Computer Graphics & Multimedia Design » Student Testimonials

Student Testimonials

2019
Kimberly McDaniel, GSW
 
I will be attending Bradley University in the fall of 2019 for Animation. I really enjoyed taking Computer Graphics at GAVC because I got to learn all of the important Adobe programs really in depth that I wouldn't have the chance to learn at my high school.  I always had a lot of fun with the projects assigned and it never felt like schoolwork to me.  It felt more like a taste of what my future career will be like.  With the chance to go to SkillsUSA, I now have significant awards that will help me put me above others in my career field too.  I never felt lost and confused with Mr. Terrel's teaching too.  He always makes sure that everybody is on the same page before moving on.  I also had the chance to learn other areas of interest that helped me realize what career I wanted to pursue in the future.
 
This class really helped me get ready for my future education at Bradley University because I need to know how to use those programs for my major.  At Bradley University, there is not a requirement for students to know those programs coming in for the Interactive Media Department, but it is expected for you learn those programs outside of class.  So, I will be well ahead of others coming in because I know how to utilize those programs.  I will be able to thrive in my major because of my time at GAVC taking Computer Graphics. 
 
The learning atmosphere here at GAVC is unique and it will give you a taste of what your future career will be like.  It will even make you more prepared for that career too.  You will be able to branch out and create friendships with people that have the similar interests as you too.  The projects in Computer Graphics does not feel like work but a way to express yourself.
 
Mark Staszel, Minooka
 
I plan on continuing Graphic design at JJC, and I have applied for a graphic design position at Big Frog in Shorewood.
 
This is the best class I've ever taken it's really awesome when you have full artistic freedom to do what you want and Mr. Terrel does a great job of explaining every program.  I'm able to design my own t-shirts, flyers, logos, and everything in between.
 
If you plan to have a career or just have general interest in graphic design I wholeheartedly suggest taking this class because it's really fun and you learned so much.  Mr. Terrel, I feel your class is the most beneficial class I have ever taken. 
 
Grant Simon, Morris
 
I am going to go to college at JJC, I am undecided as to what my major will be.
 
I had a great experience in the Computer Graphics program.  I looked forward to coming to the class everyday and had fun every time I went into the class.  Mr. Terrel made the class a lot more interesting and fun because of the unique personality he brought. The class would not be the same without him.
 
Overall the class has made me a lot more comfortable with computers in general.  More specifically, it has made me more knowledgeable of programs such as Photoshop and Premiere.  My knowledge in these and other programs should prove useful in any future endeavors I pursue that deals with computers.
 
I highly recommend this class to any student who has an interest in creating art with computers or has a creative imagination that can be channeled with computers.  There are so many different things you can learn in the class and it’s not just about skill set. Artistic talents can be explored with programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and many more.  Video editing is also explored through After Effects and Premiere.  There are so many different areas you can touch up on that it’s impossible to learn everything because there is so much to explore.
 
Overall I have never found a more friendly classroom environment.  Many of the people in my class weren’t from the same school, and yet everyone felt comfortable talking to each other and the majority of us ended up becoming friends!  This is a great class to take if you like working with computers and the different creative things you can do with them.  Thanks for making the class a load of fun and for being an amazing teacher and person Mr. T!!
 
2018
 
Sara Muszanski, Minooka
 
I am currently majoring in visual communications and minoring in marketing at Northern Illinois University. Not only did this class grow my knowledge on the programs that we used in class, it also opened up many creative opportunities for me, and allowed me to gain even more experience by working on a variety of multimedia design projects.  This class benefitted me by growing my skills and making me comfortable with programs such as Photoshop. This class also fueled my passion for art and design, and ultimately influenced me to pursue a future in the graphic design field.  Don't miss out on an opportunity to learn a wide variety of programs and techniques through creative and fun projects!
 
Spencer McDaniel, GSW
 
I'm attending Bradley University in User Experience Design major with a Graphic Design minor.  I had a great experience in Computer Graphics and would recommend it to anyone interested in a future in Computer Graphics.  That class benefited me so much as learning Photoshop and Illustrator are huge components in my classes for my major.  I would say that if they have any interest in a design class or digital art, I would highly recommend them taking this class.
 
2017
 
Stefani Kier, Morris
 
I'm currently going to school at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, majoring in Graphic Design. I'm also employed at Palm Beach Tan.  My experience of taking Computer Graphics at GAVC was great. Not only was I learning a lot of things that I had never done before, I was always having fun!!  That class benefited me a lot. I learned so many tools, tips, and tricks through the Adobe programs that have benefit me so much during college. If art interests you in any way, look into taking this class! You learn so many things, inside and outside of class. It's also so fun to finally sit back and see what you had just created, through the hard times and easy times, it's always satisfying to finally see your finished product.
 
Danielle Dennis, Minooka
 
I am currently in JJC and I'm going for an Arts Associates, but I intend on moving to Los Angeles and going to film school. I work for SAS Retail Services.  My experience in taking the class is that it was quite interesting to be able to work on whatever I wanted. There was so much creative freedom that I didn't have in other computer or graphics classes and I didn't know how much I would miss using the equipment for things I was actually interested in making.  I think the vocational definitely helped me figure out how to brainstorm and think of original ideas because that was always difficult for me in high school. All of the free time really left me with having to think for myself.  I would tell students who are actually interested in graphic arts that they should take this class. It was fun to actually talk to people who cared about Computer Art because there are very few people in the area interested in it.
 
2016
 
Melissa Moore, Coal City
 
I’m currently a student at the American Academy of Art, and I’m majoring in Illustration.  My experience in Computer Graphics was really great! It was super fun working with a bunch of different Adobe software. It’s a really relaxed environment that creates the perfect space to really express yourself.  Taking Computer Graphics has definitely helped me out a lot. Whether it’s for class or for freelance work, the ability to work digitally is an absolute must. This class gave me the basic understanding of programs, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, so when times came when I had to work digitally, the transition was much smoother.  Any creative or design oriented job is going to require some knowledge of Adobe products. The more practice you have before it’s required of you, the better. That’s why it’s a really smart move to take a computer graphics class now rather than later.
 
2015
 
Jessica Winter, Morris
 
Currently I am finishing up my last final semesters at Illinois State University, studying Arts Technology.  This includes working on projects using Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as Audition, Dreamweaver, Premiere, After Effects, and more.  I am employed as a front end web designer at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS-IT) at Illinois State University.  I went to Morris Community High School and graduated in 2015.  My experience at GAVC in the Computer Graphics and Multimedia Design class has been one I will never forget.   Before taking this class, I wasn't sure of what I wanted to go to school or do as a career, and in taking it, led me to make the decision to go into the field that I am in.  I enjoyed learning the different programs and expanding my knowledge in Computer Science.  The Computer Graphics class gave me a the ability to get into the school I wanted with the help of the hard work and effort that I accomplished in the class.  It expanded my creativeness and artistic abilities, and gave me a push into the creative computer oriented market that we live in.  Because of the variety of things I learned in this class, I was able to have an advantage when starting school in my major.  I was more familiar with the programs and was able to go even farther than some in my major because of the head start. If I could talk to people about taking this class, I would say do it.  This class allows you work with and experience things that you may have more difficulty doing on your own.  I would say don't just take this class just because it sounds fun (even though it was a lot of fun), but to take it to learn something new, something that is very present in today's world.  Mr Terrel is an amazing and fun teacher that will help students to learn something new, and even possibly start the journey to find one's future career and/or passion.  I really loved this class and hope others can have the opportunity to experience this class.
 
2014
 
Emaly Garcia, Morris
 

I am currently not going to school, though I do have my Associates Degree from JJC.  I’m employed at the recently opened Costco Meat Plant here in Morris and I’m a Supervisor there. I loved the class!  It taught me how to use these programs and then allowed me to continue refining my new skills by giving us projects that allowed us a lot of creative freedom to flex them on.  One project I loved working on was this tour video for GAVC that I got to edit together for all the separate courses available and it was really cool to work out the flow of each video and stylize how I felt it could be and also to the wants of all the teachers.  I also got to go to SkillsUSA and compete in their Photoshop Contest and managed to get 2nd Place! It was a fun experience and I'm glad the teacher's allowed me the opportunity to go. I got Premiere and Photoshop on my home computer now and in the last few years of my little sister’s high school years, I helped her create a bunch of locker signs for some of the athletes in her class and edited photos and videos with my dad.  I learned how to make my resume from Computer Graphics too and I’m glad because that resume template helped me get my supervisor position with Costco. This class really gives you the creative freedom to try out what you want to make. Not just me, but all my classmates came up with all sorts of different content despite us all getting the same assignment, it was exciting!

 

George Howard, Minooka

 

I am currently attending Governors State University and majoring in Media Studies with a concentration in video production. I am also a student worker, in the schools media department, as the student sports media director.  I took classes at GAVC from 2012 to 2014. Coming into GAVC I knew very little to do with media production and how cameras work. By the time I left I was sure that I wanted to go into the media field.  I was tought how shoot and edit videos which directly effect what I do today. This is where I learned that creating videos are a team effort.  I would tell student that if you are thinking about going into the media field or anything that involves using media this class will be beneficial.
 
2013
Claire Campbell, Minooka
 
My experience taking your class was one I’ll honestly never forget. First, because of the teacher. Instructors make or break a good experience in any classroom setting. You connect to us on a level that no other instructor does. It isn’t just because of how young you are either. Your personality mixed with your methods really relate to us at that high school age. I loved that about this class. Second, I loved meeting new people from different schools, making new friends, and doing projects with people I never knew before GAVC. Third, i thoroughly enjoyed making clothes for the schools and seeing people’s faces light up after we give them their attire. It’s nice knowing you’re helping a lot of people/teams/whoever you’re making the clothes for! & last, i absolutely loved the curriculum. Computers aren’t necessarily my strong suit, but you made sure I was able to make it through the tougher parts of the class. You also made each assignment as fun as you possibly could. If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience in your class at GAVC.
 
This class has benefited my life now by simply helping me be better with things regarding computers. I am better with Microsoft word, Photoshop, and even making all different kinds of videos. It actually really helped my patience level increase a bit as well. I don’t have much to begin with, but the assignments and the help I received along the way really helped me learn to have more patience with myself and with technology. I also have helped make so many shirts/sweatshirts for friends and teams I’ve been apart of. I learned so many skills that I’ve taken with me over the years since I graduated. I offer to help with making shirts and still do it to this day. 
 
I would tell students this is absolutely the best class offered at GAVC. It is so much fun and the teacher is the best you’re going to get. Having Mr. T as an instructor really showed me how teachers should be treating students and I appreciated his methods so much more. The assignments are incredibly fun, (except the few boring, mandatory assignments) there are options in what you do, (the assignment may be the same, but you can decide to do a couple things differently, to make it your own) you will have help from your peers and instructor at all times, you also will never fall behind. The only way to do poorly in this class is to not show up whatsoever or show up and do nothing every day. You can also switch it up and go back and make shirts and learn the system back there and take a break from your computer stuff. There is a lot of freedom in this class, too. As long as you get your stuff done in a timely manner and do it correctly, you have plenty of freedom to be the young adult you’re supposed to be. One of my favorite things about this class is that I was treated like an equal. That rarely happens in a high school setting, but it happens in this class with Mr. Terrel.
2012
Mitch Nelli, Minooka
 
Mr. Terrel, I feel your class is the most beneficial class I have ever taken. 
 
"Hello, my name is Mitchell Nelli and I am 24 years old, I graduated Minooka high school in 2012 and was in Mr. Terrel's class in 2012, which I believe was at the beginning of his career at G.A.V.C. 
 
I was going to take year 2 of automotive, until i just decided to take this computer class instead, and I will not hide it. I was told this was a "blow off class". This class very quickly became the most beneficial class I have ever taken in my now successful career. Some Mr. Terrel's lesson plans cover specific parts of software programs, and how to use them. I would like to compare this class to my 2 years at Joliet Junior College. In Mr. Terrel's class, we covered video editing, specifically with movies to make a movie trailer. At JJC, we had the same lesson, from a $150 book and a video source that had the most uninspired acting and boring script. It was cut and dry "by the book" lessons, with mediocre equipment. 
  
This was just basic cuts and transitions in the program. Mr. Terrel has a library of movies to choose from. This simple decision relieves students of having to edit just one thing. They have the freedom that other teachers refuse to give. This inspires students to pick a movie that means something to them, making them truly care about their work. This was one lesson, this one lesson paved the way to my success. This one lesson helped me understand this one program better than any college book in a fancy college ever could. I have learned more in Mr. Terrel's class than I ever did in college, and that is simply because he cares. Mr. Terrel is very easy to follow and understand. He is willing to work with every student to make sure they understand the process and how to do it. 
 
"Where am I now", you may ask. After working in graphic design for 3+ years, I now work at a Multi-million dollar company as their Marketing and I.T. Director, in Venice, Florida. Thank you all for supporting Mr. Terrel's class, as I see every year the lesson plans get more in depth with the program and more creative. I see equipment in Mr. Terrel's class that is standard in my field.  Again, this was just ONE lesson, at the beginning of his career. I can't imagine how successful the students after me became.
 
Megan  Zelinko, Coal City
 
I am currently working back in my hometown of Coal City at Allegra, formerly Bailey's Printing, as a Graphic Designer/Typesetter.  This class was a very fun and educational class! It had the right mix of important information while keeping our attention and enjoying what we were learning. Mr. Terrel let each student's individuality shine while teaching the basics of graphic design.  This class gave me a head start to my college classes, which I would not have had otherwise. It exposed me to programs and techniques that I would have never seen otherwise on my own or until college.  I would tell potential students to have fun but learn as much as you can, it can only benefit you in the long run if you want to pursue a career in any graphic field. A casual atmosphere is the best to learn the basics, and most college classes I took expected me to already know how to use the programs to some degree.