Check out this interview with Centre grad, Chey Kidd who found animation career success after landing their dream role at WildBrain. Read on to find out why Chey chose CAT, how they bring diversity and inclusion to work and what the future holds for this talented Animator.

“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” — John C. Maxwell

Q: How did you hear about the Centre for Arts and Technology and what made you choose us?

A: My mom was thrilled to tell me about CAT when she discovered it online! The class sizes were small, the campus was beautiful, the teachers were kind, and the resources available – like student services, financial services, and career counselling – meant that I would have enough support out on my own. I was always able to simply walk into an office and ask questions without having to wait or rush.

Michael, the Program Advisor, told me that they didn’t want my money if I wasn’t going to genuinely enjoy the program. That’s what sold me. They’re not in it for profit or numbers – they genuinely want to make sure that this experience is going to benefit you.  

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” — Sydney J. Harris

Q: What was the most valuable thing you learned during your program at CAT?

A: CAT prepared me for the real world, not the strict academic success I was used to. I overcame my perfectionism and learned to value work-life balance. I stopped focusing on grades and learned to think about my own growth. I learned how to work towards a client’s vision and communicate clearly. I graduated feeling confident in my skills, my future, my connections, and who I am.

I cannot emphasize how personal and beautiful these courses are: you get to work closely with industry professionals. You are a person here, not a number. 

Many students are neurodivergent – like me – and CAT’s student services, financial services, and a widespread array of professionals helped me through everything. They are fast, kind, thorough, and patient. You’ll be surrounded by people who quickly become your best friends.

“Quantity Leads to Quality” – Chey Kidd

Q: Any advice to share with someone considering a career in animation or enrolling in one of CAT’s animation programs?

A: CAT is one of the best ways you can invest in yourself. Utilize every opportunity here – technology, equipment, knowledge, connections, socializing, teaming-up, events, contests, etc.

Don’t be afraid to talk to professors: ask them questions beyond the class material.  

Quantity leads to quality, so practice every chance you get: muscle memory for keystrokes, buttons, tools, etc., will make everything a thousand times easier. 

“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” — Verna Myers

Q: Where are you working now and what is your role?

A: I’m a mid-level Character Animator at WildBrain Studios working on LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising. I’m basically a digital puppeteer that makes everything move, including characters, clothing, vehicles, animals, items, and all kinds of elemental powers.

I’m also a member of the Diversity and Inclusion committee, which focuses on celebrations and solutions to make WildBrain a beautifully inclusive and diverse workplace. 

Q: We’ve heard you’ve worked on cool projects/titles! We’d love to hear about some of your career highlights so far. 

A: Alas, most things are under an NDA currently. However, I will say it’s been surreal to animate well-known characters like Po from Kung Fu Panda!  

Future Ventures: From LEGO Adventures to Community Impact

Q: What’s on the horizon for you? (Please include career and personal projects) 

 A: I am and will always be an overachiever. That means I’m usually quite busy with all kinds of things, from grants and projects to community and hobbies. 

I certainly hope to continue working on LEGO shows, as the little characters are absolutely adorable, and their world is full of adventure, creativity, and surprises. 

I’m also building a small business that creates sensory friendly hoodies for adults, mentoring youth who have brilliant solutions to aid the Canadian mental-health crisis (CoLab), and constantly creating new artwork in my community. (I’ve attached a pic from the Vernon “Art Battle” last year, where I competed against other teams to complete a massive piece of artwork in under 4 hours at Polson Park. I won!) 

Thanks for sharing with us Chey, your words were inspirational and we’re so honoured to have been a part of your journey.  

To see more of Chey’s work, make sure to check out their Instagram and LinkedIn! 

For complete details on our animation programs, please visit our 2D Animation & Digital Art page or our 3D Animation page.  

The post Animation, Inclusion, and Success: A CAT Grad’s Inspiring Journey appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

Scoring The Skies!

Q: What are you doing now?  

A: I’m currently writing a score for video footage taken from the recent Comox airshow. This one has been a very ambitious task; it’s a 22-minute video of different planes, all needing music that changes with what’s on-screen and covering a wide range of genres and requests from the videographer. This project has also caught the interest of aviation company Nav Canada, 

who is planning on writing a short story on me as well.  

In addition, (meaning at the same time, haha) I also recently finished a chip-tune score for a game-jam, an event where a small team and I made a video game in 72 hours. I also work on personal music commissions, some being simple song requests, and some being more elaborate scores for projects. For example, I’ll be doing the music for an indie episodic series later this summer, as well as a handful of student animations and films.  

As for my own projects, I work every day to expand my catalogue of music for my Spotify releases, and YouTube channel and just to further practice my craft. Lately I’ve been finding quite a bit of success in recording my writing process and explaining how I go about doing it in the form of YouTube videos. I usually spend some time writing, and then a very long time editing and putting it all together.   

And finally, arguably the most important thing I do is networking. Almost every day, I reach out to music figures and studios all over the country for insight and opportunities. I’ve had the pleasure of touring some studios in Vancouver, meeting post-production mixers, and having Zoom calls with real composers throughout Canada. I recently spoke with a producer in Vancouver who is putting me in touch with several more post-production people, which is always a good time.   

You certainly have to put the time in!  

It’s The Little Things That Matter

Q: Tips for current audio Students? 

A: Take it from me: everything you’re learning or will learn takes time. What may seem trivial or boring will come back later and suddenly be the most important thing in your life. Practice 

Everything and build a foundation of the basic skills. As with most other things in life, if you have an awesome grasp of the basics, you will soar through the rest. Seriously, trust me on that. Please regularly practice everything you’re given and hone your craft!   

As I’m sure everyone knows, music, being part of the arts, is such a niche and can be an unforgiving industry. So that’s why I strongly recommend reaching out to people and making connections whenever you can. I cold-called/cold-emailed over 100 places within a couple months; some never got back to me, some did and made it worth my effort. You have nothing to lose; that’s the mentality I kept.   

When I met with some composers over Zoom, one of them explained to me that people in the music industry love to help those who are new because that was them at one point. Everyone who has “made it” knows exactly what you’re going through now, so they are eager to help you if you put the effort in. The same composer told me that eventually, I will pass on the torch, which is a cool concept. Show that you care, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make those connections! Even while you’re still in school, I would encourage you to start seeing what’s out there. It’s all about who you know, and job opportunities often happen through word-of-mouth, I’m learning. 

Finally, I wanted to say that music is an artform and meant to be fun. I totally understand how school and getting your career together can be very stressful. I’m still very much in that mode right now. But if you enjoy what you do, it’ll all be worth it, and if the people you meet see that you are passionate, they will care to help out.   

Whenever I tell people how I’m able to compose music as fast as I do, I tell them it’s because I’m having fun and I’m not overthinking it. If you need inspiration for your next song, just jump into it for fun. If you’re doubting yourself on a Pro Tools exam, try not to overthink it. Please enjoy the music world. School is intense, trust me, I know, but it can be such a blast if you let yourself enjoy it.   

Lessons Learned

Q: What was the most valuable thing you learned in your program? 

A: Before CAT, I was a pianist with dreams of composing for film/TV/video games. After CAT, I still have those same dreams, but now I can fluently operate the software I need to make it happen, as well as have all the technical background to further those ambitions.  

For me, the most important thing for me to learn was how to use Pro Tools to map out my ideas for writing music to be in time with visuals. Adding markers, understanding timecode and its meters and finding solutions to match your ideas… That’s what film scoring is all about!  

Here’s an additional tip that’s a bit more general:  

While learning all the software like Ableton, Pro Tools and the like is essential, the most valuable things I learned were in the realm of real-world application. I had a very musical background coming into the program, so the stuff that follows all that was most important for me. Stuff like how to advertise yourself in a resume, the lingo needed to make important connections and studio etiquette, and the fundamentals in all areas of audio. During my time at CAT, I took nearly 250 pages worth of notes, almost a dozen of those pages being dedicated to quick keys for all the programs we learned. I use most of them every day, enhancing my practice.   

If it hasn’t been burned into your brain already, practice everything. That was another huge takeaway I learned while at school: Everything is important.  

Can You Hear The Future Calling?

Q: What are your long-term goals? 

A: For me, it’s always been about writing music, particularly scores for film/TV/games. I’ve been studying music my whole life, and it is my whole life.   

Eventually, I would love to score a blockbuster, a triple A movie and make my passion known to the world. Mediums like movies and games have always been my favourite way for music to be expressed, whether I’m writing or listening. I just think it’s all amazing.   

In the meantime, in addition to that ambitious goal, I plan to keep releasing music, practicing my skills, meeting more awesome people, taking on projects, and working my way up until I can finally score the picture of my dreams. Just take a step towards it every day!

Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights with us Sam! We’re confident your goal of scoring a blockbuster is on the horizon. To check out some of Sam’s amazing audio work, make sure to check out the links below! 

Website 

YouTube (Aurora Compositions) 

Spotify 

Instagram (@sam_mcelroy_music) 

For complete details on our program, please visit our Audio Engineering & Production program page.  

The post Scoring the Skies: Inside a CAT Grad’s Journey from Student to Pro Composer  appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

Let’s Start at the Beginning Shall We…?

Q: What program(s) did you take at CAT and when did you graduate? 

A: Upon completing my Professional Filmmaking diploma in January 2011, I found myself increasingly drawn to photography. Realizing there were gaps in my knowledge, I decided to enroll in the Professional Photography program, which led to my graduation in April 2014. 

The Sky’s the Limit After Graduation! 

Q: What has life looked like for you since graduating? (career and personal achievements)  

A: Life, like for many others, presented its share of challenges. Yet, since graduating, I’ve welcomed two children, embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, and recently assumed the role of Executive Director at Bears’ Lair Dream Camps. 

Q: What were some of your first career goals after graduating and were you able to achieve them? 

A: Following the completion of both programs, I held a strong desire to launch my own business. It took a few years to transition into full-time entrepreneurship, but eventually, I made it happen. Given my maturity at the time of starting each program, achieving a work-life balance post-graduation didn’t pose much difficulty. 

Q: You mentioned your new position as Executive Director at Bears Lair Dream Camps? Tell us more! 

A: My journey with Bears’ Lair Dream Camps began nearly two years ago when I crossed paths with Geena Jackson, the creator and producer of Bears’ Lair TV. Through filming another project, I learned about her upcoming TV show, which eventually led to me filming behind the scenes for the TV show. This is where I heard of the inception of Bears’ Lair Dream Camps. These camps, designed for indigenous youth, focus on entrepreneurship and life skills development across Canada. Initially, my involvement was limited to filming and photography, but after a couple of camps, I transitioned into a mentoring role. 

It’s All a Balancing Act

Q: CAT programs are intensive, how did you “find your balance” again after graduation? 

A: One of the pivotal lessons I’ve learned is the necessity of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. For me, this involves establishing a dedicated workspace outside of home when working remotely and ensuring work stays at the “office” after hours, whenever possible. While our current team operates at a fast pace, we aim to expand in the future to achieve a better balance. 

Any Wise Words to Share?

Q: Words of advice for up-and-coming creatives? 

A: Adaptability has emerged as another crucial lesson. Whether navigating diverse teaching styles during my studies or coping with the challenges posed by unforeseen events like the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptability has been instrumental in both my personal and professional life. My advice to future students is to embrace adaptability and seize every opportunity to learn, especially in the realm of business, as it forms the foundation for success in self-employment. 

Thanks for sharing with us, Jay. You have a lot to be proud of!  

To see more of Jay’s outstanding work, make sure to check out his Falkus Media website, along with the great work he’s doing at Bears’ Lair Dream Camps! 

If Jay’s story has inspired you, you can check out complete details on our Professional Filmmaking program on our program page! 

The post Balancing Business, Bears, and Babies: Life After CAT Graduation appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

During their visit, students were able to choose from a few interactive program exploration options including activities in Filmmaking, Audio Engineering and Animation (2D Animation & Digital Art and 3D Animation). Check out the gallery below for all the candid shots from their visit. Make sure to check out their portrait gallery blog post as well!

If you’d like your high school class to have this experience, please email us at marketing@digitalartschool.com.

Animation

Audio Engineering & Production

Professional Filmmaking

The post Kamloops School of the Arts Students Visit CAT Campus appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

Make sure to check out our gallery of candids as well!

If you think your high school class would enjoy a similar experience, please reach out to us at marketing@digitalartschool.com

The post Kamloops School of the Arts Students – Portraits appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

Mattaus Crombie, a recent grad from the 2D Animation & Digital Art program, is already turning heads in the animation world. He recently had a short film featured in a local film festival, and we caught up with him to find out more. Let’s dive into his journey, the story behind his festival submission, and what’s next for this up-and-coming animator. 

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” — Albert Einstein

Q: You’ve recently had a short film selected for a local film festival, can you tell us about the process of submitting your film and how it felt to be selected?

A: A while ago, Sean (Animation Department Head) approached myself and a couple of other students who were in the graduate access program and advised those of us who had  

finished our short films to submit them to the Student Okanagan Film Festival. I did so, and a few weeks later I was notified that my film had been selected. I was super honored, and on May 6th, I went to the showing with my family. It was very interesting to see what the other filmmakers had made, and although I didn’t win any of the awards, I had a great time. 

“Take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup.” — Anonymous

Q: As a working artist, how do you maintain a healthy work/life balance? 

A: When I was in my final few quarters, I realized that I was spending a lot more time working at CAT than I was before to get all my projects done. I came to school almost every day, so to avoid getting too burned out, I started going outside for walks during my breaks so that I could get some fresh air, and I could continue my work with fresh eyes. 

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin

Q: What are some things you learned during your time at CAT that you think about often in your career? 

A: CAT taught me so much about the principals of animation, composition, and design, it’s hard to remember sometimes. I began my time here with low confidence in my artistic skills, but comparing my projects from when I began to the final quarter, it’s clear how much my animation skills have improved. 

Q: Any advice to share for younger artists pursuing a career in animation? 

A: Don’t be too hard on yourself. As someone who didn’t have much confidence in my skills going in, it’s important to stay motivated, take in feedback, and remember that you’re your own worst critic. If you keep working hard to improve, you can succeed! 

Thanks for sharing with us Mattaus! We’re rooting for you every step of the way and look forward to watching your career evolve.  

Make sure to check out more of Mattaus’s work on his website! 

The Centre offers two animation diploma programs; 2D Animation & Digital Art and 3D Animation. 

The post Sketches to Screens appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

“Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive.” – Walt Disney 

Recent 2D Animation & Digital Art grad, Jordan Auclair hit the ground running after completing her program early in 2024. This talented animator was recently featured in a local film festival and we wanted to share some behind-the-scenes details! Check out our interview with Jordan below! 

From The Classroom to The Cinema! 

Q: You’ve recently had a short film selected for a local film festival, can you tell us about the process of submitting your film, how it felt to be selected and the details of the festival, where and when can we watch? 

A: Sean (CAT Animation Department Head) was the one that gave me the heads up about the Student Okanagan Film Festival, as he saw it as a great way for the new grads to get their names out there. After learning about the festival, submitting the film was super easy: I just had to fill out a questionnaire with simple info like the title of my film, the duration, what category it fell under, and where I graduated. After that, I included a link to my film along with my Gmail account and submitted my application.  

When I got a response back, I felt incredibly excited and honored, as this was my first time being accepted into a film festival. I was even more surprised when I found out my film was one of the 27 selected from 72 applicants! I didn’t even expect to be contacted, let alone be selected over 45 other films! For those unaware, the Student Okanagan Film Festival celebrates upcoming talent in the Okanagan region by showcasing a variety of student films, including documentaries, music videos, short narratives, experimental films, and animations.  

(The festival took place on May 6th at the Mary Irwin Theatre in Kelowna. You can watch Jordan’s submission, “Penny and the Sugary Scheme” on her website!) 

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott 

Q: As a working artist, how do you maintain a healthy work/life balance? 

A: One thing I do to help maintain a good work/life balance is to remind myself to not hyper-focus on being productive. Sure, it’s great to get work done, but it’s also good to remind yourself that there are other important aspects to your life that need attention as well. Spending time with friends or family, working on a hobby, getting some exercise, or simply taking a break and relaxing are all needed for a healthy lifestyle. Not only will doing this give you a better mindset, but it’ll also make you way more productive in the long run, as it helps prevent burnout. Basically, just remember to slow down every now and then and don’t beat yourself up for not being productive 24/7. 

“Animation is about creating the idea of life in form.” – Hayao Miyazaki 

Q: What are some things you’ve learned during your time at CAT that you think about often in your career? 

A: One of my biggest takeaways from the program was learning to get used to rough drawings. When it comes to making your first sketches, having something rough on the paper is always better than having nothing at all. This was taught to me in almost every class at CAT, from making gestures in life drawing to sketching my first beat boards in storyboarding. All this helped me embrace my rough sketches instead of constantly erasing and undo-ing the first sketch. In turn, this improved my sketching speed and perfectionism, two things I really struggled with before enrolling into CAT. 

Another takeaway I got from CAT was how to strategize time management. One thing you quickly learn as a CAT student is the program has a fast-paced workload that mirrors the schedule of a legit animation studio. While I never struggled with handing work in on time, I did occasionally rush my projects to completion. As I juggled multiple big projects at once, I had to learn strategies to help me manage my work. The best piece of advice I got was to schedule every hour of the next day right before I go to bed, including when I would have breaks. Then, I would set a timer to help me stay on track and know when to switch to something else. This prevented me from getting distracted and watching YouTube for hours during a break, which ended up giving me way more time to get my work done with less stress. 

“A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement.” – Bo Bennett 

Q: What are some of your upcoming goals? 

A: One thing I would like to do this month is get back into creating hand-drawn animations. After being introduced to Toon Boom Harmony in April last year, I haven’t spent a lot of time doing pen-and-paper or tradigital (hand-drawn in a digital software) animations. To help improve my skills and further my understanding of animation fundamentals, I want to start a few small tradigital projects this month. Not only will this improve my abilities as a 2D animator, but it will also open up more career opportunities, as some studios are looking for animators skilled in hand-drawn animation rather than rigged animation. 

Another goal I have is to start another big project, like a webcomic, rig or second short film. That way, I can have something to artistically focus on and improve my skills. One idea I have includes utilizing Victor Cudbuckit, a character I created for Character Design class at CAT, by incorporating him in a larger-scale Wild West setting. I also have some original ideas I’d like to flesh out as well, such as something involving some bug characters I created for a scrapped short film concept. 

“The more you create, the more you learn. The more you learn, the more you create.” – Damien Willis 

Q: Any advice to share for younger artists pursuing a career in animation? 

A: If you’re creating animations for your demo reel, KEEP THINGS SHORT! Try to keep your projects around 5 to 10 seconds. This will give you way more time to polish and fine-tune your work. If you’re in a time crunch (such as making projects for an animation class), it will also make the process way less stressful, as you’re less likely to rush the project to completion. It also makes your demo reel more quick and snappy, which is a huge plus. 

For those who just graduated and are looking for work: it’s important to remember that getting hired immediately after school is challenging, especially for animators. Studios don’t hire unless they’re currently working on projects, and they’re often looking for experienced senior animators. My advice is to not get discouraged, and to try to look for alternatives in the meantime. Try to sell your art online by creating stickers, prints, or opening commissions. Improve your skills by starting a webcomic or a short film. If you have time, start creating a design or storyboarding reel to create more opportunities! If all else fails, there’s also nothing wrong with getting a day job. As long as you keep improving yourself artistically or career-wise, you’re on the right track, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re not getting emails back straight away. 

“Art is not a thing; it is a way.” – Elbert Hubbard 

Thanks for sharing with us Jordan! Your responses are very insightful, and we appreciate you taking the time to give us a sneak peek into your life as an artist!  

You can check out more of Jordan’s work through her website, YouTube and Rookies account, and stay tuned for another update from Jordan in the coming weeks! 

For complete details on our program, please visit our 2D Animation & Digital Art page.  

The post Drawing Success appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

Recent CAT Graphic & Web Design grad, David Fenoulhet has a unique story. After spending nearly 12 years serving in the Canadian Army, David made a “tactical U-turn” when he decided to pursue a new career as a Graphic Designer. Now a successful working designer, David jumped at an opportunity to design a new patch for the Canadian Army! We couldn’t pass on the chance to ask David what this process was like for him as both a designer and former army member.  

Fit for (Design) Duty

Q: David, we’ve featured you before on our social media, but we’ve brought you back to chat about your latest project for the Canadian Armed Forces! Can you tell us how this project came to you? 

A: My old classmate, from when I went to the Royal Military College, who I did my thesis with was just finishing his tour in Kosovo and reached out. He was speaking with the incoming commander, LCol Andrew Vandor, who was looking for a design for his rotation’s patch and recommended that I could help him out. After getting on a video call, I got to speak with them while they were there, and it seemed like a good fit, so we moved ahead with the project. 

The Creative Process

Q: Can you walk us through your creative process for developing the patch? 

A: This was a bit more informal than the process I do with say a logo or website, but I essentially went through a condensed discovery session with them during our first meeting. Asking questions about styles, colours, and particular imagery he (LCol Vandor) wanted to see. He gave me great boundaries, essentially letting me know the patch needed to incorporate the NATO symbol, their Roto (rotation) number of 30, and something to represent both Kosovo and Canada. He also wanted something clean and minimal – in other words not too busy. Other than that, I had a lot of creative freedom to try things out.  

I knew I wanted to try and incorporate the maple leaf and Kosovo country border (which is shown on their flag) together somehow so I began experimenting with ways they could be integrated together. I landed on the negative space cutting into the bottom of the maple leaf with the six stars (again from the Kosovo flag) set above this. I also played around with classic emblem / shield borders as well as a little more unconventional spear / arrowhead one that I thought would stand out from anything done in the past.  

With about four concepts created digitally, I then reduced it down to what I thought were the strongest two. I created some mockups of what they could look like and emailed them off to see which they’d like best. They decided to use both because they liked them so much and had one made in the tactical version and the other in full colour. 

Q: Were there any specific design elements you believed were essential to include in the patch design? 

A: I knew the NATO symbol, the number 30, a Canadian maple leaf, and some element of the Kosovo flag was needed. Other than that, I did some research to learn about some of the conventions of patch making – bold is better, good colour contrast is important for legibility, and to beware of thin black lines. Most of these apply to logo designs too but I was extra careful that the manufacturers would be able to make these easily and that they looked great from digital to textile. 

Q:  Were there any special considerations provided by the Canadian Army you had to incorporate into the design? 
A: To distinguish the patch from other rotations (groups of deploying soldiers), it was important to highlight the number 30 for them. 
 
Q: What do you hope the patch will evoke or inspire in those who wear it as part of their uniform? 
A: Combining the two nations’ symbology into one was done to represent the peacekeeping nature of this mission – a bringing together of soldiers and personnel from both countries. Some of the mandates of Op KOBOLD are to provide security for the country and deter any renewed fighting in Kosovo by Yugoslav & Serb forces as well as support international humanitarian efforts there.  

A Full Circle Moment

H3: A Full Circle Moment 

Q: Why was this a project you wanted to take on? 

A: This was a ‘come full circle’ type of project for me as I am a veteran myself and was in the Canadian Army for almost twelve years before switching careers. Also, I come from a military family and my father actually deployed to Kosovo in the 90’s when I was a young kid. So this was a really cool project to be a part of and made me reflect on those years growing up in a military family, my own career as a soldier, and the new and exciting career in graphic design that I’m trying to create for myself. 

Knock Knock. Who’s there? Artificial Intelligence! 

Q: Moving away from the patch now, what current graphic design trends really excite you as a designer? 

A: Well, I think the biggest thing on the mind of all designers these days is AI. I’m already trying to incorporate these tools into my practice as much as I can into the web design side of my work such as the generative expansion option for photos which has made it so much easier to incorporate even poorly framed images into my designs. It’s also allowed me to completely isolate foreground objects and then generate a seamless background for them which has allowed for some really eye-catching parallax effects on some websites I’ve been working on. AI is a way off from completing something like this patch design and they make pretty bad logos right now, but I am trying to remain optimistic and excited about all of the fun stuff it could help enable us designers to do as a tool, rather than seeing it solely as something that will replace our positions. 

Words from the Wise

Q: Any words of advice to share with up-and-coming designers? 

 
A: To keep it to one thing, I would encourage you to understand your OWN learning process while at CAT and embrace becoming a lifelong learner. In the past few months, I’ve had to learn a completely different web design software; Figma, after Adobe XD looked like it might be permanently shelved. As well as diving into these new AI tools like Chat GPT and Midjourney to stay ahead of the curve on these things. Our jobs are constantly evolving, like most peoples’, but because ours involves technology it does seem faster than most. 

The Future is Calling

Q: What projects do you have on the horizon? 
 

A: Right now, I’m working on a big revamp of my own website (www.davidfenoulhetdesign.com), which was the very first website I ever designed and built while I was at CAT. So, I’m excited to finish that and release it, incorporating the things I’ve learned in the last few years since graduating. 

The Many Faces of Design and The Road Ahead

Thanks for such an informative interview, David! Your insight into the creative process of designing the patch was very eye-opening. Your work with the Canadian Army is a great testament to the wide spectrum of career possibilities as a graphic designer, and we can’t wait to see where your design journey takes you! Make sure to check out more of David’s work on his Instagram (@davidfenoulhetdesign), LinkedIn, and website 

Complete details on our design diploma are available on our Graphic & Web Design program page.

The post Designing Honour appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

“To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work.” – Mary Lauretta 

Q: What first inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?  

A: Growing up, my mom was the manager of an animal clinic. I spent a lot of time at her workplace and always knew it was something I wanted to pursue. Another factor was growing up in the country and having a variety of animals, and caring for those animals also made me want to choose this path. 

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

Q: Could you share a memorable experience from your time working in veterinary hospitals that has shaped your approach to teaching and leading within the department? 

A: I am so grateful for the great mentorships I received while working in some the field. Having someone take the time to really explain and show you the “why” behind things is so important in the industry. The unique experiences I have had working in a variety of settings such emergency, exotic and both small and large animal medicine really gave me the opportunity to see and do many things. Always take the chance, explore the opportunities for growth and development.  

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” – John C. Maxwell

Q: How does the department stay updated with the latest advancements and trends in veterinary medicine, and how are these integrated into the curriculum?  

A: We are continually reevaluating and updating our curriculum as the industry is constantly changing. From diets to pharmaceutical medications, treatments to protocols, it is essential that we keep our curriculum current and up to date. We have instructors that work in the industry as well as instruct classes, which allows for changes to be made where needed. We have a program advisory council (currently a veterinarian and 2 registered technicians) that are provided with all our program information from courses offered, curriculum taught, facilities, faculty, learning outcomes and objectives. This gives us an outside perspective to ensure that we continue to deliver the best program possible and maintain our positive reputation among clinics in the industry. 

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” – Oscar Wilde

Q: What advice would you give to students considering a career in veterinary medicine or enrolling in the Veterinary Hospital Assisting program? 

A: Go for it and don’t look back. Working with animals, whether in a clinic setting or another capacity is so rewarding. There are so many opportunities for development. The sky is literally the limit. Taking the VHA program will open many doors and if you work hard, are passionate and willing to grow and evolve, you will have a very successful career. The veterinary industry continues to grow, and veterinary hospital assistants will always be in demand (as well as those in shelters, and captive animal settings). To be able to obtain the training and education in 9 months and start a career is amazing. 

“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.” – Napoleon Hill

Q: What opportunities are available for students within the department to engage in research, internships, or extracurricular activities related to veterinary medicine? 

A: Between our community relations through our Student Services department and our team of instructors, we have and continually develop relationships within the industry. I recently encouraged one my students at the time to apply for a highly competitive internship opportunity at a wildlife rehabilitation facility that is well known and highly regarded. She not only was accepted into the program, but in the end was hired on as a full-time paid position. We often are the first point of contact for clinics in the area that are hiring, looking for recent graduate recommendations. 

“Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.” – Robert Kiyosaki

Q: Can you share any upcoming initiatives or developments within the department that students and the community can look forward to?  

A: On campus students participate in fundraising as part of our animal welfare course. We have done a variety of methods in the past such as bake sales, raffle baskets and bottle drives. Seeing the students come together and raise money for various charitable organizations is very impactful. At our last fundraiser we raised over $500. Contributions from both remote and on-campus students made it such a success. It is so heartwarming to see the students readily volunteering their time and efforts to benefit animals in need.  My current group of 7 students has raised over $275 this week through a bottle drive. Past fundraising efforts have included donations to: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Alleycats alliance rescue, The Toronto Zoo, The Calgary Zoo, and The Sloth Conservation Foundation.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Q: Many of our VHA students take their classes online. How do you approach fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among students and faculty within the Veterinary Hospital Assisting program? 

A: We currently run a hybrid classroom model in which we have students in class and online in the same cohort. They come together for one class where everyone is online together, which helps with the sense of community. In the past my remote students and those on campus have come together and form study groups. It would make me so happy to see 3 of my students in the classroom studying and look over to see one of my remote students on a cell phone propped up and joining in, or having both groups meet up online for last-minute study sessions before finals.  Our remote students join on camera on Microsoft Teams, and the classroom environment is the same for everyone. Students online actively participate in the lesson and activities, ask questions, and learn as if they were sitting in the classroom. By the end of the program, I feel as though I know my remote students as well as I do those on campus. I strive to connect with all my students regardless of the learning method as do my fellow instructors. 

“The future belongs to those who learn, grow, and adapt.” – John C. Maxwell

Q: Looking ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for the future of the Veterinary Hospital Assisting program? 

A: I am so proud of where we are currently. I really feel that we are in such a good place and balance of what we offer and how successful our graduates have been. We receive such positive feedback from not only the students taking the program, but as well as the industry professionals who employ them. I hope our program continues to thrive and continue to impress. 

Thank you, Kate, for taking the time to share a bit about yourself, along with the present and future of the Veterinary Hospital Assistant program! Under your guidance, this amazing program has grown and flourished, and we’re excited for the future. 

To learn more about our Veterinary Hospital Assistant program, head on over to the program page for all the details! 

The post Mentorships, Memorable Moments, and… Sloths? appeared first on Centre for Arts and Technology.

After completing their program, graduates are often focused on finding a great position and in this blog, you’ll meet one such grad, Alexandra Starker who landed her dream role at a local animal clinic. We caught up with Alexandra recently who took the time to fill us in on everything from why she chose CAT, what she gets up to at work, and what personal pets this animal-lover has. Dive into the full blog below! 

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on.” – Oscar Wilde 

Q: How did you hear about the Centre for Arts and Technology and what made you choose us? 

A: I heard about the Centre for Arts and Technology through a friend who had recommended the VHA program to me after she learned about my dream to work with animals. She had completed the VHA program previously and had only great things to say about it! 

Words of Wisdom

Q: Any advice to share with someone considering a career in animal care? 

A: My advice to someone considering a career in animal care would be to follow your heart and believe in yourself. If you dream of working with animals there are so many incredible job opportunities out there with your VHA diploma at veterinary hospitals, rescues, farms, conservation centers, breeding facilities, and zoos. You just need to believe in yourself, get your education, and keep applying for the jobs that you dream of doing! 

A Place to Belong

Q: Where are you working now and what is your role?  

A: I currently work at Pandosy Village Veterinary Hospital as a Vet Assistant. My role includes a variety of duties ranging from assisting during surgery, running tests like bloodwork or urinalysis, taking histories of patients, filling prescriptions, preparing surgical instruments and drapes, booking appointments, and responding to client emails. Every day I get the opportunity to work closely with clients, veterinarians, technicians, and assistants to help animals live healthy and happy lives. 

Q: What is the best part of working in animal care? 

A: I love getting to meet all the kittens and puppies and watching them grow up; along with getting to be a part of a team that is helping animals get better when they’re sick. It is so rewarding to see a sick pet get better through our care! 

Q: What is the most difficult part of working in animal care? 

A: Seeing animals that are hurt or sick is the most difficult part of working in animal care. The silver lining is knowing that they are in the right place to get help and start feeling better and that I have the ability to help them! 

“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” – Charles Darwin

Q: Do you have any pets and if so, tell us about them! 

A: I currently have a family of crested geckos, a mouse, and a shrimp aquarium. My crested geckos love hanging out with their tropical plants and eating their fruit paste. My mouse loves to take shoulder rides and hang out with me while I’m relaxing at home. And my shrimp brighten up my desk and I love watching their silly antics as they zoom around their aquarium. 

The Future is Bright 

Thank you for sharing your journey and experience with us Alexandra, we are honoured to have been a part of your journey!  

You can see more of Alexandra’s journey by following her clinic on social media, linked below.  

(Alexandra now works at the Pandosy Village Veterinary Hospital and we thank them for agreeing to participate in this blog post. You can see more of the amazing work they do on their website at https://pandosyvet.com/ or on their Instagram (@pandosyvet), or Facebook (Pandosy Village Veterinary Hospital) 

If you’ve been thinking of a career in animal care, make sure to check out the complete details on our Veterinary Hospital Assistant program page.  

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