February 12, 2007 - 4:00pm
At 23, graphic designer Stephenie Chester is already at the top of her game.
Chester graduated with an Applied Arts, Graphics diploma in 2003, and a Digital Media Technologies diploma in 2004 from Malaspina University-College. For nearly two years she’s been working as the senior designer at the University of Lethbridge in southern Alberta.
“My job is amazing, and what is more amazing is that at 23 I have found a career that challenges, motivates and encourages me,” said Chester.
Every day brings her new challenges. She is responsible for designing everything from advertisements, calendar covers and invitations, to directing photo shoots and designing the school website. Her favourite project is an annual report to the community, which circulates to 325,000 households in Alberta.
“It is a huge project and something I only dreamed of designing while at Malaspina,” said Chester of the report.
Since graduating from high school, Chester has wanted to have a job like the one she has at University of Lethbridge. She applied to three schools including the Emily Carr Institute of Arts and Design in Vancouver and the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary. But Malaspina came out on top because it was close to home and would provide her with an intimate class setting.
“I wanted a truly personalized education with room to grow and define myself as an artist, and I found that at Malaspina,” said Chester. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing about my education at Malaspina. I learned more in two years than I ever could completing a degree at a larger design school.”
Because the Malaspina programs aim to replicate the industry environment as much as possible, Chester not only graduated with two diplomas, but with a complete portfolio – a crucial element for anyone working in a media and communications related field.
Although she’d only had one eight-month job previously as a graphic artist at the Lethbridge Herald when she applied for the job at the University of Lethbridge, her portfolio told a more complete story because of all the projects she had worked on at Malaspina as well as her experience at the student newspaper, The Navigator.
“After the interview at the University of Lethbridge, I was later told that the hiring committee was taking a chance giving me an interview because of my age and experience,” said Chester. “But, after they saw my portfolio, and saw what I was capable of, they knew I was the right fit for their organization.
“Without Malaspina I would never have had the well-rounded portfolio and the practical knowledge of the design industry that I have. Both the graphics and the digital media programs at Malaspina have given me the only thing I ever wanted for my future – a chance to be me, be challenged and be successful in a career that is driven by passion.”
Her passion has paid off. This week her team won two national design awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a professional organization that recognizes the work professionals do in the alumni relations, communications and development fields. CASE is based in Washington, DC. The first award was a silver for the design and overall publication of their annual community report, the other a bronze in event publications.
For more information about Malaspina University-College’s Applied Arts Graphics Diploma go to http://www.viu.ca/art and the Digital Media Technologies Diploma go to http://www.learnnewmedia.ca.
Tags: In the Community
