Saturday

Yesterday I was honored to give the Commencement Speech to the graduating class of the Art Institute of California-Orange County. I want to thank Ronni Whitman for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to share my story. Along with Interior Design students, the Art Institute graduated students in Culinary Arts & Management, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interactive Media Design and Media Arts and Animation.

David Brinkley once said “A successful person is one that can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her”

As Designers and Artist in all fields, we are faced with many challenges and have the unique opportunity to change the way people experience the world. It is a great gift that we have been given. Each time you walk into a room, each element has been selected to create an experience for you. We are also responsible for the safety of the public by designing spaces that have the proper number of exits, adequate lighting, and by selecting materials that will not produce toxic smoke should a fire break out. It is our responsibility to make our surroundings safe while creating a positive experience. The best way to do this is by taking the knowledge you gained in college, show passion in your work, have fun doing it and do it with all your heart.

I started out in a pre-med program until I realized my passion was for something else. It was 15 years ago when I changed my degree to Interior Design. I remember my biggest fear; how would I be able to make a living doing something that many people viewed as a hobby? But with all obstacles that came my way, I would tell myself that if I showed my passion for design, somehow I would make my degree work. Someone once told me that I am what I am today because of what I believed about myself yesterday. And I will be tomorrow what I believe about myself right now. This simple advice continues to work for me and I wish all those graduating the best life has to offer.

Dean of Academic Affairs Melinda Lester and President of the Art Institute Dan Levinson with me at yesterday’s commencement ceremony

The 2007 graduating class.