Ben started fooling around with web design while in high school, built a website for the school, and built another site as his Eagle Scout project. College at the University of North Texas led him to a degree in Communication Design, and taking part in a Project M design education program in rural Alabama gave him a chance to explore how designers can use their skills to improve the world. Visit Project M here.

Designing the identity and interactive components for FB’s annual conference is an example of the wide range of Ben’s work. He also often designs posters to place around the FB offices. Some have FB philosophies, others are sayings meant to inspire or to get people to “question internal ideas.” (“Done is better than perfect” is hanging on the saa library design line today as students work down to the wire on several projects.)

Students were intrigued by Ben’s stories of the “Hackathons” held at FB every couple of months. Employees can stretch their creativity as they work together in an intense session that may go on all night. “Code wins arguments” is a Hack reminder to take something to completion to prove its worth.

Following his presentation. Ben answered questions, and students had the opportunity to introduce themselves. (…yes, the IPO question was asked, but Ben could not respond, per FCC rules…)

To see some of Ben’s work, find him on Facebook, or visit his website.

Special guest speakers were Jordan Monson of Clutch Interactive, and saa graduates, Kori Anderson, Eric Kemp, Tyler Spahr, and Anthony Wartinger. All are designers at Clutch, an  interactive marketing agency in Columbus. Jordan emphasized that graduates from saa arrive with excellent skills, which enable them to be productive contributors right away. The college’s design-focused curriculum and use of the absolute latest design software makes graduates stand out among job applicants. The graduates explained their interactive work, shared examples, and answered questions from visitors.

saa’s Spring Open House is March 17th.

Meet Columbus agency owner Jordan Monson and designers Kori Anderson, Eric Kemp, Tyler Spahr, & Anthony Wartinger, who joined Clutch Interactive after graduating from saa. Hear how Jordan’s business is thriving in a tough economy and why he chooses to hire saa grads.

PORTFOLIO REVIEWS, FINANCIAL AID INFO, & MORE

We’re not letting this economy rain on our parade—over the last six years, the school of advertising art has achieved a 92%* job placement rate. Come to the saa Fall Open House and learn how we do it.

12:00 – Registration
12:30 – Meet the President
1:00 – Meet the Faculty
1:30 – Meet the Students
2:00 – Clutch Interactive Presentation

For a faculty portfolio review, bring 8–12 samples of artwork and your high school transcript. When you arrive, let us know that you’d like a review. We will meet with you sometime between noon and 2:00.

This year, Christine Koeller, Vice-President of Operations for GZK, volunteered for the project. GZK is the local franchisor for Arby’s and Lee’s Famous Recipe restaurants. Koeller provided relevant company background and presented the challenge of raising awareness and creating greater visibility for GZK’s catering business. She explained, “We needed fresh insight into the issue.” She allowed students to create a new name and logo/identity for GZK’s catering arm, as long as both the Arby’s and Lee’s brands were somehow represented.

Student presentations and marketing solutions were predictably creative. Many new ideas were presented, and some common threads also emerged. Koeller found the team presentations to be fun, interesting, and informative: “This project created quite a bit of buzz around the office, and more than one ‘why didn’t we think of that?’ moment!”

Each team provided the client with a presentation booklet outlining their research and recommendations. In addition, Koeller was given mock-ups of all proposed marketing materials including logos, packaging, menus, swag, and website redesigns.

When asked what attracted her to this project, Koeller replied: “I remember what it was like to be in college. This type of project is important for students. It provides additional perspective and important context that you just can’t get in the classroom. It’s also a great way for us to get new perspectives on our business and important community involvement for GZK.”

There was a virtual tie between two teams in Jennifer Sivak’s class. Congratulations to:

Hannah Bailey, Jesse Meredith, Ethan Muller, and Kyle Rockhold
Beth Chasse, Ariel Deming, Brittany Lape, and Dustin Turner

Norm Vallone’s winning teams included:

Ammity Cocke, Aaron Eddleblute, and Chantal Klaas
Amanda Boeke, Amber Brannon, Chelsea Moore, and Brooke Weakley

Congratulations to all, and thanks GZK!

To learn more about GZK, or to cater your next event, visit their website.

The Columbus Society of Communicating Arts [CSCA] announced the winners of the 2011 Creative Best awards on November 17 at the LC Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio.

Once again, saa was very well represented in the student competition, taking 5 of the 14 awards given in this highly competitive category. The Ohio State University also received 5 student awards. Two awards each were earned by students from Columbus College of Art and Design [CCAD] and Ohio University.

2011 alums Cody Achter and Clare Pluckhorn each received an Award of Excellence for their book cover designs created while students at saa. Cody is a graduate of Clay High School and Clare is a graduate of Port Clinton High.

Three 2011 alums were recognized with Awards of Merit for artwork created while students at saa. Congratulations to Bree Crum, Emily Webb, and Jessica Woodhouse!

Bree, a graduate of Columbiana Career Center, is currently a Graphic Design Intern with Modcloth in Pittsburgh. Emily is a graduate of Batavia High and is employed as a Graphic Designer by Traction in Cincinnati. Jessica graduated from Benjamin Logan High School and is employed as an Associate Art Director by Ryan Partnership in Columbus.

In addition, saa Vice President Matt Flick took home an Award of Merit for saa’s 2011 Portfolio Show invitation. Web Instructor Ricardo Thompson also received an Award of Merit for the saa website.

Please continue to explore our award-winning site!

Alison, who has led projects for Discovery Channel, TLC, Rosetta Stone, Blackboard, and The Washington Post among many others, went back to her days as a student and entry level professional to address points she wanted students to consider.

She began by discussing common fears students may experience as they think about leaving school and beginning their careers. “Fear should never completely go away,” but Alison encouraged students not to let insecurity slow them down.

She told students that the “right job” doesn’t really exist—that there really is no right or wrong. Rather, she encouraged students to focus on what they would like to be doing in five years, create a huge target, and then take steps to move in that direction. “Focus on finding a challenge—not on geography, agency name, or money.”

Alison explained that “ego” should not be confused with emotion or passion. It’s important to have passion in this industry: have an opinion, but remain open-minded. “Trust your intuition and develop good habits.” Alison reminded students that their value is in their ideas and creativity. She also addressed the challenge of being indecisive and the importance of nurturing your creative self.

“It’s all in how hard you work. What you give, you get back.”

Alison concluded her talk by sharing thirty things that personally inspire her: from wood type to miniatures, from fashion and interior design to dogs, from patterns and movement to compassion and simplicity.

From beginning to end, Alison’s visit was simply inspiring!

saa was pleased to welcome Alison Yard Medland as part of our 2011-2012 Guest Speaker Series.

To learn more about Alison visit her website.

Saa Student Senate members and more than a dozen other volunteers transformed the building into a Madhouse for the annual saa Halloween party, which was held Friday following morning classes. As always, first up was lunch, which included chilidogs, the ever-popular Mexican dip, fruit, salad, chips, popcorn, desserts, and every possible choice of candy.

Music and dancing went on non-stop in the atrium (thanks to saa DJ Leo), with diversions being photo booth ops, scary movies, board games, and balloon popping for fun and cash. The marshmallow-eating contest was surprisingly competitive, with Addison, Taylor D., and Lindsey winning top honors. The challenging Scavenger Hunt led people to all corners of the building, with Joey and Alex being first to find all the tokens.

Costume contest winners included scariest: Megan M. (with great makeup and those spooky contact lenses); most original: Danika  (a dead-ringer for Flo from the insurance world); funniest: Heather D. (well, you just had to be there…); best team costume: Danielle and Lauren (deer and hunter!); best character: Cody (Stewart from Mad TV, complete with that voice), and BEST OF SHOW: Zach as Teen Wolf (straight from the 80s classic).

Overhead on Monday morning: “the party was the best ever.” Beware in 2012…

Nearly three quarters [73%] of the class of 2011 are currently employed in the industry after just graduating at the end of May. This is record high placement for saa [this early in the year] and encouraging news all around.

While the class of 2011 was particularly focused and motivated in taking charge of their own job search processes, our phone is also ringing every week with new opportunities for paid internships, full-time positions, and freelance contracts in Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, and points between. 2011 alums are also working in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Scottsdale [AZ].

When they were ready to grow their creative team this summer, Cincinnati agency Traction selected two 2011 grads. During our Open House event on November 5, Traction principal Tony Neary will return [with alums Candy Niemeyer & Emily Webb] to talk to parents and prospective students about why he looks to saa for new talented designers.

The winning formula for placement this year seems to be: saa’s career-focused curriculum preparing industry-ready hybrid designers; motivated, talented, and eager grads; as well as local, regional, and national employers seeking qualified entry level talent.

I’d like to stay and talk to you more about this, but my phone’s ringing!

For questions about Career Services at saa contact Joanie Spain:  joanie@saa.edu

During a stint as Art Director with the Discovery Channel, she led campaigns for their most popular properties such as Dirty Jobs, Shark Week, and Man vs. Wild. She currently serves as an Art Director at Pappas Group working with clients that include TLC, Rosetta Stone, Blackboard, and The Washington Post. Her work has been recognized by Print, Creativity Magazine, Brand New, BDA, AIGA, The In-House Agency Forum, and AAF.

A true letterpress aficionado, Alison’s letterpress design is sold in several stores nationwide and featured annually at the National Stationery Show.

According to Alison, she adores:

Patterns.
A lower-case fi ligature.
Paris.
London.
For everything to have a place.
A well wrapped package (all the better if it’s meant for her.)
Being part of a team.
The history of design.
Type cabinets.
The quiet that happens when you wake up early.
Paul Simon’s Graceland.
Meeting someone else’s home.
Summer.
A good gin and tonic with mint.
Solutions.
Music that was born before she was.
And making things she’s proud of.

The other ingredient in our secret sauce is a strong academic program “designed” to complement the education of the hybrid designer.

According to Jennifer Lorenzetti, Director of Education, “Through intensive academic study in English and copywriting, art and advertising history, marketing, and public speaking, our graduates are prepared to take their place as part of a marketing or advertising team.” In this competitive economic climate, the designer who can also write copy, present to clients, and understand marketing concepts will be in demand for a number of challenging entry-level and future job opportunities.

The academic instructors at saa are also all working professionals with industry experience, as well as academic training. It is not unusual for them to bring a marketing challenge or a copywriting assignment from their own professional practice into the classroom for the students to try. This unique blend of theory and practice keeps the saa academic classes relevant to our future graduates’ needs.

Upon successfully completing this integrated design and academic curriculum, saa graduates are granted an Associate of Applied Business in Advertising Art degree.

For additional information about academics at saa, please contact Jennifer Lorenzetti, Director of Education: jennifer@saa.edu