Stephanie Sung

Student

“Studying at the Academy and taking night classes at Art Center are basically equivalent. And when I transfer to Pasadena full time, I know I’ll be ready.”

Look around and you’ll see a fusion of the arts that’s unprecedented. Virtual worlds in film created by software engineers. Rendering worthy of da Vinci created by non-artists with computers. The new synergy in the creative fields is a circumstance that suits Stephanie Sung just fine. “I’ve always loved art, but I also enjoy computers. So I thought, what better way is there to make a career in graphic arts than blending the two?” she says. “And I’ve loved being at the Academy. I’ve taken all my graphic design classes there, and the teachers are great.”

Stephanie reports that “Don Gerds has been a really terrific teacher for me. He teaches Illustrator and a lot of other programs and—by Spring—I’ll have taken three of his classes. Because of what I’ve learned from him, I actually like drawing and illustrating best on the computer, rather than by hand.”

Though she regards her transfer to Art Center as “almost 100% sure,” Stephanie says that attending SMC first was one of her better ideas. “Coming here really gave me a boost and helped me get a lot more focused on what I want to do,” she says. “And Art Center is a really expensive school, so I’m saving a ton of money taking classes here at SMC for $11 a unit.” Stephanie plans to put her Academy experience to good use in designing posters, CD covers, and advertising. “Design is just something I always knew I’d do. But I also want to tell people not to give up if they don’t have a major yet. Just do the best you can do in each class, and the picture will start to clear up.”

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