The April issue of Graphic Design USA (GD USA) magazine includes an article highlighting the country’s 20 Top US Design Schools, one of which is Kettering’s own SAA. The entire article may be viewed on the GD USA blog at http://blog.gdusa.com/highest-honors-top-us-design-schools/

The article in GD USA begins, “Education is more important than ever as the lines between the studio and the classroom, the office and the academy, continue to blur.”

“We are honored that SAA has been chosen to be included among this list of esteemed colleges. This is a testament to our dedication to provide a comprehensive, industry-relevant education to our students.” said Jessica Barry, President, SAA. “We assess current trends on a regular basis to ensure our graduates have the skills today’s employers are looking for.”

SAA has a long history of excellence. Founded in 1983, SAA delivers a focused curriculum that provides students with the training and skills needed to succeed as professional graphic designers. SAA has strong recognition in the advertising community, with students regularly earning awards in local, regional, and national design competitions.

Schedule of Events

11:30 till 1:00 – Pros Lunch with students present
Professionals are invited to view portfolios and meet the graduates, as well as enjoy a great lunch!

1:00 till 2:00 – Pros Lunch without students present
Professionals can view portfolios while the students are not on campus. Lunch is on us!

3:00 till 5:00 – Friends and Family
Friends and family of the graduates are invited to visit. Come to see your student’s amazing artwork!

5:30 till 7:00 Pros Cocktail
Professionals are welcome to stop by after work to view portfolios and visit friends from the design community.

7:00 till 10:00 Alumni Party
It’s a reunion! Stop by to visit with other SAA alumni and check out this year’s portfolios.

Location

1725 E. David Road in Kettering, Ohio
(877) 300-9866

This is a fun three-day event for high school students who want to experience life as an SAA student. You’ll learn from SAA instructors, interact with SAA students, and see your artwork come to life. Dream of creative ideas, photograph and illustrate your designs, and finally, create an event poster on the computer—as SAA instructors guide you every step of the way. On Sunday afternoon, you’ll show family and friends your work at a gallery showing at SAA.

Hours: Friday & Saturday 9am-3pm
Sunday Noon-5pm, Gallery Show will begin at 4pm.
Lunch will be provided each day.

Cost: $550
This cost includes the use of a Mac computer, design software, and sketching supplies. Experience with design software is not required. We have cameras available in our photography studio, but you are also welcome to bring your own.

Instructors: Summer Days instructors, Kelly Mercer and Tony Neary, will inspire your creativity and lead you through the design process. Kelly and Tony will be assisted by current SAA students.

Kelly Mercer, a graduate of the University of Dayton, has nearly a decade of industry experience as an award-winning producer and media design director, working for TV stations and advertising agencies in the Dayton region. Kelly has worked with The WB and CW Networks, The Daily Buzz, a nationally syndicated morning show, and various clients across the U.S. Her work has received numerous awards, including three Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, six Gold ADDY and seven Silver and Bronze awards from the Greater Dayton Advertising Association, and various industry awards for writing, editing, and producing. She currently serves as the Executive Vice President for the Ohio Valley Region of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Kelly is saa’s video and motion design instructor and an admissions specialist.

Tony Neary holds an Associate of Arts degree in Visual Communications from Collins College in Tempe, Arizona.  He is a Graphic Design instructor at SAA, specializing in the correct use of color, typography and graphic design elements in print materials. Tony is also a Partner and Creative Director of Traction, an award-winning graphic design firm located in Cincinnati. His past experience includes the Design Director with Deskey in Cincinnati, Art Director with Jacobson Rost in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Art Director with Krueger Marketing Associates in Champaign, Illinois. He has worked with clients such as P&G, GoPro, the NBA, Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson.

Registration information:

Register here by July 1. Space is limited.
Early Bird Registration: If you register by May 31, the cost is reduced to $500.
Cancellation Fee: A $250 cancellation fee will be charged if you cancel anytime after July 5th.

Lodging information: We realize that SAA may be a long commute from your home each day. In case families choose to spend the weekend in the area, SAA has arranged a group rate of $104 per night at the nearby hotel listed below. To arrange reservations, call the hotel directly. (SAA is not involved in the hotel reservation process. SAA representatives will not be on-site at the hotel at any time during Summer Days.)

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
5655 Wilmington Pike
Centerville, OH 45459
Phone:  937-424-5757
Mention School of Advertising Art and book by 7/3/13 to receive the group rate.

Parents: If you plan to be in town, there are plenty of places to visit in the area—National Museum of the USAF, Dayton Art Institute, Kettering Art on the Commons, 2nd Street Market, Cox Arboretum, and the Greene Town Center to name a few. Also, the Cincinnati Reds play at home Friday and Saturday nights.

SAA recruiters will be available during the weekend if you have questions about the college or would like a tour.

Cincy Magazine states “The winners are chosen from a variety of traits that range from scholarship to spending extra time with students, from innovation in the classroom to research.”

The entire article may be viewed online in this month’s issue of Cincy Magazine at http://www.cincymagazine.com

“This recognition is such an honor.” states Matt Flick. “It’s truly a testament to my dedication to instructing our next generation of hybrid designers.”

Andy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film; Theory and Production from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Dayton.

He is the Creator, Writer and Producer for Uncommon Sense TV Media and the Programming Supervisor for the Miami Valley Communications Council.

Tony is also a Partner and Creative Director of Traction, an award-winning graphic design firm located in Cincinnati.

His past experience includes the Design Director with Desky in Cincinnati, Art Director with Jacobson Rost in Sheboyban, Wisconsin and Art Director with Krueger Marketing Associates in Champaign, Illinois.

Tony holds an Associate of Arts in Visual Communications from Collins College in Tempe, Arizona.

And later that evening… Anatomy of a Logo Workshop

This three hour workshop distills the entire creative process of developing a brand identity from initial client contact, research, concept development, presentation, revisions, brand management and everything else in between. Attenders are asked to complete five different creative exercises based on key points through out the presentation. It’s a fun, informative and interactive event that turns the attender into the firm trying to win a new account.

When: April 22, 2013 6-9pm
Where: School of Advertising Art
What: Refining your visual identity skills
Cost: $10.00

Bring a pencil or pen and a good stack of paper! If you want to also bring your laptop, ipad, iphone or grandmother that is fine too!

Click here to register

Kettering, OH – February, 2013– Molli Ross and Laura Lyle, students at School of Advertising Art (SAA), were both highlighted in an article in GD USA’s February edition as one of the country’s “Top 25 Students To Watch”.

The students highlighted in this article are chosen from leading art and design colleges throughout the country.

Molli and Laura are currently in their final year at SAA and are planning to pursue careers in graphic design after their graduation in May.

A native of Celina, Ohio, Molli has a background in fine arts and often incorporates her own drawings into her projects. She is looking forward to spreading her wings and following her passion for graphic design after her graduation in May.

Laura Lyle grew up in Greenfield, Ohio and developed an interest in art at a very young age. After one visit to SAA, Laura knew graphic design was the career she wanted to pursue. Laura has great strengths in both right- and left-brained thinking, which she utilizes in a unique approach to her graphic design projects.

The article in GD USA states, “Our Students To Watch feature has become a tradition that resonates and renews: the students get recognized and the professional creative community gets refreshed.” You can read more about Molli and Laura and the entire article on the GD USA website by clicking here:  http://www.gdusa.com/issue_2013/january/students-to-watch.php.

“SAA’s small class size, dedicated instructors and caring staff have benefitted me greatly.” said Laura Lyle. “The campus is small and the instructors are right there to help us. Everyone really cares, provides us with amazing instruction, and shares our goal of pursuing a career that we love.”

Molli and Laura are the 4th and 5th SAA students to have been included in this prestigious roster by GD USA. SAA students previously recognized in this category include Ethan Muller in 2012, Candy Niemeyer in 2011 and Travis Runyon in 2010.

Kettering, OH – SAA, a Kettering, Ohio based college, is honored to announce that Vice President and Creative Director Matt Flick is one of 29 graphic design professionals featured as “People To Watch” in GDUSA, a national industry publication.

GDUSA’s list of criteria for this honor includes “individuals we have come to know and respect for a combination of talent, leadership, success, newsworthiness and community service.” They further state, “the roster of past participants is star-studded to say the least.”

The entire article may be viewed on GDUSA’s website at http://www.gdusa.com/issue_2013/january/people-to-watch.php.

“I’m honored to have been chosen for this recognition,” states Matt Flick. “It validates years of hard work as a graphic designer and my commitment to instructing our next generation of hybrid designers.”