Hello. I am an alumni of Freestyle Academy of Communication, Arts and Technology where I studied animation and photography. I really enjoyed the creative opportunities that it offered me.
I value diligence, and resourcefulness, and very much love storytelling. I like to write narratives as well as draw, getting lost in fictional worlds. I am inspired by previous experiences, media, and other thought provoking subjects. Before Freestyle, drawing and writing was simply a secret passion of mine. I had no idea what to do for the future. Family members encouraged me to do what I love most. Then I heard about Freestyle, and after spending just a couple weeks there, I knew animation was what I was going to pursue. Joining the program has produced so many positive results, and handed me the tools to improve on said hobbies, and seek a professional career with them. Freestyle is project based, so instead of assignments due in one day, it is more spread out, giving time to really work on them and polish them, putting forth the best effort possible.
Additionally, the program includes English much more focused on the creative aspect of it, but also includes the necessary skills, like essay writing. In Digital Media, students learn how to work with Photoshop and on websites, using basic photography skills. And finally, in Animation, the projects involve a lot of collaboration and productions are on a set schedule, giving a clear idea of what it could be like professionally. All of this is different to a regular school environment, and is very engaging.
Not only do students learn a lot about how to express ourselves through different mediums, students learn a lot about the world, and how to present our own thoughts and opinions on various subjects.
Overall, it has a very comfortable atmosphere which gives room for experimenting with creativity, and gives many resources to do so. It pushes limits while working in a caring environment.
My final reflection on my experience here at Freestyle is how fortunate I am to have received this opportunity. Previous to Freestyle, I hadn’t gone into art, or really considered it as something I wanted to do. I hadn’t even taken a real art class. I started getting pretty interested in Animation however, and I am grateful that Freestyle offered a course so that I can explore that area, to find out that this was what I wanted for my future. I appreciate how it taught me to think critically and thoroughly, and how it expanded my skills and knowledge concerning technology and softwares in Digital Media, while offering deeply fascinating and relevant topics to learn about in English. I owe a lot to Freestyle. It has influenced me in allowing me to develop a creative mindset, and become more familiar with the subjects needed to start out as an artist. I’m more open to coming up with my own ideas, and learning about lots of different subjects and issues being grappled with today.
Personal Stationary Design Practice
In our Digital Media class, we practiced designing stationary for us, including the phone numbers and contacts for Freestyle instead of our own information. We used Adobe Illustrator to design different items, like a letterhead, business cards, and a resume. I think it was a valuable experience that will definitely come in handy when seeking job opportunities.
