing success of our students. The proof is in our "product," and to young designers that means the kind of education that leads to full and satisfying careers. We're proud of our students, both those currently enrolled and the many who have left to do the work for which they trained.
Not enough to hear it from us? Then we'd like you to meet some of our graduates. Let them tell you in their own words about their O'More experience and personal success. These are stories worth reading for anyone interested in our college, our students, and a design education.
Fashion Design
Patrycja Makarucha-Bond, Fashion Design
Technical Designer, VF Imagewear
Fall 2001-May 2004
I [came to O'More with] a previous degree from Tennessee State University, and I felt that I needed to get more specialized education from a smaller college—for smaller classes and more one-on-one attention.
[Following graduation] I got married and I have two wonderful kids. I had become an intern at VF when I was a junior at O'More, then after graduation I was hired as a product developer. A few months later, I moved to the technical design department, where I still am. I taught a fashion sketching class at International Academy of Design prior to having my second child. I freelanced with a few other designers on custom high-end garments. The last two years, I have had the opportunity to be on the Advisory Board for O'More College and help evaluate the Fashion Department curriculum.
Looking back, in general I have a different perspective and outlook about designing and the apparel industry. I always thought, "I am going to be designer and just design since I'm so creative." After doing my internship, the corporate picture became much clearer, too. There are so many different jobs and so many different ways that a person can exhibit their talent. In technical design, I ended up doing a creative and analytical job which I love. In college, if someone told me that I would be measuring and working out garment details I would have laughed, but now I can't see myself just designing. I feel like I have taken my creativeness to the next level and get to use it when I can, but I've also grown as a designer by understanding the operations side of it. I love the engineering of the garment; I love figuring out how to solve problems in relation to garment design.
I never liked sewing or pattern making. With that said, I was able to understand these concepts, and that understanding is critical since I use it on a daily basis, but those were my least favorite classes. My favorite classes were Business Law, History of Clothing, and all illustration classes. In History of Clothing, I tied historical events to clothing; since then it has stuck in my brain. I had a very challenging illustration class with some of the best illustrators I have met, so it was very competitive and pushed me further. Business Law was a hard class, but I learned basic law, which is applied to every industry. I feel like—in order to be successful—you need to be well rounded [and] understand the business, the law, and manufacturing (since designing comes naturally to me).
I was willing to do anything to get my foot in the door. As an intern I filed, made binders, and cleaned out work rooms. I also got to travel to New York and do conceptual sketching for a work-wear line. I never said no, and I did everything I was asked. I knew this was a stepping stone in my career, and I did not want to be difficult since I was an intern and that is what I had to do. Don't burn any bridges; your classmate that you pick on may be your boss one day. You just never know. Work hard, be positive, and don't give up.
I think that if you want something bad enough, you will get it. I can't stress enough that hard work pays off. If you cheat, you only cheat yourself. I worked a full-time job while I was in college and did freelance projects on the side. I was always willing to do or be involved in everything that I could learn from. Doing things for free can be a great way for you to realize maybe you don't want to style or dress for videos or movies once you do it. I would say try every opportunity presented to you no matter what anyone thinks, and then you can just look back at it as a learning experience. The industry is much smaller than you think, so helping each other out is key, and people will remember that. Also, don't wait for opportunities to come and find you; look for them yourself. Remember: If you are eager and willing and have drive, people will see that, and you will get a job. Just stay true to yourself and do everything with integrity, even in school, because that is where you start learning habits. I didn't put 100% into school; I put 150% into it.
Don't give up because you think someone can draw or sew better than you. Everyone has their strengths, and there are so many different jobs in the apparel industry that if you work hard you will find the right job for you. No matter how creative and outrageous you are, I can't stress the fact that to be professional is a must. No one will take you seriously if you don't dress the part and talk the part. You can be creative and as funky as you want to be, but when it comes to having speakers, field trips, and job interviews, be professional no matter how creative or funky you normally are.
Megan Griffiths, Fashion Design
Assistant Designer, Johnston & Murphy
Freelance Illustrator
August 2000-May 2004
I chose O'More for the campus. As an artist, I loved the idea of being surrounded by nature and by a small historic downtown area that still takes pride in local artisan work. I knew it would be a college experience that was both unique and inspirational.
I stayed to earn my degree after enrolling because of the level of depth the fashion department undertook to teach us the steps of design—from trend research to conception, illustration, draping, patterning, and merchandising. Subsequently, when interviewing for full-time positions after graduation, a comment I heard most often was how impressed they were that I was trained to do all of the steps of garment design. This was consistent with the comments I had already heard in interviews in NYC for internships my junior year.
Since graduation, I have done roughly a dozen freelance illustration jobs for websites, local designer portfolios, presentation work for corporations, and t-shirt graphics. I design men's shoes and small leather goods, as well as luggage for both men and women, at Johnston & Murphy in Nashville, TN. I am also responsible for the market research and trend presentations for the company, retail stores, and sales teams. I have also taught several semesters of Fashion Illustration I and II at O'More College.
I believe my original [goal] was to either be a bridal gown designer or to own a bridal shop. I was able to intern with Vera Wang in NYC for my internship my junior year at her corporate office, which was a wonderful experience and a dream come true. By graduation, however, I had reached the full realization that I both excel in fashion illustration and enjoy it most over everything else I learned at the school. I have been able to do many different jobs with that particular passion and would never have realized my potential there had it not been for my amazing illustration instructor at O'More.
O'More provided me with an advantage over NYC design college students during my internship process because of the level of in-depth instruction in each step of the design process. Successful alumni have also contributed greatly to my job successes, as many companies have had great experiences with past hires and trust the level of work that comes from O'More graduates.
My favorite and most valuable class was Illustration III, taught at the time by Star Klem. A designer's portfolio is her calling card and best sales attribute. I would not have had such a professional or well-rounded introduction to my work had it not been for Star's instruction. The other most valuable classes were on Photoshop and Illustrator. I use those programs every day, both at my office job and for my freelance work.
A design career is not as glamorous as an active imagination like my own may predict, but it is a career that is fast-paced, fun, and a great outlet for both business acumen and creativity. I don't know any other industry that so fully commands a top-to-bottom understanding of both wild and fantastical artistry and logical, aggressive business sense. To be a fashion designer is truly the best of both worlds.
Learn as much as you can about CAD programs; your knowledge here gives you the edge in most every design interview you will be in. Other than that, just have an open mind and an eagerness to learn about the industry. And have fun!
Christina Lepoutre, Fashion Design
Product Designer, Dockers Footwear
Fall 2000-Spring 2004
After I graduated [from O'More], I completed my internship at Esquire magazine in New York City. Upon returning to Nashville, I interviewed [for] and accepted an assistant designer position at Dockers Footwear within Genesco. I have now been working there almost five years.
I design and develop men's footwear, which involves both designing and illustrating (using Adobe Illustrator) outsoles, patterns, etc., and also detailing all the colors and components related to the shoe. I travel to China, where our factories are located, 2-4 times a year to oversee the development on a hands-on basis.
When I was applying to college, I knew I wanted to study fashion design. I probably originally wanted to be involved in some aspect of apparel design. I never really considered footwear but am really glad I found this sector of the industry. There are many more factors that go into designing shoes than clothes. I have to apply my skills in a practical way to design collections for average men in America. That means they have to fit well, look good, and serve a purpose in their lives, which is sometimes much more challenging than designing a garment that will be thrown away after one season.
My most valuable class [at O'More] was definitely Adobe Illustrator. Learning that program alone set the foundation for all the design work I do for my job. I also really benefited from Design Fundamentals with Juli Schumann. Every designer needs a good understanding of design in general, and I really learned that from her. It helped me develop a good eye for proportion and layout, which is essential in any design job. Some of my favorite classes were any of the illustration classes I took with Star Rial; she was an excellent instructor. I also enjoyed [Clothing] Construction and spending time in the lab sewing garments (although I don't really use that knowledge in my job today).
O'More was responsible in several ways for me securing the job I have today. I was able to use the connections I had at O'More to find out about the job position and get an interview in the first place, [and] the person who I worked alongside when I first started working at Genesco was an O'More graduate as well. My company had looked to O'More in the past for graduates because it is a well-known local school that teaches design.
Last October [2008], I was the sole recipient of a full scholarship from Two Ten Foundation, a non-profit organization that benefits the footwear industry, to take a three-week footwear product development course at Ars Sutoria in Milan, Italy. Ars Sutoria is the most prestigious footwear school in the world, and I gained a wealth of knowledge during my time at the course there. There is no formal education in the U.S. for footwear design and development, so taking the course really helped me round out the information I already knew from spending five years in the industry. The experience and knowledge was invaluable.
In terms of career success, I feel pretty good about where I stand. I am only 26, yet I have accomplished a lot in my job and in the industry. This is part of the reason I was chosen to receive the full scholarship at Ars Sutoria. I was able to get a job right out of college in the industry I studied.
When I compare myself to my friends and other people my age, I realize that I actually have a career, whereas most of them are only working jobs. I hardly know anybody that is working a job that has much to do with . . . their degree. I also have the fortunate opportunity to work in a division which is fairly skeletal (meaning because there are so few of us, we all have our hands in a lot of pots, so to speak). My boss is an advocate of delegating a lot of responsibility to his employees. Because of this, I not only get to design, but develop as well (which is really where the design comes to fruition). I see shoes that I designed on people's feet, on the internet, and in stores. I have always known that in order to feel good about what I do, I need to see the tangible evidence of my labor. In this way, I feel very successful, and I am very happy with the course my career, thus far, has taken.
I really do believe O'More is a good school for design. You get one-on-one attention with your instructors, and although the size can have its limitations, it really shines in its strengths, as well. Higher education is only what you make of it. If you are seriously passionate about design, then O'More can be the vehicle that will lead you to a successful career in that industry. Having been in the workplace for five years now, I know that the connections you make are almost as important as what you know. Had I not gone to O'More, I never would have known of the position available that I now hold.
In terms of the footwear industry, I could talk all day! It is a very small sector, where most everyone knows—or knows of—each other. It also comes from very humble beginnings, which is one of the features I am most attracted to. You would not believe all the factors that go into building a pair of shoes! It's fascinating. Shoes are less disposable items in a person's wardrobe; therefore, there are a lot of things to think about when making them. In my job, comfort plays the biggest role in design. A pair of shoes has to fit much more precisely and withstand more wear than, say, a t-shirt. My job is a combination of being creative and practical. If that sounds interesting, then I would tell someone to consider the footwear industry as a career choice.
I would tell anyone to really tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. If you have enough information to fill up two pages, narrow it down to one page and only include relevant information. If your part-time job in college had nothing to do with your hopeful career, then leave it out.
Be confident in your abilities. Try to get a job in your industry, even if it is doing something you might not have really considered at first. People are more likely to promote from within. Like I said, make connections along the way and do not lose those contacts. You never know when one of those people you meet could play a part in you getting your dream job. Don't lose yourself and your personality in your job. You can be professional and still have a personality. That is part of being a designer.
One of the things I hear a lot from designers is that they don't want to work in "Corporate America." I urge them to really keep an open mind on this subject. I felt the same way when I started out, but I needed a job, so I gave it a chance. Now I work in a position that I really feel has become my vocation. There are benefits to working for a large company, just as there are benefits to working in a smaller one. You have to be open-minded and explore all of the opportunities you are presented with. My number one [piece of] advice would be to just START WORKING. Find that job in design, no matter what it is, and be dedicated and hard working.
Experience is so much more important than education. The degree is only what gets you in the door. Ask questions, absorb as much as you can, and be willing to make mistakes along the way. That is part of the process of learning!
Interior Design
Coming soon.
Visual Communications
Tom Davis, Visual Communications
Director of Design, Publishing Group of America
Fall 1987-Spring 1991
You must love graphic design to excel. You must constantly look for inspiration, whether it be a person or an artist, or a magazine or a brand-something that causes you to say to yourself "I want to create stuff like they do." I remember wanting to find out who designed the Nike print ads and seeing if I could find out more about other design/print work that they did and then try to emulate it.
I really enjoyed learning about the other programs at O'More, and I do believe that this learning somehow made me a better overall designer. I started to see inspiration and ideas from other students that challenged me to perform at a higher level. I had a teacher named Jerry Valentino who taught [at O'More] and really inspired me to pursue graphic design. I was one of the first pioneers in the graphic design program at O'More that saw the arrival of Macs at the college. O'More taught and stressed the basic and core fundamentals in graphic design, and it was enlightening to then see Jerry Valentino and other instructors use it in their daily teachings/mentorings at O'More.
[O'More offers] small classes and teachers who also work in their fields. Ask questions of your instructors about how their work and contributions affect other co-workers' workflow. Understand that you are part of a team and that communication is very, very important. Contributing to a solution should be the highlight of your typical workday; also, understanding that there are dozens of solutions to a problem. Learn what other co-workers do (their skill set and talents) and anticipate how your daily contribution affects them and the team's goal. Most important is to ask questions before you start on any project. Your expectations about a project may be different than that of your co-workers. Find a mentor who inspires you to perform at your best and learn from them as well as watching how to conduct yourself in a professional manner. I've worked at top ad agencies in Nashville, as well as many design agencies and, most recently, magazine publishing companies.
Learn what makes great typography and what is poor typography. There's too much poor typography out there. Knowing how to use type in the right way will save you time and energy. Typefaces can also be images; not every design challenge should be solved with a photo. Great graphic design is seeing what everyone else has done and then creating something that no one else has thought of.
Taras Lesko, Visual Communications
User Interface and Motion Graphics Designer
Spring 2001-Winter 2004
O'More was one of the three design schools I looked into within the area. At the time, only O'More and one other public university offered a Bachelor's degree in design, which is what I wanted. O'More allowed me to get into design courses from day one, whereas the other university would require me to first take two years of general courses before I would get into any design related studies. I immediately started at O'More and successfully completed my BFA half a year ahead of my class, allowing me to get a head start in my design career.
I started doing web design at a Nashville, TN based studio while doing some freelance work on the side. I then moved back to Washington State, where I currently reside. Upon my arrival in WA, I got a part-time job as an Interactive Multimedia Designer/Developer at a North Seattle based design studio while continuing to freelance. In 2005, I decided to go solo full time, registered my creative business LeskoMedia, and since then worked on several hundred projects with many clients from all over the nation. Today I continue to operate my creative headquarters while working on a big video game project for Xbox.
I live a positive, open-minded life, driven by empowering knowledge, encouraging relationships, and extreme creativity. This is the primary goal which keeps me marching forward in what I do. My success is in being able to plentifully provide for my family and myself by doing the kind of work I'm very passionate about. The program at O'More really helped me to learn and understand design fundamentals and concept development, which is a must for building successful brands. [T]he program in general forced me to spend tons of time practicing design and building a solid portfolio, all of which was completely necessary to the launch of my career. My favorite classes were those which dealt with interactivity and motion graphics, both of which I design for a living today. *My most valued professor is Department Chair Jeff Fuqua, for the constant open door to his office and an incredible support. Likewise, my Photography and Print professor, Shane Prine, for his humor and design knowledge.
If you want to dive right into design and fine arts education, O'More is the place for you. If you want to have close one-on-one interactions with your professors for faster educational growth, it's the place for you. If you want to lose countless hours of sleep, sitting in the lab working on digital and craft projects, it's the place for you. If you want to grow your already growing interest for art or design, it's the place for you. If you have second thoughts about any of these things or the field in general, save your time, energy, [and] money and look for success elsewhere.
The design industry is tough, fast paced, and full of more competition than ever before. It takes hard work, many overtimes, and lots of brainpower to stand out in this crowd. Successful design takes time and care, but that's what stands out and gets noticed among the competition. I can't put it better than you must eat, drink, and sleep design to be successful at it. Go beyond what is expected of you in class. Don't compare your work to [that of] your classmates, but rather compare it to industry leaders. Always strive to overachieve because it will pay off greatly in the long run. Do something completely different with your work, something which you will be noticed and remembered for.
www.leskomedia.com - work
www.kranestyle.com - play
Dann Petty, Visual Communications
Art Director, Interactive Designer, Experience Designer
Fall 2002-Spring 2006
Choosing O'More was a pretty easy decision. The hands-on and one-on-one you get from the teachers was the deciding factor for me. You just learn so much more when there are fewer students and more one-on-one time with the teachers. The wide variety of classes to take was also a great factor. I could learn everything about visual communications, not just certain aspects of it. Having done lots of design and artwork in the past helped me get into O'More and really show the staff I was prepared for the classes to come.
I was lucky to get a sweet internship at Anode in downtown Nashville my senior year, which resulted in a full-time position as a junior graphic designer. There I was making some interactive stuff and some print work. I worked full time with Anode for about eight months after I graduated and then landed a great opportunity in San Francisco, CA at Fluid. They were looking for a talented young designer to redesign The North Face, Mattel, and Reebok sites. Luckily, they came across a site I made as a senior project at O'More and gave me a call to come check them out; a month later I was there. The Bay Area is the place to be for interactive design. Getting to touch on all the different fields at O'More was great in helping pinpoint exactly what part of visual communications I wanted to be in. Interactive design was a no-brainer for me; it's the future of design.
Once The North Face site launched with Fluid, I left to move on to a bigger role at an advertising agency in Sausalito, CA called Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, or BSSP.com. I'm an art director and interactive designer [for BSSP.com]. I'm getting pushed even harder, which is fantastic because that is the only way you expand your skills. I've been through three different types of shops already since I graduated, and by far advertising is the best; you really get to show your creative thinking.
The skills that started me out when I left O'More helped push me to where I am today. At O'More I learned a lot about resourcing and creative thinking. Within two years, I went from a small junior graphic designer to an art director/interactive designer at one of the best advertising agencies in the world. (Clients I've worked for: MTV, Adobe, Red Bull, Mini Cooper, The North Face, Oakley, Reebok, Epson, Priceline, Lucas Arts, EA Sports, Farmers, Dockers, Columbia Sportswear, Bridgestone Firestone, Radio Shack, Chipotle, and Greyhound.)
I feel I owe [Visual Communications Department Chair] Jeff Fuqua a lot of credit for my fast success. He was a fantastic teacher and really knew how to think. Listen to that man. He's great. Also, my favorite teacher was Daryl Stevens. He taught flash and illustration classes while I was there. I learned EVERYTHING I know about web from that dude. Amazing guy. Daryl was really more like a friend than a teacher. You could talk to him anytime and ask him questions about anything. I even still asked him flash questions when I was a full-time professional.
My other favorite (and the most creative) teacher I had was Carla Lyn Daeninckx. She used to be the creative director at MTV and, I believe, is now the creative director at National Geographic. Her credentials show you the talent of the teachers that come through O'More.
There is nothing better than creating stuff all day. Do more than just your homework. I got to where I am today by making my own projects and pushing myself to learn new design skills and applications. Listen to the teachers at O'More, they are professionals in our field.
Take every comment you ever get as advice, but also as an opinion. Don't take negativity personal[ly]. Hearing negative comments about your work will help you grow and think in ways you normally wouldn't. Also, work hard to gain all the skill sets you can and learn all the applications. The good thing about O'More is that you can learn all the applications across the board. It will help you land better jobs.
A quote from Carla Lyn Daeninckx that changed my way of thought: "You are only as good as your resources." Surf the web, tear out magazine pages, and put together some swipes. The more you see, the more resources you bookmark, the more creative your mind will be. I have thousands and thousands of screenshots of the web, and notebooks of magazine pages. They are great to look through when you hit some type of creative block.
I can be followed on Twitter @DannPetty, and DannPetty.com will be launching soon.
http://www.behance.net/dannpetty
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