Petrula Vrontikis is a strong contributing member of the Art Center community who not only teaches Advanced Graphic Studio and Portfolio classes, but also strives to represent us out in the real world. I first met her about four years ago at an Art Center event at the Landor offices in San Francisco. She came and spoke on what it meant to be an Art Center student, and the lecture had a huge impact on my coming to this school. I have yet to take her classes (usually taken in 7th and 8th terms), but I hear students are faced with real commercial design problems with transmedia applications, such as addressing the creation of new product lines within a brand. The work that comes out of her AGS class is always exciting to see in the gallery and at Grad Show.

Petrula’s book (left), inspiration=ideas: A Creativity Sourcebook for Graphic Designers, features eighteen of the world’s leading designers, including Wolfgang Weingart, Stefan Sagmeister and Margo Chase, revealing the unique ways in which they find inspiration and show how they have incorporated these sources into their work

Petrula is great resource for learning what it really means to be a designer, and is great help if you have any dreams or ideas for events within the Graphic Design department. She has been honored as an AIGA Fellow along with other ACCD instructors Doyald Young, Clive Piercy and Sean Adams. She is heavily involved within AIGA, and speaks across the country about graphic design. There are also very useful essays on her website such as “Ten Common Mistakes in Resume and Cover Letters” that can really come in handy when you are searching for an internship. Also, search for “Design Heroes” on aiga.org. You will see essays from teachers/designers you’ll recognize. She is also our AIGA Art Center Student Group adviser. Without further adieu, here is Petrula:

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How long have you been teaching at Art Center?
20 years.

What classes do you teach?
I’ve been teaching AGS all along then started teaching Portfolio Class in 2003.

Why should students take your AGS class?
Because it’s boot camp to prepare you for what will be expected of you creatively and professionally in our field. Each transmedia assignment provides an opportunity combine the skills that you’ve leaned separately in previous classes. Timelines are realistic to the industry. This aspect challenges you to improve your time management skills. Final projects from my AGS class often are the best at representing a student’s overall capabilities.

What’s your favorite part about teaching at Art Center?
Teaching continues to be one of my strongest inspirations. My favorite part is seeing the level of transformation that can take place in 14 weeks. I hope that my class can be a catalyst for students to be the best they can be.  I feel more authentic about my role as a graphic design teacher when I’m practicing graphic design every day. Other instructors are better at teaching design theory—my focus is on practice. Students that are getting ready to graduate really appreciate the time I take to convey this professional perspective.

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