A New Direction

Life doesn't always take us in the direction we plan for ourselves.  After graduating from high school I never thought that I would be studying Art instead of Accounting.  Math has always been the degree I was pursuing, but after a series of events I have found myself as an Art major with an emphasis in Graphic Design.  I love the new direction that the Department of Art is taking, I just wish the changes would have been made sooner.  I am looking forward to the portfolio classes offered next semester along with learning more techniques in the Adobe Creative Suite that the Graphic Design courses offer.  The image I used is a photo of myself that I edited in photoshop.   

Expanding Art dept. at TAMUCC

Photograph 

Still Life

October 2007

Photography I

Photograph 

The Big Tree

October 2007

Photography I

Even though I graduated with an undergrad degree in social sciences and working in the field for many years, I would occasionally moonlight as an art student. I enjoyed it so much I decided to get serious and pursue my Masters degree in Studio Art full time. I've enjoyed all the courses I've taken which include photography, graphic design and art history. The faculty are great at what they do and they work closely with students. 

Not only is the University expanding but the art department as well. The art department is offering new courses in Graphic Design in the upcoming semesters. 

I hope after graduating to work as a freelance photographer and also in the area of graphic design.

Illustration of Performing Arts Center

October 2008

Illustration & Electronic Imaging Course

My TAMUCC Experience

I decided to attend TAMUCC because I originally wanted to major in Marine Biology. It was really risky for me to move down here (8 hours away from home) because I had the hardest time trying to figure out exactly what it was I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and I still wasn’t too sure if Marine Biology was really for me. Even though I still had some doubts, I knew that I had to venture away from home and see what else was out there beyond the small city of Paris, Texas. Once I moved to Corpus Christi, I really loved the campus! It only took me a semester, though, to realize that Marine Biology wasn't for me. I just figured that with the low demand for Marine Biologists and their low salary, it wasn't worth wasting my time taking classes that I wasn't enjoying.

I didn't want to leave Corpus, so I looked at my other options. I've always been interested in art and have loved making my own art, so I decided to switch my major to that field of study. I had in the past, received an art scholarship to the junior college I attended, but declined it due to my schedule. Now I wish I hadn't, however, I'm pretty content with the choices I've made and am so glad that I switched my major. Thanks to the electronic imaging class, I am more interested in Graphic Design and hope to succeed in it and to eventually pursue a career in it someday. Our last assignment, although somewhat time consuming, was a lot of fun and has made me even more interested in what else is possible with Graphic Design. Here is the image I created of the sculpture outside our art building.

A Minor in ART!

Those who are thinking of applying to the arts program and want to know about the art department should know that they are willing to help you no matter what.  I am an art minor and barely started taking art classes this past summer of 2008.  I took a Photography I class and continued this semester with more of my art classes.  Whenever I need help outside of class or have last minute questions they are always willing to help.  

The picture to the right is titled Puddle.  This is a digital photograph that I took this summer and did very little enhancing to it.  I really liked the subject I picked and how the clouds are slightly reflected on the water.  

I love that the professors not only try to teach us their plans for the semester, but the little things that they learn along the way to help better and improve our skills as well.  I am currently enrolled in Drawing I and Electronic Imaging art classes and plan to graduate in May 2010.

Cristina C. Ramos

Behind the Lights

It is really hard for me to choose one course that stands out as my favorite. I am in my last year at the university and I have really enjoyed my studies. However one that does sticks out in my mind is the advance photography class taught in the spring by Barbara Riley. This course tops the list of favorites for a couple of different reasons. First the class was a portfolio course, we were instructed to choose a focus, and stick with that subject matter for the whole semester. Another reason I enjoyed this class was because it taught me how to think of a body of work from start to finish, from the concept to presentation. Lastly through this course we learned how to make hand made portfolios to present our work in. I think it is important for an artist to not only create good work but to know how to present and show what we have made. The picture above is just one of the photo taken for my portfolio the title of which was Behind the Lights.

Art experience

When I first came to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, I was a computer science major. Then I decided I wanted to work with the software and not build it ;). After my first year, I became aware of the art program available and became an art major. The art program offers many classes to expand and find the correct media for you. I felt comfortable with graphic design. I've had the opportunity to use Adobe software such as; Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Flash. The professors are very helpful and patient with the students. I'm glad I continued to stay in Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and pursue my art degree. My artistic skills are improving every year. Having experience in other media besides graphic design, has helped me as well.

TAMUCC Art Program

This is my third year here at TAMUCC as an art major. The art program has grown so much in that short of time and it still continues to grow. They have classes on every medium from drawing to printmaking to graphic design. You name it, they have it or at least working to make it a class. My favorite media of art is graphic design and when I started school here three years ago there was only one class that was offered for this media. In 2009 there are going to be three new courses for the new and growing graphic design program and I couldn't be more excited! Since I plan on having a future career as a graphic designer, I plan on taking all the courses I can on this subject. I'm so excited for the upcoming year where I will be able to take classes such as typography, portfolio and practices, and Graphic Design III.

Here is a poster that I did last semester in my Graphic Design class for an advertisement campaign for the Texas State Aquarium Tortuga Cay exhibit.

Your Own Reality At TAMUCC

I recently returned to TAMUCC this past Summer, after a seven year stint working in Human Resources. The art department has made great strides in the time that I was away. The faculty has added important pieces to its already sturdy core. I am also extremely happy about the increase in art courses offered here at the University. Specifically those pertaining to Graphic Design. So far, my favorite courses have been those that have given me an opportunity to get in the Mac lab, such as Photography I and Electronic Imaging, to work with the Adobe editing software. These real world practices will benefit me in the long run after I've completed my time here at TAMUCC. I would definitely suggest to anyone who is thinking about applying to come check out the campus, and view the art department for yourself. It has a lot to offer the students, and it's only growing and getting better each year. Below are some examples from my Photography I class, taught by Jennifer Arnold over the Summer.







Shane Trammell

Digital Photography / Edited in Photoshop

Summer 2008

The Importance of Graphic Design at TAMUCC

To start, I am a student seeking a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Studio Art, so I may not have the full experience anyone seeking a BA or a BFA would have. What I have signed up for, though, is enough to say that, whether seeking a BA or BFA or at least a minor in the arts, the selection of courses is excellent.

Having worked in the printing industry for many years with no formal education (to be precise, right out of high school 10 years ago), I thought the existing graphic design and illustration courses were good. With the addition of an emphasis in graphic design and associated courses, I feel that, finally, a proper education in what it takes to work as a graphic designer or typesetter will be forthcoming. I am hoping that this may be enough, or, at least a start, to move our community away as much as possible from self-design and into letting more capable individuals take care of the design process.

The existing graphic design courses (ARTS 3361 and ARTS 4361) that I am currently taking have added on to my existing knowledge of the design process. I have been able to apply what I am currently learning to actual projects in my current place of employment. In addition, I feel I have contributed to these courses in terms of leveraging the design techniques with the demands of a printing company. Below is an example of the extent of what I have learned in these courses.

“We Have a Voice!”

Emilio A. Alberto

Digital Media

Created in ARTS 3361 (Graphic Design) Fall 2008

Imaging That is Electronic

I cannot pinpoint any exact reason why I decided to come to Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. It was most likely a culmination of many things falling into place. I am currently in my final year as a Communication Major. I have found myself taking many art classes at this school, and recently decided to put them towards an Art Minor. My main focus has been photography, and that is where I have had the most fun. I have learned a lot from photography instructors Riley and Spaulding. After graduation, I plan on doing something that involves my Communication-Media degree, however I also feel that my art classes will be very useful in what I do. My favorite art classes have been the Graphic Design and Photography classes. I would recommend these classes to anyone, even people that are not Art Majors. This image is from ARTS 4361 and was done in Illustrator with Asst . Professor Garcia.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi, A Good Artistic Starting point

I choose Texas A&M University because it offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Programs with special emphasis on Allied Health, Applied Technology, Arts and Humanities, Business Administration, Environmental Studies, and Teacher Education. These Graduate and Undergraduate programs prepare students for leadership roles in the future through formal instruction, research, and on and off campus academic activities. The Art Department at Texas A&M offers a good starting point for anybody that wants to explore and refine his or her artistic abilities let it be painting, drawing, photography, and graphic design. All these areas of study combine both old and new artistic styles and techniques like image manipulation software, digital media, compositional theory, visual organization, and personal expression with a professional highly talented and dedicated faculty.

Some of the projects I got to do in Digital Photography 2356 fall 2007.

Jessica Block

I have had a lot of favorite courses here at TAMUCC, sculpture, design, photography and graphic design. My main focus though is my photography and graphic design classes. I wasn’t at first interested in photography until my freshman year. I took Photography I and I fell in love with it. I love digital but I am starting to like the darkroom, it is difficult but fun. The darkroom film class has taught me to be more selective in my photos and to really pay attention to details. I feel it is making me a better photographer. The other class I really enjoyed was Graphic design. I really want to work in marketing after collage. My Google project was my favorite because we learned how Graphic designers research and come up with a logo and the meanings behind them. This class has also helped me get an internship with the school and I work in the marketing department for athletics and I use the skills I learn there and get to apply outside of class.

2007, digital, Photography I
2008, Graphic Design, logo project 

Graphic Design @ TAMUCC

Very excited to announce new Graphic Design courses at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi! 6 new classes are in the works! Visit this link for more info >

Bronze Pour

Professor Greg Reuter posted this video. To learn more about art at Texas A&M-CC, visit us here >

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