Digital Times :
This was my very first article, from beining to end. I did not know how detailed it was untill It was my turn to do it; the name of the paper, the fonts, the color, the articles, the interviews, and yes the letter from the editor, Me! The experience in DMA has been awesome Blogg's, Photo Shop, Art, Computer Art, it all ties in one with the other. I will show you a little of each one of these subjects for you can see what it's like for a real green freshman getting into it.
Interview with Jaxon Flores
by
Eliseo Hernandez
Mr. Flores so Where are you from?
I am originally from Nicaragua.
What Classes are you Teaching now?
Web Development, which includes html, xhtml, css, side scripting, ecommerce, cms. Although, the class I really enjoy is digital video production.
What did you do before teaching?
I started off as an artist, was drawing since I was a young boy. My parents were totally against me being an artist, as I became older I started to study on my own in different disciplines. Print making, drawing, etc. Then I had a pretty good run in San Francisco showing in galleries.
Why did you become a DMA teacher?
I came to New York to study painting, because I felt like you couldn’t be an artist unless you painted, not only painted but painted realistically. If you could do that you could be an artist, I was mistaken. I studied at school of visual arts and after I graduated I was totally lost, didn’t know what to do, so much information. Then I came to TCI to learn electronics and while I was here I started working with students, teaching them about video programs and 3D programs. I fell in love with showing people so I became a Teacher.
What advice do you have for students in succeeding in Digital Media arts and school?
work ethics is major, how you deal with work and pay attention to details and if you apply that, then you can’t help but get better. focus in on something you really love, give it the detail, make it perfect, beautiful. Have the people that know a lot about what you are doing critique your work, then improve it some more
.Do you have any success stories of former students?
Oh yeah, Heidi Gomez, she is now a free lance graphic designer and she’s working on helping students from TCI to find jobs with people she knows and, thus shares her success with others.
Interview With a Digital Media Arts Student
Questions for a DMAstudent:
Where are you from?
I was born in Manhattan, raised in different parts of the city, a nomad traveler who now lives in Queens.
What did you do before TCI?
I was actually in Kansas City working with my cousin working in a media business, called PRO TECH ENTERPRISES. This was doing graphics, computer work, and construction, even some farm hand stuff.
What made you interested in DMA?
After graduating I was looking for something to do, so I figured I’d get into game design. My long life passion was, to create video games and I decided to get involved making them. I’m currently working on one right now called, “Awaken State.
Prior to TCI when was the last time you were in School?
I had actually, finished taking my GED before coming to TCI. I went to the mid Manhattan Adult Learning Center.
How do you feel about the e-books?
This is to you TCI, “I hate the ebook system, so you should just demolish it.” Get e-book that you can actually keep, the way you’re running things now, “It sucks.” You have a trail that’s for 180 days and most of the books don’t have a hard copy so, you need to get a digital copy. If you get the copy you can’t return it because it’s already opened. I have no good things to say about the system.
How has the adjustment to TCI been for you?
Actually it’s pretty smooth, after graduating from my GED class, I really had nothing to do. I look forward to getting up in the morning and coming into TCI. I’m learning more of what I like to do, I’m doing something that deep down inside I know, this is what I want to do. Oddly enough my favorite class is, Speech class. Mr. Elliot Is a great teacher.
A note from the Editor
Do I use TCI services? You bet!
I am a fan of the library more for its conference room that I used with class mates to discuss class projects or help each other out in our week spots. On my own, I have used the tutors and labs in both the main building and on 56th street. The DMA labs are a great way to bounce ideas off fellow students, while working on projects.
I would really be lost without TCI services, I spend most of my time in school or at home doing projects, not so much because I have too but because I like it. I feel that DMA has been the right choice for me I get to use my imagination as a tool for work.I am a person, like millions of others who has reached a cross road. Just as so many others have stopped and said; now what? I found a new path, one that was inside me all the time, but never bothered to look. One day visiting TCI having enrolled in a different course I saw a flier as I was walking through the student lounge and it read; "Digital Media Arts, were creative minds run free."
This was like a slap in the face because, I felt that my creative mind had lost it’s glow. Needles to say, I changed my major to DMA a few days later and now feel like this is what I was supposed to do.
The diversity of students was refreshing, different, and expected. Young and seasoned with the desire to move forward. The teachers I have met with, have always steered me in the right direction. I know they have there hands full with some students, I admire there drive and
appreciate the time they spend with me.
