Kristen Ortiz, Communication Design student

Art is a way of life for some students in the Communication Design program, and Kristen Ortiz is a perfect example of what the arts programs at NCC have to offer.

"I was very single-minded when I came here," explains Ortiz. "I had never gotten the core values of 2-D design, painting and drawing. All of the classes that I've taken here have expanded my creativity through fine art and digital art combined."

Ortiz has always known that she wanted to get involved in a profession that would allow her to utilize her creativity. As a child, she would ask for art supplies while other girls her age would ask for Barbie dolls. By the time she was a junior in high school, she was taking a digital photography course and preparing herself for three years at MCTI vocational school, where she discovered how much she enjoyed working with computers.

"I really started to get into it then. My photography background really tied it together," says Ortiz. "I competed in competitions in school and got scholarships for my program. I knew then that because I did so well and because it was something I loved working on, that I wanted to go [to college] for it."

The Mount Pocono native had heard about the reputation of NCC's Communication Design program through friends who had previously attended the college. She was already interning at United Envelope doing print press and setting up layouts, and the transition to the workload at college was an easy one for Ortiz thanks to the support of her family.

"My parents always pushed me to follow my dreams, and they felt that NCC would be a good start. I've been offered great opportunities [here]," Ortiz says. "When I look forward to projects now, I look at both the fine art aspect and the digital aspect. Plus, my professors have been great to work with. You can go up to them with any problems. It's almost like having a friend here. They're really willing to work with you."

Because the process of creating art calls for a strong work ethic, creativity, curiosity and the willingness to dig for what's under the surface of objects, Ortiz is aware now that the design field is about peeling away layers a little at a time. She offers this advice to incoming students of the program: "Don't be so quick to push away drawing, painting, or 2-D design. It really is what you'll base your design on in the future. Once you take those classes, you'll get a better understanding of what makes a good design. You'll appreciate the process you use to get there."