Ringling College isn’t your typical college or art school—it’s a place where your passion can take flight and soar into a profession. Our coursework challenges us to think outside the box and refine every aspect of our skillset—and helped us grow into the team of students behind the publication you’re reading right now.
From Batumi, Georgia, to Athens, Greece, and Clarksville, Tennessee, Ringling College brought us together from all over the world. That speaks to the kind of life you’ll experience here—brimming with diversity, creativity, and authenticity.
That feeling of authenticity is exactly what we wanted to capture with our design for the Viewbook. We wanted to create not just another book, but a collective, tactile experience that commemorates memories with a tangible object. Reflecting on those memories led us to our theme—create your own story. Because at Ringling College, you’ll shape your practice and create memories you’ll never forget.
With love,
Sandra Lee, Nefeli Protopsalti and Tako Pharsenadze
The Creatives
Ringling College is consistently leading the way as a top ranked Art and Design School.
Here’s where your story begins.
A memorable day on set A new chapter begins
The weather was amazing at Shelf Indulgence today.
Hanging out in between classes
Diwali Festival was a blast!
A campus for creative living.
Ringling College is a place to learn new skills, a place to push boundaries, a place to work hard, a place to find your voice, a place to become a leader, a place to get inspired, a place to create, a place to meet people from all over the world, a place to meet people just like you.
Welcome to your home away from home.
You can walk across all of Ringling College in a matter of minutes, but our space offers so much more than a typical college campus. Designed by and for creative people, Ringling’s campus has everything you need.
Be inspired by our seven
campus galleries.
Ringling College Galleries and Exhibitions showcase work from students, alumni, faculty, and nationally recognized artists in a wide range of mediums and from diverse backgrounds.
On-campus housing to suit all of your creative and social needs.
With new residence halls, multiple apartment complexes, and over 30 near-campus houses, Ringling College offers a wide array of housing options. Our housing is designed specifically for creatives, offering plenty of collaboration spaces, large-scale project workrooms, and access to our many student resources.
You’ll find lots of flavorful options in our
The sprawling food stations offer a range of options, including an Italian counter with pizza and pasta, made-to-order sandwiches and deli, a vegetarian section, comfort food, a grilled option, and a convenient market for grab-n-go items. The Allergen Station will help students who need to safely avoid gluten and the top nine allergens.
Student Spotlights
What is life like at Ringling College? Hear from our students on what makes their time here unique —from clubs to internships and everything in between.
ELLA
SATTERFIELD
SHE/THEY NOBLESVILLE, IN
LOVES Exploring local cafes like Green Zebra
Getting ice cream at The Fat Donkey
Volunteering for campus events
What made you want to take on a leadership role at Ringling College?
I got involved in the Student Government Association because I think it is important for students’ voices to be heard and to work together to create the kind of community that we want to see. I started as a First Year Senator in my freshman year and now I am the SGA President. I love this role because it allows me to encourage students to become leaders on campus, which helps keep the College amazing.
Student Spotlights
JULIA LOPES
SHE/HER BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL
LOVES Attending Campus events like Fall Fest
Unwinding at the beach
Taking a break from schoolwork
What is life like at Ringling College? Hear from our students on what makes their time here unique —from clubs to internships and everything in between.
What’s the LGBTQIA2S+ culture like here on campus?
It’s definitely a vibrant and acceptive campus! There are many student organizations and services that often host events focused on the community, which is always a great chance to meet new people and learn how to be a better ally! The students play a huge part in making Ringling College feel like a safe space not only for them but for the whole community.
Can you talk about your experience as an ambassador in educating the campus on cultural inclusivity?
As a Student Outreach Coordinator at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, it’s my job to help other students engage with their community during our events, practice cultural awareness, and celebrate what makes us different. One of my favorite events that I worked on was the Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Celebration! As an international student, I’m always interested in sharing more of my cultural background with people, and it’s very rewarding to see how many people are willing to do the same. Although part of my role as an ambassador is to educate students about cultural diversity and inclusivity, I always end up learning so much from other people as well.
“the students play a huge part in making ringling feel like a safe space”
LATINX HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION
Student Spotlights
ANNAYA GERBER & WILL MAURICETTE
SHE/HER MONROE, WI
ANNAYA LOVES
WILL LOVES
HE/HIM HINCHE, HAITI
Sunset walks at the beach
Sunny days with friends
Dancing!
Riding motorcycles and dirtbikes
Hosting Ringling Feud
Supporting and cheering for friends
What is life like at Ringling College? Hear from our students on what makes their time here unique —from clubs to internships and everything in between.
What role do sports play in your life here at Ringling?
Annaya: I am the President of the Ringling College Dance Team. We put together shows for the campus community and perform at basketball games. We also host shows like the Halloween Show, Holiday Show, and our big Spring Show at the end of the year.
What organized sports do you do here at Ringling?
Will: I am the captain of the basketball team, we practice twice a week and mentor kids from the Sarasota Housing Authority. I also play soccer in Scott Plaza with the Soccer Club.
How big of a role do sports play in both of your campus lives?
Sports are a great way to get students involved and active outside of their classes. It also gives you the opportunity to discover new interests and spark new relationships. Between our 11 clubs, there is something for everyone and always an event. College is all about the experience. They keep us healthy and active and are a good stress reliever when the workload grows. It’s just fun to hang out with your friends.
Student Spotlights
ALMENDRA KOVAC
Playing board games
Working out at the Fitness Center
Playing on my Switch
SHE/HER MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
LOVES
What is life
like
at Ringling College?
Hear from our students on what makes their time here unique —from clubs to internships and everything in between.
Have you had any internships?
I had a two-month camera internship at LAIKA Studios, an award-winning feature film stop-motion animation studio in the summer of my third year. Career Services was essential in helping me prepare— they helped me put together my resume, shared examples on how to write cover letters, and gave tips to prepare for interviews. Plus, my many on-campus jobs expanded my filmmaking skills and my teamwork skills, as well as improved my ability to interview for jobs.
How was it?
It was such a fulfilling experience. I learned a lot, I met a ton of people who were excited to share their passions and teach me about their work. They gave me so many opportunities to get involved in the making of the feature film they were producing, Wildwood. It was amazing to get to work in the studio that made films that meant so much to me, like Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls, and get to work with the people who made them and hear about their experiences!
“it was amazing to get to work in the studio that made films that meant so much to me”
ROT, THESIS FILM WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ALMENDRA KOVAC CINEMATOGRAPHY BY MILENA MONTERO
Student Spotlights
SANDRA LEE
SHE/HER CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE
LOVES
Learning new skills at the Makerspace
Plein Air Club
Galleries’ Art Walk events
Can you tell us about an experience that transformed your practice?
I’m involved in the The Lazarus Engaged Learning Assistantship program, which provides leadership, project development, and collaborative opportunities through service-oriented experiences. I’ve also been working with Transition Sarasota, a local nonprofit committed to reducing food waste— which led to my interest in design activism, social design, and climate resilience.
What is life like at Ringling College? Hear from our students on what makes their time here unique —from clubs to internships and everything in between.
You’ll love it here.
See something new every time you visit
Art Museum For credits, see page 158
Sarasota is home to two major art museums, a botanical garden with rotating art exhibitions, and an artist residency that attracts global icons. The 40 miles of coastline along our city features beautiful beaches, mangroves, and hiking trails. From the skatepark to the markets and sidewalk eateries downtown, there is plenty to keep you out in the fresh air.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Explore 12 Creative Disciplines.
Majors
Business of Art and Design
Computer Animation
Creative Writing
Entertainment Design
Film
Fine Arts
Game Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Motion Design
Virtual Reality Development
Visual Studies
Minors
Art History
Business of Art and Design
Creative Writing
Environmental Studies
Film Studies
Fine Arts
Undergraduate Certificates
Artificial Intelligence
Author-Illustrator
Gender and Sexuality Studies
Graphic Design
Photography
Virtual Reality Development
Visual Development
Virtual Production
Business of Art and Design Leading creative industries.
CLIENT
THE CHALLENGE
Create a brand awareness campaign targeting and engaging the next generation of animation lovers.
THE PROCESS
We conducted interviews to discover our audience’s needs and gather key insights.
We interpreted this information and created our brand awareness campaign named “Generation Animation.”
We designed a campaign that would appeal to 18-25 year olds, engage young investors, and expand brand recognition.
Our client presentation went great!
HERE’S WHAT WE PRESENTED TO THE CLIENT
• Brand strategy pitch deck and printed booklet
• Interactive scavenger hunt and coordinating app
• Branded keychains and merchandise
• Social media strategy and design assets
more
Pencilish Animation Studios Brand Awareness Campaign: Generation Animation Sam Grimm, Ellie Massing, and Rebe Chen
View
student work
We redefine what business means. Our program emphasizes versatile skills like design thinking, brand strategy, project management, and team leadership expertise. You’ll be prepared for a range of professional roles such as producer, brand strategist, marketing manager, creative director, or entrepreneur, among many others.
Startup Business Model Design
The pet industry is rapidly growing and is expected to be worth $275 billion by 2030 due to the continued humanization of animal companions.
Our research revealed a problem faced by many pet parents: While all dog breeds need daily exercise and playtime, outdoor dog parks present many uncertainties and limitations for pet owners.
94% of pet owners enjoy creating new memories with their dogs
95% of pet owners view their pets as family members
SOLUTION
From these research insights, the concept for Waggle was developed. Waggle is an indoor, climate-controlled dog park that provides members with an immersive environment that enriches the bond between the pet parent and dog; all while encouraging exploration, reducing boredom, and promoting positive behavior.
Startup Business Model Design
SUN•E Sarasota County Area Transit Brand Strategy
Luna Krizan, Sophie Schönbach
Tbilisi Loves You Tourism Campaign Strategy & Design
Tekla Khantadze
Waggle
Kia Dixon, Nereyda Manzana, Ellie Massing, and Gabby Pierre
Computer Animation Bringing imaginary worlds to life.
All my professors worked in the animation industry
CA Alumni Win Emmys!
Create characters, bring them to life, and tell their stories. Learn to design, paint, model, texture, animate, light, composite, and edit original films—all from faculty with professional experience at your favorite animation studios.
#1 3D Animation School in the U.S. for Production Excellence —The Rookies
Computer Animation students have won 17 student Academy Awards since 1998
A B
Bonbon Voyage Emma Ream
Octopus Ninja Donghoe Kim
Bad Dog Erin Malfi
Bent Out of Shape Chloe Merwin
Beyond The Farm Allison Fraidenburg
Cheeky Jack Yuster
Creative Writing Crafting compelling narratives.
Brainstorming
asked Eomma to stand instead. As much as I loved my late grandmother, it was hard not to buckle down in defeat.
Just as I was about to let my arms fall, fully prepared to close the umbrella and become soaked by the incessant rain, my savior came in the form of my worrying mother.
“Aster! You look so pale. Why didn’t you ask me to help? And you’re not even wearing a raincoat! I thought I raised you better than this,” Eomma lectured, and soon I was smothered in a jacket my mother seemed to grab from thin air. Laughing at her antics now would be inappropriate, given the solemn atmosphere, but I managed a small smile at her fretting. She never changed, in all twenty-six years of my existence.
Creative Writing and Film students eligible for the prestigious Carl Foreman Award
Craft engaging narratives while immersed in an art-centric environment. As a Creative Writing student, you will learn from practicing professionals and close interaction with visiting authors, agents, editors, and publishers. You can also choose to concentrate in scriptwriting, word and image, or game writing.
Craft engaging narratives for scriptwriting, word and image, and game writing all while immersed in an art-centric environment.
Our alumni have published in The New York Times, The Writer, midnight & indigo, and elsewhere, and work at Art House Literary, Penguin Publishing, Walt Disney, and MIT, among others.
Create themed spaces and environments that bring your stories to life. Entertainment Design students develop unforgettable experiences for theme parks, museums, concerts, sporting events, hotels, restaurants, and more.
Live on Mars Nate Leahy, Sam Salfali, Beck Perez
The World of Aetera, Cart Design Ally Jacobson
Dada! Avery Frost, Maha Yousaf, Ethan Moore, Brian Gweon, Dave Scheele
Mote Marine Aquarium Blaine Zweifel
Dada!, a collaborative project bEtween Graphic Design and Entertainment Design took home a Gold ADDY award!
A B Erenaida Stella Pappi Iconic Inn Kirsten Riser
State-of-the-art facilities: the Ringling College Studio Labs
A day behind the camera!
Award-winniNG studENt films
Immerse yourself in a world of visual storytelling. As a Film major you will learn every aspect of the craft, from screenwriting to cinematography and sound to post-production —all while working on real-world projects and on a professional soundstage.
Full credits for film productions can be found on page 158
Top 20 Film School by The Hollywood Reporter
Top 25 Film School by MovieMaker
Top 25 Film School by The Wrap
Top Entertainment School by Variety magazine
At work in my persONal studio space ON CAMPUS
Grow your technical and conceptual skills, while fostering an awareness of the historical and contemporary contexts for your work. Strengthen your critical thinking alongside techniques in painting and drawing, photography and media, printmaking, and sculpture.
Liberty Jesse Clark
The Firefly (3) Lizi Budagashvili
The Firefly (5) Lizi Budagashvili
D E F Tethered Alé Salamán Solitude Athena Nugent Sacred Vanity Emma Doing
A B C Quiet Summit Triptych Iikkamatti Hauru
Last of the Gods Alexi Johnstone Geborgenheit Chanya Cserépy
Beautiful Guilt Ren Anan
Abundance Arcell Salunga
Revelations 22:1 Arcell Salunga
Game Art Creating
See game art videos
#4 in the U.S. for Game Design and Development
—The Rookies
Bring worlds to life. Learn the mechanics of game design, textures, lighting, and player engagement while developing a high-level understanding of storytelling and world-building with access to leading software used by pros.
A Bloodlust Laela Russell
in the Princeton RevieW Game Design Rankings
A B Ruins Rose Pris Chng Against God’s Will Jonah Ko B Game Art featured
Graphic Design Creating meaningful solutions.
i’m always inspired by the work of my peers
For image credits, see page 158
See our SPACE
Bring your designs to life. Craft bold, eye-catching designs for print and digital media that help businesses, products, nonprofits, events, and spaces stand out. We even have a creative design hub where students and professional staff work side by side to create the College’s professional materials.
Top Graphic Design School —GDUSA
GDUSA names two Graphic Design students as Students to Watch
A B
Kitschy Katz Loiter Boards Bella Thompson
Frank’s Red Hot Avery Frost
Vice Indigeneity Sandra Lee
D E
D E Fluttr Ivy Jenkins
Re+Conference Bella Race and Lorenzo Frepoli
Zipp Spark’s Tattoo League Ivy Jenkins
Bullzei Fashion Brand Alexander Levielle
Alt_F Conference Jocelyn Williams and Hannah Mahler
Tbilisi Tako Pharsenadze
Illustration Visualizing ideas and stories.
Sunny weather + plein air painting = perfect day
See more illustrations
Put your imagination to work in the publishing, entertainment, travel, tech, and gaming industries, among many others.
While learning the fundamentals in both traditional and digital media, you will craft images that tell stories and evoke powerful emotions. Choose between illustration and visual development emphases in your sophomore year.
The Society of Illustrators awarded 30 Illustration students 37 awards, more than any other art school in the USA
Travel Poster Catherine Vo
Girl Ati Gor
Too Clever Fox Izzy Robe
Morning Light Iris Xu
Fantasy Emory Kjelsberg
Seasons Ryan Huang
Tree Design Sam Zapolla
Becoming Miriam Schapiro Sky Chandler
Break Parker Purath
Monster & Hero Nova Reynoso
Shell Meghan Hoffmann
Motion Design
Design in motion for any screen.
collaborating with my classmates (who have become my friends)
My stop motion animation is coming together!
on Vimeo now
Push the boundaries of visual communication and technology by integrating animation, design, video, typography, stop motion, and sound. Motion Designers use their vis-com skills as 2D & 3D animators, UX/UI designers, VFX artists, title sequence designers, storyboard and pre-viz artists, content creators, graphic designers, and art directors.
Fashion Steven Dvornik and Yael Bloom
of Femme
Buck and Sol Bourdeau Garcia
Wired Explainer Mia Mu and YiRan Wang
Thesis Josh Young
City of Glass Title Sequence Anastassia Kovach
Virtual Reality Development Creating immersive experiences.
Process work for senior thesis Gamma Garden by Tong Liu
Learn to combine creativity, logic, and design in our Virtual Reality Development program.
Create immersive realities that can change the world. As a VR developer, you will design immersive experiences that inform, educate, and entertain, contributing to the ongoing revolution of industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, architecture, and education.
Work by Rookie of the Year: Immersive Media finalist, Tianran (Troy) Xia
A B Tower Climber Robert Day Windmill VR Thesis Tianran (Troy) Xia
Build your own degree with a curriculum directed by you, combining a liberal arts education with up to three minors. Students develop nimble thinking skills, deliver sharp critical analysis, and communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively.
Warring Kingdoms Zhifeng Wei
Nganda Fenda Maria Holden DeFreitas
Mesmeric Giovanna Ciaramella
D E In Search of Belonging: Berlin Chutiphon Phisitthanadun
Orion Jay Suchower
The Immortal Shrine Zhaojin Jiang
Carmilla Reimagined Dallas Reynolds
D E Zodiac Katie Bonner
Diptych Mafer Bencomo Arevalo
Liberal arts for creatives.
Ringling’s Liberal Arts program helps students expand their understanding of the social, political, and ideological components of art and creativity. Taught by artists, designers, and scholars, Liberal Arts classes dive into topics like gender and sexualities, forensic psychology, global history, mythology, architecture, climate change and the environment, art history, world cinema, and much more.
Jump into your major in the first year.
Confidence and technique take time to master. So we don’t waste a minute. Like all artists and designers at the start of their career, you’ll need to understand the basics of drawing, design, and color. But at Ringling College, we tailor these freshman foundation courses to the specific needs of our different disciplines. An animator sketches differently than an illustrator, and a filmmaker uses light differently than a photographer, so we’ve designed informed, focused, and highly-specialized courses that let our freshmen jump immediately into meaningful projects that connect directly to the majors they want to pursue.
Student Spotlights
At Ringling College, we believe in the transformative power of creativity. Step into the lives of Ringling students, a world where imagination knows no bounds.
NOSIPHO VILAKAZI
SHE/THEY JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
LOVES Taking walks along the campus Bayou
Hanging out at Shelf Indulgence
Finding secret spots to work
What are you up to outside of class?
I have been working at Sarasota Art Museum as a studio programs assistant this year. It has been amazing so far. The Education Department does a lot of great work at the Museum with their studio programs and I am learning how everything works, which is very beneficial for me since I am an aspiring museum professional.
Student Spotlights
MOTION DESIGN SENIORS
1ST PLACE WINNERS OF THE 24 HOURS INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION CONTEST
LOVES TO TEAM Design
Compete Collaborate Win!
SeHee Kim (she/her)
Anastassia Kovach (she/her)
Alex Cho (he/him)
Hannah Nguyen (she/her)
Hei Kuok (she/her)
At Ringling College, we believe in the transformative power of creativity. Step into the lives of Ringling students, a world where imagination knows no bounds.
What was it like to compete in the 24 hours Animation contest?
We had to really plan out our schedule for the whole 24 hours in blocks. We also had to get used to each other’s working styles very abruptly, but we emphasized clear communication, so it wasn’t too hard to figure things out!
How have your four years at Ringling prepared you for career success?
Motion Design provides so many networking opportunities, from the Motion Mixer, where you meet upperclassmen to FutureProof where industry professionals are invited to speak, give advice, and review our portfolios to see if we’re a good fit for their company!
“Competing against 431 teams from 104 different schools was very intense! Winning made it all worth it!”
Student Spotlights
MOBTAGHA BEJAOUI AMOURI
MOTION DESIGN SENIORS
HE/THEY
LOVES Making food with friends
Walking downtown
Having crepes from C’est La Vie
MATEUR, TUNISIA
At Ringling College, we believe in the transformative power of creativity. Step into the lives of Ringling students, a world where imagination knows no bounds.
Tell us about your project Genesis. What is it?
Genesis is an emergent and ever-evolving space for people who are passionate about fashion to come together and create a yearly fashion show. Our values hold creativity and sustainability in high regard. Fashion is about storytelling. I wanted the show to marry the world of theatrics and fashion.
What did you learn from it?
The show helped me bloom into a creative director and understand the responsibilities that come with it. It also taught me to expect the unexpected, to reach out for help, and to dream big, even if you are starting with a zero budget or if it’s your first project. Establishing connections with people on campus was vital—we worked with people from almost every major in the school! As the Americans say, go big or go home.
“genesis helped me bloom into a creative director”
GENESIS SUSTAINABLE FASHION SHOW
Student Spotlights
DIEGO VILLARREAL
LOVES Going to the beach
Visiting Selby Gardens
Hanging out in the Design Center
HE/HIM CARACAS, VENEZUELA
At Ringling College, we believe in the transformative power of creativity. Step into the lives of Ringling students, a world where imagination knows no bounds.
Did you always know you wanted to be an artist and a designer?
I always knew that I wanted to bridge the gap between art and business management. I figured out that all of this can be done in graphic design, and art direction. In Graphic Design, I have been able to conceptualize and strategize projects and see them to their final stage.
Can you tell us about a big project you took on?
This year, I took the role of Art Director for LIGATURE SHOW XIV: DIMENSIONS, an exhibition showcasing typographic excellence that is organized by the Type Club. This position taught me how to collaborate with a group of designers and tackle large-scale projects such as exhibitions.
“I’ve grown so much as a designer working in this environment that encourages exploration even if it doesn’t make it to the final cut.”
LIGATURE SHOW XIV
Student Spotlights
ANTARA DAVE
LOVES Sketching at Ringling Museum
Attending musical theater shows
Running outdoors
What is your favorite club?
I was co-president of the Figure Enhancement Workshop (FEWS), a figure drawing club that meets three times a week to draw figure models from life. It is a great place to experiment with media, technique, and style since it’s an open space to create whatever you feel like without worrying about a grade. I really enjoyed setting up the model stand creatively and drawing from live models regularly— I filled up so many sketchbooks.
THEY/THEM PUNE, INDIA
At Ringling College, we believe in the transformative power of creativity. Step into the lives of Ringling students, a world where imagination knows no bounds.
day volunteering at Orange Blossom Community Garden
A place where memories are made.
Screen printiNG t-shirts and bags
Living the campus life!
gamiNG with friENds in the Esports louNGe
Ringling College is a fun, supportive community that has tons to offer outside of class. Our intimate campus encourages social engagement, and our staff organize off-campus adventures like kayaking, hiking, and scuba diving. It’s easy to find a pickup basketball game, join a video game tournament, or just chill with your friends in a student lounge.
Sell your work at Artist’s Alley
celebrate Diwali with new friends
Annual Genesis Fashion show
Making zines with The Makers CLUB
International Student Potluck dinner
Performing with Belgian artist Lieven De Boeck at Sarasota Art Museum
Figure Drawing —Costume Night
The Brickhouse Drag Club
Figure Enhancement Workshop
TTRPG Club
Themed EntertainmENt AssociatiON
Dance Team
The Makers CLUB
Explore our many campus clubs and activities and find friends, who share the same interests as you do.
beach + Frisbee = awesome!
Music club
Dodgeball
Student Government
Find a team you enjoy, or start one yourself!
Joining a team sport is a great way to get some exercise while hanging out with your friends.
Compete against local colleges in basketball, volleyball, and so much more.
Play volleyball outside–year-round! Our dance team rocks!
Ringling Rollers Esports team
Join our championship-winning Esports team and get a chance to earn scholarships.
Compete and have fun gaming with friends while learning and growing through creative opportunities and events.
Nurturing creativity. Caring for wellness.
Ringling cares for the whole student with a well-stocked fitness center, on-campus health clinic, and free counseling and mental health services.
Stay active in the fitness center.
Our on-campus Health Center
Unwind during Paws and relax
We celebrate diversity.
Ringling College celebrates inclusivity and diversity in all forms—national origin, religion, physical characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, health, or any other factor. The College works to empower students, graduates, faculty, and staff to celebrate their differences in an environment of trust and respect.
Whoever you are, you are welcome here.
At RINGLING, everyone is welcome. Check out OUR STUDENT LIFE EVENTS and connect with peers and colleagues.
Our students come from more than 50 different countries and nearly every U.S. state
Alumni Spotlights
After years of working hard and prepping for exciting careers ahead, our grads thrive in their creative fields.
JORDAN MCBARNETT ’23
MOTION DESIGNANTARASENIORS DAVE
he/him MOTION DESIGNER FOR THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
What was a project or an experience that you found valuable, and why?
One valuable project during my sophomore year was the Abstract Title Sequence (ABS). The assignment was significant for me. I gained a deeper understanding of cinematic compositions and storytelling through visual language. It earned me a nomination at South by Southwest 2022 (SXSW) alongside professional title sequences from renowned studios.
THEY/THEM CITY, INDIA
What advice do you have for current and prospective students?
Stepping out of your comfort zone, both academically and personally, sets you apart and leads to remarkable achievements. The most successful students and alumni are those who explore beyond their comfort zones while prioritizing their physical health and sleep. This balanced approach enhances time management and enriches the overall Ringling experience.
Alumni Spotlights
KRISTEN YUAN ’21
she/her STORY ARTIST FOR NETFLIX
How did Ringling help prepare you for the professional world?
Ringling has definitely prepared me for the professional world—because the Computer Animation program requires you to handle every part of the pipeline, I feel like I have an edge in my job. I can think like my director would and sense what they’re looking for since I was basically the director for my thesis film.
What advice do you have for current and prospective students?
Make friends! They’ll become your network in the future, and you’ll learn the most from each other. Most of what I’ve learned on the job has been from my coworkers.
After years of working hard and prepping for exciting careers ahead, our grads thrive in their creative fields.
What kind of value do you feel creativity holds in today’s society?
As a creative you take your experiences, filter them, and make decisions that are unique to you. The result of what each artist distills reflects their lived life, values, and aspirations. Media today is an expression of our values as humans as a collective society—bravery, empathy, resilience, humility—just as ancient myths served that same purpose in the past. Creativity is our humanity. Even outside of art in sectors like tech, advancements are made through creative problem-solving.
“Do your best to find what grounds you in your art and enjoy the process of making —eventually, it’ll resonate and you’ll be where you need to be.”
POSTER FOR SHORT FILM: GASLIGHT
Alumni Spotlights
GABBY SCIANNA ’21
MOTION DESIGNANTARASENIORS DAVE
THEY/THEM CITY,
INDIA
she/her ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR & PHOTOGRAPHER, HOLLISTER CO.
How did Ringling help prepare you for the professional world?
Ringling helped me gain the confidence to jump right into my career. Having endless studio hours and 1:1 experiences with my professors left me ready to be a full-time photographer.
What was a project or an experience that you found valuable, and why?
The importance of planning and creating ideation presentations before starting on a project—all of the little details that go into that are essential in the professional world. We plan our photo shoots in detail for weeks, including our photoshoot concept, locations, models, clothing, and light references. I remember making these for almost every project at Ringling.
After years of working hard and prepping for exciting careers ahead, our grads thrive in their creative fields.
DALLAS REYNOLDS ’23
MOTION DESIGNANTARASENIORS DAVE
they/them JR. CG LIGHTING ARTIST FOR LAIKA STUDIOS
How did Ringling help prepare you for the professional world?
I valued all of the experiences I had outside the classroom—working at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Student Activities Office, and Admissions—they allowed me to work with a variety of students and staff with many different life experiences. This prepared me to work in an increasingly global and diverse industry.
THEY/THEM CITY, INDIA
What was a project or an experience that you found valuable, and why?
Working on the Executive Board for the Student Government Association during my final year at Ringling, and enacting major shifts in the student experience. We implemented Open Student Forums to hear from students what improvements they wanted to see as well as what was working on campus.
Alumni Spotlights
JOSEPH JANSSEN ’22
MOTION DESIGNANTARASENIORS DAVE
he/him IMMERSIVE LAB ENGINEER FOR GENERAL MOTORS
What was a project or an experience that you found valuable, and why?
My senior thesis brought together all of the skills that I learned throughout my time at Ringling. It was the largest project I’d undertaken while leading a team of fellow artists. I still apply the same lessons and team mindset in my current work.
THEY/THEM CITY, INDIA
What sort of pep talk would you give your freshman self?
Recognize your strengths and limitations and where you have room to grow. Perfectionism is the enemy of every artist—don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way as you develop your craft, this is how you learn.
After years of working hard and prepping for exciting careers ahead, our grads thrive in their creative fields.
How are you combatting fears of AI in your industry/workplace?
At GM, we are looking at strategies to embrace and integrate AI into our workflow to save time and money and provide more opportunities for creative projects. It is a good tool to add to your arsenal and pipeline, not an end-all solution.
What kind of value do you feel creativity holds in today’s society?
It allows us to solve problems in innovative ways. Creativity allows us to broaden our perspective, embrace a sense of adaptability, and eliminate rigid thinking.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way as you develop your craft, this is how you learn.”
Alumni Spotlights
EMILY FRITZ ’20
ANTARA DAVE
MOTION DESIGN SENIORS
What advice do you have for current students?
Please, please, please take advantage of the opportunity you have at Ringling to learn from some of the most creative and talented faculty and peers while you have the chance. You have resources at your fingertips that people all over the country (even the world!) would do anything for, so don’t take it for granted.
THEY/THEM
she/her ACCOUNT MANAGER FOR WATSON DESIGN GROUP
THEY/THEM CITY, INDIA
What sort of pep talk would you give your freshman self?
You don’t need to have it all figured out! Just explore the things that pique your interests and try as much as possible— it’s the only way you’ll learn what you like. While it’s also important to practice selfcare and ensure you take time to rest, the late nights are almost always worth it, and you’ll never regret pushing yourself to be your best.
After years of working hard and prepping for exciting careers ahead, our grads thrive in their creative fields.
What’s your dream job?
David Guo, Animator at Dreamworks
Allyssa Ellis, Art
Director at Leo Burnett
Lizi BudagasHvIli MFA at New York Academy of Art and recENtly had a solo show in ViENna
Michael Yates Director at Pixar
Bella Cicci Scenic Artist at Nassal
Darci Howell Production Artist at Warner Brothers Discovery
Zoë Miolla Designer at NickelodeON
Payton AssociateOdiernoLightiNG Artist at Blizzard Entertainm
Alva Christo Yoshe Wijaya Freelance Photographer
Emily ConceptGarfinkle Artist & Illustrator at Disney Live Entertainment
Ellie Winslow, Sr. Associate Brand Strategist at Prophet
Megan Dudley Junior Technical Artist at ILM Immersive
Zora EditorialPruittAssistant at Penguin Young Readers
Holden DeFreitas Freelance 3D Product Artist at Hallmark
Career Preparation
No matter where you are in your career journey, we have resources to help. For Ringling students and alumni, we offer training and career preparation services, such as job search strategies, resume reviewing, interview training, and portfolio building.
We bring recruiters from top creative companies around the world to deliver presentations and interview students.
You can attend career events, ask questions, and get the information you need to plan and make thoughtful choices about your future.
INDEX = Industry Experience
As Ringling College of Art and Design’s professional education initiative, INDEX brings real business challenges into the classroom.
INDEX provides students with the opportunity to test drive their talents, broaden their professional networks, and work with some of the most innovative companies and organizations in the world, which, in turn, provides unique opportunities and strategic solutions to businesses seeking innovation and inspiration.
Ringling College and The Patterson Foundation partnered in 2012 with the shared goal to strengthen the creative workforce of tomorrow. INDEX continues the legacy of this partnership by aggregating the myriad experiential opportunities the College has long offered.
Students collaborate on projects for real-world clients, including Rush, a table-top gaming company, and PINC, a creative conference in Sarasota.
Wet Dog Corp. VR Game in Collaboration with Flight School
Cain Hopkins, AJ Mize, and MaKayla Hensley
Porter Family Wine Labels
Brenna Thummler, Veronica Rabanal, Dion MBD
Digital graphic novels in collaboration with the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Shayna Cohen, Abigail Rajunov, Ezra Gaeta
Foodcourt Design in collaboration with the city of Sarasota
Collaboration among various students
A
Our alumni are working in the jobs of their dreams.
No Limits.
You won’t be surprised to learn that Ringling College graduates are at the forefront of the art and design industry around the world. Our alumni animate box office blockbusters, design spaces experienced by millions, and exhibit in globally renowned galleries. But did you know that a number of Ringling graduates work for the CIA? Or the Orlando Magic? Or General Motors?
The range of jobs open to artists and designers is huge. And it’s getting bigger every day.
Your creative journey starts here. What will your story be?
Discover your story through a tour, or visit us during Open House. To plan your visit, contact our Admissions Office at admissions@ringling.edu or call 941-309-0195.
Schedule a tour online at: www.ringling.edu/plan-a-visit
Produced by
Ringling College Design Center
Jennifer Mumford Brady, Director
Holly Antoszewski ʼ98, Associate Director
Laura Bucholtz ʼ04, Graphic Designer
Published by
Ringling College of Art and Design, Office of Admissions
Concept and Design
Sandra Lee ’24, sandralee.design
Tako Pharsenadze ’24, takopharsenadze.com
Project Manager
Nefeli Protopsalti ’24, itsnefeli.com
End Page Design
Bella Thompson ’26
Editorial
Chelsea Garner-Ferris
Amanda Walters
Photography
Karen Arango ’13, karenarango.com
Savannah Carroll ’26, savannahcarroll.format.com
Ryan Gamma, ryangammaphotography.com
Sarasota Images: Visit Sarasota County
Guest Photographers
Ryan Moore ’24
Cecilia Marty ’26
Gaby Quintanilla ’24
Lucas McFarland ’23
Xiang Li ’24
Riley Moore ’26
Phoebe Smucker ’27
Alyzea Rodriguez ’24
Emily Kang ’25
Mafer Bencomo Arevalo ’23
Jesse Clark ’23
Brad Battersby
Tom Carabasi
Matthew Holler ’11
Nancy Nassiff, Elan Photography
Artwork (page 20)
Installation view of The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion exhibition at Sarasota Art Museum, May 28, 2023 – September 17, 2023. Photo: Ryan Gamma
Student Work Credits
Computer Animation (page 32-33)
Amanda Mai
Elena Serenko
Skylar Levine
Entertainment Design (page 46-47)
Ally Jacobson
Sophie Ruiz
Stella Pappi
Brian Gweon
Nate Leahy
Sam Salfali
Beck Perez
Film
Curtain Call (page 54-55)
Will Mauricette: Writer, Director, Co-Sound Designer
Calvin Callins Jr.: Writer, Director, and Sound Designer
Lucas McFarland: Producer
Justin James Colón: Producer
Jackson Fowler: Cinematographer
Daniel Webster: Production Designer
Ethan Paonessa: Editor
Blinds Wide Open (page 61)
Ben Sutherland: Writer and Director
Ana Brighton: Producer
Jeno Broschofsky: Cinematographer and Editor
John Baxter: Production Designer
Jackson Fowler: Production Designer
Justin Lombardi: Sound Designer
Fine Arts (page 62-63)
Christina Antoniou
Lizi Budagashvili
Rick Li
Ro Maiti
Game Art (page 70-71)
Pris Chng
Vivian Tan
Graphic Design (page 78-79)
Daniel Mainou Reyes
Samantha Mandato
Katelyn Matikonis
Matthew Abolafia
Emma Stoecklein
Jayden Badillo
Ivy Jenkins
Illustration (page 86-87)
JT Chen
Elena May binti Saini Jeffery
Nova Reynoso
Makaela Striffler
Motion Design (page 94-95)
Hannah Nguyen
Yuki Li
Jisoo Kim
Sehee Kim
Steven Dvornik
Lucia Alonso Eiras
Visual Studies (page 110-111)
Mafer Bencomo Arevalo
Jayce Chung
Ping Ho
End Page Images
Various Ringling College students and alumni
Accreditation
Ringling College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Notice of Non-discrimination
Ringling College of Art and Design does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, gender, color, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law, in its programs or activities.
The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities, or in the context of employment. Sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. (See Ringling College of Art and Design Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy). Title IX requires that:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
To view these policies, visit www.ringling.edu/policies-and-procedures. For inquiries and reporting, contact Lauren Frasser, Title IX Coordinator (941-309-4035) (lfrasser@ringling.edu); Darren Mathews, Assistant Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Deputy Title IX Coordinator (941-359-7619) (dmathews@ringling.edu); or Jekeyma Robinson, Associate Dean of Students for Student Development, Deputy Title IX Coordinator (941-309-4375) (jrobinso@ringling.edu) at Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234.
Every attempt has been made to portray accurate information and give appropriate credit for photographic contributions. We apologize for any errors or omissions.
