Meet Jonathan Carrillo, a Graphic Design & Web Development program graduate at F.I.R.S.T. Institute. He’s also the Orlando technical school’s July 2019 Valedictorian!
Jonathan was fortunate enough to land a job after completing just half of the program. Check out what he has to say about his experiences in the graphics program and what he has to look forward to in the future.
Jonathan Carrillo: Humble Beginnings in Graphic Design
Carrillo’s interest in design began when he started creating logos, merchandise designs and Myspace layouts for other bands as well as his own. That piqued his interest and drove him to push forward and dive into graphic design.
He’s experimented with a lot of different things over the years, from working in the construction business to being a chef to being a singer. The alumnus says it’s that culmination that pivoted him into wanting to become a graphic designer.
It’s what Jonathan loves in the beginning, he says, and what he actually follows through with in the end. This is what brought him to F.I.R.S.T. He had a deep desire to continue that passion.
F.I.R.S.T. Student Credits Instructors for His Career
Carrillo’s favorite part about F.I.R.S.T. Institute is most definitely the teachers. Instructors like Tshela, Brandon and Arielle, who taught web development, brought a lot to the table. They all gave him the necessary tools he needed to push his creative side above and beyond.
So, without them, the Valedictorian tells us he definitely wouldn’t be where he is today.
His favorite class in the program was Adobe XD, hands-down. He learned a lot about building apps, prototyping and creating the “fun stuff.” The instructors taught him about the apps we all use on a daily basis.
Now, thanks to F.I.R.S.T., he has the tools needed to create those types of applications himself.
Career Development Department Filled with Opportunities
Jonathan really likes the Career Development aspect of the program. One of his favorite parts was the mock interviews. Students and graduates get the real-world sense of what it’s like to interview for industry jobs and be in the workforce.
This prepares the students first coming in who have never had real-world industry experience before attending F.I.R.S.T. They get the opportunity to learn what it’s like.
Jonathan’s Career Began Long Before Graduation
Halfway through the program, Jonathan landed a job as a marketing designer in the cosmetic and medical arenas. He currently uses programs such as WordPress, Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop, InDesign, XD and Illustrator in his daily tasks.
Carrillo also works in social media dealing with the web assets that his clients require. This includes making updates in HTML, CSS and WordPress. He also creates any web ads, web banners and any fliers his clients need.
A Graphic Designer’s Dream Job
Working for Marvel Studios or a company of that caliber, Jonathan Carrillo says, would be his dream job. He’s currently in talks with someone who works for Disney as well as Marvel. So, that’s a “pretty cool” potential opportunity for him.
Jonathan says, “We’ll see what happens in the next 2-5 years.”
Advice from a F.I.R.S.T. Institute Valedictorian
A word of advice he would give to someone entering the industry is to get involved. Join industry-related organizations like AIGA and Adobe Creative Jams. And just be an active member of the designing community.
Whether you’re going to a design event for your first time or your fifteenth time, it’s an opportunity. You just may meet your next employer. Being there could land you your first internship or even a new paying job in the industry.
Just give it your all! 100%!!!
