Undergraduate / "ready to return to my learning state of mind" - SCAD STATEMENT OF PURPOSE [5]

So young, but so determined to be the best of what I could make of myself. Artistic from the beginning, but was always motivated to build upon this talent. At the age of thirteen I took my skills to another level. I decided to experiment with digital artwork. After experimenting with a variety of different software, I found the program Adobe Photoshop, which is the program that contains most of my experience. I taught myself a lot of things and in a matter of time I began exposing my skills to others, which led me to jobs for local music artists, non-for-profit organizations, club owners, party promoters, and many more. Being paid at such a young age was wonderful, but my downfall slowly came around the age of fifteen, as I was introduced into alcohol.

Rushing home from school, I would be so excited to sit in front of the computer screen and learn something new every day. While other children would rather go play sports and games, I found art more fun. Whether I realized it or not, I was preparing myself for a bright future. As my skills progressed, I started entering in magazine and video game designing contests. In 2005, I entered in Need for Speed: Most Wanted's Vinyl Design Contest which I placed top ten. The following year, I entered in Modified Magazine Scion TC Design Contest which I was placed under honorable mentioned. Receiving these awards helped build my confidence and I began to expose my skills to others.

After my skills were gradually exposed, my social networks gathered one by one. Most of my work was flyer advertisement designs for parties. I figured since the flyer designs were for parties, I could attend these parties in order for my networks to further grow. Eventually I found myself a stable income, especially with the radio station as one of my major employers. As I continued going to parties, my networks continued to increase, but so did my attachment for alcohol. In the course of time, I led myself to become a young alcoholic.

Throughout my life, I always thought I would pursue my dreams in having a career with graphic designing. It all started out as fun and turned into something I loved doing. I found myself going to parties to build a network, but after a period of time it was no longer about the networking at the parties, it just became about the parties. My old love was loss, as I was too addicted to this lifestyle. It only brought me problems and the alcohol only contributed to more problems. It sooner gave me a DUI and a series of tickets. After going through a year of Alcoholics Anonymous, I learned a lot about myself. One of the things I learned was that I did not want to be an alcoholic; I want to be a graphic designer.

My learning stopped for an ample amount of time; however I am ready to return to my learning state of mind. Pursuing my studies in graphic design at SCAD will help what is left of the dreams I had when I was younger. I am prepared to be introduced to new techniques and new forms of art. I am ready to take on the fresh challenges of SCAD in order to prove to myself that I still have what it takes to become the best.