Ari Justin RothenbergSeniorGraphic Design2.6 GPA

1. Academically I have proven that I have an understanding for problem solving. Problem solving is at the core of every facet of creating the University Press. In design for page layout, problem solving is visualizing ahead of time if a concept can be rendered in a manner that is aesthetically appealing. The designer has to be able to evaluate the constituent elements given (i.e. headlines, body copy and pictures) than place them with understanding of white space and hierarchy while considering if the design can engage the viewers eye. While taking photographs problem solving comes in terms of acknowledging multiple factors of the environment. The photographer has to be able to think ahead to place them self in position to get the best shot. Light source has to be understood to correctly set the aperture of the lens. Framing considerations have to be done with little time to get the most content and less photographic dead area. Problem solving is also extremely imperative when it comes time to write an article. In writing I always try to make statements that are atypical. I do this knowing that the reader is generally lazy and needs to be provoked. I make connections between subject matter that is easily understandable but not often associated in everyday life. This break from the mediocrity shows through as entertainment. Entertainment is than used to mask the dryness of being informed. The newspaper, in its most basic of intent, is there to inform. My academic understanding and achievement is important in my development, standing as a counterpart to what I have learned in my professional career. In my three years in doing sales/marketing/ and graphic design for the company Imaging USA, Corp., I learned how to run a business from the ground up. My duties included so many different aspects that I can not easily explain in the allotted space all the individual tasks along the path of marketing a client, soliciting them, selling them on the phone and maintaining a working business rapport. I have had to organize production schedules with delivery schedules, including bringing product in from other vendors and shipping product out. I was the primary liaison between the company and the client, delivering the product to local clients in person, fielding most problems face to face. I also had to stay on the client for payment, whether I was collecting it in person at the time of the delivery or calling the client to tell them when they were delinquent.While working as a graphic designer for JM Global I learned how to work on several design projects at once while having to be aware of deadlines. This showed me that I had the ability and focus to do graphic design for forty hours a week, while dealing with the pressure of satisfying multiple bosses, as well as the client.In my stint as a bartender I learned how to make a connection to every person who sat at my bar. This helps when dealing with different personality types, adjusting to them to establish communication. The communication directly translated to earnings.

2. The major strength of the University Press is the core of people involved. I initially pursued working here because of my belief that like minded individuals can pull together to create something dynamic. I saw in my classmates, Stefanie and Leslie, people who were hard working and goal oriented. Once being involved I came to find similar characteristics in Catherine McCormick, David Ellis, Dan Restrepo, and especially Dan Kregan. The major weakness of the University Press is the unawareness of how to bring the paper to the next level. To me the paper seems like a machine that is running itself. All the components are in place and as long as something goes to print every week, that’s ok. On the design side work isn’t delegated properly. It seems that Stefanie does way too much work. This results in many undeveloped graphics, as well as, errors (i.e. missing graphics, missing fonts) when taking the paper to print. The printed paper embodies all the work of the writers and editors, as well as the designers. When there are obvious faults with the graphical side, it reflects poorly on everyone involved. In terms of the University Press’s role in the community, it needs to make a bigger push as a group on campus. Awareness of the paper is only facilitated on breezeway days. If the image of the paper was bolstered on campus interest would increase, more people would want to be involved, and more people would read the paper.I feel that the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief is to over look all the aspect of the paper and give direction to the people involved. To show concern for problems that hinders its development. It is not acceptable to use to position for the sake of being in charge or as a platform for personal agendas.

3. As editor of the University Press my primary goal is to produce a paper that everyone involved can use as portfolio pieces when pursuing jobs after graduating. I’m tired of hearing excuses that the University Press is a learning paper and that it is ok to make mistakes. Failing isn’t an option in the working world. Wanting to work harder with the opportunity that we have makes more sense.

4. In the time that I have been involved with the paper I have noticed a few problems that I have found discouraging. On the design side, the computers are not set up correctly. Everyone on the design team is aware of the problem but no one is willing to do anything to correct the problem. Two of the three computers have the Quark installed with the same serial number. This problem prevents two designers from working simultaneously in Quark. Only one computer has Illustrator installed on it. This creates a game of computer trading or waiting in line to use the good computer. The last problem, which is minor, is that font managers aren’t installed. All of these problems are efficiency issues. These problems could be solved if a relationship with the computer technician could be maintained. This segues into the next problem. The last computer technician complained of not getting paid. He is unwilling to do anymore work for the University Press. There is a lot of finger pointing between Afair (sp?) and Kelly Tyko. She says he didn’t do the job right. He says he installed the programs with serial numbers Kelly gave him. It is a classic battle between people who know about computers and those who do not. Some one needs to take responsibility instead of giving excuses. The $75 is nothing in comparison to the obstacle of not having the computers running correctly.In my eyes this problem comes from budget pinching. It sounds great in theory to cut expenditures in the short term. The fact remains that the workers have to get paid. Money is what keeps people’s attention. I understand that the budget is a major responsibility. My view is that paying people, instead of playing games, is more significant than the toys you leave behind for posterity. There will still be money left to purchase goods for the office.On the subject of computer maintenance, I have already made contact with Jordan Sanford, who is the lab monitor for the graphic design department at FAU’s Boca Raton campus. He maintains the Macs in the computer lab and would be willing to do side work for the University Press.

5. Coverage of the community parallels being involved with the community. Every time I go out I talk up my position at the University Press because I am always looking for the next project to work on. While doing my job I am constantly meeting new FAU students that have opinions they wish to be heard. In the past month I have made contact with two individuals that I have pushed to be involved with the paper. Sarah Berner works in the art galleries on campus and showed concern that the University Press doesn’t follow up on a majority of the events that are showcased there. I spoke with her for a good amount of time about stepping up writing her own articles for the paper. I left her with an application to work at the University Press during spring break when I saw her in the silk screening lab. I made contact with Sarah Howze one night at Dada’s in Delray. She lives on the Jupiter campus and expressed interest in writing about Jupiter issues. I collected contact information from her, which I still have, and pushed her to be involved. The University Press has an obligation to represent the interests of the diverse cross section of cultures and age groups embodied by the school’s students. I feel that I can do that by getting students involved. I am also willing to make trips to the individual campuses to meet with student groups to encourage student involvement.

Non-University Press reference: Roger Hurlburt, Professor of Art History at FAU, Telephone: (561) 278 – 0265