From June 22 – July 11, SCAD exhibitions department presents “Kite,” a thesis exhibition by graduate painting student Chung-Fan Chang. This body of work, on display at Dewberry Gallery of SCAD, shows Chang’s interest in the juxtaposition of landscape with brightly colored geometric planes, symbolizing the visual elements of beauty and intrusion in society.

Chung states that she wanted to “convey the natural world with natural and synthetic colors, with the neon colors attracting with the geometric shapes.” Her concepts of beauty and intrusion are not direct or straightforward, but relate to visual intrusion. She elaborates: “It’s kind of like when I look at a neon color. At the beginning, it’s bothering me, it’s annoying. But, when you look at it, it’s very beautiful, too.” She observes that the “annoyingness” of the juxtaposition of the landscapes and neon colors can be reflected in daily life, reflecting youth culture and issues. The exhibit’s title, “Kite,” refers to the visual elements and shapes created in each work.

After completing her MFA, Chang would like to teach — perhaps, at SCAD Hong Kong, which is located in her hometown.

Students attending the exhibit’s opening reception on June 23 enjoyed Chang’s use of color and shape. Solomon A. Chaison, a fourth year graphic design student, said, “I think it turned out really well, the way she uses the colors and plays with the landscapes with shapes. [It’s] very playful.”

Omar Chisholm, a SCAD alumnus, observed: “The colors play a key element in the shapes and forms. It is something that I am more captivated by because I’m drawn to the shapes — everything like who we are and where we live. Our world is created by shapes and forms.”

SCAD student Jennifer Tripp stated, “I like how the flow of the shapes [and] brushstrokes goes along with the canvases that she made. It’s definitely beautiful to go along with the theme of beauty.”

Dewberry Gallery is located at 1545 Peachtree St., Suite 225. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Connector: What inspired you to be a fashion designer?
Jean-Pierre: I don’t know … (laughs). All I knew was that I was an artist. As a kid, I was drawing a lot and it was the path I chose.

Connector: Of all the art schools, why did you choose SCAD?
Jean-Pierre: I like Atlanta. I like staying home. I was born in Haiti, but been in Atlanta for 17 years. So, basically, Atlanta is my home. Also, I like the teachers here in SCAD Atlanta. They are very helpful and I love them.

Connector: Tell us about your collection for the show.
Jean-Pierre: It came from a paper pattern where the folds are manipulated from paper to the garments. Then, from the folds, I was playing with pockets, where if you turn the pockets inside out it creates this drape. … I extended this draping concept along with the folds throughout my collection. So, basically it is these folds and drapes and putting them together to make up different shapes that inspired my collection. Also, I love hoods … so I put that in my collection, too.

Connector: So you played with the idea of silhouettes?
Jean-Pierre: Yes, I like forms. I like making the garment pretty much do something. I like it when it is doing something, like when you have a pocket that doesn’t belong there and it came from a pleat or something. I like stuff like that.

Connector: How many pieces are in your show?
Jean-Pierre: Currently, I have about 32 to 33 pieces, but I am pushing for more.

Connector: Wow. So, it must be hard to do something like this since you are still a student. How can aspiring fashion students go about doing what you are doing?
Jean-Pierre: Actually, I have a lot of help. Not help in designing, but with everything else. I had a graphic student friend in SCAD Atlanta that graduated last year that does all my graphic works, like my letterheads. Also, people are like willing to help.

Connector: So, taking full advantage of your resources and networks — professors and students.
Azede Jean-Pierre: Yes, definitely. Like photographers and graphic students. These may be your future colleagues. You never know (smiles). Although, I don’t know many people at SCAD, but the ones I do know have been very helpful and nice.
Also, I have pretty big sponsors for my show like Red Bull Inc., who will provide the refreshments; EF Entertainment Inc.; Clique Modeling Agency Inc., who will provide all the models for me; and Estée Lauder, who will be providing the make-up artists and small gift bags for my guest at the show. Hopefully, The Atlantan, Atlanta’s luxury magazine, whom I’m still trying to get.

I used to be a stylist, and I took a year off in-between my first and second year at SCAD Atlanta to work as a stylist. Through my stylist job, I met and worked with the best photographers and people throughout Atlanta. So, I had little connection, which helps.
It is very important to stay connected with the people you worked with, whether a temporary job or an internship, because in this industry, it’s not just about your talents. It’s about networking, as well. You just need to get out there and market yourself professionally.

Connector: Is there something in particular you would like to gain from hosting this show?
Jean-Pierre: Yeah, I am inviting a lot of buyers to the show, so all the top boutiques in Atlanta that people like to buy from, like Addiction, Bill Hallman, and others, as well. And, hopefully they will like what they see and I’ll go from there.
This show is going to be nice with refreshments and gift bags from Estée Lauder to all my guests, so it’ll be exciting and cool. I would love for SCAD students to come. Since I don’t know many, it would be a great opportunity for me to meet them and for them to get to know me. I just hope my first show will be a success.

About Jean-Pierre’s fashion show
Because of limited parking at the Goat Farm Jean-Pierre can only accommodate 300 attendees. Tickets can be purchased at  www.brownpapertickets.com.

The cost is $10 for SCAD students; $12 dollars for general admission.
It is a black-tie affair and no one under 16 will be admitted. Cameras are OK.
A mixer will be held after the show.
For further details, visit www.azedejean-pierre.com/ss10.

What are an RA’s duties?

We have night duty once a week where we are down in the office from 6 to 9 p.m.   We have an RA phone, and when we have that it means we’re on call. The RA on duty that night picks up the phone at 5:30 p.m. and he or she is on duty until 8:30 a.m. the next morning. We also have weekend duties where we are on call from 5:30 p.m. on Friday until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

We do rounds twice a night to make sure that the building has no maintenance problems. For instance, if a light is out in one of the halls, we document that in our RA duty binder and fill out an online maintenance request so that the issue is taken care of. We also look for any suspicious or illegal activities. We handle situations whether it would be lockouts or a person requesting an overnight pass. We also put up fliers for future dorm-wide events.

As an RA, we hold three events per quarter. Each falls under a certain category — self-improvement, academic, community and diversity. RA’s also check residents in and out of the dorms. As an RA, we uphold SCAD’s policies.

What kind of dorm-wide events have you held?

I’ve had jewelry-making nights. I brought a bunch of supplies, such as beads, strings and earring hooks, and set them out in the ACA common room. Residents came down and made their own jewelry. I also served refreshments.

At movie nights, I have shown “Accepted” for a break from finals for residents, and for Halloween, I showed “Underworld.”

In March, I’ll be having an open studio painting night where I will have faculty come to the dorms and give demos on their style of painting, and I will also give a demo myself.

Why are you an RA?

I am an RA because I enjoy getting to know people and being part of a community that helps make living in the dorms an enjoyable experience along with being a safe experience.

How does being an RA benefit your future?

It benefits my future by showing that I have strong leadership skills and that I can work well as part of a team. It also shows a certain level of responsibility that my employers have trusted in me. I want to become a teacher and being an RA will show that I have the ethics and qualification to help lead a community.

Do you feel that you’re more connected to the SCAD community?

Yes, because through other RAs and other workers at SCAD, I have a better understanding and more knowledge in areas and majors of the school that I might not be a part of. I feel that being an RA, I’m a representative of SCAD. So when students or parents come up to me with questions, I feel that I can answer them. For example, if a student needed help on their resume or finding jobs, I can direct them to Career Services.

Sequential Art

Dominike Stanton, a 21 year-old native of Baltimore, Maryland and fourth-year sequential art student made a name for himself through his inspiring illustrations and dynamic storytelling. Dominike said, “I’ve been into comics from as far back as I can remember.” The talented and tenacious draftsman practices wherever he can, with sketchbooks filled with numerous doodles, illustrations and colored pages. Many SCAD students have had the pleasure of acquiring caricatures of themselves because of Dominike’s creative hand. When asked what advice he had for upcoming artists, he replied, “Know your anatomy like the back of your hand.” Dominike also likes drawing Spidernam and X-Men and telling action stories, specifically about superheroes.

Thomas Gaddis is a fourth-year fashion design student who said he is enjoying his greatest labor of love, the Senior Collection. He is the president of Fashion Haus, a club that provides fashion-based events and activities.

Connector: What is the purpose of Fashion Haus?

Thomas Gaddis: The purpose of the Fashion Haus is to provide fashion-based events and activities for students, fashion majors or not, support our local and global community through community service and reinforce the ideals of the college and fashion department by supporting the major and reinforcing the ideas we learn everyday. Basically, we put our educations into practice.

Connector: Why did you choose to become the president of Fashion Haus?

T.G.: I chose to become the president this year because I wanted to make sure that all of the hard work put in since Fashion Haus first organized in 2006 as “Atelier” was maintained. I wanted to make sure that the next officer cabinet after this year’s was well equipped to lead after my officers and I have graduated. I served as chairman for “Atelier.” Once things got off the ground, I served as a member and again as an officer last year doing PR.

Connector: What are your duties as a president of Fashion Haus?

T.G.: My duties as Fashion Haus president run the gamut from meeting with administration on specific projects to making sure fliers get posted. I do whatever it takes to make sure that everyone crosses all T’s and dots all I’s.

Connector: What are Fashion Haus’s upcoming plans?

T.G.: Fashion Haus’s upcoming plans are to first of all complete two trees for the Festival of Trees Project. The Fashion Haus was selected to complete two Christmas trees for the project to benefit two tweens who will more than likely spend their holiday season in the hospital. This particular project is very important to not only the Fashion Haus, but also to the fashion department because it serves a great need in our community and will make two young girls very happy! Secondly, we will also be working hard on raising funds for our Winter 2009 Fashion Show. There will be some fun activities as well, but we’re still working some things into the schedule.

Connector: How can fashion students participate in Fashion Haus?

T.G.: A fashion student can participate in the Fashion Haus by contacting me or any Fashion Professor who will then get in contact with me. My e-mail is tgaddi20@student.scad.edu. Shoot me a message! ANY student, however, is always welcome to come. Here at SCAD-Atlanta, we have the luxury of being able to collaborate on a variety of projects, and we certainly want to expand our understanding of other majors and expose everyone interested to the fashion industry.

Connector: How does being part of Fashion Haus benefit yours and other students’ future in professional careers?

T.G.: Being a part of Fashion Haus is beneficial in a professional sense because it teaches leadership, time management, social skills (aka customer service), critical thinking, promotes community service, and provides a great deal of networking opportunities within the fashion design profession.

Connector: What would you like to do after you graduate from SCAD?

T.G.: After I graduate from SCAD, I’d like to take some time to work within the field. I’d love to go to New York and intern with Christian Siriano from Project Runway last season. He’s fierce, and he’s amazingly talented. I’d also die to have the opportunity to go to Paris and work under a couturier. I love Elie Saab and would give anything to have such an amazing opportunity. Then, after I travel a bit, I’d love to open a small boutique!

Connector: Who is your most inspiring fashion designer and why?

T.G.: My most inspiring fashion designer is Elie Saab. His aesthetic is so close to my own it’s eerie! From the asymmetry to the ruffles and pleats and gathers and layer upon layer of drama, I absolutely love his haute couture designs!

Last April, Yunah Ko, a second-year graduate fashion student, attended SCAD’s career fair in Savannah and obtained an internship with White House Black Market. During her internship, she learned to use Photoshop, give speeches and how to interpret future trends. Prior to attending SCAD, she attended Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Merchandising and Design with a concentration in design.

Why did you choose to intern at White House Black Market?

Their simple, yet elegant, style attracted me. I always admired how successful the company is, and wanted to be a part of them.

How did you get the internship?

I met with their college recruiter at the fair, she emailed me the following week and asked me to send her my portfolio. I went through number of interviews with the recruiter, and designers over the phone, and got accepted to the internship program.

Why did you do an internship at the White House Black Market?

Learning about the company and the target customer, interpreting trend/inspirations into the design, making flats of the designs with Adobe Illustrator/photoshop, attending meetings with buyers/merchants, attending fit meeting, collecting/organizing samples, shadowing and attending learning sessions with executives of the company.

What experiences did you gain from interning there?

I had a chance to look at how the fashion industry actually works, and became very good with Illustrator and Photoshop. I learned a lot about the importance of communication is between different department of the company. Chico’s internship program is amazing; they really focused on training and improving their employees and interns through sending us to weekly lunch and learn sessions with top executives of the company, and sent us on public speaking class to improve our presentation skills front of large crowd of people, which is critical in the meetings or presentations.

How will your experiences benefit your future? In other words, how will it benefit your future career?

From the internship experience, now I have a clear understanding of target customers and how to interpret future trends so that it is suitable to the specific customer you are designing for. All fashion companies have a specific target customer, and I believe it is very important to understand her so that you can focus on what kind of wardrobe that she wants to purchase for the certain season, when in comes to design. Now that I have learned this, I feel lot more confident to work in the industry.

What kind of fashion style do you like?

I would consider my style as simple, classic, yet elegant, with little details that accentuate the current trends to show my understanding of the fashion movements.

How did you present your portfolio to the company?

I took my working sketchbook with inspiring images, and my undergraduate portfolio. I flipped through each page and told them a story of how I got the inspiration, and who would wear it to where, and how my design relates to their company.

What inspired you to major in fashion design?

I always knew I was interested in fields of art and design, and first two years of my college, I took many different design classes to narrow down my field. In one semester, I took a fabric surface design class and fashion construction class and that is when I knew I wanted to pursue my degree in fashion.

Graduate Professional Writing

I beat mugs. So I call myself Mugbeater. It may sound violently confrontational, but so is my work. It’s easy to make someone pretty, but to be able to make them beautiful in an unconventional way is an art. So as a makeup artist I try to get my audience to view makeup and the use of it in ways they never thought could entertain. People don’t generally consider eye shadow and lipstick as a normal medium for artistic expression, but it is.

Nathan Lombardi is a third-year student pursuing a major in Advertising Design and a minor in Broadcast Design and Motion Graphics. In addition, he is also a student ambassador, a position which allows him to promote SCAD.

What is the student ambassador program?
The Student Ambassador program is designed to promote SCAD and provide potential students with
information about the college and to encourage them to come to SCAD. As an ambassador, we are the link between potential students and the college. We represent SCAD in a professional manner. That is what I say.

This is what the Web site says — “The Savannah College of Art and Design provides many opportunities to improve students’ leadership skills. Its programs center on engaging students through hands-on
activities, allowing student leaders practical experience early in their college careers.”

Why did you choose to become a student ambassador?
I wanted to become more involved with SCAD and be more than just a student that attended the college. The ambassador program drew me in because it gave me the opportunity to represent my school as an
ambassador and meet potential students who wanted to attend SCAD. I love my school and I want to
represent it any way that I can.

How does being a student ambassador enrich your experiences at SCAD?
It allows me to meet a lot people in the admission office and potential students, as well as to learn about the history of the college and each major that SCAD has to offer. Because ambassadors give a lot of tours of the college, it’s required that we know a lot about it.

Which of your experiences at SCAD-Atlanta do you often share with the perspective students?
I often tell students about the various events that SCAD holds the lectures, resident hall events, and programs that SCAD holds every quarter for its students. One of my favorite experiences to tell
students is the Student Ambassador Retreat that happened last year. On this retreat we met with
student ambassadors from other colleges and it was extremely beneficial experience for all of us.

Did you receive any unusual questions from prospective students. If yes, what were they?
I haven’t really ever received any unusual questions from prospective students. As an art student, I’m kind of used to things out of the ordinary.

How does being a student ambassador enrich your future? For instant, does it provide you any invaluable experiences that will be beneficial for any careers?
Being a student ambassador does in fact enrich my future. Being an ambassador not only improves my people skills, but it encourages me to always be positive and professionally represent things in my life that I believe in. Aside from the tours and encouraging potential students, being an ambassador opens up a lot of networking opportunities, which is always helpful for any student looking for connections or job opportunities.

Mike Cooke, a second-year broadcast design student has had many achievements, including having filmed and edited an hour long documentary movie, “Hustle101,” and being an artistic director for a dance Web site called www.doyodance.com.

You filmed and edited an hour long documentary movie, “Hustle101,” which is being distributed nationwide in a DVD form. Could you talk about your experiences in working on this project?
This was a learning experience if anything. It taught me so much about networking, film and composition skills, right up to money managing, marketing and effective propaganda. First off, “Hustle101” follows the lives of four different college party promotions teams that are based in the AUC. [Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta] The concept is that these 19 and 20-year old kids are making anywhere from 10,000-30,000 dollars a night off of parties. We tell their stories and expose a world of unseen drama, backstabbing and psychological mind games that take place behind the parties that you attend.

I started filming this movie right out of high school and on up into my first quarter [winter quarter] at SCAD. I was forced to think on my feet and see how to balance SCAD work and outside filming projects, which wasn’t easy. I was also forced to develop networking skills, and communication with people who I would have to keep a prolonged business relationship with. I wasn’t used to just being a graduating senior. This movie gave me time to develop my filming craft. Since it was my project, any mess ups were on me, and not on, say, a client who hired me.

That being said, I could learn from my mistakes and effectively fix them. Marketing our project was
something of a big task. That’s where my business partner really stepped in, Donte Murry, who’s a
senior at Morehouse. Together we built a grass roots marketing campaign revolving around Myspace and Facebook to spread the word about “Hustle101” since we didn’t have much of a budget.

What accolades did you receive regarding ”Hustle101”?
We received praise from anyone who even heard of our project, and not to mention the write-ups in
numerous publications talking about “Hustle101,” just to name a few — AUC magazine, The Source, Rolling Out, and Creative Loafing.

Besides being a successful movie producer, you’re also an artistic director for a dance Web site called www.doyodance.com. Could you talk about your experiences in being an artistic director and what successes you’ve had?
With doyodance.com it is a small team of myself and three other gentleman who run the server and deal with the marking, I myself pretty much give the final input on anything creative that takes place on the site. From filming most of the dance performances that we attend, to impromptu photo shoots of doyodance fans.

What other projects have you done besides being a filmmaker and an artistic director?
Currently I work for the RAWREPORT. It’s a DVD hip-hop magazine based out of Atlanta. I do a lot of editing and film work for them. Other than that I bide my time with SCAD work and photo shoots for different models.

What are your goals after you graduate from SCAD?
I hope to take what I’ve learned in and out of SCAD and use it to create a successful film career where I’m producing and directing big name blockbuster titles.