Carlos Velasco
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
AAF Omaha Student Member
AAF Most Promising Multicultural Student Award
Hello! My name is Carlos Velasco, and I’m currently a fifth year student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Graphic Design, currently getting ready to graduate in May.
As a graphic design student at UNL I’ve gotten many great opportunities to apply the lessons I learn in class to the real world. Whether it has been through experiences like Jacht Agency, internships like Swanson Russell, involvement opportunities around campus such and in the community such as our AIGA chapter or even the chance to design exhibitions all the way in Berkeley, CA, I’ve had remarkable experiences with the dedicated faculty and students at school to really develop my skills as a designer and find areas I’m interested in working in. I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time taking both classes in the new and exciting design program and also classes within the advertising and public relations major and both have been really great ways to see how my role as a designer can grow and develop in various ways. I feel ready to take on the world after having had all these experiences so far!
I spent this past semester studying in Paris to get more language proficiency and to also conduct my thesis research. I am very interested in the fields of fashion and lifestyle branding and so this experience was a once in a lifetime incredible chance to study and observe in the most relevant city for these interests. The entire experience was nothing short of amazing and I’m quite excited to build upon those experiences with both my written thesis and a pop up store project I’ll be working on this Spring.
I had the chance to attend AAF Omaha’s Meet the Pros with the awesome support of our AIGA faculty advisor and professor Colleen Syron. This was a really great event to attend and I was able to hear some wonderful presentations, network with professionals and also most importantly get one on one portfolio and resumé reviews. My time as a student member of AAF Omaha has also been beneficial as it’s opened up the doors to other opportunities such as the National AAF Most Promising Multicultural Student Award, where the excellent professor and mentor Amy Struthers nominated me. I’ll get to attend the special conference in New York in February and network with ad professionals and recruiters from across the country!
