After high school, FIDM grad Alex Aranda knew he wanted to focus on his love of art, Graphic Design and Interactive Multimedia. He took some fine arts courses at a local community college before pursuing an Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design at FIDM’s Los Angeles campus. Two years later, Alex pursued an Advanced Study Degree in Interactive Multimedia, graduating in 2003.

At FIDM, Alex learned about print production, corporate identity, web design and software programs like Illustrator and Photoshop. Other key lessons included mounting and presenting work, communication, and how to price work. While in school, Alex took advantage of the FIDM Career Center to learn about the job market, and still uses the free service as a networking tool.

While finishing his Graphic Design degree, Alex was working for a real estate company called Colliers Seeley in Downtown Los Angeles. “I did everything that was graphic based,” he explains. This included working with the programmer and elements of the website, large-scale printing, brochures, Power Point and presentation boards. “The company had a large budget so whatever they needed I found out how to get it done and did it.” As a freelance Graphic Designer, Alex has created logos and flyers for various companies and organizations. As a Web Designer he’s worked on sites for brentwoodappraisals.com, Golf-Direct.net and cinelite.net. Alex is skilled in everything from Type Design and Marker Illustration to Digital Compositing and 3D Modeling and Animation.

“Interactive Multimedia has been important for some time now. It’s what makes the commercials and films happen,” he says. “The most important thing for me is to keep learning, moving and staying current with technology, color, and trends.” Alex also recognizes the importance of networking. “When I go out I tell people what I do, give them my card, and see what happens,” he says. It seems to pay, seeing that Alex has worked as a Motion Graphics Compositor for Alta Vista Films and a 3D Animator for Jag Media.

Currently, Alex is working on a website for Cineira, a company that does commercials, films and infomercials. Working from home gives Alex the freedom to take on various freelance jobs in the multimedia industry, which is largely based in Los Angeles. He describes Interactive Multimedia as “letting the artist compose directly with the software to create movement and dynamics. Multimedia is different sources that create the final product.” This may include mixing music from a turntable directly to a mixer and then laying graphics, to editing software to create a final cut. Programs like Flash, AfterEffects and Dreamweaver, QuarkXpress and Final Cut Pro are all key components of this field and Alex knows them all.

In the future Alex plans to keep networking and someday have his own company creating broadcast design. He is also in the process of launching his own e-commerce website, selling t-shirts with original designs from local artists. For anyone thinking about pursuing a career in Graphic Design or Interactive Multimedia, Alex says, “Do your research on the companies that you want to work for, get in touch with them and tell them what you’re doing. Get your name out there, talk to people and enjoy being an artist. And have fun.”

To visit Alex Aranda’s website please visit http://www.alxaranda.com.

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication