Innovative partnership helps alumni, local professionals retool résumé


 

The Studio of Digital Arts, a joint venture between CARTA and an FIU alum, will begin offering courses in digital arts and media spring 2010.

By Sissi Aguila

Florida’s unemployment is at a 34-year high and rising. And experts agree, diplomas no longer hold the promise of guaranteed employment.

After reading the headlines and hearing President Mark B. Rosenberg’s commitment to the community during a President’s Council meeting earlier this year, FIU alum and entrepreneur Eddie Leon ’93, MA’ 98 saw an opportunity to help fellow alumni and his alma mater.
WeeklySpotlight15Leon, president and CEO of Spine 3D – a design company focused on high-quality and reliable production of 3D renderings and cinematic animations – was inspired to open a studio where struggling South Florida professionals could enhance their résumés. Leon and his partner Kevin Smith, who has taught at FIU’s School of Architecture, have partnered with the FIU College of Architecture + the Arts (CARTA) to offer advanced continuing education courses in digital arts and media beginning spring semester 2010 through the Studio of Digital Arts, SODA (not affiliated with the original SODA Leon founded at FIU when he was the university’s webmaster).

“I was moved by the plan’s call for greater engagement within our community and to tie instructional and creative initiatives to local needs,” said Leon of Rosenberg’s “Hit the Ground Running” plan.

One of the hardest hit industries in South Florida has been real estate. “I’ve seen many friends struggle with the current economic climate,” Leon said. “I’ve also seen many local architects and clients struggle to redefine themselves in an increasingly complex digital world. Many never bothered to market themselves in the past when times were good. Now they must learn how to promote themselves and their projects using sophisticated software and online communications.”

Experienced South Florida professionals and visiting digital media experts from around the world will teach the SODA courses in state-of-the-art training facilities at the Spine 3D building on Flagler and LeJeune six days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. The goal is for students to learn skills that blend creativity with technology. New students or practicing professionals can reinforce their current career track or acquire the skills to break into a new field. A certificate of course completion will be given when a course is completed, and SODA will also offer a Digital Designer Certificate with a 6-course training program.

“Since becoming interim dean in April of this past year, I have made it a priority for CARTA to reach out to alumni and they have responded as you might expect – with innovative and creative programming ideas, with renewed enthusiasm for CARTA and for FIU, and with overwhelming generosity,” said Brian Schriner, interim dean of CARTA.

Leon hopes to create a program that will help develop the digital media industry in South Florida. Four FIU grads currently work with Leon and Smith. And as many as 15 alumni have used Spine 3D as a stepping stone for their careers.

“It is our belief that the training we provide will be critical to South Florida’s future competitiveness in an increasingly digital world,” he explained. “Spine 3D owes its success to its mastery of digital media. We believe that others can benefit as well.”

Leon and Smith plan on donating a significant amount of the proceeds to CARTA.



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