There is something elegantly understated about good design. For every famous piece of art hung on a gallery wall clamoring for your attention, there are a dozen teapots, street signs, and chairs that are so immaculately executed that their designer’s inspiration becomes almost invisible. Thousands of seemingly daily items that are so easily taken for granted. What inspires these designers who make these often underappreciated beauties?

Perhaps nowhere is there a better example of this than in the average mall. Walking into a storefront, you likely see these hidden art pieces, but you may walk right past them. As you peruse stores, you are mindful of clothing’s shape, color, and designer labels, but what about what is beneath the garment? The humble mannequin. More than an opposable hanging rack, it is a blank canvas designed to feel universal, something that we can all look at and see ourselves staring back.

Anatomy of a Mannequin Designer

As an artist, Michelle Montano says she has “always been drawn to human anatomy.” However, when Montano first enrolled in RMCAD’s 3D animation program, she had no idea she would end up being a mannequin designer for NOA Brands. With a passion for character design, Montano found her footing as an animation student, designing realistic characters who came to life with stylistic flourishes.

While in school, Montano proved that she was not only capable of designing memorable characters but also engaging spaces as well. For her senior capstone project, she created an entire video game level with an avatar viewers could control as they navigated her one-of-a-kind streetscape. Titled “Fish N Chips,” because of the demo’s setting, Montano became fluent in nearly every single part of the game art pipeline.

Drawing inspiration from the fan-favorite character Spider-Punk, she designed all of the game’s assets herself, a task usually designated for an entire team. She estimates that she worked nine hours a day for eight weeks straight on the project. Montano said that she “learned a ton that I carry on with me in my professional career, it was a really awesome experience.”

 

She shared that she originally wanted to be a 3D animator for film and games, “in my heart, I was set on that.” But fate has a funny way of changing one’s original plan. It wasn’t until she took a digital sculpting class that her entire animation career began to pivot. She found a niche in 3D sculpting, creating characters with a software called Z-Brush. Whereas most of her classmates were thinking about movement, Montano was focused on form. Slowly structuring characters so that their design alone spoke volumes on who they were and what they were like.

Articulating Creativity

In 2024, Montano graduated from RMCAD. It was time for her to take her animation expertise into the working world. She went on to do some freelance work and stretched her skillset in a new role or two, but was still trying to find her perfect career fit. She opened up that she began struggling with creative burnout as a professional. Montano struggled to find that same inspiration that once came to her so easily. 

While Montano had long prioritized her physical health, it wasn’t until burnout got worse that she noticed the link between her creativity and her mental health. Once she noticed the link, her response became far more actionable. She began putting as much time into herself as she did her art. Stretching, going on runs, and being kinder to herself and her work, these were the key steps to rediscovering her creative voice. When asked what advice she would give to current students approaching graduation, she answered, “learn how to push through burnout and find inspiration from everyday life.”

 But as mentioned earlier, good design has a tendency to make an impact. In the case of “Fish N Chips,” all of Montano’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed. In 2025, almost a year later, she returned to her alma mater for RMCAD’s Annual Frames n’ Games Film Festival. The festival celebrates the hard work of RMCAD’s Animation and Game Art students and alumni. As an alumna, her game demo was recognized for its tremendous detail and scale. She was reminded of all those hours of work when she didn’t doubt herself, which certainly didn’t hurt in reigniting her confidence!

Striking a Pose

It was only a few months later that Montano accepted the role at NOA Brands. It may not have been the obvious choice to her when she first graduated, but after overcoming her professional struggles, NOA Brands allowed her to focus on her favorite part of animation, meticulously designing the form, posture, and character of her designs. Her new role puts all of her hours of digitally sculpting the human form in Z-Brush to good use. From the start, she could see how the role embodied all her favorite parts of being an animator.

“As a 3D artist, we make art, but it only really lives in the computer. So the really cool thing about my job is seeing my designs become something tangible.” Montano fell head over heels for the ability to not only see her designs come to life in a physical space but also how they could stand tall like her. “It is really magical to see a live scale mannequin looming over you. It’s something I never experienced before working here,” Montano shared.

 To her, the trick of good design for anything, not just mannequins, is to tell a story. No matter how subtle or nuanced, all good design tells a story. When starting a new project, Montano says that she looks for “the tiny details that tell stories.” These stories communicate the character of the mannequin to consumers, and, by operating as a blank slate, it can help them decide who they want to be by proxy. Whether it’s dynamic poses, simulated motion, or effortlessly articulated joints, every decision Montano makes communicates who the mannequin is. 

This process has completely changed Michelle Montano’s perspective on design. She once again sees inspiration lurking in the hidden details often forgotten by the rest of the world. Particularly, as a 3D artist, she loves to find those sweet secrets in the tangible world to inform her work. The gentle curve of ergonomic handles on public transit, the subtle color of carpet fibers in a hotel, the legible font of letters on a keyboard, and, of course, mannequins in a mall. Montano said it best, “It’s a constant pursuit of curiosity!”

Ready to Pursue Your Passion for Design?

Whether for TV, movies, games, or 3D sculpting, animate your dreams at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Our on-campus and online animation programs include 2D and 3D degrees that emphasize storytelling through character design, movement, and creating an animation demo reel. Get in touch for additional information or take the next step and apply today. 

The post The Inspiration Behind Mannequin Design with Michelle Montano appeared first on RMCAD.

Gavin LaCasse

Award in Illustrative Design for ‘Paper Art’

Another takeaway from this year’s exhibition was to keep things simple. Gavin Lacasse, shared that “Winning the award for Illustrative Design means a lot to me. I still view myself as a beginner artist and I was hesitant to submit my work in the first place, but I decided to take the opportunity anyway.” His piece ‘Paper Art’ is a minimalist design that utilizes bright colors, an astute eye for lighting, and clean line work to bring his illustrations to life. LaCasse’s design was inspired by the work of paper artist and animator, Eric Power, calling him “an underrated artist worth checking out.”

The young artist went on to say that “I’m trying to do that as much as I can while I’m at RMCAD because I want to grow as an artist and get my work out there. So just having my work accepted into the Philip J. Steele Gallery was an important opportunity. Winning the award is a great accomplishment because it recognizes all the hard work I put into my pieces.”

Kendall Mingo 

Award in Music Production for ‘Life Sentence’

When asked about the process that led them to create their song ‘Life Sentence,’ Kendall Mingo responded “My process has simply been life itself.” Mingo opened up about how their music career was largely influenced by losing their father and the difficulties that followed. Music offered a much needed escape, saying “listening to songs helped for a while, but it wasn’t enough, I needed to create. That’s why I pour everything I have into what I do.”

They shared that “everything I’ve been through comes out in my words. I’ve always been a quiet person, but I’ve learned to speak louder through my art.” The process of bringing this music to life has “been an emotional journey, and through all the breakdowns and challenges, I’ve channeled it all into my music and education.” Mingo wished to thank their band, the jury, and “everyone who took the time to listen.”

Leo Akers

Award in Fine Arts for ‘When They Were Kind (Baby’s First Quilt)’

As a senior in RMCAD’s Fine Arts program, Leo Akers says that Winning the Best in Fine Arts award was “certainly unexpected, but it is a moment I have been hoping for over the past three years.” The piece is certainly a profound culmination of their time at RMCAD as it was a final project for Akers’ Printmaking II class, they even called it “both nostalgic and bittersweet.” The artwork invokes the early years of their life “As the only girl on the paternal side of my family, I was immortalized until the age of 6, when I noticed a distinct loss of kindness shown towards me.”

The 16 by 16 pixel grid quilt depicts Akers’ face as a toddler and includes tags that replicate that of stuffed animals, and 54 screen-printed photos of their childhood. Aker shared that “I have chosen to exclude photos of me with anyone from the paternal side of my family, as their disrespect for me has only grown as I have grown up.” Through this curation of childhood memories, Aker’s rewrote their story to “fill it with love rather than indifference. I have since stepped away from that side of my family, and having this quilt be recognized for its technique and narrative feels gratifying and validating.”

Aerial Celestine 

Award in Fashion Design for ‘Rediscovering Me: A Journey Through Identity’

“Fashion gives me a voice—like a poet uses words or a painter uses paint, I use fabric to tell my story in a way words simply can’t,” says fashion design student, Ariel Celestine. ‘Rediscovering Me: A Journey Through Identity’is a three-piece collection by Celestine. As the name might lead you to believe, the articles that Celestine designed are reflections on her perception of self. “For years, my identity was centered around being a mother and caregiver, but through this collection, I reconnected with the parts of myself I had set aside,” shared the designer. 

Celestine credits the pieces with helping to personally transform and chronicle her “evolution of identity through distortion, confusion, and self-discovery.” She was inspired by famed neo-expressionist painter Jean-Michel Basquiat’s self-portraits. “I used fragmented silhouettes and layered textures to symbolize that journey of reclaiming individuality.

Mackenzie Neuman

Award in Illustration for ‘Messages’

‘Messages’ was originally conceptualized by Mackenzie Neuman for a studio seminar course. In it, she reflects the power of protest through “the bravery and unity of people fighting for their rights through the use of colors.” In the piece, the foundational imagery she learned in her coursework is not only utilized but recontextualized to share a powerful message about using your voice as an artist to enact change in the world.

She shared that “the skills I learned from that studio seminar course, like thumbnail making, really helped my creative process.” Neuman wanted to thank her teacher and her family for the support she received not only during ‘Messages’ but all the projects that led her there.

Olivia McDonough

Award in Photography for ‘Face the Feeling’

Similarly, Olivia McDonough’s ‘Face the Feeling’ series is also a reflection on the artist’s unique “creative processes to expressing thoughts, feelings, and stories.” McDonough, who has always been inspired by everything from makeup and fashion to theatrical techniques, blends media in her photographic work to pay homage to her many inspirations and curate a creative voice full of texture and nuance. 

McDonough’s wealth of inspiration is visible in ‘Face of Feeling’ through both photography and fashion techniques. “Creating art not only on the model but also through a camera is something I will definitely continue to pursue throughout my career.” They also wanted to thank the hard work and support of “Jake Koenig and Leandra Hausle for helping me bring this project to life!”

Laura Molloy

Award in Graphic Design for ‘Marie Curie Poster’

Every so often, a piece of art comes along that not only embodies a single person’s achievements but also an entire discipline. In Laura Molloy’s ‘Marie Curie Poster,’ she captures the achievements and legacy of the titular scientist who made many of the early breakthroughs in the research of radioactivity. “I started with researching Marie Curie, her biography, and her Nobel Prize awards. After a few sketches, I decided on this layout,” stated Molloy.

From there it wasn’t just about creating a likeness of Curie, but representing her innovative research with an engaging visual flourish. “I experimented with fonts and colors to represent her awards related to radioactivity and radium. The illustrations I added help to visualize her scientific achievements while also adding to the visual appeal of my poster. I added “radium” splatters with bright green as a part of the background to emphasize the scientific icons in the center.”

Nakiyah Martin 

Award in 2D Animation for ‘Lights Out Little Star’

For some artists, their work in the 62nd Annual Student Exhibition represents a second chance at perfecting an existing work, such as Nakiyah Martin’s ‘Lights Out Little Star.’ According to Martin, the piece was “a slight rework of a final project in a sound design class. The sound design and characters were inspired by classic cartoons that utilize music to drive the story.” 

Harkening back to some of the first animated shorts such as Looney Tunes’ ‘Merrie Melodies’, Martin imbues an iterative quality into their work, building on the past beautifully. Not only are they showcasing the growth in their own animation but also the evolution of the medium itself over the last century. They share that winning the award in 2D animation has inspired them to keep “working towards my goals of becoming a professional storyboard artist.”

Miles Lopez

RMCAD Award for Creativity for ‘Lavender Lads’

For many RMCAD students, history is a common thread in their work. Miles Lopez, winner of the ‘RMCAD Award for Creativity’ for their piece ‘Lavender Lads,’ shared how the piece was made to “showcase queer joy and the strength that queer people have had throughout history.” The title of the piece is in reference to the bravery of the people who stood up against the ‘Lavender Scare,’ a movement which aimed at blackballing members of the LGBTQ+ community from serving in the government. “I wanted to portray the gift that our queer ancestors have given us through their fight and struggles. Because of their resistance and fights I am able to create queer looks for a runway as a trans hispanic man.” 

By recontextualizing vintage silhouettes to make them modern, Lopez pays tribute to the queer icons of the past and how they led us to the present, without indulging in nostalgia of a turbulent period in history. “The goal of my designs is to remind people of their strength and to urge us to continue our communities’ resilience. I conducted research into the history of the lavender lads and clothing of that era.” Lopez is honored to be recognized for their creativity and research, they will use this win as “momentum to tell more stories.”

Caitlyn Dolphin

Gallery Director Award for ‘Suits and Ranks’

For ‘Gallery Director Award’ winner Caitlyn Dolphin, patience is a virtue. According to her, she was thinking about the piece ‘Suits and Ranks’ “for over two years before I finally got the chance to execute it.” Over that time, she meticulously considered every detail of her take on a classic house of cards, working on getting everything just right. “The ornate blue design is something I created by repeatedly mirroring the pattern of a chip magnet over itself. The faces of the royalty cards were all drawn by me. Our printmaking teacher, Alicia McKim, walked me through making a custom registration system to fit each credit card and easily switch between designs.”

Dolphin says she was inspired to create a piece that encouraged audiences to interact with the space around her work, sharing that at the exhibition’s opening she “saw viewers dance around the pedestal, being careful not to move in a way that would disrupt the house of cards.” Dolphin’s work is so successful because of her keen eye for curation and knowledge of how audiences will interact with art on display. As such, she went on to thank gallery director, Rob Evans, saying, “having my work recognized by someone who consistently curates such high-quality exhibitions meant the world to me.”

Exhibitions aren’t just a celebration of a handful of winners, but a recognition of an entire collective of artists who compete not for an award, but for the sake of inspiring one another. As any one of the winners in the 62nd Annual Student Exhibition will tell you, it takes a village of family, friends, and educators to get an artist to that point. The unparalleled creativity and dedication that goes into each and every show is a testament not only to the students whose work is exhibited but to the communities who have helped them get there. To view the most recent work of RMCAD’s students, head over to the galleries page and check out the virtual exhibitions from the comfort of your home.

Think You Have What it Takes to be a Winner?

If you want to see your work in the next Annual Student Exhibition, you can’t compete if you don’t submit. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, thousands of students are creating new and innovative work everyday to inspire their classmates on-campus and online. Study in one of RMCAD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in areas ranging from Fine Arts and Interior Design, to Animation and Music Production. Learn more about joining this thriving creative community by requesting information today!

The post Winners Reflect on the 62nd Annual Student Exhibition appeared first on RMCAD.

Making a Name For Himself

Novak’s unique success story starts the same as a lot of artists. After graduating from RMCAD, he began applying to show his work in galleries all around Denver. He opened up about getting “rejected from every gallery I applied to, but I still wanted to make art. I still wanted to show people what I do.” So after some time of doubting himself, Novak finally landed an opportunity that was perfect for his sensibility. He became the head illustrator for Barf Magazine, a local underground music publication that made great use of his “cartoonish” style. He did all sorts of drawings for the magazine and even designed the logo. Better yet, as a staff member at Barf, Novak had unparalleled access to local bands who were always looking for all sorts of commission work. 

His name started getting out there more and more through the many show flyers, t-shirts, tour posters, and album covers he designed. “From then on, I didn’t have to change my art styles to draw what people asked me to draw. Now they’re actually coming to me to draw what I want to draw.” This boost of confidence encouraged Novak to keep illustrating works for himself. 

Returning to his childhood love of dinosaurs, Novak started creating dozens of illustrations of different species. He quickly realized that not only are there countless types of dinosaurs to draw but that the scientific conscience was evolving as fast as his artwork. As new models of what dinos actually looked like came out, his illustrations became factually incorrect. For many, the moving target of drawing a creature that died 65 million years ago, may be frustrating but for Novak it’s quite the opposite, “The coolest part about drawing dinosaurs is that every three years my drawings become outdated. As science catches up, it gives me an excuse to redraw them, making them more and more anatomically correct.”

The Road Less Traveled

After leaving Barf Magazine, Novak had an entire backlog of illustrations to his name, which he began taking all around the country to different conventions open to the public. However, he wasn’t packing up his car, driving across the country, and attending these non-art focused conventions just to be a contrarian. After years of making art other people wanted him to make, Novak knew exactly where his creative sensibilities lay, so his business strategy became predicated on finding the audience who would most enjoy his work as much as he did.

One of the first conventions his art became successful at was Salt Lake City’s Dino Fest, put on by the Natural History Museum of Utah. After all, who likes dinosaurs more than paleontologists? Finding conventions like these however is no simple task. Novak puts hours of research into finding the kinds of conventions that not only reflect the content of his art but are popular enough for his booth to turn a profit. Through tireless research, Novak ends up at under the radar conventions, like Phenemecon in Vernal, Utah, a paranormal convention where Novak makes a killing selling his alien prints.

The constant hustle of travel for weeks on end has taught Novak a lot about being an artist. He shared a piece of advice for other artists looking to sell their work at festivals, fairs, and conventions. “There are good months and bad months. Not every show is everything you hoped it would be.” Novak knows from experience the tribulations of the roadshow artist lifestyle. Some trips you make money, others you don’t. Some trips are worth the drive, others aren’t. Some trips you sell out, and others you get caught in the rain and your prints are ruined. Luckily in Novak’s case, it’s not just about business. “The more I discover, the more I want to draw. New cities make it fresh. I love to travel, so booking shows in new cities allows me to fill my brain with positive things.” 

A One-of-a-Kind Art Style

So what’s the secret to Novak’s rich visual style? According to him, patience. Not unlike discovery of a long hidden fossil, some of Novak’s best work sits buried for long periods before finding its purpose. He shared that some of his favorite pieces are ones he’s started and then “actually forgot about until rediscovering them about eight months later and finished them.” 

 

His high-contrast illustrations pop off the page in both black and white and full color. His depictions of science-fiction inspired elements imbue his work with a whimsy and sense of humor that perfectly complements the dark and gritty inking style. “When I sketch, it’s very scratchy. I started gravitating towards stippling because even if my line work wasn’t the best, the amount of time that you do building textures ends up paying off.” 

 

This unique blend of elements is exactly why Novak was invited back to the RMCAD campus in the summer of 2025 to exhibit his work in the Rotunda Gallery. “To be 10 years out of college and get invited back to the campus to hang in a dream gallery was such an honor.” He shared the gallery with fellow alum, K. James, who graduated with a Fine Arts degree in 2021. Novak went on to say that he “always wanted to hang my work in Rotunda but I never got the chance while I was in school.” The show proved to be a quality respite from the road for Novak, who still lives in Denver. But even while in his home city, he remained busy with two other shows hanging in Denver at the same time!

What’s Next?

When asked if he had any aspirations beyond illustration, Novak responded immediately with just one word: “toys!” Proving that the artist’s inner-child is still at the helm and more curious than ever, even after all these years. Luckily for anyone in the mountain west (or as Novak calls it “dinosaur land”) looking to buy a print, he isn’t giving up on travelling any time soon. These one-of-a-kind conventions allow him the opportunity to not just see the hidden gems of the country but also eat his way through it. In fact, each show challenges him, teaches him something new, and inspires him to draw something he’s never drawn before. Whether it’s hot air balloon shows or entomology conventions, Novak sees every event as an opportunity to broaden his horizons. “There’s always new things to learn.”

For Dale Novak, life and art are both about what’s unexpected. Whether that’s monsters and aliens, or simple pleasures like beautiful drives and delicious food in small towns. Similar to his life on the road, he shared that “sometimes I surprise myself with the little happy accidents that the drawings bring.” Constantly in search of new things to try and make, Novak is certain to keep one-upping even his most original of works!

Want to Learn Something New Too?

If you’re also an aspiring illustrator, you can hone your talents, develop your techniques and find your voice as a student at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. At RMCAD, we offer both online and in-person degree programs, allowing students to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. Our programs incorporate storytelling, color theory, line work, and texture together to help illustrators learn new skills. Begin your journey in illustration by requesting more information today!

The post Chasing Dinosaurs, Aliens, and Cryptids: The Dale Novak Story appeared first on RMCAD.

They may be the new kids on the block, but Bumpko is coming out of the gate swinging. In April 2025, the small team debuted their animated short film Cloaked at RMCAD’s Annual Frames n’ Games Film Festival. The film took home the most prestigious honor of the night, Best in Show for Long-Form Animation. Not dissimilar from Cloaked’s story of hilarious heroism and fantasy hijinks, the true story of Bumpko Studios has more than just a few twists and turns!

Networking in the Animation Industry

The name Bumpko began as an inside joke between animation classmates and friends Talisen Rae and Ricky Scalise, well before they had any intention of starting an animation studio. Scalise kept jokingly giving Rae’s cat, Bucky, more and more ridiculous nicknames until one day the duo came up with Bumpko. Around the same time, Rae was building a personal portfolio site and figured the name was perfect. Just like that, the website for Bumpko Studios was born. Assembling the team, however, was not quite so haphazard. 

Connecting with Peers

Rae dreamed of creating playful and fun animated shorts in a queer inclusive space, which wouldn’t be possible without building industry connections. Connecting with peers in class, Rae would spitball the ideas that would eventually become Cloaked with Scalise, Lindsey Ball, and Marin Perkins.

While it took the team around seven months to complete the project, the general idea had been brewing for around three years prior to Frames n’ Games. As the gang’s jokes slowly turned into storyboards, they all realized that this wasn’t the type of group project that comes and goes with the semester; this was something special.

Rae, who had first conceived the idea of a vigilante in a classic fantasy setting, wanted to try their hand at directing Cloaked as well as being a cartoonist on the film. Scalise, whose passion was for writing, penned the final draft of the short’s script. Ball brought the world to life, designing all of the film’s backgrounds. Perkins served as the short’s editor and mixer, and also claims the title of having viewed the film the most times of anyone. A well-oiled machine, Bumpko Studios worked overtime to complete the ambitious project. Even still, the team was butting up against their deadline with a backlog of completed sketches that had yet to be colored. As the laundry list of tasks got longer, they began to question whether they would ever make it to Frames n’ Games. 

Luckily, word spread about the team’s vision. Classmate, Callahan Meyer, had noticed the hard work and fun-loving spirit that the Bumpko team was putting into their project. Meyer thought to himself, “These guys are doing something cool, I need to wiggle my way in.” So each day, he would come to class and strike up a conversation, gently probing the team for updates on their project. At the same time, the Bumpko Studios team was slowly working up the courage to ask Meyer if he would consider animating for Cloaked.

He, of course, accepted without a second thought. Meyer quickly began animating for much of the film’s action sequences. However, the team wasn’t out of the woods yet; conforming their work schedule to the campus hours was limiting the time they could spend in the studio. The countdown to Cloaked’s premiere was nearing, and time was of the essence. 

Connecting with a Mentor

Eric Sinha isn’t a name you’ll find on the Bumpko Studios website, and yet he’s played a vital role in the team’s development. As an animation professor at RMCAD, Sinha passed along much of his industry knowledge, which includes studying traditional animation under the legendary Don Bluth (film director, animator, production designer of The Land Before Time, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and Anastasia).

Additionally, Sinha had completed work for companies such as Meta, Facebook, and WhatsApp as well as premiered projects at Sundance and streamed on Hulu. The Bumpko team cites Sinha as one of their biggest supporters through the production timeline. With Sinha’s guiding hand, along with the advice of other educators such as Patrick Mallek, the Bumpko Team was made massive strides towards finishing Cloaked.

Beyond the classroom, Sinha had even more to offer the students: a studio space. Sure, it was small (not much larger than a broom closet), but it was the perfect home for a ragtag group of students just getting their business off the ground. Housed in the same office as Sinha’s business, Mile High Animation, Bumpko had greater access to Sinha if they ever needed his wisdom. Additionally, they were only a block away from Denver’s beautiful City Park, which quickly led to “company mandated walks” that helped bolster their imaginations when long days of animation got them down. Best of all, they could access the space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bumpko Studios was no longer just a dream; it was a business with an office, employees, and a project nearing the finish line.

Building a Brand as an Animation Studio

The team was assembled, the studio space was secured, and all that was left was to get to work. With a matter of weeks before Cloaked’s premiere, the Bumpko team had a lot of animation project management to do. From finishing the character movement and coloring to dialogue recording and sound editing, the team was working overtime. Each decision they made slowly began to define the project more and more, informing not only what Cloaked would be but also the brand of the studio. 

Defining Their Style and Niche

Early in the conception of Cloaked, Rae and the team decided that they had a much longer story to tell than the final 5-minute short. As such, they conceptualized their film as a pilot for a series of adventures that would feature a princess’ guard, named Nim, who also serves as a masked vigilante in the magical kingdom. The ongoing plot of Cloaked follows Nim’s misadventures as she attempts to keep the kingdom safe without jeopardizing her secret identity, particularly to the princess who laments the presence of a masked hero.

At the core of Cloaked is a sapphic romance between the princess and Nim, as well as the drama that ensues due to their different perspectives on crime fighting. This focus on LGBTQIA+ representation is not something that is siloed to their work on Cloaked. On the business’ About Us page, Bumpko Studios states “As queer artists, it is important to us to use our skills to benefit our community. Whether that’s making motion graphics for small Colorado businesses or doing work with queer organizations, our goal is to do work that matters.”

Crafting a Strong Online Presence

The creativity exhibited by the Bumpko team extends far beyond that of their work on the short film. As the small team put together their website, they made sure to highlight the playful style that makes them unique. Highlighting their team, their story, and most importantly, all the work that went into creating several projects, not just Cloaked. Additionally, as the premiere of their project drew closer and closer, the team wanted to leverage social media for animators to promote the short. Sketches, concept drawings, and even behind-the-scenes videos all helped to springboard Cloaked to a broader audience ahead of the first public showing.

Showcasing Their Work

Finally, the day of the premiere came on April 25, 2025. The Annual Frames n’ Games Film Festival was showcasing animation projects by dozens of students. The Bumpko Studios team arrived at the screening equal parts anxious and excited.

Their film would not only debut in front of more than 100 RMCAD students, faculty, and community members, but also in front of legendary Disney animator John Musker (pictured in the center), director of The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Princess and the Frog. Needless to say, tensions were running high.

“My heart was pounding all day long. That was probably the slowest day of my life,” shared Rae, who was counting down the minutes until the short was shown to an audience. Consumed with unease, the team sought out Eric Sinha in the hopes of a comforting word just moments before the premiere. Sinha reminded the team to “do the dishes” they had left in the office, giving the team a much-needed laugh.

Still, the small crew waited with bated breath through the rest of the Frames n’ Games shorts until their film came on. Scalise shared that even before their logo hit the screen, their team recognized the first milliseconds of audio, and they grabbed onto one another’s hands and rode the wave of exhilaration together.

Winning at Frames n’ Games

Having just survived the first public screening of Cloaked, the team still had to make it to the awards ceremony. When their name was called out, the team let out a collective cry of joy! They were in such disbelief, not only that their short had won Best Long-Form Animation, but that they had even completed the project in time. Reminding them of all of the late nights and weekends they spent animating on campus, bumping into other animation students who were doing the same. A rush of pride overcame the team, pride in their work as individuals, as well as pride in the work of their teammates and close friends.

Having the RMCAD community recognize all the hard work and dedication the Bumpko team put into the short was gratifying, but more important than any award was seeing the crowd’s reaction. Showing Cloaked to such an enthusiastic audience “meant a lot to us, and it meant a lot to our peers. I think it’s such a great moment for us to get to compete and share,” said Scalise, Cloaked’s writer and co-director. The team remarked at how the audience laughed and cheered at the film, even in places they weren’t expecting.

The Value of Collaborating on Passion Projects

Reflecting on the best parts of the collaborative animation project, the Bumpko Studios team shared the sketches, characters, and frames that brought them the most joy. However, their favorite parts of making Cloaked won’t be spotted on screen. “Honestly, my favorite part about the whole project was having such a big team,” said Rae, “Being in a space with all of my favorite people in the whole wide world, doing all the same things, was just wonderful!”

Scalise added that even when morale was low and exhaustion was taking its toll on the small studio, those moments are when their team became a family. “We just had a lovely time, even in crunch time. We’d be working on a scene that we absolutely hated, but we’d be doing it together.”

In that way, the secret ingredient of Cloaked and their animation studio startup as a whole is not quality scriptwriting, great sound mixing, or even technical knowledge of their software, Toon Boom. The X-factor that has brought the studio so far was group cohesion. “I feel like the studio environment is something a lot of students come into school nervous about,” says Rae. According to Scalise, one of the most important parts of building an animation career, whether it’s at a big studio or your own, is learning to collaborate with teammates, saying, “The environment of working with other creatives…. there’s nothing quite like that!” 

According to Rae, the short film is full of details that “nobody will see unless they are looking for them.” These include subtle animation techniques such as smear frames, creative allusions to the world’s miniature nature, for example, pine needles as nails, and even inside jokes like the team’s Dungeons and Dragons characters drawn into the crowd scenes.

From beginning to end, Cloaked is a laborious love letter delivered to the same team that sent it. Luckily, the film’s humor, action, joy, and passion are on such full display that even the uninitiated can’t help but crack a smile at the animated short.

To check out the final project, head over to the Bumpko Studios YouTube channel and give Cloaked a watch!

Where Animation Comes to Life

Whether it’s 2D or 3D, animate your dreams at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Our on-campus and online animation programs include 2D and 3D degrees that emphasize storytelling through character design, movement, and creating an animation demo reel. Get in touch for additional information or take the next step and apply today. 

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but are meant to retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.

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#5: When in doubt, write it out – Sarah Pauly

It’s next to impossible to know what will benefit you in the future, so it’s never a bad idea to keep a notepad nearby. As an online Illustrative Design graduate, Sarah Pauly encourages students to go back to basics and write things down the good old-fashioned way – pen and paper. Whether it’s class assignments, job listings, or even just your grocery list, Pauly believes the best way to stay organized in this hectic world is through writing tasks down manually. “I have to have a list where I can check items off and then throw it away.” It’s not just Pauly’s opinion; take it from Scientific American, which can confirm that handwriting has proven to be more stimulating to the brain than taking notes digitally – and thus better for retaining information.

#4: Remember who you’re creating for – Charla Ann Barnish

Building an online following can be a difficult yet rewarding way for young artists to get their name out into the world. However, according to Fine Arts graduate, Charla Barnish, artists mustn’t lose sight of the works they want to create for themselves. Many content creators find themselves trying to ‘keep up with the algorithm’ in the hopes of reaching a broader audience. Barnish warned others of the trap she had once fallen into with social media, saying, “I found myself creating things that I thought other people were going to like, instead of focusing on my own practice.” While there is nothing wrong with creating art that is accessible to others, Barnish prompts creatives to express their genuine thoughts and invite their audience along.

#3: Project confidence, even if you have to fake it to make it – Anna Gaiser

When it comes to seeking a role beyond graduation, it can be hard for a lot of new entrants into the workforce to project the confidence needed to land professional roles. If all else fails, Interior Design grad, Anna Gaiser, tells future graduates to project confidence while looking for roles –  even if they have their doubts. Many graduates struggle to find their perfect role straight out of college, which can weigh down their self-worth. This is totally normal. Gaiser says, “You might not know what you’re doing, especially when you first graduate, you’re gonna feel like a lost puppy.” That doesn’t mean you should lie and pretend like you have all the answers, just the opposite. Ask lots of questions, always strive to learn more, and remain humble. Projecting confidence means not letting your inexperience get the best of your level head when you are overwhelmed. Gaiser says, “When you first start out, it’s a little scary, you have doubts. But if you act like you’ve been doing this for a decade or more, then people are going to be a lot more receptive to what you have to say.”

#2: We all need someone to lean on – CherJay Yang

As one of this year’s two valedictorians, photography graduate CherJay Yang took to the podium on May 4 to share his gratitude and insights with his fellow class of 2025 graduates. In his speech, Yang thanked the many educators who aided him in his creative journey, both at RMCAD and beyond. Yang encourages all artists to remember all the people in their support system that made their creative journey possible, saying that “through their guidance, I came to understand that art goes beyond just visuals or sound; it’s about conveying deeper, more personal narratives that reflect meaningful expressions.”

Yang also reminded the 2025 cohort that they were vital in his success at RMCAD. He credits the important connections of his classmates not only with informing his visual style but also with assisting him through difficult times. Yang said to his fellow graduates, “Think of everything we’ve faced: the unknowns, the pressure, the self-doubt, the deadlines, the small wins, the breakthrough moments, and the friendships that carried us through.” 

#1: Find your creative voice – Allison Hawes

The 2025 Valedictorian of RMCAD’s second commencement ceremony, illustration graduate Allison Hawes, emphasized the importance of honing your unique style. Hawes proclaimed, “Tomorrow morning, we wake up and knock on the door of an industry that values the quality of our work over the degrees we are receiving today.” She urged her fellow graduates to leverage their one-of-a-kind creative voices to show their worth in the professional world. As college graduates, many of whom are young or less experienced in their particular field, Hawes encouraged her classmates that a distinct artistic voice would help them to cut through the noise of the competition.

As far as what honing that voice looks like to Hawes, she encourages all artists and designers to think of the journey of their lives and reflect that back into their work. “We are human beings with hurts, hopes, dreams, fears, passions, likes, and dislikes, all of which inform your art and influence your unique style and voice.” 

RMCAD’s class of 2025 is comprised of students across all programs, modalities, and backgrounds. Traditional and returning students alike, there is a lot of wisdom shared among these nearly 400 students. Whether you’re a working artist with over 40 years of experience or a high school student considering attending art school, we hope the advice of this year’s graduates.

There’s a lot more to learn

If you’re feeling inspired to take the next step in your creative education, look no further than the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD). With multiple Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in a variety of programs and both on-campus and online modalities, RMCAD is the perfect place to discover your creative potential. Request more information to learn about our online and on-campus programs today!

The post 5 Pieces Of Advice From RMCAD’s 2025 Graduates appeared first on RMCAD.

Like most people, you probably have a long list of trips you can’t find the time to go on. Whether it’s work, school, or other responsibilities holding you back, online RMCAD alum and former student ambassador, Sarah Pauly is here to tell you it’s possible. Even as a full-time student in RMCAD’s Illustrative Design program, Pauly managed a full-time job and traveled to Arizona, Missouri, Washington, Texas, and Alabama.

However, it wasn’t always been easy for Pauly to juggle school, work, art, and travel, as the flexibility of the online program can sometimes be a double-edged sword. She shared that the hardest part has been managing her time, saying: “If you don’t have a lot of experience and skill with managing your time, then it can be a challenge!” Pauly shares how she struck the balance of traveling while studying online.

Why Flexibility Matters for Modern Students

Pauly resides in Shiloh, Illinois, but with family scattered all around the country, it’s hard to stay in touch. Luckily, RMCAD’s flexible learning style maked it easy for her to visit her loved ones. Whether it was her sister’s wedding, Thanksgiving, or a family reunion during her first week at RMCAD, studying online meant she was there for those important moments. Pauly said, “It’s been really sweet to see my family and be intentional with that time.”

The Challenges of Balancing Education and Travel

It wasn’t always been easy for Pauly to manage her busy schedule. For the first few months of college, it was difficult to balance her time. Procrastinating, Pauly was consistently doing a week’s worth of classwork the weekend before it was due. Time management for online learning is an important skill that few virtual students have off the bat. Throughout her freshman year, Pauly slowly found a time management style that fit both her academic and travel schedules. 

She learned she could frontload her school work to travel: “If I procrastinated during the week, then I just had to sit and do school for two days.” Over time, she learned how to make her schedule work. Studying remotely as a creative, Pauly realized she could just as easily frontload her asynchronous schedule. By completing her work earlier in the week, she gave herself time to edit, refine, and improve her assignments.

Getting the Most Out of School While Traveling

Once she built a routine, Pauly opened up about how it was important to be present with her coursework. Capitalizing on her education didn’t just mean completing assignments and checking boxes. To grow as an artist, she wanted to be intentional, saying, “If you’re not intentional, you can get to the end of a class and ask yourself. ‘Did I actually learn anything, or did I just complete the assignments?’”

Staying Connected and Motivated

One of the most common misconceptions about online education for artists is that they can’t make the same interpersonal connections with their classmates as their on-ground counterparts. Pauly can attest that it isn’t easy, but it was important to her artistic development. She shared that building those connections with other artists and meeting her classmates “was intentional for me.” She got involved with the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), a national organization with a student chapter at RMCAD. By being proactive about reaching out to other members of the RMCAD community, she began making close friends at school.

The club was among the first places she collaborated with other artists outside of class. “That’s where I met students and got to know their names, other than just from discussion posts. It has been awesome to be part of that artist community!” That type of collaboration empowered Pauly when she needed guidance. Pauly is most grateful for the community’s “feedback and encouragement. Hearing people share their experiences is why I became a student ambassador. I wanted to serve and make an impact in that same capacity.”

Traveling Artist Balances Work and Study

Work, school, and travel can all be a lot to juggle. However, with responsibility comes self-discovery. Pauly shared that one of her favorite things about college has been serving as a student ambassador. She credits her role as an ambassador with keeping her connected to the campus community, “as an online student, it’s up to you to make that decision of how involved you want to be with other students.”

Along with her role as a student ambassador and full-time student, Pauly also held down multiple other jobs while in college. At times, working made studying art and design online difficult, not to mention traveling. Nonetheless, it helped her balance her time to become the best version of herself. “At one point, I was working 40 hours a week and a full-time student, not including my work as an ambassador. But being an online student, I had the flexibility to do that.”

Tips for Success: Combining Online Study and Travel

Some of Pauly’s favorite sources of inspiration are simple pleasures like nature, instrumental music, and even silence. One of her favorite pieces of advice for combining education and travel is letting the mind rest. Work, school, art, and travel all take a lot of energy. “I have found boredom to be one of the best things in creating, because when you’re bored, ideas have to come to you and not the other way around.” 

Know Your Due Dates

“On Monday morning, I look at what is due for the week and make a checklist.” Pauly shared how this tactic helps her to work ahead of her deadlines and build a more effective workflow as a student. The time she saves has allowed her to travel more confidently without fear of missing any classwork. As an online student, she has come to appreciate the motivation that comes along with academic deadlines. Balancing travel and education is just one piece of the puzzle. Pauly is always looking to improve her work as an artist, too.

Like many art students, Pauly confessed that she didn’t always make the time for her personal projects. One trick she learned was to give herself due dates. Even still, motivation can be hard for self-imposed deadlines. That’s why Pauly loves giving illustrations and paintings as birthday presents. “If a piece is for me, I always say I’ll do it tomorrow. But if it’s a birthday present, I’m going to get it done.” These self-imposed deadlines can provide a greater sense of urgency to a piece that she might otherwise put off.

Assembling Your Studio

When completing school work at home, Pauly had multiple spaces in her house to help her be an effective student and artist. Her trick was to keep her office space separate from her studio space. That way, for less creative projects such as essays, discussion posts, and Zoom calls, she had an environment conducive to clerical tasks. On the other hand, Pauly’s home studio space can be more spontaneous, chaotic, and creative. Her studio was equipped with “my art desk, my easel, and an antique printer cabinet where I keep all of my big 24”x12” drawings.” Additionally, Pauly found her muse in nature; her studio has a big window, “because light is really important to me when I create.”

When learning art and design while traveling, Pauly used a kit of art supplies she has spent years curating. Her travel kit was confined by the size of suitcases, carry-ons, and tray tables. Accordingly, Pauly became ruthlessly efficient when packing her art supplies. Her aunt, who is also a painter, gifted her a collection of supplies. “I have a travel-size watercolor kit, graphite pencils, a notebook, and a water brush so I can paint without a cup of water.” That way, whether she was on a road trip or flying internationally, she could always hone her craft.

Breaking Up the Creative Process

When Pauly exhausted every option and still couldn’t create the work she was envisioning, she wasn’t afraid to step away and take a break. By making space for her other hobbies, Pauly finds that those activities breathe new life into her work. In particular, she found inspiration outdoors, saying, “Especially in the springtime, I like gardening. That breaks things up and helps with my creative process.” For Pauly, gardening allowed her to curate something beautiful, unlike anything she could draw or paint. Having multiple outlets for creativity helped Pauly think critically about her art without exiting the flow state.

In addition to how nature can engage artists creatively, Pauly shared that she likes “gardening because it’s another space where I can create.” Having a physical space she can go for inspiration helps chop up her schedule and keep her artistically inspired. Even when traveling, she sought out natural spaces to sketch and doodle in, such as the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Alabama. Pauly would sit in the free gardens whenever visiting her sister. She loved how she could see the gardens “correlate to my art. It’s been a big influence.”

For many artists, traveling is about relaxation. Creative degrees for traveling students are no different. In Sarah Pauly’s experience, she does her best work when traveling because it gives her more than she puts into it. For her, art isn’t about deadlines, it’s about communicating your growth through beauty. “When you’re rushing through life, you don’t ever have time to catch up. Rest and stillness, that’s my process.”

Looking to Travel While in School?

Are you passionate about earning an art degree from anywhere in the world and looking to find an online degree that fits your schedule? Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is one of the best online art schools and offers 10 BFA programs fully online. Programs range from Illustrative Design to Art Education, RMCAD has something for everyone!  Learn more today, and request the info you need to find out whether RMCAD is the community for you.

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but are meant to retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.

 

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With chapters all around the country, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a nationally recognized and respected organization. Their mission is to “elevate the value of design and designers by supporting innovative, informed, sustainable and healthy initiatives.” As one of the leading voices in interior design, ASID’s local chapters organize networking events and learning opportunities for working professionals and college students. Prior to her graduation, Anna Gaiser was one of these students.

Gaiser graduated from RMCAD’s  Interior Design program in the spring of 2025. From her freshman year on, she was a member of the RMCAD chapter of ASID. In 2024, she was elected the club’s president. In this blog, she shares what makes ASID special, the benefits of joining college clubs, and her future as a designer.

Why I Joined Student Clubs at RMCAD

Gaiser first joined ASID to make new friends and professional connections. Reflecting on her four years with the organization, she remarked that the “face-to-face interaction with people has been so impactful.” Because of ASID, she has had the opportunity to meet other design students and industry professionals. As a club member, Gaiser credits her colleagues with exposing her to new design trends, practices, and philosophies.

Exploring My Interests Beyond the Classroom

A major draw of an organization like ASID is improving skills through extracurricular activities. “I’ve learned a lot of things from ASID meetings, guest speakers, and events that I don’t think I would have learned just in the classroom,” said Gaiser. She shared that the club empowered her to pursue her design interests. Long term, she aspires to design interiors for entertainment and hospitality spaces. Gaiser is looking to put her knowledge to work in Las Vegas, citing it as a hub for nightlife and innovative designs. Beyond the neon desert of Nevada, Gaiser has aspirations of taking her design all around the globe. “One thing on my bucket list is to design a cruise ship.” She is interested in both the aesthetic and logistical challenges of such spaces. 

Because of ASID, Gaiser got the opportunity to not only tour spaces like hotels, casinos, and event venues but also meet the designers responsible for bringing these spaces to life. The club gets to hear designers discuss the ups and downs of designing unique spaces. Seeing designers’ first-hand experiences, inspirations, and ingenuity has been incredibly impactful for members of ASID. Gaiser shared that “after seeing the work that they’ve done, it has solidified the path I want to be on!” 

Building Connections with Like-Minded Individuals

Like many industries, interior designers can benefit greatly from building a strong network of fellow designers. One of the main benefits of joining college clubs is the network forged between club members. By providing students a space to collaborate and bond over their love of interior design, ASID fosters both personal and social connections. Looking back to her freshman year, Gaiser admits she was apprehensive at first. She shared that when she joined the club, “we were just strangers, and now I’m happy to say we’re a close-knit friend group.” The collective interest in interior design has created a common language that makes it easier for students to communicate, collaborate, and bond.

Perhaps Gaiser’s biggest takeaway from the relationships she has made with her fellow club members is the breadth of the interior design industry. Each member of the club has their own unique dream for using their interior design degree. According to Gaiser, “we all have our little interior design niches that interest us.” Some club members want to design museums, some want to build schools, and others want to make hospitals. The former club president thinks diverse interests prompt club members to think outside the box. “It’s a broad spectrum, but all of us are on the same wavelength. It has brought us closer, as designers.”

The Range of ASID at RMCAD

With so many different interests all housed inside one club, it’s the job of ASID’s board members to design club programming that educates and inspires all of their club members. Gaiser took her role as president very seriously, arranging meetings, networking events, and building tours. She found spaces and designers who would prompt students to think efficiently and creatively. These student-led initiatives form the core of ASID, promoting student leadership and self-discovery.

Creative and Art-Focused Opportunities

RMCAD’s ASID chapter recently took a tour of one of Denver’s newest and most exciting landmarks, One River North. Located in the city’s river north or Ri-No neighborhood, the building’s exterior almost appears cracked open. That is, until you look closer and realize the designers engineered the breaks in the building’s facade to create additional balcony and terrace space. The outdoor patios comprise common spaces in the apartment building that look like a canyon running laterally throughout the building’s design. Because of this one-of-a-kind design, it is already proven to be an unconventional and exciting addition to the Denver skyline.

Touring the building in March of 2024, ASID received one of the first looks at the completed project. The club wanted to tour the mystifying structure since they attended a meet and greet at the architecture firm responsible for One River North. These events organized by the student club, gave the young designers insights into how innovative designs are built. When asked what she thought of the building, Gaiser said, “It’s beautiful, everything from the architecture to the finishes. Everything was immaculate.”

Industry-Specific Networking Opportunities

Along with the building tours and professional meet and greets, ASID is heavily focused on connecting interior designers. Networking through student clubs is a proven method for students to not only learn about a wealth of opportunities but also practice discussing themselves and their achievements. Through these events, Gaiser said that the most impactful thing she has learned is how to present herself and her ideas as a designer. “In a perfect world, your design would sell itself, but you have to sell yourself as a designer, not just your designs.” Through this process, she has gained the confidence to discuss design principles with industry leaders.

That being said, networking is not just about landing internships or jobs. A key facet is learning about the industry. “Networking can show you how far you can take your career. You can branch out and go anywhere you want. It has helped me envision my future.” By meeting professionals working in the industry, Gaiser has conceptualized not only the projects she wants to design but also how to get those jobs. 

What’s Gained from Joining ASID?

Gaiser credits her coursework with showing her the fundamentals of design, but it’s ASID that empowered her to use those fundamentals in bold and exciting ways. She likes to think beyond function and consider comfort. By adding elements to a space that create a unique flavor, designers can enhance the user experience. Gaiser said that “it’s eye-opening how spaces are designed to make you feel welcome.” 

Boosting Creativity

“There are no limits to design. You can design anything you can imagine.” She added that even when building within a budget, you can get creative to not break the bank. Creative clubs such as ASID have shown her that with enough determination and imagination, you can solve any problem, no matter the obstacles.

As a proponent of the belief that design changes lives, Gaiser aims to use her creativity to make everyone feel welcome in her spaces. She shared how she is motivated by designing for comfort, whether that means making workspaces feel more like home or by pushing for greater accessibility in her designs. Gaiser said she was inspired by many of the buildings ASID toured, saying that she thinks “the design industry as a whole is getting better about not just designing for an able-bodied person, but designing for all abilities, which is nice to see!”

Personal Growth and Confidence

After nearly four years in her interior design degree and almost as long in ASID, Gaiser is proud of what she has learned. Whether she was studying the parts of the eyeball to understand color perception, learning how ergonomics impacts the human body, or how design can confront and heal trauma, Gaiser looks back fondly at some of the more forgotten parts of being an interior designer. “A lot of people think, Oh, you’re just putting together cute pillows and picking a paint color, then you’re done. It goes way beyond that to the science behind those decisions.”

Without student clubs and organizations like ASID, young artists would only begin scratching the surface of what is possible with their skill sets. Students like Gaiser who utilize creativity, knowledge, and networking to form the early stages of their careers benefit greatly from extracurricular activities. Gaiser credits the connections she made in ASID with teaching her things she could never learn inside the classroom. According to her, clubs “push you in the right direction and even just push you outside your comfort zone. They drive you to be a better designer!”

Find Your Community Now

At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), we’re proud to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design program in both online and on-campus formats. No matter which format you choose, this program encompasses a variety of disciplines that include elements of architecture, environmental design, color theory, and much more. Take the next step towards your degree by reaching out to our team to learn more and completing your online application for admission today!

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but are meant to retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.

The post Student Clubs at RMCAD: Why I Joined and What I’ve Gained appeared first on RMCAD.

Wren Holzinger graduated from RMCAD in December of 2023 with a Fine Arts degree. While at RMCAD, Holzinger dove headfirst into her learning which brought her to ceramics. Eventually, she co-founded Clay Club, a pottery-oriented extracurricular. Her education has taught her a lot about both art and herself, leading her in new directions she never could have imagined! Holzinger shared her experience as a fine arts graduate and how building her portfolio landed her the internship of a lifetime.

Choosing the Right Fine Arts Program

Like so many other young artists, Holzinger had a passion for multiple mediums. She came to RMCAD as a transfer student from the University of Wisconsin-Stout having previously majored in digital cinematography. However, Holzinger felt that it wasn’t the right time for her to focus on school and she took a three-year break before she found the right art school program for her at RMCAD. “I knew I wanted a smaller school environment than I had had at UW Stout,” shared Holzinger.

Evaluating Art Schools and Programs

Holzinger wanted to continue her digital arts career using much of the foundation she had learned at UW Stout. Thus, when she transferred, she initially started as a photography major. “I never really thought I would be a fine artist. Growing up, photography was always my thing,” Holzinger shared. 

Core Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

While at RMCAD, Holzinger took advantage of her major-specific coursework as well as her foundation’s courses. This dedication and open-mindedness helped her expand her style and creative voice.

Overview of Foundations Courses

“My very first class was 3D design, a foundations course. I dropped it at my first university, but when I took it at RMCAD, I loved it. I felt like I learned so much!” This newfound love for 3D design prompted her to get out of her comfort zone and attempt more work in physical mediums. It was RMCAD’s foundation courses that began widening the young artist’s horizons with courses in illustration, painting, and ceramics – until she found her way into the fine arts degree.

Developing Technical Skills and Artistic Voice

Despite moving firmly into the Fine Arts Degree Program path, Holzinger believed that photography thoroughly informed her keen eye as an artist.“I fell in love with photography because it allows me to see the world differently. That’s something I love about all art, it’s this process of looking at things with a curious lens,” she shares. Holzinger enjoys applying this lens to a variety of mediums, however she always seems to come back to ceramics.

Practical Experience During Your Degree

Through RMCAD’s Fine Arts Program, Holzinger has gained experience working with a variety of tools, organizations, and exhibition opportunities. Holzinger calls herself a “recovering perfectionist,” and credits much of her growth to her art, saying that experimenting and getting her hands dirty with a new project has opened up how she sees the world. 

Workshops and Studio Time

Holzinger shared that one of her favorite things about RMCAD is all the studio spaces available to students. “I was honestly terrified of using big machinery at first. It’s scary. But now that I have learned the safe way to use various equipment and tools, it makes me excited to try new things,” Holzinger said. One studio in particular became a favorite for Holzinger and many of her classmates. The Neusteter ceramics studio is home to eight pottery wheels, a kiln, and even a ceramic 3D printer. After completing RMCAD’s two ceramics courses, she realized she still had much to learn about making pottery.

Collaborations

Along with a classmate in the art education program, Holzinger founded Clay Club, a student organization open to all students. The club’s mission is for students to “engage with each other, explore new materials and techniques, and gain new experiences regardless of their degree path.” The club has extended access to Neusteter’s pottery studio and supplies, empowering students across RMCAD’s programs to get their hands dirty and make ceramic work they are proud of. Clay Club was the perfect opportunity for Holzinger not only to continue making the ceramic work she loved but also to share her wisdom with fellow students who may not have had ceramics as a part of their curriculum. 

Preparing for the Professional World

In addition to starting a club, Holzinger was a RMCAD student ambassador, which provided her with a strong college network of faculty and staff. All of which was essential in helping her prepare for the professional world. However, building an art portfolio was also at the top of her list. She had already spent countless hours in RMCAD’s dark room, woodshop, and pottery studio, but Holzinger wanted a few more pieces that she could confidently exhibit after graduation.

Building a Professional Portfolio

Wanting to better represent her wealth of knowledge in visual arts, Holzinger compiled work she had created throughout her college years, not just her ceramic pieces. From breathtaking Alaskan landscape photographs to personal installation work, and even silk cyanotypes, she showcased a wide range of skills in her professional art portfolio. Every single piece represents that curious lens that excites Holzinger as an artist. 

Networking and Exhibitions

According to Holzinger, as important as building great art is, it’s equally as important to learn how to discuss it. An artist’s ability to speak critically about their artwork and share what compelled them to create certain pieces can stand in the way of many talented creatives. However, Holzinger was no stranger to discussing her work in pursuit of exhibition opportunities. She had not only exhibited work in multiple shows on the RMCAD campus but had joined faculty members’ off-campus shows as well. She shared that now being in the professional art world, she is thankful for “the experience of having to present myself more professionally through different exhibition opportunities.”

Career Path as a Fine Arts Graduate

An Alaska Native, Holzinger is of Lingít and Inupiaq tribal heritage. Following graduation, she returned home to work with the Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), a non-profit focused on preserving and advancing the culture of Southeast Alaska Natives. Holzinger’s relationship with SHI has been lifelong, but their contributions to her education through multiple scholarships were particularly impactful.  After graduation, she got more involved in art and social responsibility and spent the summer of 2024 in Juneau as an intern at SHI. Throughout the nine-week internship, Holzinger spent six weeks in SHI’s archives and three weeks in their art department during which she was also given a week-long artist residency. 

Working in the Archives 

As an employee of SHI, Holzinger learned about the organization’s collections – including the process of finding, cataloging, and preserving Indigenous artwork. She was fascinated by SHI’s massive art archives. Working in the archives also put Holzinger’s experience in perspective. Having spent years working as an artist, it was her time in the archives preserving and studying the work of fellow Indigenous artists, that she realized an administrative role could provide Holzinger the creative satisfaction she was seeking. Illustrating that careers with an art degree can be more diverse and rewarding than exclusively creating original work.

Working in the Art Department

In SHI’s art department, Holzinger assisted with an Indigenous art camp for Alaska Native Youth. Having been an art student for years, this was the first time she had taught art and it was a “light bulb moment” for her. By working in SHI’s art mentorship program, it opened up the possibility of teaching. “Reflecting on how much my RMCAD professors impacted and guided me, I’m really thankful for that and I would love to do that for someone else in the future.” 

Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

Art internships are a great way for students and graduates alike to improve their knowledge. Along with the administrative duties that Holzinger completed in the archive and art departments, she also got the opportunity to continue crafting her creative voice.

Residency in the Arts

The one-week residency at SHI helped Holzinger capitalize on everything she learned in her internship and put it into practice. Cultural preservation is at the core of SHI’s mission, which helped inform how Holzinger not only views her own art but also how she views herself. “I’m a learner, and so being able to soak up all of this new information in an environment that is familiar was incredible,” shared the young artist.

When she left RMCAD, Holzinger said she felt the way that so many college graduates do: uncertain and unsettled. “Post-grad life feels almost like you’re floating,” she said. However, returning home and working with an organization that values not only art but the cultures of Indigenous communities gave her a rudder to push through the tides of professional uncertainty until she found herself back on the shore again. Not even a year after graduating from RMCAD, she shares: “I feel like I have one foot on solid ground again, and I know eventually the other pieces will come together too.”

Ready to Find Your Footing?

At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we are committed to supporting artists and designers as they bring fascinating concepts to life. Available on-campus, our Fine Arts Degree Program provides a powerful introduction to the myriad of visual styles in the arts. Reach out to learn more about our fine arts degree and how it can help you prepare for an exciting career path.

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.

 

The post One Foot on Solid Ground: The Story of a Fine Arts Alumna appeared first on RMCAD.

Kevin Tydlaska-Dziedzic is a professional photographer, CEO, and RMCAD alumnus. He co-founded BKN Creative, with his husband, a thriving advertising agency specializing in branding, marketing, graphic design, photography, video production, and more. Founded in 2018, BKN Creative has offices in Denver, Tampa, and New York City, and is on track to make one million dollars in revenue in 2024. Tydlaska-Dziedzic shared that he never expected to become a photographer or entrepreneur and certainly didn’t expect this degree of professional success. However, throughout his entire journey, one thing has remained the same. He shared, “I love to see other creatives be powerful!”

Creative Beginnings

Born in Roswell NM, Tydlaska-Dziedzic spent a significant portion of his childhood in the Colorado foster system. After being adopted at the age of 12 from an all-boys orphanage in Littleton, Colorado, Kevin and his new family relocated north to Berthoud, Colorado. Since before he could remember, Tydlaska-Dziedzic’s first dream was acting. However, like many talented creatives, his path to success was hardly a straight line. He originally discovered his love of photography in his middle school’s 4-H program. Tydlaska-Dziedzic’s adoptive parents eventually divorced. After graduating high school, he came out to his adopted family, but the soon-to-be photographer was kicked out of his adopted family’s home. He couldn’t attend college, and instead, worked as a bank teller and began his career in accounting and finance.

While one of his best friends from high school, Chelsi, went on to RMCAD to study fine arts, Tydlaska-Dziedzic’s journey eventually led him to New York City, where he met Brandon, the man who would one day become his husband. “On our first date, my husband said he dreamed of one day owning his own ad agency. He went to art school and had already graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design. His words and his dream stuck with me through the years and due to my aggressive nature in business, I knew I could make that dream happen for him. So, my main motivation to create what we have today, was my husband,” shared the artist.

Building Towards BKN Creative

Tydlaska-Dziedzic went on to major in film at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in NYC eventually interning with the photo department at CBS, and working with Celebrity Photographer, Mike Ruiz, which landed him a retouching credit in Inked magazine and allowed him to join large-scale cover shoots for both Adon and Emmy Magazine. These experiences are what drew him back to his passion for photography. He left SVA, moved back to Colorado, shifted his career from Accounting to Marketing, married his partner, and enrolled in the online photography program at RMCAD. “RMCAD was always on my mind since graduating high school because my friend Chelsi went there and spoke so highly of the school,” shared Tydlaska-Dziedzic.

While attending school full-time, Tydlaska-Dziedzic worked in both marketing and video production while also building his photography skills as a freelance portrait photographer. While in class at RMCAD, he was exposed to product photography, which eventually landed him a role in South Florida. This role required both product and lifestyle photography and helped shape his understanding of the nuances of product photography – particularly photographing steel and glass. One client, whom he was introduced to while a student at RMCAD, hired him to shoot for a campaign that would be on a billboard in Los Angeles, California. His work was later featured in The Denver Post, HQ Magazine, Forbes, LA Times, and Rolling Stone.

However, Tydlaska-Dziedzic’s dream wasn’t to spend his life only as a freelance photographer. He is an advocate of people pursuing many career paths and leveraging all talents to create the life they want. One of these paths was to build the agency his husband dreamed of. After graduating from RMCAD in November 2017, Kevin initially started what would become BKN Creative in April 2018, by focusing on creating an event that would produce elevated professional headshots in the Tampa Bay area, as it was a need that was not yet filled in the city. This success allowed Brandon Tydlaska-Dziedzic to join BKN Creative full-time and leave his other position. Today, their ad agency, which includes many services, has amassed clientele that range from a local credit union to large global brands like Marriott. And, while photography has been a major service offered at the agency, the services at BKN Creative certainly go well beyond that.

What’s next?

BKN Creative, a minority-owned and certified LGBT business enterprise, has grown significantly and now has eight full-time team members with a full suite of benefits uncommon for a smaller firm. Even though Tydlaska-Dziedzic might not be the lead photographer anymore, he still helps ideate imagery that represents the brand’s aesthetic. “Marriott is a great example. I recently directed a large-scale shoot with two video crews and a photo crew. Each one of Marriott’s assets has a different aesthetic, which we reflected in the final product. What works for the hotel lobby, will likely not work for the rooftop restaurant,” says Tydlaska-Dziedzic.

Overall, working hands-on with clients and team members is incredibly important to Tydlaska-Dziedzic and his husband. He shares, “I think that what makes us so different is that we’re still heavily involved in the day-to-day creative and the overall success of every client and every team member. We’re working owners.”

Even now, Tydlaska-Dziedzic is still chasing his dreams, including his first love of acting. He even recently landed a role in “Bad Monkey,” an Apple TV+ mystery series, starring Vince Vaughan. However, the dream he is most proud of is creating an agency with his husband. From Brandon and Kevin Tydlaska-Dziedzic’s very first date, BKN Creative has been an ad agency centered around creativity and passion. Tydlaska-Dziedzic is immensely proud of the creative home he and his husband have built! He never wants to lose sight of what matters most saying, “I wanted to create something that I couldn’t find. A completely transparent agency, not motivated by money, that would open employment and service opportunities to a diverse market.”

Looking to kick-start your photography dream?

Starting a career in the arts is hardly ever a straight line! Whether you are a traditional student or you are looking to go back to school, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is the perfect community for all creatives. RMCAD offers photography degrees on-campus and online, not to mention a certificate in digital photography. It’s never too late to chase your dreams, request more information today!

The post From Photographer to CEO: The Dream of One RMCAD Alumni appeared first on RMCAD.

Three-hundred and twenty-one graduates threw their decorated caps into the air at RMCAD’s 2024 commencement ceremony, bidding farewell to their alma mater. The ceremony served as a bittersweet conclusion to hundreds of unique stories that began at RMCAD. One such story is of Paul Onorato. An alumnus of the Fine Arts program, Onorato has a particularly unique relationship with the college. As the grandson of Philip J. Steele, RMCAD’s founder, Onorato is the successor of Steele’s creative dream. The young artist shared his experience honing his craft at the college his grandfather built and how finding his creative process at RMCAD deepened his connection to his family.

As you can imagine, Onorato grew up in an exceptionally creative environment, surrounded by a family of artists. He reminisced about spending much of his childhood at his grandmother’s house – which served as an “artistic hub” for his mom’s side of the family, the Steeles. “I was incredibly fortunate to grow up around other artists and have such a supportive family, so I have always known I wanted to be an artist too.” The young artist’s desire to stay near his family paired with his love of art inspired him to enroll at RMCAD. He was overjoyed to join the vibrant art community his family established. Seeing the work of his late grandfather, Philip J. Steele, scattered around the RMCAD campus, provided Onorato insight into his lineage’s creativity. 

“Although I didn’t get to meet my grandpa, I feel like he’s with me all the time,” – Paul Onorato

In the vein of Philip J. Steele, Onorato tried his hand at illustration, “I grew up doing a lot of traditional illustration, like black and white technique, and some watercolors.” However, Onorato admitted that “painting has always been tricky for me.” Nevertheless, some of Onorato’s most difficult works are his most inspired, such as “Neurochemical Network”, which helped build his confidence when it came to painting. Throughout his time at RMCAD, Onorato learned more about his style and himself. As a student, he capitalized on the exposure to the many mediums that the Fine Arts program at RMCAD gave him until he eventually “fell in love with printmaking.” The calm, almost tedious process of carving prints and pressing the images proved therapeutic for Onorato. 

“A big part of my happiness is tied to making art.” 

It wasn’t until later in his career as an artist that Onorato realized he didn’t need to agonize over his art to create something he was proud of. Printmaking had taught him that art was about the outlet for expressing himself, not the resulting work. Letting go of perfection and instead following his passions was one of the most important lessons Onorato learned as an art student. It’s the making that matters. He elaborated, “Yeah, you want to make amazing work, but sometimes the amazing work isn’t something you present.” 

Just two days before walking across the stage to receive his diploma at graduation, Paul Onorato was in attendance at the 2024 Legacy Awards. The award celebrated the continued contributions of his family to the college since its foundation. As the alumnus said goodbye to RMCAD, he confessed that he has much to learn before becoming the artist he hopes to be someday. Nevertheless, it’s the process, not the product that Onorato is focused on, a revelation apparent across the Steele family’s work. Discovering his unique creative process helped him connect with Philip J. Steele and the artists around him. “I like feeling that connection with my family!”

Looking to start your legacy?

If you want to make a mark and leave your artistic print on the world, learn more about RMCAD’s Fine Arts program or read Rolling with it Printmaking 101.

Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.

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