Adrian Rodriguez is working to find his niche in the field of graphic design and visual communications by taking additional classes at SBCC, after having earned his certificate in the Graphic Design program in 2024. He started at SBCC as a dual enrollment student and discovered his career path after taking classes across various departments, including art, marketing, photography, media arts, and graphic design.
In 2024, Adrian received a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Montecito in partnership with the SBCC Foundation, and says the award played a crucial role in helping him pursue his education and career.
Q&A with Adrian:
What are some of your favorite aspects of SBCC?
One of my favorite aspects of SBCC is the hands-on approach to learning that is applied in the classroom, as well as the continuous engagement, support, and encouragement provided by the Digital Arts faculty and students. As a visual and kinesthetic learner, I greatly appreciate how the Graphic Design department not only teaches the theory and principles behind graphic and visual design but also allows students to apply these concepts to real-life projects and situations. The strong sense of community within the digital arts disciplines makes it easy to seek assistance, ask questions, and gain valuable perspectives when working on projects.
Some of my favorite courses at SBCC were the graphic design courses taught by Professor James Van Arsdale, and the photography courses taught by Professor Seantel Sanders. Additionally, one of my favorite classes from outside of my certificate program was History of Asian Art, taught by Professor Barbara Vilander.
Also, the location of SBCC is unparalleled. It has been a true joy walking around campus on sunny days, where I am fortunate to witness stunning views of the beach and its vibrant blue waters on the way to class nearly every day.
In 2024, you received a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Montecito in partnership with the SBCC Foundation. How did this help you in pursuing your educational goals?
I am honored to have received a scholarship through the SBCC Foundation, specifically the Rotary Club Scholarship in Career Technical Education for Graphic Design and Photography. This scholarship has enabled me to continue my education, by taking courses in illustration and web interface design.
Scholarships like the one from the Rotary Club of Montecito play a crucial role in helping students, particularly those eager to grow in their craft and pursue the careers they envision for themselves. Although I am relatively new to the field of graphic design, and still finding my footing, the Rotary Club Scholarship has affirmed in me that I am on the right academic and career path. I am deeply grateful to the Rotary Club for this incredible honor and financial support. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Professor James Van Arsdale for his nomination. Professor Van Arsdale has been instrumental in transforming my initial interest in graphic design into a lifelong passion.
What are you doing now, after graduation from SBCC, and what are your goals?
Although I have completed my Graphic Design certificate, I’m still attending SBCC and am currently enrolled in a Computer Interface Design course. I am excited to learn the principles behind interface design, in order to communicate effectively and make information accessible to users.
Outside of class, I serve as the marketing assistant for the SBCC ¡Raíces: First Year and Beyond! student program, where I assist with developing marketing materials, social media content, and website updates for the program’s events, services, and communications. It has been a rewarding experience working with the program’s staff and faculty, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I gained through my studies in graphic design at SBCC.
While I am still in the process of finding my niche within the field of Graphic Design, one of my future career goals is to work professionally in digital and editorial illustration. My dream career involves developing engaging and comprehensive illustrations, patterns, and textile work for publications, visual identities, advertisements, and fashion brands.
As a visual designer, I aim to contribute to the beauty we experience in visual media. To me, beautiful design is just as important as informative content. Integrating beauty into design not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also strengthens its ability to communicate, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. As a future illustrator, I hope to create uplifting content and whimsical, thoughtful visual art that enriches the media experiences we encounter both in-person and online.
SBCC is truly a gem within the Santa Barbara community! I am deeply grateful to the faculty, staff, and students for the knowledge and experiences they provided. Thanks to my time at SBCC, I am one step closer to pursuing and achieving my dreams!
