Tod Lychkoff

Student

“Computers are like a relationship: You think, ‘I must be crazy to be involved in this!’ And then you think, ‘Hey! She’s not so bad after all. This could be long-term.’”

Tod Lychkoff reports that his immersion in the world of computers does indeed have all the earmarks of a very serious ‘affair.’ “I got my MFA many years ago and completely ne-glected computers because I was afraid they’d take away the time I could spend doing my fine arts,” he says. “And that’s true: It’s a real sacrifice at the beginning, especially for someone like me who was never so inclined toward—or good at—math and engineering. But I learned that the Academy was looking for artists, and that computer skills weren’t important: They’d teach us all that.” And that’s exactly what happened to Tod.

“I’m so impressed with the equipment and funding the Academy has,” says Tod. “I’ve already learned Photoshop and Illustrator, and now I’m jumping into Flash, which you can use to create animations and websites. And as a matter of fact,” Tod continues, “I’m actually teaching a beginning Graphic Computer Technology class at LA Harbor College. I mean, I’m no Mother Teresa,” Tod says with a laugh. “But I really feel most successful when—after I’ve gotten my own stuff together—I can give help and value to other people.” And the value of helping others is something that Tod has learned very well at SMC.

“This has been a very difficult transition for me. Even turning on the computer was a big roadblock in the beginning. But, Stu, our lab technician at the Academy, was always just there for me. You can’t get this stuff anywhere else,” adds Tod. “And I’ve learned amazing amounts of applications from other students from all over the world: Asia, Russia, Tibet. The Academy truly brings out the ‘artist’ in people,” says Tod. “And you know what? They do it for dirt cheap!”

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