Noah Berrios

My goal as an artist is to keep people entertained and to have the audience escape their reality. I want to become a director/editor which means I must learn what makes a good story, composition, character, etc. and I think as of lately my talent for that has grown. I strive at making thrilling and interesting stories that look professional. Having patience for little detail is everything in this field, and I know that I have that ability.

One filmmaker I admire is Quentin Tarantino because he has his own style that can’t be replicated. He didn’t go to college for film because all he had was love and passion for movies which is all it takes to make a good movie. I make decisions based on what I’m working on. For example, If I work on a music video I think of what effects/transitions will enhance the video. If it’s a short film/trailer I make decisions on what will strengthen the story, what character arcs matter the most, and how it will unfold. My choice of materials, themes, and techniques stem from my past experiences and familiarity, though I always strive to branch out and use new ideas in my work.

I write down things I love about character arcs, dialogue, editing styles, cinematography, etc. I attempt new filming and editing techniques on each project. I know what makes a good shot and what each camera angle/movement emphasizes within the scene. This is what I’m good at and I indeed to exel at everything I do within this field. I work hard to develop videos that speak to both me and to others about whatever theme I choose to talk about.

bechance.net

Noah Berrios

My goal as an artist is to keep people entertained and to have the audience escape their reality. I want to become a director/editor which means I must learn what makes a good story, composition, character, etc. and I think as of lately my talent for that has grown. I strive at making thrilling and interesting stories that look professional. Having patience for little detail is everything in this field, and I know that I have that ability.

One filmmaker I admire is Quentin Tarantino because he has his own style that can’t be replicated. He didn’t go to college for film because all he had was love and passion for movies which is all it takes to make a good movie. I make decisions based on what I’m working on. For example, If I work on a music video I think of what effects/transitions will enhance the video. If it’s a short film/trailer I make decisions on what will strengthen the story, what character arcs matter the most, and how it will unfold. My choice of materials, themes, and techniques stem from my past experiences and familiarity, though I always strive to branch out and use new ideas in my work.

I write down things I love about character arcs, dialogue, editing styles, cinematography, etc. I attempt new filming and editing techniques on each project. I know what makes a good shot and what each camera angle/movement emphasizes within the scene. This is what I’m good at and I indeed to exel at everything I do within this field. I work hard to develop videos that speak to both me and to others about whatever theme I choose
to talk about.

bechance.net

Mitchell Hamersma

My passion for media design and love of camerawork led me to Digital Media Production Technology. It made me want to know more about the basis of what I learned with media design and animate it, but also, my love for cameras drove me to make me want to jump farther into video production than I have been before.

When I was in high school and took a Mass Communications class, I learned how to use cameras and TriCasters, live streaming, and video software. That’s when I decided I wanted to go to college for Digital Media and Media itself. At Southeast Technical College, after finishing my Media Design Technology degree, I loved seeing reactions from people looking at artwork or designs, if it is or is not mine. When seeing that, I wanted to go further into design and expand.

In my time at Southeast Tech, I have learned an abundance of Adobe Creative Cloud Suite programs. I was able to get an opportunity to work with the Sioux Falls Canaries Baseball team with live streams and camera work for the season and in the fall got to work with the Sioux Falls Skyforce basketball team’s live streams as their Graphics Coordinator.

The most important lesson that I have learned is making time for everything, from showing up earlier to taking your time to do something. It’s better to be early than to be late, you never know what will happen, so being prepared and adaptable are always something that I strive to do.

I will always do my best no matter the situation because if I don’t, I will look back and say, “I could’ve done better.” I apply this by keeping myself moving forward and never slacking off.

mitchellhamersma.com

Kaylynn Johnson

Growing up, I fostered a love for art and creativity. I spent many years with my grandpa, helping him create signs and other works. I am someone who has gone through years of being around my grandpa who used to do stuff with media such as making some signs with him. One of my goals as an artist is to either find a company that I can thrive in, or to push forward as an individual and develop a freelance portfolio. When people are to see my work, my goal is to leave an emotional impact with my audience, whether it’s happy, excited, or even sad.

The stories that I choose to tell and the medium I choose to use are my tools to achieve that goal. I make my decisions in my work based on what I want to portray to the audience. If it’s something that I want to show I choose something that would show what I feel at the time of picking different things. The materials I choose are that of main colors but if I need to, I’ll try and make it the way that I feel like it should be.

My current work is primarily created for friends and family. Motion Graphics is something that I like to show to my friends and family by making different things for them. Some of my work is with some of my prior work with my grandpa and his business and being able to make things that work with him and help him with his clients. I try to push myself to grow as an artist by trying new styles and tools. The new styles and tool I use make it where I can challenge myself.

bechance.net

Alexandria Mika

I am primarily a self-taught cartoonist, though I also enjoy 3D modeling and facial animation. Creating characters and expressing who they are through more than words was always an art that piqued my interest since I was a toddler. Whatever medium I may feel like using, I always find a way to incorporate emotion into my creations.

For many reasons, I focus on draw living things such as people and animals if my art doesn’t demand backgrounds or props. Basic shapes, constant motion, and curved, wavy lines are essential for my style of work. While I’m consistent in my style and method, I design interesting and exciting projects through implanting variety and contrast.

My passions help drive my desire to become better at drawing any kind of character and creating engaging stories. Capturing the emotion I intend for my art is what I care about most.

LinkedIn

Courtney Robert

My name is Courteney Rose Robert, I have always been inspired by animations and music from around the world. I believe that music and animation can bring people together and create memorable experiences through creative storytelling. I want to use my animation skills to enhance music with visualizations. I hope to inspire others in the same way I have found inspiration at concerts and festivals.

When I work in 3D I am reminded that anything is possible with some imagination and hard work. I strive to create unique visual media that draw the viewer in. I also enjoy capturing fun moments in time with pictures and videos and using them to create memorable recaps. Ultimately, it is my goal to work in the music industry creating visuals for many of the amazing artists that have inspired me. I look forward to collaborating with other creative people to help bring their visions to life.

YouTube

Analise Collins

I have always been creative, and I have loved art ever since I can remember. Art was a way to express my emotions, and it gave me time to myself during a busy day. In high school, I had three art classes throughout my day.

With my dad being a graphic designer and owning a business, I knew what I wanted to do for a career. It was just figuring out where I wanted to go to pursue my career. I remember hearing about Southeast Tech for the first time when my guidance counselor mentioned that one of the former students from my high school had her portfolio show coming up and wanted me to go. I didn’t end up going, but it got me looking into the media design program. I toured the program later that year and applied for media design. When I found out I got in, it was like I had accomplished something big. I was so happy and excited to get out of high school.

The program has taught me a lot throughout these two years. I can efficiently use Adobe software, including Indesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. I know how to utilize Dreamweaver and Premiere Pro, but those are things I will still be dabbling in and learning more on. I have also gotten better at speaking in front of people and working with others. I like to do things on my own, but I like having a group to bounce different ideas off of each other. I enjoy seeing myself improving day by day. I am excited to see where this career takes me and what I will be learning
in the future.

analisecollins.com

Bridget DeRungs

I’ve always had the passion to create something visual when I was younger. I was always making things for the people around me. That’s why I wanted to go into a profession where I create and share my art with people. I started off illustrating dinosaurs and other animals in blank books that my parents gave me. I knew I wanted to incorporate drawing into my adult life as I got older since that was my skill that stuck.

As I started to get older and found more things that interested me, I delved into music and pop culture. I struggled with opening up and communicating with people entering high school. So I started theater my freshman year. It taught me how to communicate with others better. Meeting more people in media design helped me with more collaborative work.

In my second year, I have learned that I do much better with projects and creative ideas when I have others to chip in there two cents. I branched off into finally creating some of my characters and ideas before and near the beginning of college.

Before I attended Southeast Tech, I didn’t know much about today’s Adobe software. I didn’t have as many opportunities at my small high school as I do here, and I am grateful to learn these skills. I have strengthened my skills in Illustrator and Indesign immensely since attending Southeast Tech. I now feel like learning more about advertising and the tech side of the art world has helped me expand my art and creative skills even more than before.

bridgetderungs.com

Logan Hawes

Hi, I’m Logan Hawes, and I am a Second Year Media Design student at Southeast Tech currently about to graduate in 2022. When I was a lot younger than I am now, I loved to doodle, whether it was on the wall, paper, or anywhere my doodles were on it. As the years marched on, I began to develop a love for art, and eventually, when it came time for me to decide what I wanted to do for a living, graphic design was the answer.

Finding the Media Design program at Southeast was one of the luckiest things ever. I’ve learned so many things through the Media Design program, and having my artistic skills has helped me give my designs some creative flair by knowing where things need to go on a canvas. Using programs like Illustrator, Photoshop, and the Adobe suite has shown me how creative you can get on a computer. I have become skilled in those applications, and I know what kind of file types and settings to use in those apps. I have become proficient in looking at the details, working quickly, and doing my best job no matter what. One of my weaknesses is that I don’t take change very well, but as it’s a part of what I’m going to be doing, I’ve gotten better about it by being prepared for it.

Becoming a designer hasn’t been easy, but I am thankful for the number of skills that I have gained through this last year. There is plenty more I can learn through this industry, and I can guarantee you that I’ll put my best creative foot forward.

ljhawes.com

Lexie Marshall

When growing up, I was shy. My family would always say, “jeez, Lexie, do you ever stop talking?” as a joke because I didn’t talk a lot. I didn’t know how to express myself in words. Telling someone how I felt was and still is very hard for me. There is a benefit to not talking, and that’s observing. Noticing things that most people would look over. My mom would always say that I see the world differently because I notice more about life than others.

Paying attention to detail helped me out with my art skills. I like drawing in realism because I like the feeling afterward when I finish a drawing. I feel accomplished because realism takes a while to do. I work with colored pencils, so when I shade, put highlights, or blend, a drawing can take time. I started working on realism in 2016 when I got my first professional set of colored pencils. Before realism, I would mostly draw in a cartoon style.

In my freshman year of highschool, that’s when I started to think about what I was going to do for a career after high school. I knew that drawing was just a hobby and not a career path I wanted, but I did want to do something that still allowed me to be creative. That’s when my art teacher told me to take her graphic design class because she thought I would enjoy it. Well, she was right. I knew what I wanted to do in college, graphic design. I started to watch videos on youtube about graphic design; to learn more. If my art teacher had never suggested taking her class, I probably still wouldn’t know what to do with my life.

lexie-marshall.com

Nathan Meyer

Since middle school, I have had a good idea that I wanted to get into the design field. When I was younger, I loved to scroll through social media and see designs related to sports, and eventually, I decided to create them. I have always had an idea of what designs looked good, but I never knew why they did. Coming to Southeast Tech completely changed that. I have learned a lot, but I feel like the most crucial thing I’ve learned at Southeast Tech is the design principles and how I can incorporate them into my designs.

I have also learned to love the whole design process, starting with brainstorming and sketching, then actually creating the design, getting feedback, and working with the client to achieve exactly what they are looking for.

I am always looking to grow and push myself to do better, whether through designs, photography, work, or just life in general. One way that I measure my success is by looking at growth throughout time. I constantly compare my old designs to the ones I am currently making, see how much I’ve developed and changed over time, and I even think about how I could change my old designs.

After I graduate from Southeast Tech, my goal is to be a graphic designer in the sports industry. My previous experience with sports photography and what I have learned at Southeast Tech have prepared me for it. That may not be where I start, but I am excited to see where my career path takes me.

nathan-meyer.com

Julia Nagorniuk

Growing up, many people have asked me what I wanted to do as a career. Finding my career path was one of the hardest things I had to figure out, so I could never give them an exact answer. It was always an “I don’t know.” I always knew I was creative and enjoyed drawing since I was a little girl, but I have always thought that finding jobs in this field would be unrealistic. At one point, I even considered becoming a nurse, which would’ve been a big mistake since I am queasy around blood.

After high school, I decided to take time off from school to work and travel. During this time, a colleague and a few friends convinced me to try out marketing. After a 5-year break from school, I started the marketing program at Southeast Technical College. During my time at school, I learned to enjoy social media marketing, but I knew I wanted to do a little more with my degree that involved art. One of my instructors at STC mentioned the media design program. Immediately I knew I had to add it on top of my marketing degree, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

Media design is something that I will not regret taking. I’ve realized that it has added that creative element that I was missing. I have learned to use different design software and am even perfecting my photography skills. I have created logos, packaging designs, websites, magazine layouts, have interviewed employers in the media field, and even started a blog about my design journey. Going to Southeast Tech has taught me to go out of my comfort zone to get to where I need to, and I am grateful for it.

julianagorniuk.com

Caleb Nugteren

I’m Caleb Nugteren, a Media Design major from Southeast Technical College. I’m from Canistota, South Dakota, roughly 4o minutes west of Sioux Falls. Growing up in a small town comes with many perks, one being that I had many opportunities that students in big schools couldn’t. I could be involved in extracurriculars like Student Council, National Honor Society, Band, Chorus, FCCLA, FBLA, and more simultaneously. In my involvement with these activities, I learned how to manage time, multi-task, be a leader, and rely on myself to perform to the best of my ability.

Professionally, I don’t know where I would like to work or what job I’d like to do. I know that I enjoy and excel in layout work and would happily work in that area. However, I appreciate all aspects of design and would happily work for any company that I could provide value to – whether it be in web design, print design, or any other area.

Having worked as a student graphic designer at Black Hills State University in their Marketing Department, I know what it takes to be a successful and valuable employee. Time management, client relations, and even seemingly mundane tasks like picking up materials from the printing center help keep office workflow steady and on schedule.

In working with me, you will not just collaborate with a person who has an artistic eye and knowledge of industry-standard software as most recent graduates do. You will work with someone who is experienced, is willing to learn, and is ready for whatever gets thrown at them. I hope you enjoy viewing my portfolio as much as I liked creating each piece that went into it!

calebnugteren.com

Steve Ortega

Hello, My name is Steve Ortega. I will be graduating from Southeast Technical in the Spring of 2022 as a Media Design Major. My goals are to improve, grow, be happy, and make meaningful and amazing designs.

I have always grown up with technology. In my case, it is mostly video games and television entertainment. If video games have taught me anything, it is to never give up. No matter how many times you make mistakes, you always have to get up and try again. With every try, you improve, and with every improvement comes a better you. In addition to improving my other goal is to be happy. I want everyone to be happy. I want my skills as a designer to grow so I can make helpful and useful designs for many different companies and small businesses. I have learned the importance of keyboard shortcuts, cropping, masking, and the importance of capturing and using our own personally taken photos for our projects. The use of personally taken photos is an amazing way to have high quality and originality in a designer’s work. I have also studied and worked alongside some marvelous and very talented classmates. I have observed and seen many astonishing designs, photographs, and very creative ideas.

It just presents me with the idea that there is always room for improvement. I hope to one day reach a level of skill, in both software and mental brainstorming, that will shape me into a spectacular designer. One saying I always have is. If you don’t struggle, You don’t improve.

steveortega.net

Jesse Plaetz

Technology has been a part of my day to day life since I was little. I was always surfing the internet for new material to learn, new games to play, or activities to do. Growing up on a farm was a lot of grunt work that I really didn’t want to do. I would grumble and complain about the various tasks I had to do. Even though I had no clear path of what I wanted my future to look like, I knew what career path I didn’t want to follow. This opened up many possibilities for my future and enabled an unbound imagination for potential career paths. Being a game designer was my first choice. I learned how to create interactive experiences for an audience, and observe what makes people interested and keeps them engaged. Art has always been an interest for me, but I never really practiced it until then. Eventually, I moved on to focus more on the art side of game design. This is where I found myself invested, and could actually see a tangible future for myself. After taking a break from school, I returned to South Dakota to focus on Media Design.

From there, I realized my potential, what I was strong at, and even some weaknesses. I enjoy catching the audience’s attention through humor, or by taking a different approach not seen before. One of my strengths is creating logos and developing a brand that stands out. I believe a company’s message and ideals should be conveyed through the first glance at a logo. I am excellent at adapting to new design trends and coming up with creative solutions to problems. I believe discovery is opportunity, and success is adapted failure.

jessejohn.work

Jared Rundell

My name is Jared Rundell, and I have been a photographer for over five years. Photography has played a tremendous role in my life. It showed me that I did have a creative side to me. That was something that I had struggled with when I was younger. I had always seen creative minds or had witnessed them within my environment. I always thought to myself that no matter how hard I tried I wasn’t as creative as I had hoped.

Picking up a camera was my first step into realizing my potential. I decided to pick up photography classes in high school once I found out I was interested in taking photographs. This led to me taking an AP design class which was an incredible leap for me. The class provided full creative freedom with only a singular prompt to get our minds jogging about what our next piece was going to be. Creating alongside other very imaginative minds helped me realize I was more creative than I thought.

Arriving at Southeast Tech was anxiety-inducing but was a step I knew I wanted to take. And now I stand by it being one of the smartest decisions I’ve made. My time here has helped me improve my people skills, motivation, and overall design talents. Choosing this field allows me to use the creative side that I have finally discovered. I can finally use the knowledge I have gained to do this commercially, and I’m able to use this knowledge towards my projects as well.

jaredrundell.com

Morgan Smith

When I started at Southeast Tech, I was a nursing major. I realized quickly that I loved the classes but wasn’t as fond of the job. After the first year, I started looking for something different. I looked through all the majors at Southeast Tech and found Media Design. I had my hesitations about switching programs. Ultimately, I decided to take the chance and try it, and I’m glad I did. I’ve learned so much in the short time I’ve been here. I love the challenge that comes with each project and learning new things.

Spending time with family is so important to me. I have a big extended family and, and we get together often. We love to do things together like cooking, playing music, or even just spending time talking. We also volunteer together. My dad and I were both Level 2 coaches for Special Olympics. We coached basketball, softball, and track for two years. My aunt started a nonprofit organization called Books4Kids program, so I have helped with many fundraisers for that organization. I’m also a co-author and illustrator in the program.

I think some of my greatest strengths are my patience and adaptability. Working with kids through an after-school program has helped me grow those skills. Many times, lessons don’t go as planned or things may take longer and shorter than scheduled, and I have had to come up with something on the spot. Being patient has not only helped me in working with people it also helped me to be more detailed oriented. These qualities and many others have helped me as a designer. A few years ago, I would have never imagined myself where I am now, so I can’t wait to see what happens next.

morganjalei.com

Maryn Terry

I’ve always been fascinated by design. When I was a teenager, I would keep packaging and clothing tags I thought were cool and display them in my room. I dreamed of having Adobe products to play around in, whether it was illustrating or designing. I have always loved to draw and paint. But, as I got older, I realized that, while I loved making art for myself, I wanted to have my art displayed for everyone to see. So I started making event posters and album covers for my friends’ bands. But that was infrequent, and even that only satisfied my hunger for design for so long.

When I first decided to go to college, I started in the Marketing program. My thought was, even though I was 21 and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, a degree in marketing could at least help me wherever I decided to go. While I enjoyed it, the more I studied, the more I missed being creative. I thought about how fast the first year went and how well I was doing, and at the end of my first year, I decided to take on my second degree in Media Design. Having both degrees excites me about what opportunities await me as they are both intertwined in many fields.

As I’ve grown over the last 3 years, I’ve realized I love being described as hardworking. Nothing beats the feeling of someone telling you how much they love something you’ve made for them. Or completing a project a week before the deadline and using that time to fine-tune. It’s immensely satisfying to complete a project and know that I’ve put over 100% of myself into it, and I hope to spend my professional career doing just that!

marynsummerterry.com

Jezarae Uthe

Hi, I am Jezarae Uthe. I will be graduating this Spring from the Media Design Technology program at Southeast Technical College. Growing up in a small town I had little to no opportunity to pursue my design side. During my junior year of high school, I decided to take a leap of faith and join the yearbook club. This allowed me to put my creative skills into play by designing spreads and constructing layouts.

From there forward, I knew graphic designing was my dream career. Being a visual and hands-on learner choosing Southeast was a no-brainer. Southeast has not only taught me to be a successful graphic artist but also shaped me into being a better person. At Southeast Tech, I gained knowledge in Adobe software such as Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. I am looking to increase my skills and knowledge in Dreamweaver. Being efficient in adobe software gives me the ability to create posters, brochures, construct logos, and package designs.

As a person, I strive on being independent and having a hard work ethic. I love the challenge of problem-solving in design and in the field you are always learning something new. I can’t wait to jump in my career and see where it takes me.

Jezaraeuthe.com

Luke Vortherms

My design journey started during my Sophomore year of High school. Of course, I have always been a creative person, but I was asked to take senior photos for a close friend that year. At the time, I was only doing photography as a hobby with my iPhone. So I went to my parents and asked if they could buy me an actual camera. Since then, I have grown in my craft, still doing senior portraits but dabbling in more editorial-style photos. I’ve been studying print publications like Interview and i-D Magazines and local magazines. Making goals to create work that you could see in one of these magazines; maybe even work for one day. I’m also interested in Product design. Showing the world my work and having them hold it in their hands is one of the reasons I want to design.

Design is a big part of my life. I try to immerse myself as much as I can. I follow many photographers and designers on all my social platforms to gain inspiration. I now carry a camera with me at all times because you will never know what photo opportunity may come up. I’m always headed to the magazine stand at Barnes and Nobel, checking for new issues. Also, I communicate with local creatives to share insight and gain knowledge that will help me along the way. Many have become long-time friends.

With all the skills Southeast Tech and my Instructors in the Media Design department have taught me, I feel that I am set up for success post-graduation.

imlukejames.com

Nick Zylstra

Hi, my name is Nick Zylstra and I’m from a remote town in Iowa called Rock Valley. Growing up in a town with nothing in it was boring and I couldn’t go anywhere until later in life. I found my hobby in video games to escape the boringness of life in a small little town. When I entered high school, I discovered my other passion be art and design. Originally I took an art class to get out of choir class but as time went on, I discovered that I love to do art and be creative and express myself in my way. My art teacher then introduced me to graphic design on the computer and that’s when I truly decided that that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and from that moment forward that’s all I did in high school.

Going to college wasn’t on my radar until I knew what I wanted to do and now that I went to college for graphic design I couldn’t ask for a better college experience. My plan for the future is to grow in this field and gain as much experience as I can to be a very successful designer. I plan on working for an agency for a while and gaining experience doing that type of work, then moving over to freelance work and running my own business. I like designing all types of work from publication work to designing ads. Working as an in-house designer is also something I would consider doing.

nickzylstra.net