Welcome to the Ai New York City Community Blog!

Keeping you informed about events and people in the Ai New York City Community.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Career Services Week Coming Up!




Career Services Week
Monday, August 2 – Friday, August 6
A week of career-focused seminars, workshops and visits from industry professionals
All events take place in the Gallery from 12:15 – 1:15

Monday
Fashion Week in New York City
Learn what it takes to be a Fashion Week volunteer

Tuesday
Internship Opportunities at MTV

Wednesday
Alumni Guest Speakers
Joey Kilrain – Philadelphia Graphic Design Alumnus 94’ and Francisco Pereira NYC Graphic Design Alumnus 07’ are joining forces in creating a visual presentation for students. They will inform students about:

Life before and after graduation / How I focused when I kept getting rejection letters

My jobs were stepping stones / How I developed a plan to get into NYC

Moving to New York City / Plan A - Plan B

Getting fired / Stand for something or fall to anything

How I'm living now / Manage my own schedule

Thursday
Digital Filmmaking
Curtis Davis, Executive Producer from Second Look TV will speak about his company, their projects, and possible internship opportunities.

Friday
How to get a job
Carmen Reynal & Jason Matthews will impart really valuable information & tips!

Wine Expert Extraordinaire!


Instructor John Bandman was recently honored by the French Ambassador to the United States for earning his credential of Certified French Wine Scholar/Educator. John is one of only two people in New York City who passed the very challenging exam given by the French Wine Society to earn this credential. Later this year, the French Wine Society is sending him to France for his second funded wine education research project, subsidized by the European Union.

John thanked the Ambassador (in French!), acknowledging his recognition and support for education.

Sanam Enayati Solo Show!

Fashion Design instructor Sanam Enayati is featured in a month-long solo show at the prestigious Ana Tzaverz Gallery on 57th Street in Manhattan, with the opening tonight, July 28, from 6 - 8.

The show is part of an ongoing series of special exhibitions focusing on cultural awareness. Sanam is a noted artist whose works are greatly influenced by her early life in Iran prior to her move to the U.S. when she was twenty-two years old. She was a featured artist in the 2010 Freedom to Create exhibition. Presently on the faculty of The Art Institute of New York City, she holds an M.F.A. from the New York School of Visual Arts. Describing her paintings, Sanam Enayati states, “My work expresses a blend of cultural and socio-political significance aesthetically, through assortment of substance and material representations.”

Monday, July 26, 2010

Friday, July 23, 2010

MTV Casting Call








MTV held a casting call for it's popular show MADE. 55 eager students awaited their turn to meet with show reps to see if they had what the producers were seeking. The event was ably coordinated by Career Services Advisor Jason Matthews.

In its 10th season, MADE is a self-improvement reality television series which follows teens who have a goal and want to be "made" into things like singers, athletes, dancers, skateboarders, etc. The teens are joined by a "Made Coach," an expert in the chosen field, who tries to help them over the course of several weeks. MADE documents the process the teens undergo as they try to achieve their goal.

Four tapes are being presented to the show's director. Students were notified if they were chosen via text message.

This was the first casting event the show had held at a college or university in New York City, Jason was told they'd love to return. There was such interest that they ran out of film for their cameras while they were here!

Welcome Back, Students!





Student Affairs sponsored two Welcome Back events for students - a breakfast on Tuesday and a brunch on Wednesday, July 20 & 21. Gene Tolan and Bernard Guerzon handled the hosting duties. French Toast and Pancakes - what's not to like?

Monday, July 19, 2010

Digital Filmmaking helps Save Honeybees!



The Digital Filmmaking department, under the leadership of Eve Okupniak, is working with non-profits to bring professional experience to the classroom, while helping out with important causes.

This past quarter students from Jason Moore and Susi Graf's classes worked with both the Honey Bee Conservancy and the NY Pops. Guillermo Fernandez, director of the Honey Bee Conservancy, reports that he is very happy with the work produced. "....the PSAs produced by Jason Moore's class have been viewed 700 + times on YouTube and Vimeo in less than a month. The Honeybee Conservancy has a very tiny budget and a small staff, and AiNYC has really helped us make much more of an impact than we otherwise could have had." The Conservancy will be working with Jason's class again this quarter.

Here are the links to view the videos:
http://vimeo.com/thehoneybee
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheHoneybeeConservan

Friday, July 16, 2010

RUDE DUDE




For the past two years, Digital Filmmaking instructor and successful independent filmmaker Ian Fischer has been following one of his heroes, the comic book artist Steve Rude, filming him for the documentary RUDE DUDE. The film has a trailer that will have it's debut at San Diego Comicon 2010.

Originally showcasing comic books, science fiction/fantasy and film/television, the convention has expanded over the years to include a larger range of pop culture elements, such as horror, anime, manga, animation, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. The convention is the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and traditionally fills the San Diego Convention Center to capacity.

This documentary will show yet another side of Ian Fischer's multi-talents!

Monday, July 12, 2010

67 Livingston - Our Own Student Housing!









For the first time, AiNYC now offers housing for students in a facility where our students are the sole tenants.

The first group of students moved into the newly renovated building in time for the July 12th class start.

There are 75 units, accommodating up to 182 students. The environment is safe and secure, in a 24 hour locked building, with a 24 hour security desk, concierge service, professional live-in staff and nightly security patrol.

Located in Brooklyn Heights, the residence offers the best in college student living with accommodations in beautiful suites, private bathrooms and a kitchen in each room. 67 Livingston offers a wealth of amenities:

• Fully Furnished
• Live-in Student Life staff
• Spacious Closets
• Wireless High-Speed Internet
• Kitchen in each unit
• Full Bathroom in each unit
• Roof Top Penthouse with Sundeck
• Fitness Facility with Tanning Bed
• Private Outdoor Courtyard
• Laundry Room
• Individual A/C and Self Controlling Heat
• Computer Lab
• Secure building with 24-hour attendant

For further information, contact Tavis Young, director of Residential Life & Housing.

Cupcakes with Career Services!








On Friday, July 09, Career Services welcomed students in our new housing facility, 67 Livingston, with assorted cupcakes from New York City’s premier pastry spot, Magnolia Bakery. Director Marc Scoleri, Fashion Design Advisor Regina Pokidaylo, Digital Filmmaking and WDIM Advisor Donny Bridgemohan and Student Employment Advisor Jason Matthews gathered students from all majors on the Penthouse balcony of the new residence, answering questions about Career Services and about life in New York City in general. The advisors listened to students’ goals, which included owning their own interior design firms, production companies and boutiques, as well as working for well-known designers. Everyone was ambitious, excited and ready to get started on productive careers.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Career Services Scores a Coup!



Career Services Advisor Donna Holder has achieved a tremendous feat for our school. During the Spring quarter, she placed three students in internships at mcgarrybowen Advertising Agency.

The success and prestige of this agency cannot be overstated. Here is just a sample of their client list: JP Morgan Chase, Newscorp, Kraft, Marriott, Verizon, Reebok, Disney, Pfizer....and so many more of that caliber.

The three students with internships are Erik Meier, Kenneth Mercado and Adrianna Hazel.

Here is an email from Erik Meier showing our school achieving its mission of helping students enter the creative fields of their choice:

"Hey, Donna. I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping me with the internship opportunity with mcgarrybowen. It's been an awesome experience so far, and I'm learning more about the advertising/marketing field than I thought I would. ......they decided to keep me on as an employee once my intern contract is up. I'll be working part time while I finish at Ai, and then full time after graduation. I have you to thank for helping me in the right direction."

Friday, July 2, 2010

June Portfolio Review












On June 15, 16 & 17, Portfolio Review, showing the best work of students about to graduate, was shown in the gallery. Hats off to Instructors and Career Services Advisors who produce a memorable event each quarter. Each show sees an increase in the number of prospective employers appraising students' work, which after all, is the show's purpose.